“Pass The Plate” by THE CRUSADERS (2008 Universal 'Originals' CD Reissue - Kevin Reeves Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Felt Good…Nice And Good All The Way…" 

Ten years after their formation in 1961 - THE CRUSADERS finally dropped the word "Jazz" from their name and continued with a funkier direction for their debut LP on Chisa Records in 1970  - “Old Socks, New Shoes...New Socks, Old Shoes" (Chisa CS 804). Both “Old Socks…” and this - their rare 2nd album “Pass The Plate” on Chisa Records CS 807 - are available as part of Universal’s ‘Originals” CD Reissue Series.

UK released October 2008 - "Pass The Plate" by THE CRUSADERS on Universal/Verve/Chisa B0011961-02 (Barcode 602517833333) is a straightforward 7-track transfer of their rare 2nd album and is part of their Universal’s ‘Originals’ CD Reissue Series - Soul, Funk, Fusion and Jazz albums in card digipaks at mid price (42:16 minutes). Here are the platefuls…

1. Pass The Plate

(a) Tap N' Shuffle (b) Sing For Your Keep (c) Beggin' (d) Haggin' Stomp! (e) Pennies, Nickels & Dimes

2. Young Rabbits ’71-’72

3. Listen And You’ll See

4 Greasy Spoon

5. Treat Me Like Ya Treat Yaself

6. Goin’ Down South

7. Love Can’t Grow Where The Rain Won’t Fall

Tracks 1 and 2 written by Wayne Henderson, Track 4 by Nesbert Hooper and Tracks 3, 5, 6 and 7 by Joe Sample

The line up was still a four-piece (with Arthur Adams supplementing on guitar):

JOE SAMPLE - Keyboards

WILTON FELDER - Saxophones

WAYNE HENDERSON - Trombones

NESBERT "STIX" HOOPER - Drums & Percussion

ARTHUR ADAMS - Guitar

"Pass The Plate" was originally released May 1971 in the USA on Chisa Records CS-807 as a single album in a fetching gatefold sleeve (NO UK equivalent). Originally produced by STEWART LEVINE to great effect - this 2008 CD reissue is a straightforward copy of that album. Experienced and long-standing Engineer KEVIN REEVES has carried out the Remaster at Universal Mastering Studios and the sound quality is fabulous - funky, clear and muscular - just what's needed. The tri-gatefold card digipak reproduces the original fold-out artwork and informative liner notes by LES CARTER of KPPC FM Radio Station (there is no booklet.

Side 1 opens with the near 16-minute title track "Pass The Plate" by Wayne Henderson which is broken into 5 parts (a) Tap N' Shuffle (b) Sing For Your Keep (c) Beggin' (d) Haggin' Stomp! (e) Pennies, Nickels & Dimes. "Pass The Plate" was actually edited down to 2:42 minutes and issued in May 1971 as a 7" single on Chisa C 8013 with the slinky "Greasy Spoon" from Side 2 of the LP as its brilliant B-side (title of this review is spoken by the drummer at the end of the song). This lone 45 was issued and distributed solely by Motown, hence both sides of it (along with an unreleased version) have turned up on Disc 4 of the "The Motown Singles Collection Volume 11A: 1971" from February of 2009.

Side 2 contains two of my favourites - a lethal double whammy opening of Joe Sample's sweet and soulful "Listen And You'll See" followed by the already mentioned funky chestnut "Greasy Spoon". Sample's "Goin' Down South" is a wicked groover too. The only track that I find hard to take is the uncomfortably fast "Young Rabbits-'71-'72" which ends Side 1 - a little too fusion for my old foggy ears.

"Pass The Plate" is typical of so many of The Crusaders Seventies LPs - funky Jazz-Soul with a wee bit of fusion thrown in - and to this day it's still cool, wonderfully slick and just so listenable. This cracking but long-forgotten Jazz-Funk Meisterwork is now less than mid-price on CD and it's one I urge you to check out.

The Crusaders - I never tire of them...

PS: See also my review for another superlative Crusaders set - the 2CD Anthology “Gold” with amazing Gavin Lurssen Remasters…and "Old Socks, New Shoes", "Images" and "Free As The Wind" - and Joe Sample's "Rainbow Seeker" solo LP...

“Roebuck Man“ by ARTHUR 'BIG BOY' CRUDUP (1992 Sequel Records CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…I'm Going Down That Sunny Road…" 

Already 64 years old when he recorded this obscure and forgotten Blues album in early 1970 - Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup had cruelly seen 3 of his compositions covered by Elvis Presley (most famously “That’s All Right”) - but because of strange royalty arrangements – never saw any cash for them. But like Curtis Jones, Otis Spann, Muddy Waters and so many other black blues man of the time (who all complained of being ‘done’ by industry types) - they moved to Britain and Europe where their music was being listened to and appreciated by ecstatic white musicians and mixed audiences hungry for the real deal.

Working a small UK tour at the time (financed by The National Blues Federation of the USA) - Crudup stopped into a London studio to record this album. Produced by CHRIS TRIMMING and RON WATTS and engineered by MICK TAUBER, the whole LP was recorded in one day, 26 February 1970 and released in July 1970 on the Stereo LP United Artists UAS 29092 in the UK. Sporting a fetching laminate front sleeve, the album title came from a pub in Putney (featured behind him on the sleeve) where he received a none-to-enlightened reception and famously included an acidic reaction to it in the album’s title track. The LP also included ex members of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Manfred Mann and the newly formed McGuinness Flint - who were all big fans.

The line up was:

ARTHUR “BIG BOY” CRUDUP – Guitar & Vocals

HUGHIE FLINT – Drums (John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, McGuinness Flint)

BENNY GALLAGHER – Guitar, Bass & Vocals (McGuinness Flint, Gallagher & Lyle)

DAVE GELLY – Tenor Sax

JOHN LEWIS – Piano

TOM McGUINNESS – Guitar (Manfred Mann, McGuinness Flint)

This September 1992 UK CD on Sequel NEX CD 210 (Barcode 5023224121028) is a straightforward transfer of the 13-track album "Roebuck Man" by ARTHUR CRUDUP (digitally remastered at Abbey Road and subtitled "The 1970 London Sessions"). 

All tracks are Arthur Crudup originals and the sound is lovely throughout – warm and full (48:42 minutes). 

1. I Don’t Worry 

2. Needle Time

3. Room And Board 

4. Blind Man Sees 

5. Long Curly Mane 

6. Roebuck Man

7. Old And Grey [Side 2]

8. Before You Go

9. Korrina Korrina

10. Boogie In The Morning

11. Get You In My Arms

12. What Are You Trying To Do?

13. Burying Ground

It’s immediately obvious that the band complimented his voice and songs – most are combo numbers, but “Blind Man Sees” is just him and guitar ala John Lee Hooker. The harsh “Roebuck Man” opens with “If you should have to come to England, please don’t go to the Roebuck man…” but things get more Chicken Shack with the stunning “Room And Board” – thrilling guitar work and the band digging it (lyrics above).

“Corrina Corrina” (not the famous Joe Turner track Corrine, Corrina) is just Crudup and John Lewis on Piano and is wonderful blues – simple and sweet. It then ups a notch when the band joins them on the Jerry Lee Lewis sounding “Boogie In The Morning” – with piano rolls and great sax work from Dave Gelly, if you heard it in a pub, your foot would be pounding the floorboards in glee. He tells “Katy Mae” he loves her in “What Are You Trying To Do?” and the band just chugs along behind him to such sweet effect until he shouts “Take it!” and they start into blues rocking. “Burying Ground” is a dark closer about death and women dressed in red! So - a great little album then and rare on original vinyl. 

Arthur Crudup died in early 1974, aged 68. Blues historians often say that he gave a lot to the blues and an incalculable donation to world history via Elvis Presley and his 1st Sun 7” single in 1955 “That’s All Right” – it’s just such a shame the music business didn’t return the compliment.Still - there is this superb little CD to treasure and rave about. Seek it out…

“Emma” – the BBC’s 2009 Adaptation of Jane Austen’s Novel on BLU RAY…or not…

"…I Have Examined My Own Heart…And There You Were…"

The BBC's adaptation of Jane Austen's 4th and least-liked book is a superbly realized and warm-hearted gem, thanks to its talented and aptly chosen cast and its truly beautiful production values. ROMOLA GARAI and JONNY LEE MILLER as Emma Woodhouse and George Knightley are wonderful in their parts and exude genuine chemistry, while MICHAEL GAMBON is spot-on as Emma's loving but hypochondriac father and the other sub-characters are expertly played out too. It's what we all know - no one does it better than the BBC...

But as someone who loves oldies and wants to collect films in their best form, there's a stickler point of view that I feel needs to be put out there - and right now... Standard Definition versus High Definition...

I've watched a lot of BLU RAY reissues across the last year (and reviewed most of them) and loved the ones that have been properly restored or properly prepped for reissue. But - and this is a big but - when old movies or TV productions are transferred to BLU RAY, unless they're remastered or restored, the indoor shots are invariably worse - loads of blocking, fuzziness and bad lighting... This production of Emma doesn't have any of that because its trump card is 2009 HIGH DEFINITION filming... Filmed in HD, every frame is gorgeous - and it's been lit with HD in mind, so interiors of great halls, the upholstery of regal chairs, the intricate stitching in gowns, the lacework of shawls, the silk of scarves, the weaved threads of dapper waistcoats - all of it - is there for you to see in endlessly fabulous detail.

Which brings me to my biggest gripe - where's the BLU RAY? My wife and I watched the 4 parts of "Emma" as it was broadcast on Sunday nights in standard definition, but recorded it to the hard-drive the following Tuesday night when it was broadcast in HD - and the difference couldn't have been more marked. We watched BOTH versions in other words. It's TWICE AS GOOD in HD - and a genuine thing of wonder to look at - so where's the BLU RAY with the HIGH DEF picture?

"Young Victoria" is the same, a superb little period film with beautiful production work put into it - put out only on DVD when it would have been a breathtaking BLU RAY... (I wonder how many sales they lost because of that?)

I won't buy "Emma" on DVD because it short-changes my viewing pleasure and in some sort of strange way - does the whole effort put into it by the BBC a massive disservice.

If it was filmed in HD - and looks best in that - then why sell it in a sub-standard format? Let's dump DVDs for God's sake (which have quickly become worthless across a vast number of titles - I know - we sell them second-hand and they're fast becoming as useless as CD) and move on... The DVD is dead - and BLU RAY is its replacement - and this progression is not going to be stopped...

Paying money for Emma on DVD is like buying an out-of-date computer, it will work, but when you see the new 27" iMac with its beautiful reproduction graphics, you know you've made a huge mistake and someone conned you out of your cash...

Five stars for the series then, but docked one star for its release on DVD-only - which ultimately short-changes the buying public and denies them a proper choice when purchasing...

PS: : three other Romola Garai movies worth checking out are “Inside I’m Dancing”, “Amazing Grace” and “I Capture The Castle”
And three Jonny Lee Miller films are “The Flying Scotsman”, “Melinda and Melinda” and “ Plunkett and MacLeane”

“Coraline” – A Review of the 2009 Animated Film Now Issued on BLU RAY in Both 2D and 3D.

"…No Coraline!” said the Evil Spider. “I’m Your “Other” Mother…"

I would echo other reviews of "Coraline" - an absolute wow on the 2D BLU RAY image - but gimmicky, dark and blurry on the 3D version.

This is aimed at both the kids and their accompanying parents - childlike enough to capture the wee ones for two hours, but adult enough in other ways to keep us old-folk glued. My 11 and 15 year olds loved it, though I would say it might be a bit 'too' scary for children younger than that (it's quite sinister in parts - this is not saccharine Disney, but Tim Burton territory - and he rarely panders nor holds back).

Four flimsy card glasses are provided for the 3D version (you choose either 2D or 3D from the main menu), but as you watch it, they irritate and you're far too aware of them. Pixar’s “Up” had proper 3D glasses when we went to see it at the cinema and they made a huge difference to both the quality of the 3D effect and the comfort (too busy enjoying the film to notice).

The 2D version couldn’t be more different. The BLU RAY image is awesome – really bringing out the workmanship that went into each shot. The richness of the animation and the hugely imaginative way all the characters look in every single scene – it’s all an absolute blast. The vocal work is typically ace too (Dakota Fanning shines) and the story of parents and their children straying apart is like a dark Brothers Grimm tale that will unfortunately ring too true for many. The extras are superb too. Shame the whole thing is let down by the 3D side of things.

To sum up - and despite some niggles - the gobsmacking beauty of the print, the great voice talent and the dead clever grown-up story make it all worthwhile.

This is one you'll watch again and again – and your kids will impress their friends with it.

Recommended.

"From The Roots" by THE MAYTALS (December 2003 Sanctuary/Trojan 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…All Over The World…Share Out The Gold And Silver…"

Jamaican born Frederick "Toots" Hibbert was just 18 when he formed the earliest version of The Maytals in 1961 with his two friends Nathaniel "Jerry" Mathias and Henry "Raleigh" Gordon (the three are pictured on the cover). A couple of albums (and a Sixties jail-sentence for their leader later) and you jump forward to the 1970s - and the same wiser trio made this wonderful but now largely forgotten Reggae LP “From The Roots”. Sanctuary in the UK acquired the entire Trojan Records Reggae catalogue in 2001 for over £10 million and in a slew of superb CD reissues - this nifty little piece is a genuine star propping up the bar. Here are the precious metals...

UK issued in December 2003 – "From The Roots" by THE MAYTALS on Sanctuary/Trojan TJCCD091 (Barcode 5050159909124) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD version of that rare 1973 UK album and breaks down as follows (62:56 minutes):

1. Pee Pee Cluck Cluck

2. Loving Spirit

3. Doctor Lester (Aka African Doctor)

4. Gold & Silver 

5. Koo Koo

6. Revival Reggae

7. Thy Kingdom Come

8. One Eye Ends

9. A Time To Love

10. 9 O’Clock

11. Know Me Good

12. Got To Feel (It)

13. Feel So Good

14. Give Peace A Chance 

Tracks 1 to 14 are the album "From The Roots" issued in 1973 in the UK on Trojan TRLS 65 (recorded in/copyright date 1969)

BONUS TRACKS: 

15. Israel (a 1970 Jamaican 7" single)

16. Your Troubles Are Over (an album outtake)

17. Doctor Lester [aka African Doctor] (Alternate Take)

18. Know Me Good (Alternate Take) 

19. Feel So Good (Alternate Take)

20. I Alone (a 1971 single issued is Jamaica on Starapple Records)

21. One Eye Enos (a different version to the album cut; it was issued in the UK in 1971 on a 7" single Summit SUM 8520) 

22. Funky Funky (a 1971 Jamaican 7" single issued on Beverley's Records)

The album was produced by the legendary but short-lived LESLIE KONG (he died in 1971 aged only 37) - a young Chinese immigrant who was instrumental in the recording and acceptance of Jamaican music in its formative years (he did Bob Marley's 1st single in 1962).  The 12-page foldout insert has affectionate liner notes by HARRY HORNBY while the whole project was coordinated and compiled by LAURENCE CANE-HONEYSETT and JOHN REED - both of whom have extensive writing and compiling experience across a huge range of Trojan releases. Excepting the cover of John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance", all tracks are Hibbert originals - and there's even a card wrap on the outside depicting the original album sleeve that gives the whole release a classy feel...

Given the less-than-stellar quality of the original recordings (reggae is notoriously non-audiophile), the sound quality on these Cedar-improved remasters is superb - muscular and clear. Personal favourites include the sharing-out-our-wealth song "Gold And Silver" (lyrics above) and the superb "Loving Spirit" which is imbibed with Hibbert's strong belief in love channeled through God and music. The extras are ace too - personally I feel the 'Alternate Take' of "Know Me Good" is better than the released album version and "Funky Funky" is a wicked little groover of a record that must be impossible to find on original vinyl...and a cool rediscovery.

"From The Roots" is a sweetheart of an album and it's listed value at £30 in the Record Collector Price Guide of 2010 doesn't in any way reflect the difficulty you would have in locating an original copy on vinyl. For a lot less, you can now easily get this expanded CD instead. It's a journey you should take...and well done to all the good people involved in keeping this particular reggae flame alive…

PS: if you're looking for more music in the same vein, see my reviews for the 2CD DELUXE EDITIONS of the following 4 iconic British LP releases all of which were also on the Trojan Records label - "Tighten Up Volume 1" and "Tighten Up Volume 2" by VARIOUS ARTISTS, "1000 Volts Of Holt" by JOHN HOLT and "Skinhead Moonstomp" by SYMARIP. And for Island Records UK - see also my review of the 2009 3CD mini box set "War Ina Babylon"...

"So What" by JOE WALSH (2009 and 2011 JAPAN-Only Universal SHM-CD Remaster in 5" Mini LP Repro Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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

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"...Open My Eyes Again..."

There are now 3 Japanese variants of Joe Walsh's "So What" album on CD and I'd like to clear up what's what...

1st - on the 21st of October 2004 - Joe Walsh's first three solo LPs were finally reissued in remastered CD form but only in Japan. "Barnstorm" (his 1972 debut) on Universal UICY-9477, "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get" (1973) on UICY-9478 and "So What" on UICY-9479. In detailed mini-LP repro sleeves (complete with hard-card gatefolds for the first two and "So What's embossed inner sleeve) - they were 24-bit remastered by HITOSHI TAKIGUCHI in Universal's Mastering Studios. Not surprisingly, they sold out almost immediately and across the next few years (with no equivalent domestic releases), they quickly became very expensive collector's items - these are 'not' SHM-CD reissues. 

2nd - on 22 April 2009 all 3 of the above were reissued on the SUPER HIGH MATERIALS format (SHM-CD) - "Barnstorm" on Universal UICY-94062, "The Smoker You Get, The Player You Get." on UICY-94063 and "So What" on UICY-94064. There is also an additional title not in the original list - his 4th album - the 1976 live set "You Can't Always Argue With A Sick Mind" which is on UICY-94065 (with 2009 Remastering and Card Outer/Inner Sleeves). The repro artwork (including lyric booklets) for each of the original three is exactly the same as the 2004 issues - as is the mastering - the ONLY difference is that the CD itself is a higher spec SHM-CD. 

3rd issue is the first 3 of the above 2009 SHM-CDs reissued on 23 February 2011 (again in Japan only - same artwork - limited editions) with a different catalogue number (Universal/Geffen UICY-75007 for "So What" - Barcode 4988005644930). I've bought one and it's exactly the same as the 2009 issue. The sound quality is fantastic. ("Barnstorm" and "Smoker" are newly reissued also). But what does this new SHM-CD offer (36:23 minutes)? 

1. Welcome To The Club 

2. Falling Down

3. Pavane Of The Sleeping Beauty

4. Time Out

5. All Night Laundromat Blues 

6. Turn To Stone [Side 2]

7. Help Me Through The Night

8. County Fair

9. Song For Emma

The blurb surrounding SHM tells us that the manufacturing process is of the very highest quality and therefore in playback this somehow allows more nuances of the music to come out. Remember - SHM is NOT a new format that requires an encoded specialist player - it's just a better form of CD - and it therefore plays on ALL players. So is "So What" any better on this new format - the infuriating answer is yes and no...

I thought the 2004 remasters were very good - not exactly blistering - but far better than what we'd had before. Now - on this SHM issue - I can hear bass and drum parts more - particularly on "Help Me Through The Night" (lyrics above) and "County Fair" - they're far better. "Turn To Stone" has more muscle in it too, which is fabulous news. The synths on the Maurice Ravel excerpt "Pavane Of The Sleeping Beauty" are razor-sharp too. But the rocking "Time Out" and the Don Henley penned "Falling Down" however, sound pretty much the same to me. 

If I was to sum up the good points of this SHM release, it would be that like a quality DVD or a great BLU RAY player - it holds the picture better - steadier - and that's what this new CD format does. Somehow, it does sound clearer and more defined on many of the tracks. The bad news is that you'd be hard pressed to spot any difference on some of the others. If anything - on "Welcome To The Club" and the messily recorded but lovely album-closer "Song For Emma" - the hiss levels are amplified and not lessened. Such a shame, because in my opinion, it does get in the way of enjoying this beautiful song.  

I would have to admit that a person's judgement can easily be coloured. After 40 years of listening to this album that I love so much, I'm consciously aware of wanting to hear stuff on this rather pricey little import - I am. But my honest appraisal is that it does sound better. Unfortunately for a rabid nutjob like me (and I bet the buggers who make these things know this) - if it sounds in any way better - I'm going to have to own it.  

Summing up - as it stands - I’d still say that the 2004 remaster of Joe Walsh’s wonderful “So What” on this 2009/2011 SHM-CD format is worth the purchase…and aesthetically its truly gorgeous to look at too.

I'm off to stroke the embossed inner sleeve again - and concede that I may need to get out more...  

Nellie Lutcher Discography - Referencing The Bear Family 4CD Box set of 1995.

USA Discography with reference to the track placing on the Bear Family Box set – this discography locates all 85 tracks issued during her career (the 20 previously unreleased tracks on the box set are documented in the review itself)

78’s and 45’s – NELLIE LUTCHER and HER RHYTHM

1. Hurry On Down [2/1] b/w The Lady’s In Love With You [3/1]
June 1947 USA 78” on Capitol Americana 40002

2. He’s A Real Gone Guy [7/1] b/w Let Me Love You Tonight [8/1]
July 1947 USA 78” on Capitol Americana 40017

3. You Better Watch Yourself, Bub [4/1] b/w My Mother’s Eyes [6/1]
September 1947 USA 78” on Capitol Americana 40042

4. Do You Or Don’t You Love [10/1] b/w The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On) [18/1]
January 1948 USA 78” On Capitol Americana 40063

5. Fine Brown Frame [21/1] b/w The Pig-Latin Song [9/1]
March 1948 USA 78” on Capitol 15032

6. Come And Get It, Honey [17/2] b/w He Sends Me [14/2]
May 1948 USA 78” on Capitol 15064

7. Imagine You Having Eyes For Me [23/1] b/w (I Took A Trip On The Train And) I Thought About You [15/1]
June 1948 USA 78” on Capitol 15112

8. Cool Water [11/2] b/w Lake Charles Boogie [20/1]
July 1948 USA 78” on Capitol 15148

9. Alexander’s Ragtime Band [24/1] b/w My Little Boy [15/2]
September 1948 USA 78” on Capitol 15180

10. Wish I Was In Walla Walla [2/2] b/w A Maid’s Prayer [4/2]
December 1948 USA 78” on Capitol 15279

11. My New Papa’s Got To Have Everything [16/2] b/w Say A Little Prayer For Me [10/1]
January 1949 USA 78” on Capitol 15352

12. A Chicken Ain’t Nothin But A Bird [12/2] b/w Ditto From Me To You [5/2]
March 1949 USA 78” on Capitol 57-70001

13. Baby, Please Stop And Think About Me [26/2] b/w Kiss Me Sweet [25/2]
August 1949 USA 78” on Capitol 57-70009

14. Princess Poo-Poo-Ly Has Plenty Papaya [13/2] b/w Fine And Mellow Blues [13/1]
August 1949 USA 78” on Capitol 57-70026

15. Glad Rag Doll [22/2] b/w Lutcher’s Leap [9/2]
November 1949 USA 78” on Capitol 57-70044

16. Only You [24/2] b/w Little Sally Walker [18/2]
January 1950 USA 7” single on Capitol F 798

17. For You My Love [4/3] b/w Can I Come In For A Second [5/3]
February 1950 7” single on Capitol F 847
[A&B with NAT KING COLE - A-side written by PAUL GAYTEN]

18. That’s A Plenty [1/3] b/w I’ll Never Get Tired [3/3]
1950 USA 7” single on Capitol F 878

19. Loveable [12/1] b/w Kinda Blue & Low [16/1]
1950 USA 7” single on Capitol F 1026

20. To Be Forgotten [19/2] b/w That Will Just About Knock Me Out [21/2]
1950 USA 7” single on Capitol F 1217

21. I Really Couldn’t Love You [7/3] b/w Pa’s Not Home – Ma’s Upstairs [6/3]
May 1951 USA 78” single on Capitol F 1420

22. Hurry On Down b/w Fine Brown Frame
1951 USA 7” single on Capitol F 1604 [REISSUE of her 1947 Classics]

23. The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On) [18/1] b/w Humoresque (Opus No.7) [22/1]
1951 USA 7” single on Capitol F 1728

24. The Birth Of The Blues [13/3] b/w I Want To Be Near You [12/3]
1951 USA 7” single on Capitol F 1789

25. What A Difference A Day Made [15/3] b/w The Heart Of A Clown [17/3]
February 1952 USA 7” single on Capitol F 1978

26. Mean To Me [11/3] b/w Let The Worry Bird Worry For You [14/3]
1952 USA 7” single on Capitol F 1829
[Note: A-side with Orchestra Conducted by BILLY MAY]

27. That’s How It Goes [16/3] b/w Keepin’ Out Of Mischief Now [18/3]
1952 USA 7” single on Capitol F 2038

28. The Heart Of A Clown [17/3] b/w My Mother’s Eyes [6/1]
1952 USA 7” single on Capitol 4319
(Note: B-side is the 1947 original)

29. Muchly Verily [23/3] b/w How Many More [20/3]
January 1953 USA 78” single on Okeh 6935
[A-side by NELLIE LUTCHER; B-side by BOUDLEAUX BRYANT]

30. St. Louis Blues [24/3] b/w Takin’ A Chance On Love [23/3]
1953 USA 7” single on Okeh 7030

31. Whee Baby [22/3] b/w Blues For Bill Bailey (aka Bill Bailey Won’t You Please Come Home) [25/3]
1953 USA 7” single on Epic 9005

32. Blues In The Night [3/4] b/w Breezin’ Along With The Breeze [4/4]
1954 USA 7” single on Decca 9-29284

33. Please Come Back [7/4] b/w It’s Been Said [5/4]
1955 USA 7” single on Decca 9-29494

34. If I Didn’t Love Like I Do [8/4] b/w Whose Honey Are You? [6/4]
1955 USA 7” single on Decca 9-29642

35. Blue Skies [9/4] b/w You Made Me Love You [11/4]
February 1956 USA 7” single on Liberty 55018

36. (All Of A Sudden) My Heart Sings [17/4] b/w Have You Ever Been Lonely [20/4]
1956 USA 7” single on Liberty 55027

37. Hurry On Down [21/4] b/w I Never Get Tired [26/4]
1957 USA 7” single on Imperial 5436
(Note: the A-side is a Re-recording of her 1947 hit on Capitol)

38. Heart Of A Clown [27/4] b/w Reaching For The Moon [28/4]
1963 USA 7” single on Melic 4131

**** LPs ****

“Nellie Lutcher” – Nellie Lutcher and Her Rhythm
3 x 78” LP Package issued March 1948 as an ‘Album” on Capitol CC-70 (Mono)
(The individual catalogue numbers for each 78” follow the A and B sides listed below)
1. The One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else) [1/1] b/w Chi-Chi-Chi-Chicago [11/1]
(Capitol 10108)
2. Reaching For The Moon [17/1] b/w There’s Another Mule In Your Stall [14/1]
(Capitol 10109)
3. Sleepy Lagoon [5/1] b/w Lake Charles Boogie [20/1]
(Capitol 10110)

“Real Gone!”
1950 USA 8-Track 10” LP on Capitol H-232 (Mono)
Side 1:
He’s A Real Gone Guy [7/1]; Fine Brown Frame [21/1]; Hurry On Down [2/1]; Come And Get It, Honey [17/2]
Side 2: Do You Or Don’t You Love Me 10/1]; Let Me Love You Tonight [8/1]; The Lady’s In Love With You [3/1]; My Mother’s Eyes [6/1]

(Note: the 10” LP listed above was then extended to a 12” LP in 1955 adding 4 extra tracks (denoted as **) and issued on Capitol T 232 – see next entry)

“Real Gone!”
1955 USA 12-Track 12” LP on Capitol T-232 (Mono) [Differing Artwork to the 10” LP]
Side 1:
He’s A Real Gone Guy [7/1]; Fine Brown Frame [21/1]; Hurry On Down [2/1]; Do You Or Don’t You Love Me [10/1]; Let Me Love You Tonight [8/1] The Lady’s In Love With You [3/1]
Side 2:
So Nice To See You Baby ** [19/1]; That’s A Plenty ** [3/1]; My Little Boy ** [15/2]; Alexander’s Ragtime Band ** [24/1]; Come And Get It, Honey [17/2]; My Mother’s Eyes [6/1]

“Whee! Nellie!”
1955 USA 6-Track 10” LP on Epic LN 1108 (Mono)
Side 1:
Whee, Baby! [22/3]; Taking A Chance On Love [23/3/]; Muchly Verily [23/3]
Side 2:
St. Louis Blues [24/3]; How Many More [20/3]; Blues For Bill Bailey [aka Bill Bailey Won’t You Please Come Home] [25/3]

“Our New Nellie” [with Russ Garcia and His Orchestra]
1956 USA 12-Track 12” LP on Liberty LRP 3104 (Mono)
Side 1:
Have You Ever Been Lonely [20/4]; You Made Me Love You [11/4]; (All Of A Sudden) My Heart Sings [17/4]; Someone To Watch Over Me [16/4]; This Can't Be Love [12/4]; Blue Skies [9/4]
Side 2:
Rose Colored Glasses [18/4]; It Had To Be You [14/4]; The Nearness Of You [13/4]; On The Sunny Side Of The Street [15/4]; Ole Buttermilk Sky [19/4]; Three Little Words [10/4]

“Delightfully Yours”
1966 USA 10-track 12” LP on Sunset SUM-1124 [Mono]/SUS-5124 [Stereo]
Side 1: (All Of A Sudden) My Heart Sings [17/4]; The Nearness Of You [13/4]; Have You Ever Been Lonely [20/4]; On The Sunny Side Of The Street [15/4]; You Made Me Love You [11/4]
Side 2:
Rose Colored Glasses [18/4]; This Can’t Be Love [12/4]; Someone To Watch Over Me [16/4]; Blue Skies [9/4]; Three Little Words [10/4]

[The 10-tracks used on “Delightfully Yours” are culled from the “Our New Nellie” album sessions which were only ever recorded in MONO – however, as you can see above, this Sunset LP was issued in both MONO and STEREO – the Bear Family box doesn’t reference EITHER - probably because this was false re-channelled stereo and the MONO tracks are already referenced on the Liberty LRP 3104 LP]

“The Best Of”
1995 USA Capitol Compilation on CD – Capitol CDP 7243 8 35039
(Track 15 and 22 are referenced on the Box set because they were previously unreleased at the time)
1. Hurry On Down
2. One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else)
3. You Better Watch Yourself, Bub
5. My Mother's Eyes
6. He's A Real Gone Guy
7. Let Me Love You Tonight
8. Chi Chi Chi Chicago
9. Fine And Mellow
10. I Thought About You
11. Kinda Blue And Low
12. The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)
13. Lake Charles Boogie
14. Fine Brown Frame
15. My Man (Mon Homme) [6/2]
16. Chicken Ain't Nothin' But A Bird
17. He Sends Me
18. My New Papa's Got To Have Everything
19. Come And Get It
20. Honey Honey
21. That Will Just About Knock Me Out Baby
22. Baby What's Your Alibi [2/3]
23. Pa's Not Home

“Images” by THE CRUSADERS. A Review of Their 1978 LP now reissued on a 2009 Verve “Originals” CD Remaster.

The Crusaders are part of my "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters Soul, Funk & Jazz Fusion" Download Book available to buy on Amazon to either your PC or Mac (it will download the Kindle software to read the book for free to your toolbar). Click on the link below to go my Author's Page for this and other related publications:

                       http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00LQKMC6I

THE CRUSADERS line-up for "Images" was:
JOE SAMPLE - Keyboards
WILTON FELDER - Saxophones
BILLY ROGERS - Guitar
ROBERT "POPS " POPWELL - Bass
NESBERT "STIX" HOOPER - Drums & Percussion

Additional Guests were:
DEAN PARKS - Guitar (All Selections)
ROLAND BAUTISTA - Guitar (On "Fairy Tales", "Bayou Bottoms" and "Covert Action")
PAULINHO DaCOSTA - Percussion (All Selections)

"Images" was first issued in a single sleeve LP in July 1978 in the USA on Blue Thumb BA-6030 and on ABC Records ABCL 5250 in the UK. This CD reissue (June 2009 in the USA - September 2009 in the UK - Verve 0602517995710) is part of Universal's "Originals" series and is issued in a card digipak (no booklet unfortunately) at mid-price.

It breakdowns like this (39:46 minutes)

1. Fairy Tales (Joe Sample song)
2. Marcella's Dream (Nesbert "Stix" Hooper song)
3. Bayou Bottoms (Wilton Felder song)
4. Merry Go Round (Joe sample song)
[Tracks 1 to 4 made up Side 1 of the original LP]
5. Cosmic Reign (Robert "Pops" Popwell song)
6. Covert Action (Wilton Felder song)
7. Snowflake (Joe Sample song)
[Tracks 5 to 7 made up Side 2 of the original LP]

Possessing not the greatest album sleeve in history, "Images" was nonetheless a bit a of jazz-funk peach. Produced by "Stix" Hooper, Wilton Felder & Joe Sample for "Crusader Productions, Inc." and mastered by long-standing expert Bernie Grundman, it followed so much of their Seventies output - really well-produced instrumental funky tracks followed by mellow ones that filled both the floor and the heart at one and the same time.

Remastered from the original tapes by KEVIN REEVES at Universal Mastering in the States, it now sounds FABULOUS - really clear and defined - and virtually hiss-free.

With juts a poor-sounding 1990 US CD to go on - and only "Snowflake" and "Fairy Tales" on the superior sounding "Gold" 2CD set from 2007 (see separate review) - that means that 5 of these 7 tracks are only now getting the sonic upgrade they've deserved for so long. The funk bliss that is "Bayou Bottoms" now sounds stupendous and had me throwing some very embarrassing shapes on our living room carpet. Other tracks like "Cosmic Reign" and “Merry Go Round” are so "Aja" in their arrangements too - and to be compared with Steely Dan's 1977 masterpiece is the highest compliment really.

After a whole decade and umpteen albums of their particular type of funk & jazz, the same team that handled "Images" would finally hit paydirt a year later in 1979 with the global smash of "Street Life" and make Randy Crawford a star.

"Images" is a forgotten Crusaders album and one that now sounds as fresh as it did over 31 years ago - recommended.

PS: For those interested in delving a little deeper - I've posted a full list to October 2009 of the 120+ titles in the "ORIGINALS" CD series below

**** Universal's "ORIGINALS" CD Series ****
Reissue CDs in Gatefold Digipaks of Classic Albums covering the 1950's through to the 1990's
They cover many labels - Verve, Mercury, Fontana, A&M, Chisa, Blue Thumb, Kudu, ABC, Philips, Impulse etc
These titles started in 2007 and are on-going into 2009
This List is in Artist and Title Alphabetical Order (with Release Date)

Laurindo Almeida – see STAN GETZ
1. New Orleans Nights - LOUIS ARMSTRONG and the ALL STARS (1950)
2. Satchmo At Pasadena - LOUIS ARMSTRONG and the ALL STARS (1951)
Louis Armstrong – see also ELLA FITZGERALD
3. A Tear To A Smile - ROY AYERS UBIQUITY (1975)
4. Change Up The Groove - ROY AYERS UBIQUITY (1974)
5. He's Coming - ROY AYERS UBIQUITY (1971)
6. Lifeline - ROY AYERS (1977)
7. Ubiquity - ROY AYERS (1971)
8. Vibrations - ROY AYERS (1977)
9. Virgo Red - ROY AYERS (1973)
10. You Send Me - ROY AYERS (1978)
11. Chapter One: Latin America - GATO BARBIERI (1973)
12. Chapter Three: Viva Emiliano Zapata - GATO BARBIERI (1974)
13. Chapter Two: Hasta Siempre - GATO BARBIERI (1973)
14. Ruby. Ruby - GATO BARBIERI (1977)
15. Tropico - GATO BARBIERI (1978)
16. Basie Land - COUNT BASIE (1963)
17. On My Way & Shoutin' Again - COUNT BASIE (1963)
18. Intimacy - WALTER BEASLEY (21 October 2008)
19. Just Kickin' It - WALTER BEASLEY (1989)
20. Walter Beasley - WALTER BEASLEY (1987)
Louis Belson – see STAN GETZ
21. I Got A Woman And Some Blues - GEORGE BENSON (1970’s material, 1984)
22. Shape Of Things To Come - GEORGE BENSON (1969)
23. Soul Finger - ART BLAKEY and the JAZZ MESSENGERS (1965)
24. Bobo Motion - WILLIE BOBO (1967)
25. The Brazilian Scene - LUIZ BONFA (1965)
26. Braziliana - LUIZ BONFA and MARIA TOLEDO (1965)
27. Return Of The Brecker Brothers - THE BRECKER BROTHERS [Randy and Michael] (1992)
28. Just Between us - NORMAN BROWN (1992)
29. Jazz Samba – CHARLIE BYRD (1962)
30. Occasional Rain - TERRY CALLIER (1972)
31. What Color Is Love - TERRY CALLIER (1973)
Paul Chambers – see OLIVER NELSON
32. Children Of Forever - STANLEY CLARKE (1973)
Rudy Collins – see DIZZY GILLESPIE
33. A Love Supreme - JOHN COLTRANE (1964)
34. Ascension - JOHN COLTRANE (1965)
35. Crescent - JOHN COLTRANE (1964)
36. Impressions - JOHN COLTRANE (1961)
37. John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman - JOHN COLTRANE and JOHNNY HARTMAN (1963)
38. The John Coltrane Quartet Plays... - JOHN COLTRANE QUARTET (1965)
39. Kulu Se Mama - JOHN COLTRANE (1965)
40. Live At Birdland - JOHN COLTRANE (1963)
41. Meditations – JOHN COLTRANE (1965)
42. New Thing At Newport - JOHN COLTRANE and ARCHIE SHEPP (1965)
John Coltrane - see also DUKE ELLINGTON
Gal Costa – see ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM
43. Images - THE CRUSADERS (1978)
44. Old Socks, New Shoes...New Socks, Old Shoes - THE CRUSADERS (1970)
45. Pass The Plate - THE CRUSADERS (1971)
The Crusaders - see also JOE SAMPLE and DAVID T. WALKER
46. Ascenseur Pour L'echafaud - MILES DAVIS (1957)
Paul Desmond Quartet - see GERRY MULLIGAN
Eric Dolphy – See OLIVER NELSON
47. A Dream Fulfilled – WILL DOWNING (1991)
48. Come Together As One – WILL DOWNING (1989)
49. Faces In Reflection – GEORGE DUKE (1974)
50. I Love The Blues, She Heard My Cry - GEORGE DUKE (1975)
Harry Edison – see STAN GETZ
51. Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins - DUKE ELLINGTON and COLEMAN HAWKINS (1962)
52. Duke Ellington & John Coltrane - DUKE ELLINGTON and JOHN COLTRANE (1963)
53. Plays The Theme From V.I.P. & Others – BILL EVANS (1963)
Bill Evans – see also OLIVER NELSON
54. Out Of The Cool - GIL EVANS ORCHESTRA (1961)
55. Octet - MAYNARD FERGUSON (1955)
56. Ella In Hamburg (Live) - ELLA FITZGERALD (1961)
57. Ella In Hollywood - ELLA FITZGERALD (1961)
58. Porgy & Bess - ELLA FITZGERALD and LOUIS ARMSTRONG (1957)
59. At The Shrine – STAN GETZ (1954)
60. Big Band Bossa Nova - STAN GETZ and GARY McFARLAND (1962)
61. Dynasty – STAN GETZ (1971)
62. Getz/Gilberto – STAN GETZ and JOAO GILBERTO (also features Astrud Gilberto) (1963)
63. Getz/Gilberto No.2 – STAN GETZ and JOAO GILBERTO (1964)
64. In Stockholm (Live) - STAN GETZ (1956)
65. Jazz Samba Encore! – STAN GETZ (1963)
66. Sweet Rain - STAN GETZ (1967)
67. Stan Getz With Guest Artist Laurindo Almeida – STAN GETZ and LAURINDO ALMEIDA (1963)
68. Jazz Giants '58 - STAN GETZ, GERRY MULLIGAN, HARRY EDISON, LOUIS BELSON and The OSCAR PETERSON TRIO (1958)
69. Swing Is Here - TERRY GIBBS (1960)
70. A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness - ASTRUD GILBERTO and WALTER WANDERLEY (1966)
71. The Astrud Gilberto Album - ASTRUD GILBERTO (1965)
72. Look To The Rainbow - ASTRUD GILBERTO and GIL EVANS (1966)
Astrud Gilberto – see also STAN GETZ and JOAO GILBERTO
Joao Gilberto – see also STAN GETZ and JOAO GILBETO
73. The Cool World - DIZZY GILLESPIE (1964)
74. Dizzy Gillespie Goes Hollywood – DIZZY GILLESPIE (1963)
75. Dizzy On The French Riviera - DIZZY GILLESPIE with CHRIS WHITE, RUDY COLLINS, LALO SCHIFRIN and LEO WRIGHT (1962)
76. I Just Dropped By To Say Hello - JOHNNY HARTMAN (1963)
Johnny Hartman – see also JOHN COLTRANE
Coleman Hawkins – see DUKE ELLINGTON
Roy Haynes – see OLIVER NELSON
77. Used To Be Duke - JOHNNY HODGES and his ORCHESTRA (1954)
78. Lady Sings The Blues - BILLIE HOLIDAY (1956)
79. The Artistry Of Freddie Hubbard – FREDDIE HUBBARD (1962)
Freddie Hubbard – see also OLIVER NELSON
80. At The Museum Of Modern Art – MILT JACKSON (1970s)
81. Treasure Island - KEITH JARRETT (1974)
Jazz Messengers – see ART BLAKEY
82. Rio Revisited - ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM and GAL COSTA (1989)
Antonio Carlos Jobim – see also Elis Regina
83. Quincy Jones Explores The Music Of Henry Mancini - QUINCY JONES (1964)
84. The Quintessence - QUINCY JONES ORCHESTRA (1962)
85. You've Got It Bad Girl - QUINCY JONES (1973)
86. Live At The Apollo – B.B. KING (1990)
87. Arabesque - JOHN KLEMMER (1977)
88. Barefoot Ballet - JOHN KLEMMER (1976)
89. Goin' Latin - RAMSEY LEWIS (1966)
90. The In Crowd - RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO (1965)
91. Live At The Bohemian Caverns - RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO (1962)
92. Home Is Where The Music Is - HUGH MASEKELA (2LP set on 1CD) (1972)
Gary McFarland – see STAN GETZ
93. Down Here On The Ground - WES MONTGOMERY (1967)
94. Goin' Out Of My Head - WES MONTGOMERY (1965)
95. Blues In Time - GERRY MULLIGAN and PAUL DESMOND QUARTET (1957)
96. Lonesome Boulevard – GERRY MULLIGAN (1990)
Gerry Mulligan – see also STAN GETZ
97. The Blues And The Obscure Truth - OLIVER NELSON [featuring PAUL CHAMBERS, ERIC DOLPHY, BILL EVANS, ROY HAYNES and FREDDIE HUBBARD] (1961)
98. In A Romantic Mood - OSCAR PETERSON (1955)
99. Oscar Peterson Plays The Jerome Kern Songbook - OSCAR PETERSON (1952)
100. Oscar Peterson and Nelson Riddle - OSCAR PETERSON and NELSON RIDDLE (1963)
101. Oscar Peterson Trio + One - OSCAR PETERSON TRIO and CLARK TERRY (1964)
Oscar Peterson Trio - see also STAN GETZ, SONNY STITT
102. Blues In the Closet – BUD POWELL TRIO (1956)
103. Come Into Knowledge - RAMP (1977)
104. Elis & Tom - ELIS REGINA and ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM (1974)
See also ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM
Nelson Riddle – see OSCAR PETERSON
105. Quiet As It's Kept - MAX ROACH (1960)
106. On Impulse! - SONNY ROLLINS (1965)
107. Swing Street Café - JOE SAMPLE and DAVID T. WALKER (1981) [Keyboardist and Guitarist with The Crusaders]
108. Piano, Strings And Bossa Nova - LALO SCHIFRIN (1962)
Lalo Schifrin – see also DIZZY GILLESPIE
109. Everybody's Somebody's Fool - LITTLE JIMMY SCOTT (1950s Material)
Archie Shepp - see JOHN COLTRANE
110. Let It Be Me (Live) - NINA SIMONE (1987)
111. Hobo Flats - JIMMY SMITH (1963)
112. Live At The Village Gate - JIMMY SMITH TRIO (1963)
113. Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? - JIMMY SMITH (1964)
114. Sonny Stitt Sits In With The Oscar Peterson Trio - SONNY STITT and OSCAR PETERSON (1957)
Clark Terry - see OSCAR PETERSON
115. ...Plays The Contemporary Music Of Mexico And Brazil - CAL TJADER (1962)
Maria Toledo – see LUIZ BONFA
David T Walker - see JOE SAMPLE
116. At Mister Kelly’s – SARAH VAUGHAN and HER TRIO (1957)
Walter Wanderley – see ASTRUD GILBERTO and WALTER WANDERLEY
117. All The King's Horses - GROVER WASHINGTON, Jr. (1972)
118. A Secret Place - GROVER WASHINGTON, Jr. (1976)
119. Feels So Good - GROVER WASHINGTON, Jr. (1975)
120. Inner City Blues - GROVER WASHINGTON, Jr. (1971)
121. Reed Seed - GROVER WASHINGTON, Jr. (1978)
122. Soul Box - GROVER WASHINGTON, Jr. (1973)
Chris White – see DIZZY GILLESPIE
Leo Wright – see DIZZY GILLESPIE