“Taking Care Of Business 1956 – 1973” by FREDDIE KING. A Review of the 2009 Bear Family 7CD Box Set With Added 7”/LP Discographies Referencing The Box

"…I Swim The Deepest River…"

Bear Family box sets are famous for their sumptuousness, but I would venture to say that this absolute peach is one of the best tomes they've ever produced - and given their ludicrously high standards with content, sound and presentation - that's really saying something. I'm properly blown away - I really am.

"Taking Care Of Business 1956-1973" was released May 2009 on Bear Family BCD 16979 GK in Germany and contains 167 remastered tracks across 7 fully-featured CDs. Inside is a 106-page 12" x 12" HARDBACK BOOK which is shrink-wrapped for protection (a nice touch) and as you can imagine is a thing of beauty in itself. Rare photos, trade adverts, concert posters, singles on Federal and King, albums on Cotillion and Shelter punctuate a huge essay on King's life and music by noted expert BILL DAHL. The updated Discography by BILL DAHL and RICHARD WEIZE is presented in a far-clearer manner than before (even if there are a few mistakes and omissions) and there's also a track-by-track alphabetical list that follows it. The whole set reeks of care and affection.

Track Mixing and Remastering is by BILL INGLOT (of Rhino fame) and JURGEN CRASSER (of Bear Family) and the quality is GORGEOUS throughout - especially on the last three discs. Each jewel case carries a different photo-inlay and each label reflects the recording period - Federal on 1 to 3, King on 4, Cotillion on 5 and Shelter on 6 and 7. And as you can see from the list below, there's some eye-catching extended playing times...

Disc 1, 25 Tracks, 70:46 minutes
Disc 2, 26 Tracks, 77:15 minutes
Disc 3, 22 Tracks, 70:56 minutes
Disc 4, 32 Tracks, 87:16 minutes
Disc 5, 25 Tracks, 84:46 minutes
Disc 6, 17 Tracks, 77:35 minutes
Disc 7, 20 Tracks, 77:49 minutes

SINGLES:
"Taking Care Of Business" will also allow you to sequence the A&B sides of 36 x 7" singles - every one from his rare debut "Country Boy" in 1956 on El-Bee 157 right up to "Woman Across The River" on Leon Russell's Shelter label in 1973 (Shelter 7333). The six-tracks of his 1961 "Bossa Nova And Blues" EP on King KSS-7 821 are here too.

ALBUMS:
All of the following LPs are complete too (relevant tracks only on 3, 4, 8 and 15):

1. "Freddy King Sings" (King 762, Mono, 1961)
2. "Let's Hide Away And Dance Away With Freddy King" (King 773, Mono, 1961)
3. "Boy-Girl-Boy" (King 777, Mono, 1962)
[Credited to Freddy King, Lula Reed & Sonny Thompson with 4 tracks featuring Lula Reed with Freddy King]
4. A Carnival Of Songs" (King 819, 1963, A Various Artists compilation featuring 1 exclusive track - "Closed Door")
5. "Bossa Nova And Blues" (King 821, Mono, 1962)
6. "Freddy King...Gives You A Bonanza Of Instrumentals" (King 928, Mono, 1965)
7. "Freddy King Sings Again" (King 931, Mono, 1965, see LP Discography)
8. "All His Hits" (King 5012, 1965 Compilation LP featuring "Christmas Tears")
9. "24 Vocals And Instrumentals" (King 964, Mono, 1966)
10. "Freddie King Is A Blues Master" (Cotillion SD-9004, Stereo, 1969)
11. "My Feeling For The Blues" (Cotillion SD-9016, 1970)
12. "Getting Ready" (Shelter SHE-8905. 1971)
13. "Texas Cannonball" (Shelter SW-8913, 1972)
14. "Woman Across The River" (Shelter SW-8919, 1973)
15. "Ann Arbor Blues And Jazz Festival" (Atlantic SD2-502, 1973 2LP set featuring 1 exclusive track "Goin' Down")

MISTAKES/OMISSIONS:
The Discography forgets to mention the 7" single King 6264, which reissued the A-sides of his 2nd and 3rd singles "Have You Ever Seen A Woman" and "Hideaway" in 1969. On the album front the "24 Vocals And Instrumentals" album set on King 964 is 'pictured', but not referenced in the Discography - a big error. The "Freddy King Goes Surfin" album on King 856 is a reissue of the "Let's Hide away..." LP from 1961 (King 773) with crowd overdubs added on - but those versions are not featured here at all (probably considered too gimmicky for inclusion). His 6-track session work on the rare Smokey Smothers album from 1962 "Sings The Backporch Blues" on King 779 is not mentioned nor featured either - which is odd. And because the set ends at 1973, you don't get the last two albums he did for RSO before he died - "Burglar" (1974) and "Freddy King Larger Than Life" (1975) - nor do you get the session work he put in on the Jimmy Rogers "Gold Tailed Bird" LP on Shelter SW-8921 in 1973. In truth though, you'd have to look deep into the discography to see these things, but they're points worth making.

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED/FEATURED ARTSTS/SOUND:
I'm thrilled to say that the outtakes are equal to - and in some cases surpass - the released material. "Ain't No Big Deal On You" on Disc 7 funks and rocks so cool (lyrics above) and the cover of Muddy Waters "I Just Want To Make Love To You" is slow and bluesy in all the right ways. There's loads more where they came from. King Curtis, Leon Russell and members of Booker T. & The M.G.'s are all over the Cotillion and Shelter albums to such great effect - and over and over - the sound quality across all the discs just hammers you with its muscle and clarity. I can't stop playing it.

This kind of quality and class doesn't come cheap though - there's little change out of one hundred and fifty sterling or three hundred dollars - but it is BEAUTIFUL.

Freddie King died 28 December 1976 aged only 42. But at least this truly stunning box set celebrates his musical legacy in real style.

Roll on Lightnin' Hopkins, Albert King, Big Joe Turner...

PS: for fans I've posted a USA 7" single and LP discography which references where to find the tracks on the box set - each is posted in a separate 'comment' attached to this review

PPS: I've also reviewed the following Bear Family box sets (with discographies) that may be of interest - Louis Jordan, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Roy Orbison and Nellie Lutcher

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FREDDIE KING – USA 7” SINGLE DISOGRAPHY
Referencing the 2009 “Taking Care Of Business 1956 – 1973”
7CD Box Set on Bear Family BCD 16979 GK

Entries 1 to 30 are credited to FREDDY KING, thereafter as FREDDIE KING

1/2 = Disc 1, Track 2
2/14 = Disc 2. Track 14 etc

1. Country Boy b/w That’s What You Think (El-Bee 157, 1956)
[1/1 and 1/2]
Note: “Country Boy” also features vocals by Eloise Whitfield

2. Have You Ever Loved A Woman b/w You’ve Got To Love Her With A Feeling (Federal 45-12384, December 1960)
[1/6 and 1/5]

3. Hide Away b/w I Love The Woman (Federal 45-12401, March 1961)
[1/7 and 1/8]
Note: the A-side is an Instrumental

4. Lonesome Whistle Blues b/w It’s Too Bad Things Are Going So Tough (Federal 45-12415, May 1961)
[1/9 and 1/11]

5. San-Ho-Zay b/w See See Baby (Federal 45-12428, 1August 1961)
[1/17 and 1/4]
Note: the A-side is an Instrumental

6. I’m Tore Down b/w Sen-Sa-Shun (Federal 45-12432, October 1961)
[1/ 12 and 1/14]
Note: the B-side is an Instrumental

7. Christmas Tears b/w I Hear Jingle Bells (Federal 45-12439, December 1961)
[2/3 and 2/7]

8. If You Believe (In What You Do) b/w Heads Up (Federal 45-12443, January 1962)
[1/10 and 2/2]
Note: the B-side is an Instrumental

9. Takin’ Care Of Business b/w The Stumble (Federal 45-12450, March 1962)
[2/5 and 1/16]
Note: the B-side is an Instrumental

10. Side Tracked b/w Sittin’ On The Boat Dock (Federal 45-12456, April 1962)
[1/15 and 2/17]
Note: the A-side is an Instrumental

11. Do The President Twist b/w Your Love Keeps A-Working On Me (Federal 45-12457, May 1962)
[2/19 and 3/1]
Note; the A-side is credited to LULU REED & FREDDY KING while the B-side is LULU REED (only) – her name should read ‘Lula’ Reed

12. What About Love b/w Texas Oil (Federal 45-12462, July 1962)
[3/2 and 2/12]
Note: the B-side is an Instrumental

13. Come On b/w Just Pickin’ (Federal 45-12470, September 1962)
[2/18 and 2/23]
Note: the B-side is an Instrumental

14. (Let Your Love) Watch Over Me b/w You Can’t Hide (Federal 45-12471, October 1962)
[2/20 and 2/21]
Note: both A&B credited to LULU REED and FREDDY KING

15. I’m On My Way To Atlanta b/w In The Open (Federal 45-12475, December 1962)
[2/14 and 2/8]
Note: the B-side is an Instrumental

16. It’s Easy, Child b/w Say Hey Pretty (Federal 45-12477, December 1962)
[2/22]
Note: The A-side is credited to LULU REED and FREDDY KING
The B-side is LULU REED and SONNY THOMPSON And His Orchestra
and is NOT on the box set because there’s no FK involvement

17. The Bossa Nova Watusi Twist b/w Look, Ma I’m Cryin’ (Federal 45-12482, February 1963)
[3/4 and 3/13]
Note: the A-side is an Instrumental

18. (I’d Love To) Make Love To You b/w One Hundred Years (Federal 45-12491, 1963)
[3/14 and 3/15]

19. (The Welfare) Turns Its Back On You b/w You’re Barkin’ Up The Wrong Tree (Federal 45-12499, 1963)
[3/11 and 3/9]

20. Monkey Donkey b/w Surf Monkey (Federal 45-12509, 1963)
[3/21 and 3/17]
Note: the B-side is an Instrumental

21. Meet Me At The Station b/w King-A-Ling (Federal 45-12515, 1964)
[4/1 and 4/3]
Note: the B-side is an Instrumental

22. Someday, After Awhile (You’ll Be Sorry) b/w Driving Sideways (Federal 45-12518, 1964)
[3/7 and 2/16]
Note: the B-side is an Instrumental

23. She Put The Whammy On Me b/w High Rise (Federal 45-12521, 1964)
[2/13 and 2/11]
Note: the B-side is an Instrumental and is also known as “Closed Door”

24. Now I’ve Got A Woman b/w Onion Rings (Federal 45-12529, 1964)
[3/16 and 1/13]
Note: the B-side is an Instrumental and is also known as “Butterscotch”

25. Some Other Day, Some Other Time b/w Manhole (Federal 45-12532, 1965)
[4/6 and 4/9]
Note: the B-side is an Instrumental

26. If You Have It b/w I Love You More Everyday (Federal 45-12535, 1965)
[3/18 and 4/4]

27. She’s The One b/w Full Time Love (Federal 45-12537, 1965)
[4/7 and 4/2]

28. Use What You’ve Got b/w Double Eyed Whammy (King 45-6057, 1966)
[4/19 and 4/18]

29. You’ve Got Me Licked b/w Girl From Kookamunga(King 45-6080, 1967)
[4/17 and 4/16]

30. Have You Ever Loved A Woman b/w Hideaway (King 45-6264, 1969)
[Reissue of the A of Entries 2 and 3]

31. Funky b/w Play It Cool (Cotillion 44015, 1969)
[4/26 and 4/28]
Note; the A-side is co-written with KING CURTIS

32. I Wonder Why b/w Yonder Wall (Cotillion 44058, 1970)
[5/6 and 5/5]
Note: The A-side is written by JOE JOSEA and B.B. KING
The B-side is an Elmore James cover version

33. Going Down b/w Tore Down (Shelter 7303, 1971)
[5/21 and 5/24]
Note: the A-side is a DON NIX song; the B-side is a SONNY THOMPSON song

34. Me And My Guitar b/w Lowdown In Lodi (Shelter 7320, 1972)
[7/2 and 6/16]
Note: the A-side is a JOHN FOGERTY song; the B-side is a LEON RUSSELL and CHARLES BLACKWELL song

35. I’d Rather Go Blind b/w Ain’t No Sunshine (Shelter 7323, 1972)
[7/3 and 6/10]
Note: the A-side is a LEON RUSSELL song; the B-side is a BILL WITHERS song

36. Woman Across The River b/w Help Me Through The Day (Shelter 7333, 1973)
[7/9 and 7/16]
Note: the A-side is a BETTYE CRUTCHER and ALLEN JONES, Jr. song; the B-side is a LEON RUSSELL song

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FREDDIE KING – USA LP DISCOGRAPHY
Referencing the 2009 “Taking Care Of Business 1956 – 1973”
7CD Box Set on Bear Family BCD 16979 GK

1. “Freddy King Sings”
1961, King Records 762 [Mono]

Side 1:
1. See See Baby [1/4]
2. Lonesome Whistle Blues [1/9]
3. Takin' Care Of Business [2/5]
4. Have You Ever Loved A Woman [1/6]
5. You Know That You Love Me (But You Never Tell Me So) [1/19]
6. I'm Tore Down [1/12]

Side 2:
1. I Love The Woman [1/8]
2. Let Me Be (Stay Away From Me) [2/4]
3. It's Too Bad (Things Are Going So Tough) [1/11]
4. You've Got To Love Her With A Feeling [1/5]
5. If You Believe (In What You Do) [1/10]
6. You Mean, Mean Woman (How Can Your Love Be True) [2/6]

2. “Let’s Hide Away And Dance Away With Freddy King”
1961, King Records 773 [Mono]
Note: ALL tracks are Instrumentals
See also King 856 – it is the King 773 LP reissued in 1963, but with overdubbed crowd noise

Side 1:
1. Hide Away [1/7]
2. Butterscotch [1/23]
3. Sen-Sa-Shun [1/14]
4. Side Tracked [1/15]
5. The Stumble [1/16]
6. Wash Out [1/18]

Side 2:
1. San-Ho-Zay [1/17]
2. Just Pickin’ [2/23]
3. Heads Up [2/2]
4. In The Open [2/8]
5. Out Front [2/9]
6. Swooshy [2/10]

3. “Boy – Girl – Boy”
1962, King Records 777 [Mono]
Credited to FREDDY KING, LULA REED, SONNY THOMPSON

Side 1:
1. Do The President Twist - Lulu Reed & Freddy King [2/19]
2. I Got A Notion - Lula Reed
3. Know What You're Doing - Lula Reed
4. You Can't Hide - Lula Reed and Freddy King [2/21]
5. Puddentane - Lula Reed

Side 2:
1. (Let Your Love) Watch Over Me - Lula Reed & Freddy King [2/20]
2. I'm A Woman (But I Don't Talk Too Much) - Lula Reed
3. Waste No More Tears - Lula Reed
4. It's Easy Child - Lula Reed and Freddy King [2/22]
5. I Know - Lula Reed
6. Why Don't You Come On Home - Lula Reed

4. “Smokey Smothers Sings The Backporch Blues”
1962, King Records 779 [Mono]
Note: one of the few (and rare) times Freddy King played session work – the album is by Chicago Bluesman OTIS “BIG SMOKEY” SMOTHERS and King is on the tracks marked [FK]

Side 1:
1. Crying Tears
2. Smokey's Love Sick Blues
3. I Ain't Gonna Be No Monkey Man No More [FK}
4. I've Been Drinking Muddy Water [FK]
5. You're Gonna Be Sorry [FK]
6. Midnight And Day

Side 2:
1. Blind And Dumb Man Blues
2. Honey I Ain't Teasin'
3. I Can't Judge Nobody [FK]
4. Give It Back (What I Done For You) [FK]
5. What Am I Going To Do
6. Come On Rock Little Girl [FK]

5. “A Carnival Of Songs”
1963, King Records 819 [Mono]
A Various Artists compilation LP with 1 Freddy King song that is exclusive – “Closed Door” [2/11]

6. “Bossa Nova And Blues
1963, King Records 821 [Mono]

Side 1:
1. (I'd Love to) Make Love To You [3/14]
2. You're Barkin' Up The Wrong Tree [3/9]
3. Look Ma I'm Cryin' [3/13]
4. It Hurts To Be In Love [3/12]
5. You Walked In [3/8]
6. The Bossa Nova Watusi Twist [3/4]

Side 2:
1. Is My Baby Mad At Me [3/10]
2. Someday After Awhile (You'll Be Sorry) [3/7]
3. One Hundred Years [3/15]
4. Bossa Nova Blues [3/3]
5. The Welfare (Turns It's Back On You) [3/11]
6. Walk Down That Aisle (Honey Chile) [3/6]

7. “Freddie King Goes Surfin’”
1963, King Records 856 [Mono]
Note: A reissue of King 773 with crowd overdubs [not referenced in the box]

8. “Freddy King…Gives You A Bonanza Of Instrumentals”
1965, King Records 928 [Mono]

Side 1:
1. Manhole [4/9]
2. Freeway 75 [3/5]
3. Low Tide [3/19] [aka Zoo Surfin’]
4. The Sad Nite Owl [4/13]
5. Funny Bone [4/11]
6. Nickel Plated [4/14]

Side 2:
1. King-A-Ling [4/3]
2. Surf Monkey [3/17]
3. Freddy's Midnite Dream [4/15]
4. Fish Fare [4/10]
5. Cloud Sailin' [4/12]
6. Remington Ride [3/20]

9. “Freddy King Sings Again”
1965, King Records 931 [Mono]
NOTE: Mystery surrounds this LP. There is no artwork available and no one appears to have ever seen any. As you can see from the tracks listed below – it is made up entirely of Federal 7” single sides – perhaps it was pulled not to kill their sales – but that is pure speculation.
The Bear Family booklet unfortunately doesn’t clarify anything about LP 931 - whether or not it was ever released (some sources now presume it wasn’t). But the discography DOES reference the following 12 tracks, so I’ve included them here for info purposes (in discography appearance order)…

1. Come On [2/18]
2. What About Love [3/2]
3. Now I’ve Got A Woman [3/16]
4. If You Have It [3/18]
5. Monkey Donkey [3/21]
6. Meet Me At The Station [4/1]
7. Full Time Love [4/2]
8. I Love You More Every Day [4/4]
9. Teardrops On Your Letter [4/5]
10. Some Other Day, Some Other Time [4/6]
11. She’s The One [4/7]
12. She’s That Kind [4/8]

10. “All His Hits”
1965, King Records 5012
Features “Christmas Tears” [2/3]

11. “24 Vocals And Instrumentals”
1966, King Records 964 [Mono]
NOTE: the Discography ‘pictures’ this album in between the text, but doesn’t actually reference LP 964 in any of the entries. I think this is probably a clerical mistake. For info purposes, I’ve given their box set reference as below…

Side 1:
1. Meet Me At The Station [4/1]
2. Manhole [4/9]
3. Sittin' On The Boat Dock [2/17]
4. Texas Oil [2/12]
5. She's The Kind [aka “She’s That Kind”] [4/8]
6. High Rise [aka “Closed Door”] [2/11]
7. Some Other Day, Some Other Time [4/6]
8. King-A-Ling [4/3]
9. Surf Monkey [3/17]
10. She Put The Whammy On Me (Part 1) [2/13]
11. She Put The Whammy On Me (Part 2) [2/13]
12. Nickleplated [4/14]

Side 2:
1. Sen-Sa-Shun [1/14]
2. It's Easy Child [2/22]
3. Just Pickin' [2/1]
4. Now I've Got A Woman [3/16]
5. The Sad Nite Owl [4/13]
6. I'm On My Way To Atlanta [2/14]
7. Freeway 75 [3/5]
8. If You Have It [3/18]
9. Cloud Sailin' (Don’t Move) [4/12]
10. I Love You More Every Day [4/4]
11. Freddy's Midnite Dream [4/15]
12. Monkey Donkey [3/21]

12. “Hideaway”
1969, King Records KS-1059 [Mono]/KSD-1059 [Stereo]
A compilation – it is NOT referenced in the Box Set’s Discography
However, the mono versions can be sequenced from previous entries

Side 1:
1. Hideaway
2. I'm Tore Down
3. Washout
4. Have You Ever Loved A Woman
5. Low Tide

Side 2:
1. The Stumble
2. See See Baby
3. Side Tracked
4. I Love The Woman
5. Remington Ride

13. “Freddie King Is A Blues Master”
1969, Cotillion SD-9004 [Stereo]
Note: the album is Produced by and Features KING CURTIS

Side 1:
1. Play It Cool [4/28]
2. That Will Never Do [4/29]
3. It’s Too Late, She’s Gone [4/30]
4. Blue Shadows [4/27]
5. Today I Sing The Blues [5/4]
6. Get Out Of My Life Woman [4/32]

Side 2:
1. Hideaway [4/25]
2. Funky [4/26]
3. Hot Tomato [5/1]
4. Wide Open [5/2]
5. Sweet Thing [4/31]
6. Let Me Down Easy [5/3]

14. “My Feeling For The Blues”
1970, Cotillion SD-9016 [Stereo]
Note: the album is Produced by and Features KING CURTIS

Side 1:
1. Yonder Wall [5/5]
2. The Stumble [5/9]
3. I Wonder Why [5/6]
4. Stormy Monday [5/10]
5. I Don't Know [5/7]

Side 2:
1. What'd I Say [5/11]
2. Ain't Nobody's Business What We Do [5/12]
3. You Don't Have To Go [5/13]
4. Woke Up This Morning [5/14]
5. The Things I Used To Do [5/15]
6. My Feeling For The Blues [5/8]

15. “Getting Ready”
1971, Shelter Records SHE-8905 (USA) and A&M Records AMLS 65004 (UK)
Note: the album is Produced by and Features LEON RUSSELL

Side 1:
1. Same Old Blues [5/16]
2. Dust My Broom [5/17]
3. Worried Life Blues [aka “Worry My Life No More”] [5/18]
4. Five Long Years [5/19]
5. Key To The Highway [5/20]

Side 2:
1. Going Down [5/21]
2. Living On The Highway [5/22]
3. Walking My Myself [5/23]
4. Tore Down [5/24]
5. Palace Of The King [5/25]

16. “Texas Cannonball”
1972, Shelter SW-8913 [Stereo]
Note: the album is Produced by and Features LEON RUSSELL

Side 1:
1. Lowdown In Lodi [6/16]
2. Reconsider Baby [6/17]
3. Big Legged Woman [7/1]
4. Me And My Guitar [7/2]
5. I'd Rather Be Blind [7/3]

Side 2:
1. Can't Trust Your Neighbor [6/7]
2. You Was Wrong [6/8]
3. How Many More Years [6/9]
4. Ain't No Sunshine [6/10]
5. The Sky Is Crying [6/11]

17. “Woman Across The River”
1973, Shelter SW-8919 [Stereo]
Note: the album is Produced by and Features LEON RUSSELL

Side 1:
1. Woman Across The River [7/9]
2. I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man [7/10]
3. The Danger Zone [7/11]
4. Boogie Man [7/12]
5. Leave My Woman Alone [7/13]

Side 2:
1. Just A Little Bit [7/14]
2. Yonder Wall [7/15]
3. Help Me Through The Day [7/16]
4. I'm Ready [7/17]
5. Trouble In Mind [7/18]
6. You Don't Have To Go [7/19]

18. “Ann Arbor Blues And Jazz Festival”
1973, Atlantic SD2-502 [2LP set featuring 1 exclusive Freddy King track “Goin’ Down” [7/20]

“The Emitt Rhodes Recordings (1969 – 1973)” by EMITT RHODES. A REVIEW of the USA 2009 Hip-O Select 2CD Set Now Given a January 2010 UK Release.

This review is part of my Series "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters 1970s Rock And Pop" 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

"I Was Dying Inside...I Was Hoping You'd Come Along..."

In truth, there was a time when you couldn't give away Emitt Rhodes albums here in the UK, but something of a rediscovery of his music has taken place in the last two decades that has brought his LPs out of the bargain bins and into the eBay lists.

Hailing from Hawthorne (a suburb in Los Angeles), Rhodes first came to prominence with the US sixties group "The Merry-Go-Round" who made one album for A&M in 1967, their self-titled debut "The Merry-Go-Round". Around the album they issued a wad of singles, but neither bothered the charts. These releases are quite sought after now. And prior to this rather lovely reissue, the only half decent set of his music on CD was a rare 1998 compilation from Edsel of the UK called "Daisy-Fresh". Well not anymore...

Released initially in the USA in May 2009 as a 2CD set, Hip-O Select B0012926-02 is a worldwide limited edition of 5000 which contains 4 full albums and one rare non-album 7" single. It breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (66:13 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 13 are the album "The American Dream" recorded in 1969 but released after his debut album (14 to 25 below) in April 1971 in the USA on A&M SP-4254 and on A&M AMLS 64254 in the UK
Tracks 14 to 25 are the album "Emitt Rhodes" first issued December 1970 in the USA on ABC/Dunhill DS 50089 and then on Probe Records SPBA 6256 in the UK in February 1971

Disc 2 (70:06 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Mirror" issued on ABC/Dunhill DSX 50111 in the USA in November 1971 and on Probe Records SPBA 6262 in the UK in December 1971
Tracks 11 to 22 are the album "Farewell To Paradise" issued September 1972 on Probe Records SPBA 6266 in the UK and on ABC/Dunhill DSX 50122 in the USA.

Track 23 is "Tame The Lion", a non-album A-side. In the UK it was on Probe Records PRO 565 and in the USA on A&M 4315, both issued in 1972. "Golden Child Of God" - an album track off "Mirror" - is its B-side in both countries.

The 3-way fold out card digipak houses a 16-page booklet with an appreciation of the man and his music by SCOTT SCHNIDER. There's also a pictorial album-by-album breakdown with relevant production and instrument credits. It's remastered by PETE DOELL at Universal Mastering and sounds fantastic - and given that most of these tracks are self-recorded by Rhodes himself - it's amazing how good they sound. Equally impressive is his musicianship on every track - so proficient, so talented.

Vocally Rhodes is a cross between Nilsson on "Nilsson Schmilsson", Todd Rundgren on "Something/Anything?" and Ron Mael of Sparks on "Kimono My House". But there is also the Beach Boys and Dennis Wilson vibe too. With all these cool influences bounding around, his songs and their arrangements have aroused a lot of interest in those who like their Seventies tunes melodic and layered. His first album is probably his most popular and fans will be glad to see it represented here in its entirety. Also - and impressively - most of the songs on here are entirely written, played, arranged and produced by Emitt Rhodes (how every Prince).

Another nice touch is that the 1st issue of "The American Dream" album had the track "Saturday Night" on it - which was replaced with "You're A Very Lovely Woman" when it was reissued later in a different sleeve - Hip-O has included both tracks so you can sequence either version.

While I like his debut - for me his song writing improved immeasurably on "Mirror". I especially love "Better Side Of Life" and "Really Wanted You" (lyrics above) - very Dennis Wilson - and in a really good way.

To sum up - and as other reviewers have pointed out - this is a superb reissue and luckily for us it's been given a January 2010 UK release for just under twelve quid (rare for Hip-O sets).

It's not all fab of course, but when he was good - he was sit-up-and-take-notice good. Recommended.

"History Of Rhythm And Blues 1942-1952, The" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 101 Tracks Across 4 CDs including Lucky Millinder, Ella and Buddy Johnson, Dinah Washington, T-Bone Walker, Joe Liggins, Louis Jordan, Amos Milburn, Julia Lee, Nellie Lutcher, Nat King Cole, Arthur Crudup, Johnny Otis, Hank Williams, Wynonie Harris, Roy Brown, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, The Dominoes, The Swallows, The Treniers, Ray Charles, The Clovers, The Five Keys, Lloyd Price, Lowell Fulson, and more (May 2009 UK Rhythm And Blues Records 4CD Card Digibook Box Set – Volume 3 of 4 in a Series) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Boogie Woogie On A Saturday Night... "

 

Released in May 2009 - this 4CD box set is the 2nd issue in a series of 4 releases from Rhythm And Blues Records - a new label out of the UK specializing in quality issues of R&B music from way, way back.

 

The first set "The History Of Rhythm And Blues 1925-1942" on RANDB001 was issued in early 2008 and is reviewed separately. And I'm delighted to say that this set is just as good as the first - and it's also improved presentation-wise in a major way (Volume 3 covers 1952-1957 while Volume 4 continues the story from 1957-1962). This 2nd Box Set is much prettier than the last and in many ways a much more 'fun' listen. Here are the Big Ten Inch details...

 

UK released May 2009 - "The History Of Rhythm And Blues 1942-1952" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhythm And Blues Records RANDB0003 (Barcode 5065001126024) breaks down as follows...

 

Disc 1 (72:45 minutes):

"Jumpin' From Harlem To The West Coast"

1. Little John Special - LUCKY MILLINDER and HIS ORCHESTRA (1942, Decca/Brunswick 3406)

2. That's The Stuff You Gotta Watch - ELLA and BUDDY JOHNSON and ORCHESTRA (1945, Decca 8671)

3. Evil Gal Blues - DINAH WASHINGTON with LIONEL HAMPTON SEXTET (1944, Keynote 605)

4. I Wonder - PRIVATE CECIL GANT (1944, Bronze 117, Gilt Edge 501)

5. Driftin' Blues - CHARLES BROWN with JOHNNY MOORE'S THREE BLAZERS (1946, Philo 112)

6. T-Bone Boogie - T-BONE WALKER (1944, Rhumboogie 4002)

7. Boogie Woogie On A Saturday Night - FIVE RED CAPS (1944, Beacon 7133)

8. The Blues Can Jump - THE FOUR BLUES (1945, Deluxe 1004)

9. Be-Baba-Leba - HELEN HUMES (1945, Philo/Aladdin 106)

10. Caldonia Boogie - LOUIS JORDAN (1945, Decca 8670)

11. Milton's Boogie - ROY MILTON and HIS SOLID SENDERS (1946, Jukebox 503)

12. The Honeydripper - JOE LIGGINS (1945, Exclusive 207)

13. Who Threw The Whiskey In The Well - WYNONIE HARRIS with LUCKY MILLANDER and HIS ORCHESTRA (1945, Decca 18674)

14. Strange Things Happening Every Day - SISTER ROSETTA THARPE (1945, Decca 8669)

15. That's The Blues - RUBBERLEGS WILLIAMS (1945, Continental 6013)

16. My Gal's A Jockey - BIG JOE TURNER (1946, National 4002)

17. House Of Blue Lights - ELLA MAE MORSE with FREDDIE SLACK and HIS ORCHESTRA (1946, Capitol 251)

18. Ain't That Just Like A Woman - LOUIS JORDAN (1946, Decca 23669)

19. He's A Real Gone Guy - NELLIE LUTCHER (1947, Capitol 40017)

20. Snatch And Grab It - JULIA LEE (1947, Capitol Americana 40028)

21. Chicken Shack Boogie - AMOS MILBURN (1948, Aladdin 3014)

22. Get Your Kicks On Route 66 - NAT COLE TRIO (1946, Capitol 256)

23. Please Remember Me - WALTER DAVIS (1946, RCA Victor 20-1999)

24. Get The Mop - HENRY `RED" ALLEN (1946, RCA Victor 20-1808)

25. Ooh Pa Pa Dah - BABS' THREE BIPS & A BOP (1947, Blue Note 534)

 

Disc 2 (71:04 minutes):

"Guitar Boogies, Sax Screamers & Gospel Roads"

1. That's Alright Mama - ARTHUR CRUDUP (1946, RCA Victor 20-2205)

2. Baby Please Don't Go - BIG JOE WILLIAMS (1947, Columbia 30099)

3. Midnight In The Barrelhouse - JOHNNY OTIS, HIS DRUMS and HIS ORCHESTRA (1947, Excelsior 536)

4. Louie's Guitar Boogie - LOUIS SPEIGINER (1947, Supreme 1501)

5. Guitar Boogie - ARTHUR SMITH RAMBLER TRIO (1948, Super Disc 1004 & MGM 10293)

6. Move It On Over - HANK WILLIAMS (1947, MGM 10033)

7. Play With Your Poodle - LIGHNIN' HOPKINS (1947, Aladdin 209)

8. Shake That Boogie - SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON (1947, RCA 2056)

9. I Can't Be Satisfied - MUDDY WATERS (1948, Aristocrat 1305)

10. Boogie Chillun - JOHN LEE HOOKER (1949, Modern 627)

11. You Got To Run Me Down - JAZZ GILLUM (1947, RCA 2405)

12. Call It Stormy Monday - T-BONE WALKER (1948, Black And White 142)

13. Blues After Hours - PEE WEE CRAYTON (1948, Modern 624)

14. The Twister - PAUL WILLIAMS (1948, Savoy 665)

15. Deacons Hop - BIG JAY McNEELY (1948, Savoy 685)

16. The Hucklebuck - ROY MILTON (1949, Specialty 328)

17. Landslide - JAMES VON SKEETER (1949, Scoop 9000)

18. Pettin' & Pokin' - LOUIS JORDAN (1948, Decca 24527)

19. After While - BIG THREE (1947, Columbia 30103)

20. Milky White Way - TRUMPETEERS (1948, Score 5001)

21. Rough And Rocky Road - STARS OF HARMONY (1948, Supreme 1511)

22. Friends Let Me Tell You About Jesus - DIXIEAIRES (1949, Exclusive 98)

23. St. Louis Blues - JUBALAIRES (1947, Standard U261)

24. Write Me A Letter - RAVENS (1948, National 9038)

25. It's Too Soon To Know - ORIOLES (1948, Natural 5000)

 

Disc 3 (71:09 minutes):

"Have You Heard The News? There's Good Rockin' Tonight"

1. Good Rockin' Tonight - WYNONIE HARRIS (1947, King 4201)

2. Rock `n' Roll - WILD BILL MOORE (1948, Modern 674)

3. Butcher Pete - ROY BROWN & HIS MIGHTY MEN (1949, Deluxe 3301)

4. Saturday Night Fish Fry - LOUIS JORDAN & HIS TYMPANY FIVE (1949, Decca 24725)

5. Rock Around The Clock - HAL SINGER (1950, Mercury 8196)

6. Rock A While - GOREE CARTER & HIS HEP CATS (1949, Freedom 1506)

7. I'm Gonna Rock - RALPH WILLIS & BROWNIE McGHEE (1949, Abbey 3005)

8. Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee - STICK McGHEE & HIS BUDDIES (1949, Atlantic 873)

9. Cool Down Mama - LOST JOHN HUNTER & HIS BLIND BATS (1950, Four Star 1492)

10. Rocket 88 - IKE TURNER & HIS KINGS OF RHYTHM (as JACKIE BRENSTON & HIS DELTA CATS) (1951, Chess 1458)

11. How Many More Years - HOWLIN' WOLF (1951, Chess 1479)

12. Booted - ROSCO GORDON (1951, Chess 1487)

13. Well, Well, Well - TINY BRADSHAW (1950, King 4357)

14. Good Morning Judge - WYNONIE HARRIS (1950, King 4378)

15. My Baby Left Me - ARTHUR `BIG BOY' CRUDUP (1951, Victor 50-0109)

16. Eyesight To The Blind - LARKS (1951, Apollo 427)

17. Dust My Broom - ELMORE JAMES (1952, Trumpet 146)

18. Two Little Girls - JIMMY WITHERSPOON (1952, Federal 12095)

19. Let's Rock Awhile - AMOS MILBURN (1951, Aladdin 3080)

20. Rockin' Chair Mama - LITTLE WILLIE LITTLEFIELD (1950, Modern 729)

21. Pink Champagne - JOE LIGGINS (1950, Specialty 355)

22. Sixty-Minute Man - THE DOMINOES (1951, Federal 12022)

23. Walk Right In - FLUFFY HUNTER & JESSE POWELL (1952, Federal 12056)

24. It Ain't The Meat It's The Motion - THE SWALLOWS (1952, King 4501)

25. Big Ten Inch - BULLMOOSE JACKSON with TINY BRADSHAW'S ORCHESTRA (1952, King 4580)

26. Go, Go, Go - TRENIERS (1951, Okeh 6804)

 

Disc 4 (70:54 minutes):

"Soul Train Mambo - Destination New Orleans"

1. Stone Cold Dead In The Market - ELLA FITZGERALD & LOUIS JORDAN (1946, Decca 23546)

2. Fat Meat `n' Greens - EDGAR HAYES (1949, Exclusive 78)

3. Country Boy - DAVE BARTHOLOMEW (1950, Deluxe 3223)

4. Mardi Gras In New Orleans - PROFESSOR LONGHAIR & HIS SHUFFLING HUNGARIANS (1950, Talent 808)

5. Bon Ton Roula - CLARENCE GARLOW (1950, Macy's 5002)

6. The Fat Man - FATS DOMINO (1950, Imperial 5058)

7. Stack-A-Lee - ARCHIBALD (1950, Imperial 5068)

8. Lawdy Miss Clawdy - LLOYD PRICE (1952, Specialty 428)

9. Goin' Home - FATS DOMINO (1952, Imperial 5180)

10. Mambo Boogie - JOHNNIE OTIS (1951, Savoy 777)

11. Don't You Want A Man Like Me - B.B. KING (1951, RPM 318)

12. Chick Boo - LLOYD GLENN (1951, Swingtime 254)

13. Don't You Know I Love You So - THE CLOVERS (1951, Atlantic 934)

14. 5-10-15 Hours - RUTH BROWN (1952, Atlantic 962)

15. Hey Little Girl - BILLY WRIGHT (1951, Savoy 810)

16. Mistrustin' Blues - LITTLE ESTHER PHILIPS & MEL WALKER with JOHNNIE IT IS (1950, Savoy 735)

17. Please Send Me Someone To Love - PERCY MAYFIELD (1950, Specialty 375)

18. Everyday I Have The Blues - LOWELL FULSON (1950, Swingtime 196)

19. T-99 Blues - JIMMY NELSON & THE PETER RABBIT TRIO (1951, RPM 325)

20. Chains Of Love - BIG JOE TURNER (1951, Atlantic 939)

21. Too Late Baby - FIVE KEYS (1951, Aladdin 3085)

22. Do Something For Me - THE DOMINOES (1951, Federal 12001)

23. Give Me One More Chance - ROYALES [aka The "5" Royales] (1952, Apollo 434)

24. Misery In My Heart - RAY CHARLES (1953, Swingtime 326)

25. The Lord's Gospel Train - MARY DELOATCH (1952, Regent 1042)

 

There's a paperback-sized outer card wrap, which houses a 3-way fold out clip holder. The 64-page booklet is detached this time and twice the size of the previous set (the 1st box had it attached to the centre inner sleeve and was difficult to use because of it) - so it's detachment is a huge improvement. The booklet is also such an enjoyable read. Duckett (the compiler) gets to spread out on each song - every smartly-chosen entry packed with detailed analysis of each song - when it was recorded, players if known, USA catalogue numbers, chart positions etc. Between the texts are trade adverts, artist publicity photos and small colour pictures of those beautiful and evocative 78" and 7" labels - Imperial Records, Federal, Atlantic, Decca, Savoy, 4 Star, National, Chess and many more. There's even discussion on the transition away from 78's to 45's and the effect Dime Jukeboxes had on sales and demand. If you want a full printed out version, the same detailed text is available from their website in colour.

 

Expertly and lovingly compiled by NICK DUCKETT - it's remastered by CheekyPaul.com and given the vintage of the recordings (1942 to 1952) - the sound quality obviously varies enormously - some are awful, but others are superlative.

 

Like the 1st box - what doesn't vary is the sheer charm of the recordings themselves - the tracks 'flowing' into each other with real precision. There's Blues of course (lyrics above to "Boogie Chillen" by John Lee Hooker title this review - but there's also Rhythm 'n' Blues, Jive, Doo-Wop, Hillbilly and even a little World War II swing. All manner of life is here  - sexy songs, poverty songs, emigration and work songs, music as solace and a liberation, music about drinking and cheating women - and men who are no better, breaking free music, dancing on a Saturday night music - it all weaves a magical listen. We regularly used it in Reckless as a shuffle-play and it had customers coming to the counter time and time again asking - "Who's this?"

 

Retailing at just under twenty-three pounds from some online retailers - this box set of 101 remastered hits and obscurities - is both revelatory and great value for money. And it's music you'll find yourself loving and wanting more of. Like its predecessor - Volume Two of "The History Of Rhythm And Blues" is another 4CD Box Set corker and comes recommended the most...