Sounds Good, Looks Good...

Welcome to Mark Barry's Review Blog - SOUNDS GOOD, LOOKS GOOD... It features in-depth reviews for Quality CD Reissues and Remasters - all with Discography Info (six times Amazon 'Hall of Fame' Reviewer). With over 2,600 posts - genres covered include Rock, Pop, Soul, Funk, Jazz Fusion, Blues, Rhythm 'n' Blues, Doo Wop, Vocal Groups, 1960s and 1970s, Prog, Psych, Folk, Blues-Rock, Goth, Punk, New Wave, 1980s, Reggae and more. I also review FILMS, TV Shows, BLU RAYS and BOOKS. Enjoy the reads...

Friday 20 December 2013

"5" by J.J. CALE (June 2013 Universal Japan-Only SHM-CD Reissue with Mini LP Repro Artwork) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Makes Me Feel Alright..."

1. Thirteen Days [Side 1]

2. Boilin’ Pot

3. I’ll Make Love To You Anytime

4. Don’t Cry Sister

5. Too Much For Me

6. Sensitive Kind

7. Friday [Side 2]

8. Lou-Easy-Ann

9. Let’s Go To Tahiti

10. Katy Kool Lady / Out Of Style [*See Paragraphs Below]

11. Fate Of A Fool

12. Mona

His 5th studio album "5" was issued on vinyl album in August 1979 on Shelter/Island ISA 5018 in the UK and Shelter 3163 in the USA. Its first CD appearance was May 1990 on Mercury 810 313-2 (along with "Really"), but it was Ok-sounding rather than great. Tracks from it were re-mastered for the 1997 2CD anthology "Any Way The Wind Blows" and fans got to hear just how good it could sound. But little will prepare them for the sonic beauties of this 2013 remaster - beautifully transferred and fully realizing the magic that was always there.

Released in Japan 26 June 2013 – “5” by J.J. CALE on Universal UICY-75631 (Barcode 4988005771629) is a SHM-CD (Super High Materials) and features repro Mini LP artwork and an exclusive Remaster. The SHM-CD doesn't require a special CD player and is a better form of the CD format that picks up the nuances of the transfer better.

Just hearing the opening of "Thirteen Days" and I know I'm in the territory of a different beast here. The sound quality is gorgeous (originally Produced by Audie Ashworth) - all instruments suddenly playing around your speakers. As was the nature of most of his albums - depending on the take or studio he recorded in - sound quality varied from track to track - and "5" is no different. "Boilin' Pot", "Don't Cry Sister" and "Fate Of A Fool" are right out front and feature some pronounced hissy moments - but nothing that doesn't take away from the overall sonic smack (there's real improvement here). But the real fireworks go to the two gorgeous ballads "Sensitive Kind" and "Mona" which now sound truly epic - superbly remastered (lyrics from "Mona" title this review). "Friday" too has wonderful clarity and punch - as does the beat-box feel of "Let's Go To Tahiti".

The only real bummer is that once again the track error of putting "Out Of Style" (an out-take) on here instead of "Katy Kool Lady"(*) has been repeated. The song is listed as Track 4 on Side 2 of the artwork of course - but the song never turns up. There are some words on the OBI strip about it - but because it’s in Japanese - I can't make out what they're saying. To my knowledge this cool song still remains CD-AWOL from his catalogue anywhere in the world - which is ludicrous. There was an opportunity missed here to rectify that silly mistake. The booklet has the lyrics and little else (there was no inner sleeve to the LP), but it's the sound I keep returning to.

Another point worth noting is that "Classic Album Collection" with its 5CDs in 2013 claims on both Amazon UK and USA sites to be 2013 remasters - they're not - they're exactly the same CDs as was used in the 1990s. I suspect this 2013 'remastering' claim belongs only on these Japanese issues. I've ordered "Okie" and "Troubadour" on the strength of this.

I've loved this album for decades and it’s a blast to finally hear it sound so great. I know these SHM-CD repro reissues are pricey - but I've found they're so worth it.

What a loss - what an artist - he was one of my audio heroes growing up - and his influence on Eric Clapton, Dire Straits and even John Mayer is undeniable.

Albums in the June 2013 J.J. CALE Japanese SHM-CD Reissue Series are:

1. Naturally (1972 - his debut) on Universal UICY-75627 (Barcode 4988005771582)

2. Really (1973) on Universal UICY-75628 (Barcode 4988005771599)

3. Okie (1974) on Universal UICY-75629 (Barcode 4988005771605)

4. Troubadour (1976) on Universal UICY-75630 (Barcode 4988005771612)

5. "5" (1979) on Universal UICY-75631 (Barcode 4988005771629)

6. Shades (1981) on Universal UICY-75632 (Barcode 4988005771636)

7. Grasshopper (1982) on Universal UICY-75633 (Barcode 4988005771643)

8. No. 8 (1983) on Universal UICY-75634 (Barcode 4988005771650)

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"Troubadour" by J.J. CALE from 1976 (June 2013 Universal Japan-Only SHM-CD In Mini LP Repro Artwork and Some Tracks Extended) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...You Got Something I Can't Live Without..."

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE JAPANESE-ONLY SHM CD REMASTER FROM 2013 ****

Since his tragic loss in July 2013 renewed interest in J.J. Cale and his wonderfully laid-back songwriting magic has never been higher - and if you want an example of just how good he was (and can sound) - then a few bob spent on this fabulous Japanese CD reissue is going to be money well spent. And more importantly to long-time fans - this 'actually remastered' reissue has tracks that are longer than all previous releases. Here are the gory details...

His 4th studio album "Troubadour" was originally issued on vinyl album in September 1976 on Shelter/Island ISA 5011 in the UK and Shelter SRL-52002 in the USA (excepting one song, they're all Cale originals). Its first CD appearance was way back in 1983 on Mercury 800 001-2 (the infancy of CD) - but it was an OK-sounding CD rather than a great one. Tracks from "Troubadour" were re-mastered for the 1997 2CD anthology "Any Way The Wind Blows" and fans got to hear just how good it could sound. But little will prepare them for the stunning sonic attack of this 2013 remaster - beautifully transferred and fully realizing the magic that was always there.

Released in Japan 26 June 2013 - "Troubadour"by J.J. CALE on Universal UICY-75630 (Barcode 4988005771612) is a SHM-CD (Super High Materials) and features Repro LP artwork including the Inner Sleeve - rare in any of his Seventies albums (includes track-by-track recording info). The OBI mentions that this disc is part of the "Rock Company '77" Series.

A SHM-CD doesn't require a special CD player to play it on (compatible on all) nor does it need audiophile kit to hear the benefits. It's a new form of the format that picks up the nuances of the transfer better (top quality make). I own about 10 of them and they're uniformly superb. But the big news here is that some tracks are extended over previous issues. It's total playing time is 37:43 minutes as opposed to the original at 36:27 minutes. I've listed a track-by-track comparison to show the timing differences...

1. Hey Baby (3:20 new, 3:11 old) [Side 1]

2. Travelin' Light (2:53 new, 2:50 old)

3. You Got Something (4:05 new, 4:00 old)

4. Ride Me High (3:40 new, 3:34 old)

5. Hold On (2:06 new, 1:58 old)

6. Cocaine (2:53 new, 2:49 old)

7. I'm A Gypsy Man (2:46 new, 2:42 old) [Side 2]

8. The Woman That Got Away (2:56 new,

9. Super Blue (2:42 new, 2:41 old)

10. Let Me Do It To You (3:01 new, 2:59 old)

11. Cherry (3:31 new, 3:21 old)

12. You Got Me On So Bad (3:19 new, 3:17 old)

As you can see from the list above - on some tracks the difference is very slight - but on say "Ride Me High" - the combo of the superb remaster and the extra 10-second extended ending - make it almost feel like a new song - the version we should always have been listening to.

On the subject of sound - a few words first about the remaster (and Cale's remasters in general). Both Amazon UK and USA list the 5CD mini box set "Classic Album Selection" as having 2013 remasters ("Troubadour" is among them) - it doesn't. Although the CDs look exactly like the old issues, closer examination will show that each has a new catalogue number that reflects the box - but that's all. They all have the old Mercury designed labels of silver and orange lines and are precisely the same as the old Eighties and early Nineties reissues. My Mac even remembered the old track references I'd personally put in. I tried an outside source - like a desktop CD player - same thing - same old discs - absolutely not new. So where does this '2013 Remaster' claim come from? I suspect from these Japanese SHM-CD reissues which are Universal Japan issues only. The point is that the sound difference between this SHM-CD and the ordinary 'digitally mastered' disc in the 2013 "Classic" box is literally like chalk and cheese. Don't get me wrong - the discs in the "Classic" box set sound good - they do - especially the 3 criminally underrated Eighties LPs "Shades", "Grasshopper" and "No. 8" which were beautifully produced anyway. And the box is cheap too. It's his Seventies classy first five albums that need the remastering. And if you're a real fan - once you get an earful of this SHM-CD of "Troubadour" - you'll have to own the lot because the sound upgrade is so great.

It doesn't say which engineer has done the remaster and transfer in the booklet but the work is AWESOME - truly beautiful sound on every track. If I was to nail down two that show most improvement - it would be "The Woman Who Got Away" and "Cherry". The opening bass and drums on "Woman" are so sweet and clear now - as is the slinky piano playing. I'd also swear that the original CD had a slight glitch/skip in the mastering - that seems to be now fixed. But the slightly longer "Cherry" is incredible. The high-hat symbol that runs throughout sounds like its going to punch out your grandmother - and his vocal hovering in echo over it all - shimmering and full of eerie presence. I also love the whack that now comes out of both "Travelin' Light" and the Side 2 opener "I'm A Gypsy Man" (a Sonny Curtis cover). The shuffling sticks and pedal steel on "Super Blue" is accentuated too as is the chugging guitar in the naughty "Let Me Do It To You". I could go on... I've also reviewed the SHM-CD of "5" from 1979 and its just as amazing.

J.J. Cale was one of my audio heroes growing up - and his influence on Eric Clapton, Dire Straits and even John Mayer is undeniable. What a loss and what an artist. And damn the Japanese for being so good with these bloody things - because I need all 8 of them now! My long-suffering bank manager will be pleased...

Albums in the June 2013

J. J. CALE

Japan-Only SHM-CD Reissue Series in Mini LP Repro Sleeves are: