"Jackson C. Frank" by JACKSON C. FRANK - A Review Of His Lone Folk Album In 1965 On Columbia Records - Now Remastered & Expanded in 2001 by Sanctuary of the UK...

"...My Heart’s True Song…"

New Yorker Jackson Casey Frank produced simple acoustic songs of such beauty and intensity that comparisons to Nick Drake and Tim Buckley immediately jump to mind. And yet this American Folk troubadour had a life so tragic (horrific personal injuries in a fire at the age of 13, loss of a son, mental illness and homelessness) - it threatens to overshadow his recorded legacy. But there is at least this stunning little CD reissue from the good folks at Sanctuary that only hammers home what a loss his passing was. Here are the blues that ran the game...

Originally released 19 November 2001 on CD (reissued in March 2008) - Sanctuary CMRCD366 (Barcode 5050159136629) breaks down as follows (56:16 minutes)

1. Blues Run The Game

2. Don't Look Back

3. Kimble

4. Yellow Walls

5. Here Comes The Blues

6. Milk And Honey

7. My Name Is Carnival

8. I Want To Be Alone (Dialogue)

9. Just Like Anything

10. You Never Wanted Me

Tracks 1 to 10 are his only officially released vinyl album "Jackson C. Frank" - released December 1965 in the UK-ONLY on Columbia Records 33SX 1788

11. Marlene

12. Marcy's Song

13. The Visit

14. Prima Donna Of Swans

15. Relations

Tracks 11 to 15 are Bonuses - Previously Unreleased 1970's Demos

This classy Sanctuary CD reissue and remaster comes housed in a card slipcase - the inner 12-page booklet has superbly detailed and informative liner notes by noted musicologist ALAN ROBINSON. It doesn't say who did the remaster - but the sound is beautiful. Just a voice and guitar, Paul Simon's simple and sympathetic production values and CBS facilities all combine to offer up a warm and atmospheric listen. One or two of the DEMOS are hissy in places but they're a fascinating addition - more emotionally naked acoustic songs waiting to be born...

Introduced by a kind lady called Judith Piepe to both PAUL SIMON and ART GARFUNKEL (staying in her London flat at the time) - Simon liked what he heard so much - he offered to produce Frank's debut album (which he famously did). Frank also befriended a nineteen year-old nurse and singer called SANDY DENNY and in turn another unsigned songwriting talent AL STEWART. When it came to recording the album - he was so scared he hid behind a screen in the studio (so Simon and Stewart wouldn't see him) - recording the whole album on acoustic guitar in less than three hours at the CBS Studios in New Bond Street. Columbia even tried a UK 45 released the same month as the album (December 1965) - "Blues Run The Game" b/w "Can't Get Away From Your Love" on Columbia DB 7795. The non-album B-side is unfortunately not on this CD (see the "Blues Run The Game" compilation).

If you want to know just emotive the opening song "Blues Run The Game" is - check out the SIMON & GARFUNKEL version that first appeared as an unreleased track on their 3CD "Old Friends" Box Set in 1997 - it's unbelievable good (also a bonus track on the 2001 reissue of "Sounds Of Silence"). Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Nick Drake, Eddi Reader and others have all done covers of it - and it's probably the standout track on here. Not to be outdone - "Milk And Honey" is just gorgeous too (lyrics from it title this review) as is the aching "I Want To Be Alone (Dialogue)".

A known rarity (originals regularly sell for £300 plus) - the album was reissued in the UK as "Jackson Frank Again" (with a different cover) in April 1978 on B&C Records BCLP 4 - but the music scene at the time ignored it. A UK 7" single combining "Blues Run The Game" b/w "Milk And Honey" preceded the reissue album in March 1978 on B&C Records BCS 0012 - but sank without a trace.

Listening to "Jackson C. Frank" now in 2014 - it's a little like Springsteen's "Nebraska" or Johnny Cash's "American Recordings" - sometimes you just need to hear simple from-the-heart stuff - a man's voice, his spirit and his guitar. After years of mental health problems and even homelessness - Jackson Frank passed away in 1999 without people noticing. At least this beautiful (and cheap) CD reissue celebrates his superlative debut album with real class and style. One for the desert island in us all...

"The Clarke, Hicks & Nash Years: The Complete Hollies April 1963 to October 1968" by THE HOLLIES - A Review Of The 2011 EMI 6CD Collection Of Remasters...

“…Ego Is Dead…”

Released May 2011 in the UK and USA - "The Clarke, Hicks And Nash Years: The Complete Hollies April 1963 to October 1968" by THE HOLLIES is a jam-packed 6CD Set (in a double-sized jewel case) on EMI 5099909624221.

Across 158 tracks are the A&B-sides of 19 British 7" singles, 3 songs exclusive to two British EPs (as well as the other 18 tracks from all 7 British EPs), 6 Foreign Language versions (5 of which are Previously Unreleased), 3 English language sides on Italian and German singles, 20 compilation exclusives, 7 full British albums and an 8-track Previously Unreleased Live Concert from 1968 in Stereo.

The CDS are sequenced in recording-date order - with the album tracks often spread across different discs. So in order to give an easier-to-read picture - I've posted a HOLLIES UK Singles, EPs and LPs British Discography in the 'comment' section attached to this review. It references track-by-track where those 45's and LPs are on this massive 6CD set and the following individual disc breakdowns give you the straggler songs  'outside' of that Discography...

Disc 1, 28 tracks, 64:34 minutes:

Tracks 6 and 10 are "Zip A Dee Do Dah" and "Poison Ivy" - released 1985 in the UK on "The Hollies" LP on EMI Music For Pleasure 41 5727 1

Track 7 is "I Understand" - released 1993 in the USA on the 3CD Box Set "30th Anniversary Collection 1963-1993"

Tracks 25 and 26 are "When I'm Not There" and "What Kind Of Love" - released 1964 on "The Hollies" UK 4-track EP on Parlophone GEP 8909

Disc 2, 26 tracks, 64:29 minutes:

Track 12 is "We're Through (Alternative Arrangement)" - released 1997 on "The Hollies At Abbey Road 1963-1966" (previously unreleased at the time)

Track 17 is "She Said Yeah" - released 2003 on the 6CD Box Set "The Long Road Home"

Track 18 is "Yes I Will (Alternate Version)" - released 1964 in the UK on "Hollies' Greatest Hits" LP on Parlophone PCS 7057

Track 26 is "Honey And Wine" - released 1965 in the UK on the "I'm Alive" 4-track EP on Parlophone GEP 8942

Disc 3, 28 tracks, 64:24 minutes:

Tracks 1 to 3 are "Listen Here To Me", "So Lonely" and "Bring Back Your Love To Me" - released 2003 on the 6CD Box Set "The Long Road Home"

Tracks 15, 16 and 18 are "She Gives Me Everything I Want", "I Can't Get Nowhere With You" and "You In My Arms" - released 1993 in the USA on the 3CD Box Set "30th Anniversary Collection 1963-1993"

Track 27 is "Look Through Any Window (French Lyric Version)" - first released on the 1988 CD "Rarities"

Tracks 25, 27 and 28 are "Stewball (French Lyric Version)", "You Know He Did (French Lyric Version)" and "We're Through (French Lyric Version)" -all three are Previously Unreleased

Disc 4, 27 tracks, 69:57 minutes:

Track 3 is "A Taste Of Honey" - released 1966 in the USA on the Hollies LP "Beat Group!" on Imperial LP 12312

Tracks 26 and 27 are "Non Prego Per Me" and "Devi Avere Fiducia In Me" - the A&B sides of an Italian 7" single - Previously Unreleased Stereo versions

Disc 5, 24 tracks, 64:11 minutes:

Tracks 3 and 4 are "We're Alive" and "Kill Me Quick" - Italian A&B-sides of a 1967 single; B-side is Stereo version with Backing Vocals

Track 7 is "Schoolgirl" - released 1997 on "The Hollies At Abbey Road 1966-1970" (previously unreleased at the time)

Disc 6, 25 tracks, 73:15 minutes:

Track 8 is "Wings" - released 1969 on the UK on the Various Artists album "No One's Gonna Change Our World" (on Behalf of the World Wildlife Fund) on Regal Starline SRS 5013

Tracks 10 and 11 are "Tomorrow When It Comes" and "Relax" - first released on the 1988 CD "Rarities"

Track 14 is "Man With No Expression (Horses Through A Rainstorm)" - released 1997 on "The Hollies At Abbey Road 1966-1970" (previously unreleased at the time)

Track 15 is "Blowin' In The Wind" - A B-side In Germany and Sweden to ???

Track 16 is "A Taste Of Honey (1968 Version)" - released 2003 on the 6CD Box Set "The Long Road Home"

Tracks 18 to 25 are "Stop! Stop! Stop!", "Look Through Any Window", "The Times They Are A-Changin'", "On A Carousel", "King Midas In Reverse", "Butterfly", "Jennifer Eccles", and "Carrie Anne" - all recorded LIVE AT LEWISHAM ODEON, 24 May 1968 and are Previously Unreleased

Fans will know that the digital remasters are mostly from 1999 and 2003 and were by done by expert tape man PETER MEW at Abbey Road - the sound quality is uniformly great (as I find it is on anything he remasters). The 24-page booklet features an introduction by MICK HOUGHTON, A Q&A with GRAHAM NASH, a UK Discography for the period with the seven EP and LP sleeves pictured in colour and then a song-by-song breakdown (itself broken up with collages of publicity/in-the-studio photos. It's well done (the cover photo taken at Niagara Falls in December 1967 sees the boys in period Gladrags) and for such a huge haul of music is priced cheaply too.

I love the album foursome "Would You Believe?", "For Certain Because", "Evolution" and "Butterfly" that really saw Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks and Graham Nash take off as writers - superb album nuggets like the pre CSN vibe of "Stop Right There", the Beatlesque "You Need Love", the Ogdens Small Faces whimsy of "Dear Eloise" and the Northern Britain social commentary of "Charlie And Fred". And the brilliant "Elevated Observations?" from October 1967's "Evolution" album gave that "Sgt. Peppers" mob a run for their Liverpudlian money (lyrics above). The live show is also far better than I thought it would be - clearly showing how accomplished they were as a band - nailing down difficult stuff like "King Midas In Reverse" with ease.

Further glory would follow for The Hollies on both the Parlophone and Polydor labels with Alan Clarke taking the song-writing ascendancy - while Graham Nash went on to conquer the West Coast of America and then the entire world with David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Neil Young.

"All that summer we enjoyed it..." - they sang on "Bus Stop". Great sound, top songs and quality presentation - there's so much to enjoy here...

UK HOLLIES DISCOGRAPHY referencing "The Clarke, Hicks & Nash Years"

Note: [8/1] = Track 8 on Disc 1, [3/4] = Track 3 on Disc 4 etc:

UK 7” SINGLES and EPs:

1. (Ain't That) Just Like Me [2/1] b/w Hey What's Wrong With Me [3/1]

May 1963, Parlophone R 5030

2. Searchin' [8/1] b/w Whole World Over [1/1]

August 1963, Parlophone R 5052

3. Stay [9/1] b/w Now's The Time [4/1]

November 1963, Parlophone R 5077

4. Just One Look [23/1] b/w Keep Off That Friend Of Mine [22/1]

February 1964, Parlophone R 5104

5. Here I Go Again [27/1] b/w Baby That's All [28/1]

May 1964, Parlophone R 5137

6. We're Through [13/2] b/w Come On Back [8/2]

September 1964, Parlophone R 5178

7. Yes I Will [22/2] b/w Nobody [20/2]

January 1965, Parlophone R 5232

8. I'm Alive [4/3] b/w You Know He Did [21/2]

May 1965, Parlophone R 5287

9. Look Through Any Window [5/3] b/w So Lonely [12/3]

August 1965, Parlophone R 5322

10. If I Needed Someone [20/3] b/w I've Got A Way Of My Own [17/3]

December 1965, Parlophone R 5392

11. I Can't Let Go [23/3] b/w Running Through The Night [21/3]

February 1966, Parlophone R 5409

12. Bus Stop [11/4] b/w Don't Run And Hide [10/4]

June 1966, Parlophone R 5469

13. After The Fox [9/4] b/w The Fox Trot

September 1966, United Artists UP 1152

(A-side Peter Sellers with The Hollies, B-side is by Burt Bacharach only)

14. Stop! Stop! Stop! [14/4] b/w It's You [18/4]

October 1966, Parlophone R 5508

15. On A Carousel [2/5] b/w All The World Is Love [23/4]

February 1967, Parlophone R 5562

16. Carrie Anne [15/5] b/w Signs That Will Never Change [16/5]

May 1967, Parlophone R 5602

17. King Midas In Reverse [17/5] b/w Everything Is Sunshine [19/5]

September 1967, Parlophone R 5637

18. Jennifer Eccles [9/6] b/w Open Up Your Eyes [7/6]

March 1968, Parlophone R 5680

19. Listen To Me [17/6] b/w Do The Best You Can [12/6]

September 1968, Parlophone R 5733

UK 4-TRACK EPs (Extended Plays):

1. "The Hollies", June 1964 on Parlophone GEP 8909

Side 1:

1. Rockin' Robin' [21/1]

2. What Kind Of Love [26/1]

Side 2:

1. Whatcha Gonna Do ‘Bout It [19/1]

2. When I'm Not There [26/1]

2."Just One Look", July 1964 on Parlophone GEP 8911

Side 1:

1. Just One Look [23/1]

2. Keep Off That Friend Of Mine [22/1]

Side 2:

1. Lucille [14/1]

2. Talking About You [12/1]

3. "Here I Go Again", October 1964 on Parlophone GEP 8915

Side 1:

1. You Better Move On [18/1]

2. Memphis [11/1]

Side 2:

1. Here I Go Again [27/1]

2. Baby That's All [28/1]

4. "We're Through", December 1964 on Parlophone GEP 8927

Side 1:

1. We're Through [13/2]

2. Come On Back [8/2]

Side 2:

1. What Kind Of Boy [11/2]

2. You'll Be Mine [3/2]

5. "In The Hollies Style", April 1965 on Parlophone GEP 8934

Side 1:

1. Too Much Monkey Business [6/2]

2. To You My Love [14/2]

Side 2:

1. Come On Home [5/2]

2. What Kind Of Boy [11/2]

6. "I'm Alive", September 1965 on Parlophone GEP 8942

Side 1:

1. I'm Alive [4/3]

2. You Know He Did [21/2]

Side 2:

1. Honey And Wine [26/2]

2. Mickey's Monkey [23/2]

7. "I Can't Let Go", June 1965 on Parlophone GEP 8951

Side 1:

1. I Can't Let Go [23/3]

2. Look Through Any Window [5/3]

Side 2.

1. I've Got A Way Of My Own [17/3]

2. So Lonely [2/3]

ALBUMS:

1. "Stay With The Hollies", January 1964 on Parlophone PMC 1220 (Mono)

Side 1:

1. I'm Talking About You [12/1]

2. Mr. Moonlight [17/1]

3. You Better Move On [18/1]

4. Lucille [14/1]

5. Baby Don't Cry [15/1]

6. Memphis [11/1]

7. Stay [9/1]

Side 2:

1. Rockin' Robin [21/1]

2. Watcha Gonna Do ‘Bout It [19/1]

3. Do You Love Me [16/1]

4. It's Only Make Believe [13/1]

5. What Kind Of Girl Are You [20/1]

6. Little Lover [5/1]

7. Candy Man [24/1]

2. "In The Hollies Style", November 1964 on Parlophone PMC 1235 (Mono)

Side 1:

1.         Nitty Gritty/Something's Gotta Hold On Me [15/2]

2.         Don't You Know [2/2]

3.         To You My Love [14/2]

4.         It's In Her Kiss [4/2]

5.         Time For Love [1/2]

6.         What Kind Of Boy [11/2]

Side 2:

1.         Too Much Money Business [6/2]

2.         I Thought Of You Last Night [7/2]

3.         Please Don't Feel Too Bad [10/2]

4.         Come On Home [5/2]

5.         You'll Be Mine [3/2]

6.         Set Me Free [9/2]

3.         "Hollies", September 1965 on Parlophone PMC 1261 (Mono-only)

Side 1:

1.         Very Last Day [25/2]

2.         You Must Believe Me [7/3]

3.         Put Yourself In My Place [16/2]

4.         Down The Line [9/3]

5.         That's My Desire [24/2]

6.         Too Many People [11/3]

Side 2:

1.         Lawdy Miss Clawdy [6/3]

2.         When I Come Home To You [19/2]

3.         Fortune Teller [10/3]

4.         So Lonely [2/3]

5.         I've Been Wrong [13/3]

6.         Mickey's Monkey [23/2]

4.         "Would You Believe?", June 1966 on Parlophone PMC 7008 (Mono)

Side 1:

1.         I Take What I Want [1/4]

2.         Hard Hard Year [2/4]

3.         That's How Strong My Love Is [4/4]

4.         Sweet Little Sixteen [7/4]

5.         Oriental Sadness [24/3]

6.         I Am A Rock [8/4]

Side 2:

1.         Take Your Time [5/4]

2.         Don't You Even Care (What's Gonna Happen To Me?) [22/3]

3.         Fifi The Flea [6/4]

4.         Stewball [14/3]

5.         I've Got A Way Of My Own [17/3]

6.         I Can't Let Go [23/3]

5.         "For Certain Because...", October 1966 on Parlophone PCS 7011 (Stereo)

Side 1:

1.         What's Wrong With The Way I Live [20/4]

2.         Pay You Back With Interest [16/4]

3.         Tell Me To My Face [15/4]

4.         Clown [17/4]

5.         Suspicious Look In Your Eyes [13/4]

6.         It's You [18/4]

Side 2:

1.         High Classed [22/4]

2.         Peculiar Situation [12/4]

3.         What Went Wrong [21/4]

4.         Crusader [19/4]

5.         Don't Even Thing About Changing [19/3]

6.         Stop Stop Stop [14/4]

6. "Evolution", June 1967 on Parlophone PCS 7022 (Stereo)

Side 1:

1.         Then The Heartaches Begin [9/5]

2.         Stop Right There [12/5]

3.         Water On The Brain [13/5]

4.         Lullaby To Tim [1/5]

5.         Have You Ever Loved Somebody [25/4]

6.         You Need Love [11/5]

Side 2:

1.         Rain On The Window [8/5]

2.         Heading For A Fall [14/5]

3.         Ye Olde Toffee Shoppe [10/5]

4.         When Your Light's Turned On [24/4]

5.         Leave Me [5/5]

6.         The Games We Play [6/5]

7. "Butterfly", October 1967 on Parlophone PCS 7039

Side 1:

1.         Dear Eloise [24/5]

2.         Away, Away, Away [3/6]

3.         The Maker [6/6]

4.         Pegasus [23/5]

5.         Would You Believe [2/6]

6.         Wish You A Wish [20/5]

Side 2:

1.         Postcard [21/5]

2.         Charlie And Fred [4/6]

3.         Try It [18/5]

4.         Elevated Observations? [1/6]

5.         Step Inside [22/5]

6.         Butterfly [5/6]

"I Looked Up" by THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND (2014 Beat Goes On CD Remaster Of Their 5th Studio LP from 1970) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…This Moment…"

When the INCREDIBLE STRING BAND put out the vinyl double-album ‘U’ in October 1970 complete with a pantomime show to accompany its half-genius and wholly indulgent sprawl – many fans thought they’d lost it while critics had a total field day. And perhaps the single album “I Looked Up” that preceded ‘U’ only months earlier (which also tested people’s patience) lit the fuse for that backlash. Whatever you look at it - four and half decades later - and along comes Beat Goes On of the UK with a spiffing new CD remaster and quality presentation. They’re hoping of course you’ll reassess the whole hairyman affair in 2014…and if you’re a fan, you should. Here are real ale details…

UK released September 2014 - "I Looked Up" by THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1166 (Barcode 5017261211668) comes in an outer card slipcase and breaks down as follows (41:27 minutes):

1. Black Jack Davy (Mike Heron)

2. The Letter (Mike Heron)

3. Pictures In A Mirror (Robin Williamson)

4. This Moment (Mike Heron)

5. When You Find Out Who You Are (Robin Williamson)

6. Fair As You (Mike Heron song)

Tracks 1 to 6 are the stereo vinyl album "I Looked Up" – released April 1970 in the UK on Elektra 2469 002 and Elektra EKS 74061 in the USA

Consisting of multi-instrumentalists ROBIN WILLIAMSON and MIKE HERON (Guitar, Mandolin, Sitar, Flute, Piano, Bass, Various English and European String Instruments and Vocals) - the band also had ROSE SIMPSON on Bass and LICORICE McKECHNIE on Duet Vocals and Guitar. The 16-page booklet features two photos of the ISB and detailed liner notes by noted writer JOHN TOBLER that go into a long history of the groups stay at Elektra. But the big news is a lovely new remaster by ANDREW THOMPSON that brings out the music in a really great way. Many of these tracks are essentially acoustic guitars, mandolins and high vocals - the remaster has hiss on some tracks - but the clarity is fab.

Musically if I were to single out two extremes (bad and good) – it would be the near unlistenable nonsense of “Pictures In A Mirror” which goes on for eleven minutes and is painful to listen to. A contrast is the lovely six minutes of “This Moment” – even if it has the “oh no” vocal refrain towards the end. And the remaster is amazing on “When You Find Out Who You Are” as it goes into those delicate vocal duets between Robin and Licorice. But perhaps best of all is the old world madrigal folk of “Fair As You” with its Flute, Gimbri and layered vocals. It has hiss on it for sure but it’s not been dampened down in the transfer at the expense of the prominent acoustic guitar and flute (deftly done). 

The Incredible String Band would go on to the altogether better "Liquid Acrobat As Regards The Air" album when they signed to Island in 1971. To sum up – it’s a bit Bovril – you either love it or loathe it. But if you’re a fan – you need this superb remaster in your collection...