"Heat Treatment" by GRAHAM PARKER and THE RUMOUR (2001 Mercury 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...The Flame Is Burning..."

Graham Parker's blistering and caustic debut album "Howlin Wind" caused a stir in music newspapers of the time (April 1976, Vertigo Records). Peopled by increasingly disillusioned lovers of music bored with singles-driven chart-dreck and bombastic side long Prog Rock - "Howlin Wind" was lean and mean and full of hummable tunes – albeit with emotional razor blades in their hooks. The choppy edge of HW even predated the advent of gobby Punk and New Wave by a few months (stylistically too). But despite two decent 7" singles released in support of the critically acclaimed British album – the public seemed not to notice or even care...

Time to try again double quick. So in only October of that musically volatile year (six months after the debut) – Vertigo popped out blinder number two – "Heat Treatment". It featured more tales of boozy anguish in hotel rooms with frisky chambermaids and a search the world over (well mostly in Dagenham) for that special lady. Just as good as the first platter (but perhaps not as immediate) – this superb 2001 CD Remaster seems determined to get us to finally sit up and take notice. And I for one am listening. Here are the Heat Treatments...

UK released July 2001 – "Heat Treatment" by GRAHAM PARKER and THE RUMOUR on Mercury 548 682-2 (Barcode 0731454868228) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with two Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (41:41 minutes):

1. Heat Treatment
2. That's What They All Say
3. Turned Up Too Late
4. Black Honey
5. Hotel Chambermaid
6. Pourin' It All Out [Side 2]
7. Back Door Love
8. Something You're Going Through
9. Help Me Shake It
10. Fool's Gold
Tracks 1 to 10 are his second LP "Heat Treatment" – released October 1976 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 137 and in the USA on Mercury SRM-1 1095

BONUS TRACKS:
11. Hold Back The Night
12. (Let Me Get) Sweet On You
Tracks 11 and 12 make up Side 1 of a 4-track Extended Play - "The Pink Parker – Hold Back The Night" EP released March 1977 in the UK on Vertigo PARK 001 (A1 and A2). The other two tracks on the B-side were "White Honey" and "Soul Shoes" - both of which were on the preceding "Howlin Wind" album. "Hold Back The Night" is a cover of a TRAMMPS US Soul hit originally on Buddah Records in February 1976 – the other songs are Graham Parker originals with both "Hold Back The Night" and "(Let Me Get) Sweet On You" being exclusive to the EP.

GRAHAM PARKER – Lead Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars
THE RUMOUR was:
BRINSLEY SCHWARZ – Guitar and Backing Vocals
BOB ANDREWS – Keyboards and Backing Vocals
MARTIN BELMONT – Guitar and Backing Vocals
ANDREW BODNAR - Bass
STEPHEN GOULDING – Drums and Backing Vocals

GUESTS:
JOHN EARLE – Saxophones
DANNY ELLIS – Trombone
DICK HANSON – Trumpet
ALBY DONNELLY – Saxophones

The '25th Anniversary Reissues' sticker on the CD jewel case promises 'Bonus Tracks, New Sleeve Notes & Expanded Artwork'. Once you open the decidedly skimpy three-way foldout inlay – you know that Universal has gone all ASDA budget range on our Graham. There are new paragraphs from the great man alongside some history of the album by NIGEL WILLIAMSON and two single sides as you can see above (they picture "The Pink Parker" EP back and front too). It's good but hardly great – and surely there were outtakes to be had after all these years? But all that budget-priced gripe goes out the boozer window when you hear the muscle and clarity of the Remaster by GARY MOORE...

Like its predecessor "Howlin Wind” there are tracks on "Heat Treatment" that have been in need of a bit of 'oomph' – the bopping title song "Heat Treatment" for starters, the sideways-swipe love song "Hotel Chambermaid" and the magnificent mini-epic longing of "Black Honey" with its superb guitar solo – all  jump to mind. But after a run-through of the whole album -  you’d have to say that the Audio improvement is 'all over'.

The brass and guitar punch of "Heat Treatment" is immediate now – "...the flame is burning..." lyrics rattling your speakers with a punk-in-a-bedsit attitude. His best Elvis Costello sneer pops up for the 'you're a fool' observation that is "That's What They All Say" - sounding really fantastic too. The keyboards, guitars and subtle backing vocals of "Turned Up Too Late" sound incredible – so clear. I've always thought the hurting "Black Honey" one of the album's hidden gems. Just when you were ready to dismiss GP as a bit of a smartarse - he pulls out a song like this that genuinely 'gets to you'. He saunters dangerously close to sentimentality (for him) in "Pourin' It All Out" where he threatens to let go of his emotions and vocal chords - but doesn't. "Back Door" is another song of longing – "..dodged all the turnpikes..." he waxes lyrical about his baby - telling us that she tunes up his Bass and Treble whenever he meets her (nice). "Something You're Going Through" feels like Joe Jackson only two years earlier – that jagged rhythm sounding so "Look Sharp!" Parker then tells us that he's been frettin' and sweatin' and we worry that it's more girl problems in "Help Me Shake It" – while "Fool's Gold" confirms that his search is both ongoing and intensely frustrating (a great song on which to end the album).

In his typically self-deprecating liner notes - Graham Parker reckons that aside from 'a few clunkers' – his 2nd platter "Heat Treatment" deserves reappraisal. Besides - he also reckons things picked up big time on vinyl outing No. 3 - "Stick To Me" in 1977.

The angry Petrol Pump Attendant turned Rock Star is right yet again...on both counts...

This review is also part of CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 245 entries and 2100 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap). 

"Fully Qualified Survivor" by MICHAEL CHAPMAN (2011 Light In The Attic CD Reissue Of His 1970 LP on Harvest) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Like Jewels In Your Hand…"

Seventies Rock aficionados will no doubt have read gushing reviews telling them to invest their hard-earned in long lost classics - and having been burned a few times before - would view another such review with a certain amount of scepticism. But this is a Light In The Attic Records release - and after 60 peerless reissues of obscurities that truly deserve reappraisal – LITA have done it again. Beautiful presentation, extraordinary sound quality and songs that beggar the question – how the hell did this little gem get lost in the first place? 

MICHAEL CHAPMAN hails from Leeds in England and was 28 when he recorded his second LP "Fully Qualified Survivor" for EMI’s progressive label imprint Harvest. His debut album "Rainmaker" issued in July 1969 was only Harvest’s 5th LP at that time and signalled the arrival of a major Guitar Player and Rock singer-songwriter. 

1. Aviator

2. Naked Ladies And Electric Ragtime 

3. Stranger In The Room

4. Postcards Of Scarborough 

5. Fishbeard Sunset

6. Soulful Lady [Side 2]

7. Rabbit Hills

8. March Rain 

9. Kodak Ghosts 

10. Andru’s Easy Rider

11. Trinkets & Rings

"Fully Qualified Survivor" was released March 1970 on Harvest SHVL 764 in the UK and Capitol/Harvest SW-816 in the USA – and even though it actually charted in the UK at 45 - it’s a rare record on vinyl and UK originals can command upwards of £100. 

This February 2011 CD reissue on Light In The Records LITA 060 (Barcode 0826853006026) is a straightforward transfer of that 1970 album remastered from the 1st generation EMI tapes by NICK ROBBINS at Sound Mastering in London (46:32 minutes). The sound quality is fabulous - clear, warm and full of presence - and fully realises the original quality production values of GUS DUDGEON (of David Bowie and Elton John fame). 

The original gatefold artwork has been retained but upgraded to a lovely silver effect on the card digipak (they’ve also issued it on a beautiful Vinyl Version using the same silver effect artwork – a future collectable). The booklet is an impressive 32-pages long with liner notes by MICK HOUGHTON that feature new interviews with Chapman in 2010. Photos and archive material provided by the artist himself feature black and white snaps of him and the other musicians in the studio, on tour, reproductions of press releases and reviews and so on.

It opens with the epic "Aviator" – a nine and half-minute long acoustic song that has touches of Tim Buckley and Nick Drake in its languid pace. The cello is by Paul Buckmaster and the Violin by Johnny Van Derek. But – and this is a matter of taste – you’re met with his nasally drone of a voice which you will either embrace or loath. It all sounds a bit effected now, but if you give it time, there’s rewards later. Chapman was also a very accomplished guitar player (Bert Jansch, Stefan Grossman and John Renbourn jump to mind) and there follows the first of the album’s three acoustic-instrumentals "Naked Ladies & Electric Ragtime". With his foot tapping in the background, it’s a very pretty ditty and it also emphasises the superlative NICK ROBBINS remaster. The sheer musicality of "Postcards From Scarborough" is shocking – and the strings added by Dudgeon are lovely. "Fishbeard Sunset" is the second instrumental and is a 40-second introduction to a great song - "Soulful Lady". It also heralds a major playing talent – MICK RONSON on Guitar. He crops up again on "Kodak Ghosts" and his contributions are so exciting – rocking like a madman – loose and inspired ("The Man Who Sold The World", "Ziggy" and "Hunky Dory" with Bowie lay ahead). 

Side 2 is far better than Side 1 in my book – giving a run of truly superb tunes. "Rabbit Hills" is my favourite on here – a beautifully realised acoustic song with warm words and a haunting melody that still sounds sweet four decades on (lyrics above). "March Rain" with its Cello, Strings and Acoustic guitar arrangement could be Nick Drake circa "Bryter Layter" – so impressive. Mick Ronson adds lovely electric guitar licks to the treated Chapman acoustic guitars on the mid-tempo "Kodak Ghosts". The fantastically bluesy "Andru's Easy Rider" starts out with him on Piano but then goes into this huge John Fahey 12-string slide-guitar blues-boogie that you wish would overstay its mere two-minute duration. It segues into a funky Tabla and Guitar album finisher called "Trinkets & Rings" which features his trademark nonchalant vocals and electric guitar licks in the background. It’s impressive stuff, it really is…

To sum up - like his fellow Harvest Label mate Roy Harper (and nearest musical comparison), Chapman remains a bit of an unknown even in deep rock circles (Keef Hartley, Bryn Haworth, Mick Greenwood, Judee Sill, Karen Dalton and Fred Neil are others).  But you have to say that this is a smart reissue on the part of Light In The Attic Records in a long line of them (Lou Bond, Kris Kristofferson and Rodriguez come to mind - see reviews) and I’m glad I took a chance on it. I’ve subsequently bought the 2006 remaster of his "Millstone Grit" album from 1973 on Deram and it’s a cracker too. 

In 2015 at the age of 74 - it probably seems slightly odd to Michael Chapman now to be the subject of adoration and rediscovery for Folk/Rock he penned 45-years ago – but better late than never. A top job done boys and a major reissue for 2011…

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 245 entries and 2100 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap). 

"Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd" by LYNYRD SKYNYRD (2001 UK MCA 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue with Doug Schwarz Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...20 Years Of Rot Gut Whiskey..."

"...Look out glitter kids, a real Rock 'n' Roll band just showed up..." - raved the on-the-money reviewer in America's hip music magazine "Record World" in the late summer of 1973. Southern Rock was up and running (again) – Atlanta style.

Funnily enough - and despite its supposed kick-ass reputation (mostly through the epic Side 2 finisher "Free Bird") – I've always thought of Lynyrd Skynyrd's debut album as a more mellow, sexy swagger of a record than an out-and-out rocker – a slightly inebriated good old boy with a bottle of Jack Daniels in one hand and a Delta 78" in the other - deeply enamoured with both. And like the utterly brilliant "Second Helping" LP that followed in April 1974 – both have stood the test of old father time rather well my son. Here are the Mississippi Kids...

US released November 2001 (December 2001 in the UK) – "Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd" by LYNYRD SKYNYRD on MCA 088 112 727-2 (Barcode 008811272722) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster and plays out as follows (76:03 minutes):

1. I Ain't The One [Side 1]
2. Tuesday's Gone
3. Gimme Three Steps
4. Simple Man
5. Things Goin' On [Side 2]
6. Mississippi Kid
7. Poison Whiskey
8. Free Bird
Tracks 1 to 8 are their debut album "Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd" – released 13 August 1973 in the USA on MCA/Sounds Of The South MCA-363 and January 1974 in the UK on MCA Records MCG 3502. AL KOOPER produced the album and it peaked at 27 on the US LP charts (didn't chart in the UK).

BONUS TRACKS:
9. Mr. Banker (Demo) – non-album B-side of the US 7" single "Gimme Three Steps" released 5 November 1973 on MCA Records MCA-40158
10. Down South Junkin' (Demo) - non-album B-side of the US 7" single "Free Bird" released 4 November 1974 on MCA Records MCA-40328
11. Tuesday's Gone (Demo)
12. Gimme Three Steps (Demo)
13. Free Bird (Demo)
Tracks 9 and 10 first appeared on the 1991 MCA 3CD Box Set "The Definitive Lynyrd Skynyrd Collection"
Tracks 11, 12 and 13 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

LYNYRD SKYNYRD were:
RONNIE VAN ZANT – Lead Vocals
GARY ROSSINGTON – Lead Guitar (Tracks 2, 3, 5 and 7) and Rhythm Guitars on all others
ALLEN COLLINS – Lead Guitar (Tracks 1 and 8) and Rhythm Guitar on all others
ED KING – Lead Guitar on "Mississippi Kid" and Bass on all tracks except "Mississippi Kid" and "Tuesday's Gone". 
Note: LEON WILKINSON composed many of the Bass Parts for the album but left the group before recording (Ed King plays all the Bass parts as noted above). But then Wilkinson re-joined the group as Bass Player and King changed to Third Guitar player for their next LP "Second Helping" album
BILLY POWELL – Keyboards
LEON WILKINSON – Bass (see Note above)
BOB BURNS – Drums

ROOSEVELT GOOK – Bass, Mellotron and Backup Harmony on "Tuesday's Gone", Organ on "Simple Man", Mandolin and Bass Drum on "Mississippi Kid", Organ on "Poison Whiskey" and "Free Bird"
STEVE KATZ – Harmonica on "Mississippi Kid"
ROBERT NIX – Drums on "Tuesday's Gone"
BOBBY HALL – Percussion on "Gimme Three Steps" and "Things Goin' On"

The 12-page booklet has new liner notes by RON O'BRIEN that includes a potted history of the band, quotes from an Al Kooper interview (the album's Producer) and the sequence of how their 'Sounds Of The South' debut LP came about (recording began 27 March 1973) as well as black and white photos of the boys peppering the text. But the big news is the fantastic Audio. DOUG SCHWARZ has used the original Stereo Master Tapes and this album sounds just great – full of presence and the right kind of swagger. The Remaster isn't overly trebled for the sake of it – just punchy and clear - the rhythm section sweet and warm too...

Skynyrd's debut is counted in (1, 2, 3) to the huge guitars of the jabbing "I Ain't The One" – Ronnie clearly having some woman trouble (her rich Daddy doesn't believe his protestations of relationship innocence). The genuinely touching "Tuesday's Gone" is a Southern Rock Ballad and I can remember being hooked by this one track alone (kind of got me into the band). The acoustic guitars and those drums are huge – whacking your speakers with a clarity that is shocking. The catchy guitar boogie of "Gimme Three Steps" was an obvious single – MCA launched it in November 1973 after the album had been brewing using the non-album "Mr. Banker" on the flipside. "Gimme..." sounds fab as Ronnie preens "Excuse Me!" before a guitar lets fly. The brooding 'mama done told me' tale of "Simple Man" would start a trend in the writing of Van Zant and Rossington – songs about family, loyalty and how a body should "...take your time...don't live too fast..." - advice they sang about but ignored all too often. It ends Side 1 with a wallop.

Side 2 opens with another fave of mine – the guitar pinging Boogie of "Things Goin' On" where the boys lament that there's "...too much money being spent on the moon..." when ordinary folks are struggling down in the ghetto. Roosevelt Gook puts in a blinder on his mandolin anchoring "Mississippi Kid" with a Bluesy Down Home feel while Ed King does his Slide thing. Another familiar theme (pills and booze) rears its ugly little head in the superb rocker "Poison Whiskey" where doctor looks at the poor man and shakes his head because he's seen this body and soul rot too many times before (lyrics from it title this review). And it ends on the penultimate Skynyrd number that MCA actually wanted the band to edit down to three minutes twenty-nine before they even recorded it (luckily the group stuck to its creative guns). 

"Free Bird" is of course almost a cliché now for longhaired hippy Rock – but it still amazes – and the remaster has brought out those army of guitars like never before. Fly high indeed. Die-hard fans will know that "Free Bird" was edited down to 4:41 minutes for 7" single release in the USA and the rare Promo version has a Mono Mix on one side (Stereo on the other). Unfortunately both are AWOL from this release and to my knowledge remain so on the digital front. That said – what puts this 'Expanded Edition' into the solid 5-star category is the superb five bonus tracks that reek of the true Skynyrd – sloppy, moody and simplistically brilliant.

The run of five studio-quality 'demos' feel like a cool alternative debut album - just as good as the 8-track original. Fave-raves include the broke and busted musician's plea in "Mr. Banker" where a penniless Ronnie is willing to trade his Gibson Firebird for foreclosure (yeah right). Both "Tuesday's Gone" and "Gimme Three Steps" are similar to the finished polish of the album versions – just a little rougher around the edges and I think funkier for it. The rowdy Demo of "Free Bird" stretches the album's 9:03 to 11:09 minutes and when that pace-change guitar break kicks in – it starts to rock – but then they seem to lose a guitar that clearly made the finished LP version so work. Despite its fame - it's probably the least successful 'demo' on here...

A packet of Skull 'n' Crossbones Cigarettes adorns the back cover of their debut album – 'Lynyrd Skynyrd Smokes' it says on the side of the snot-nosed box. Well they sure got that right...

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 245 entries and 2100 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap). 

"Howlin Wind" by GRAHAM PARKER (2001 Mercury 'Expanded' CD Reissue - Gary Moore Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 300+ Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD - Volume 2 of 3 - Exceptional CD Remasters

As well as 1960s and 1970s Rock and Pop - It Also Focuses On

Folk, Folk Rock, Country Rock, Reggae, Punk and New Wave

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Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

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"...Put Them Right..."

It's 1975 and a young Graham Parker is bored to distraction feeding go-go juice to gas guzzlers on the forecourt of a London Petrol Station. He puts the smelly grubby nozzle back in its equally scuzzy slot for the last time, toddles off home, pens a few caustic tunes in his bedsit about love, drugs and emotional insanity - then sets off to gain instant fame and fortune (well fame anyway).

Like so many Rock Kids of a certain age who remember the advent of Punk and New Wave (and welcomed much of it) – it's always struck me as odd that genuine musical talent like say Nick Lowe and Graham Parker weren't and aren't utterly huge? I mean where’s the statue citizens of Chobham in Surrey for your musical son – eh?. I can remember when Parker's albums were simply three and four-pound fodder in every secondhand shop. Well maybe the 2001 Remasters of his blistering 70ts catalogue can put pay to that short sightedness for good because his 1976 debut is a total winner you need in your life. Here are the Soul Shoes in your face (please don't let the Fuzz in)...

UK released July 2001 – "Howlin Wind" by GRAHAM PARKER (and THE RUMOUR) on Mercury 548 667-2 (Barcode 731454866729) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with one Bonus Track and plays out as follows (45:11 minutes):

1. White Honey [Side 1]

2. Nothing's Gonna Pull Us Apart

3. Silly Thing

4. Gypsy Blood

5. Between You And Me

6. Back To Schooldays

7. Soul Shoes [Side 2]

8. Lady Doctor

9. You've Got To Be Kidding

10. Howlin' Wind

11. Not if It Pleases Me

12. Don't Ask Me No Questions

Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut LP "Howlin Wind" – released April 1976 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 129 and in the USA on Mercury SRM-1 1095

BONUS TRACK:

13. I’m Gonna Use It Now – non-album B-side of "Silly Thing" issued as his debut UK 7” single in March 1976 on Mercury 6059 135

GRAHAM PARKER – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar and Rhythm Guitar on "Howlin' Wind"

THE RUMOUR was:

BRINSLEY SCHWARZ – Guitar, Hammond Organ, Tenor Saxes and Backing Vocals

BOB ANDREWS – Lowrey And Hammond Organ, Piano and backing Vocals

MARTIN BELMONT – Guitar and backing Vocals

ANDREW BODNAR - Bass

STEVE GOULDING – Drums and backing Vocals

GUESTS:

ED DEAN – Slide Guitar on "Soul Shoes"

DAVE EDMUNDS – Rockabilly Guitar on "Back To Schooldays"

NOEL BROWN – Dobro Guitar on "Not If It Pleases Me" and Slide Guitar on "Back To Schooldays"

STEWART LYNAS – Alto Sax on "Lady Doctor" and Arranged All Brass

HERSHALL HOLDER – Trumpet

DAVE CONNERS – First Tenor Sax

BRINSLEY SCHWARZ – Second Tenor Sax

DANNY ELLIS – Trombone

JOHN (VISCOUNT) EARLE – Baritone Sax

The '25th Anniversary Reissues' sticker on the CD jewel case promises 'Bonus Tracks, New Sleeve Notes & Expanded Artwork'. Once you open the decidedly skimpy three-way foldout inlay – you know that Universal has gone all ASDA budget range on our Graham. There are new paragraphs from the great man alongside some history of the album by NIGEL WILLIAMSON and one lone bonus track as you can see above. It's good but hardly great – and surely there were outtakes to be had after all these years? But all that budget-priced gripe goes out the boozer window when you hear the muscle and clarity of the Remaster by GARY MOORE... 

There are tracks on "Howlin Wind" that have needed a bit of 'oomph' for years – "Soul Shoes", "Back To Schooldays" and the sadly lovely "Between Me And You" jump to mind. But the improvement is all over. The brilliant build of instruments in the acidic "Not If It Pleases Me" comes at you with incredible power (a forgotten nugget methinks). The perky opener "White Honey" sounds really fantastic (for a song about cocaine that is) and should have been the album's lead-off single instead of Vertigo's choice of the weaker but safer "Silly Thing". The acoustic beginning to "Gypsy Blood" is warm to these tired lugs and when the Rumour do kick in – the whole soundstage has real power without being overly bombastic (gorgeous acoustic playing in this song by Parker). I'm jumping around the room like a snotty brat with a day pass to Rowntrees as the brilliant and rebellious bopper "Back To Schooldays" fills my room – Dave Edmunds giving it some wicked Rockabilly Guitar just when the song needs it. Parker's vocals naturally suit the choppy-angry New Wave rhythms of "Don't Ask Me Questions" – but then like all great songwriters – he floors you with real emotion and pathos. Disguised behind the almost sing-along Eagles rhythm of "Between You And Me" is a razor blade – a song about love and bitter loss. I’ve loved this poison-berry of a melody for four decades now and like much of this brilliant album – still feels fresh and vital in 2016.

In his typically self-deprecating liner notes - Graham Parker reckons that his "Howlin Wind" LP 'was the best album released in the UK in 1976' outside of all that commercial singles chart fodder. On the evidence presented here – the angry Pump Attendant may indeed have a point. Brilliant...

"Second Helping" by LYNYRD SKYNYRD (2009 US Audio Fidelity 24KT Gold Audiophile HDCD - Kevin Gray Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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

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"...Dig You Georgia Peaches..."

Containing the epoch-making 9-minute "Freebird" - it's hardly surprising that Lynyrd Skynyrd's 1973 debut album "Pronounced..." usually gets all the plaudits when it comes to appraising their Seventies catalogue. But for me their next platter "Second Helping" has always been their Southern Rock masterpiece and a far better album overall. If anything the years have been more than kind to those 'Sounds Of The South' - up to a point where the album's legend continues to grow and regularly gets rediscovered as people dig out Classic 1970s Rock albums. I bought "Second Helping" in 1974 along with Joe Walsh's "So What" and Todd Rundgren's "Utopia" and all have been firmly wedged in my soft machine ever since.

There are three versions of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Second Helping" on CD of note – one cheap and the other two pricey (but worth it).

The star in a reasonably priced car is the American 'Expanded' CD Remaster on MCA Records B001171902 (Barcode 602517805125) issued in November 1997 (sells for as little as four quid at times - us the Barcode to get that issue). It was remastered by DOUG SCHWARTZ from the original two-track master tapes, features a nicely featured 16-page booklet and three bonus tracks worth having (53:55 minutes). I own this version and the Remaster is ballsy if not a little overly loud. The three bonus cuts however are a real treat for Skynyrd fans – "Don't Ask Me No Questions (Single Version)", "Was I Right Or Wrong (Sounds Of The South Demo)" (5:33 minutes) and "Take Your Time (Sounds Of The South Demo)" (7:29 minutes). The last two are barroom boogie outtakes and feature some tremendous slide and piano bolstered up here with fabulous audio ("...take my time and love 'em slow...") Ronnie assures the ladies. "Take Your Time" was also a non-album B-side in the USA to the 45 of "Don't Ask Me No Questions".

There's a 2014 Hybrid SACD reissue by the American company Analogue Productions on CAPP 413 SA (Barcode 753088041365) remastered by a Sound Engineer of real repute - KEVIN GRAY (see Joe Walsh's "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get" and Randy Newman's "12 Songs" both on Audio Fidelity). The Analogue Productions issue features the straightforward 8-track LP in one of those round-corner jewel cases, restored artwork, wonderfully clear sound quality and doesn't require SACD playback to get the CD Remaster. However it regularly clocks in at thirty quid or more.

But my personal poison is the 2009 HDCD Audiophile straightforward transfer of the eight track album on Audio Fidelity AFZ 054 (Barcode 780014205423) – a limited Numbered Edition of 3000 (No'd on the rear) which is again a KEVIN GRAY remaster (37:16 minutes). Initial pressings of the HDCD had a glitch just ahead of the "Call Me The Breeze" track where it was mastered with a false start. Mistakes were quickly admitted – it was withdrawn and replaced with the AFZ 054 X suffix (same Barcode) and all was well. The die-cut black and gold card slipcase and the foldout inlay (reproduced artwork, Sounds Of The South logo etc) are both very pretty and the 24KT Gold CD itself looks and feels impressive.

1. Sweet Home Alabama

2. I Need You

3. Don't Ask Me No Questions

4. Workin' For MCA

5. The Ballad Of Curtis Loew [Side 2]

6. Swamp Music

7. The Needle And The Spoon

8. Call Me The Breeze

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 2nd studio album "Second Helping" – released 15 April 1974 in the USA on MCA/Sounds Of The South MCA-413 and June 1974 in the UK on MCA Records MCF 2547. It peaked at No. 12 on the US Album charts.

LYNYRD SKYNYRD were:

RONNIE VAN ZANT – Lead Vocals

GARY ROSSINGTON – Lead Guitar (Gibson Les Paul) and Acoustic Guitar

ALLEN COLLINS – Lead Guitar (Gibson Firebird)

ED KING – Guitars (Bass on "I Need You" and "Don't Ask Me No Questions")

BILLY POWELL – Keyboards

LEON WILKINSON – Bass

BOB BURNS – Drums

CLYDIE KING, SHIRLEY MATTHEWS and MERRY CLAYTON – Backing Vocals on "Sweet Home Alabama"

BOBBY KEYS, TREVOR LAWRENCE and STEVE MADIAO – Horns on "Don't Ask Me No Questions" and "Call Me The Breeze"

AL KOOPER – Producer - also Backing Vocals and Piano on "Don't Ask Me No Questions" and "The Ballad Of Curtis Loew"

But what gets you about this remaster is the clarity on all the instruments. You may have to give "Sweet Home Alabama" a bit of welly on your amp for sure – but when you do - the results are thrilling. This simple, funky and cool tune leaps out of the speakers at you rocking and ready to kick your teeth in (even old Neil would be proud of this). Listen close enough too and you’ll hear the dulcet tones of Merry Clayton who did that duet vocal with Mick Jagger on "Gimme Shelter" back in 1969. Their very best Blues song ever "I Need You" follows. I suspect many die-hard fans see "I Need You" as their penultimate track in truth – a gritty slow burning guitar Blues that captures their truly unique sound - Gary Rossington and Allen Collins battling it out on their Gibson Les Paul and Firebird. It's also a tune fans have had not heard in the live environment for over 45 years - check out the YouTube footage of the new band with Johnny Van Zant on Lead Vocals doing the song in Calgary in March of 2015 for the first time. 

The take-no-prisoners lyrics and boogie of "Don't Ask Me No Questions" still sounds so spiky – "...I don't ask you about your business...don't ask me about mine..." as those huge brass punches from Bobby Keys, Trevor Lawrence and Steve Madiao add real power. They issued a 7" 'Single Version' of "Don't Ask Me No Questions" April 1974 in the USA on MCA 40231 with the seven-minute non-album "Take Your Time" on the B-side. Ronnie warns of dodgy contracts and fast bucks "...Along comes some city slicker sayin'...you what I want!" on the staggeringly hard-hitting "Workin' For MCA". I remember thinking - kudos to the label for letting the band vent like that...

Side 2 opens with the life affirming and touching "Ballad Of Curtis Loew" – a young Ronnie enamoured with a black man who'd "...tune up his Dobro..." and play the Blues for a fistful of wine. His mama would whoop him –but Ronnie would go see him again – stunning stuff - and it still gets to me. "Swamp Music" is a down-home 'hound dog' rocker featuring zippy guitar pings and 'fills' from Ed King that will have you doing your best air guitar. The druggy cautionary tale of "The Needle And The Spoon" sounds so close to real life as to be frightening – a band fuelled by Bourbon and other upbeat substances. It ends on their truly fantastic cover version of J. J. Cale's "Call Me The Breeze" (originally on his 1972 Shelter Records debut album "Naturally") – a rollicking barnstormer that sees the trio of brass players come in half way through like a cool breeze. It romps this great Rock LP home in proper gobsmacking style (lyrics from it title this review).

The AF release has been deleted years now and acquired something of a price tag accordingly (as does much of the Audio Fidelity catalogue) – but if you can go the few extra quid – this is one 70ts Classic Rock LP that’s worth the few extra doubloons me hearties...

"Tubular Bells" by MIKE OLDFIELD (2009 Universal/Mercury 2CD/1DVD 'Deluxe Edition' Remasters) - A Review for Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 300+ Others Is Available In My

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As well as 1960s and 1970s Rock and Pop - It Also Focuses On

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"...Two Slightly Distorted Guitars..." 

In the first half of 1973 - two chart-annihilating vinyl albums signalled a huge move away from 7" single-driven Rock to something longer and stronger – Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side Of The Moon" which landed on our doorsteps 1 March 1973 – and Mike Oldfield's Virgin Records debut LP  "Tubular Bells" which hit Blighty racks in its gorgeous and highly distinctive 'Bells and Sea' sleeve on 25 May 1973. Both albums have had longevity beyond the wildest dreams of either artist and with the hindsight of more than 40 years – remain iconic and still amaze.

Having said that - fans have had their fair-share of CD reissues for Mike Oldfield's densely overdubbed, side long instrumental musical soundscapes (the HDCD version in 2000 was one) – but this 2009 'Deluxe Edition' which offers Audio and Video finally does that tape consuming beasty a solid. Here are the Sailor's Hornpipes...

UK and USA released 8 June 2009 – "Tubular Bells: Deluxe Edition" by MIKE OLDFIELD on Universal/Mercury 270 354-1 (Barcode 0602527035413) is a 2CD/1DVD Reissue and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 – "The 2009 Stereo Mixes by Mike Oldfield" (56:02 minutes):

1. Tubular Bells (Part One)

2. Tubular Bells (Part Two)

BONUS TRACKS:

3. Mike Oldfield's Single (A-side of a UK 7" single released June 1974 on Virgin VS 101. The original B-side "Froggy Went A Courtin'" (despised by Oldfield) is not on this reissue.

4. Sailor's Hornpipe (Original Version with Viv Stanshall) – Recorded in The Manor Studios in Oxfordshire in Spring 1973 – first appeared as part of "Collaborations" – the 4th LP in the 4LP "Boxed" Set UK issued October 1976 on Virgin VBOX 1.

Disc 2 – "The Original 1973 Stereo Album Mix" (48:48 minutes):

1. Tubular Bells (Part One)

2. Tubular Bells (Part Two)

Tracks 1 and 2 and Side 1 and the LP "Tubular Bells" – released 25 May 1973 in the UK and USA on Virgin V 2001

Disc 3 – DVD (All Regions) – 2009 5.1 Surround Sound Mixes by Mike Oldfield

1. Tubular Bells (Part One)

2. Tubular Bells (Part Two)

3. Mike Oldfield's Single

4. Sailor's Hornpipe (Original Version with Viv Stanshall)

Visual Content

1. Tubular Bells (Part One)

First broadcast as part of the series "2nd House" on BBC 2 – 1st December 1973

The glossy gatefold digipak has been well thought out – each flap with interesting memorabilia – the pregnant lady advert from the Zigzag newspaper advertising the birth of new 'Virgin Releases' – master tape boxes from CBS and BASF and a very well endowed 24-page booklet on the history of the album and its aftermath by Tape Engineer and Music Historian MARK POWELL. You get pictures of The Manor Studio in Oxfordshire – Oldfield with Kevin Ayers & The Whole World (circa 1970/1971), snaps of Producer Tom Newman and a camera-shy Richard Branson along with the ever present mixing desk and Oldfield surround as always by six million instruments.

MARK POWELL, MIKE OLDFIELD and PASCHAL BYRNE are the team of three that has handling the tapes with care because the Audio is gorgeous – clear and warm and full of presence. But I would say that after hearing the 2009 Stereo Version – the original 1973 version does seem a tad flat and more hissy – but the DVD 5.1 version that I've heard on a mate's sound system is simply awesome (far better that the Quadrophonic LP experience in 1974). The "Mike Oldfield Single" (issued in a "Tubular Bells Theme" picture sleeve in the UK June 1974) is based on the Celtic Tympani section on Side 2 with Oldfield having added Oboe and other instruments. And of course the use of the opening piano refrain in the horror movie of the moment "The Exorcist" gave the album considerable exposure and made that piece of music synonymous with the LP for decades to come.

When the first portion of Side One settles into that Acoustic Guitar around 4:07 only to crescendo a few seconds later – the effect is incredible. And those doubled-up high string guitars at 11:30 minutes leap out of the speakers only to be followed by the HUGE rock guitar piece. It all leads towards the layer-after-layer-of-instruments preceded by Viv Stanshall of The Bonzo Dog Do Dah Band acting as 'Master Of Ceremonies' as he introduces each instrument in that wonderfully posh and eclectic voice of his – magic. Fans will love those warbling guitars at 8:02 on Side 2 – the girly vocals mixing with the notes to beautiful effect – even if that Pilt Down Man voice still sounds decidedly creepy. And you gotta love Vivian Stanshall clearly drunk as a skunk on the original version of "Sailor's Hornpipe" as he discusses a painting in the Manor at some ungodly hour in the morning - deliberately slurring his words by the time he gets to the end (God bless him).

I wasn't expected the DVD to be so engaging. Never mind the 5.1 Surround Mix that really leaves the Quad LP from the 'Boxed' set in 1976 in the dust – the performance of the December 1973 concert is an absolute blast (if not a little ramshackle in places). A group of seven musicians are seated in dimly lit silhouette as the piano refrain starts (with a huge Showcase logo behind them). But then as they zoom in and the lights go on – we see Oldfield seated with his Bass Guitar and stripy shirt looking decidedly uncomfortable (grin and bear it baby). Unfortunately there are no credits at the end so you can't tell who the other six musicians are – but with guitars in their hands and other instruments – Side 1 becomes this strange entirely different entity 'live' - where their guitar flicks and piano flourishes differ wildly in some cases from his. A chorus of ladies join them for the acoustic fade out. They even try some ropey water footage in the centre of it as the bells shimmer. The image does get a tad blurry in places in that Seventies kind of way – but for fans this extra is an absolute treat.

"Hergest Ridge" would follow in 1974 and the wonderful "Ommadawn" in 1975 and thereafter a career that seems to have endlessly rehashed his 1973 magnum opus for every anniversary since. A great Deluxe Edition and a milestone in Rock Music's history...

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 245 entries and 2100 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap). 

"Electric Warrior" by T.REX - September 1971 UK LP on Fly Records featuring Marc Bolan and Mickey Finn (2012 UK Universal/A&M/Fly 'Expanded' SINGLE CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Cosmic Dancer..."

Losing my lovingly kept vinyl copy of the Rex's iconic "Electric Warrior" with the 'sticker' on the front cover (inner and poster inside too) a few years back has remained one of my big LP regrets over the years (needs must at the time and it had to be done). The British album on Fly Records sold loads (sleeve by Hipgnosis) - but for some reasons copies of an original with the sticker still intact (on the front sleeve) are far rarer than most fans know.

A similar tale of selling-woe with CD reissues... I bought the January 2012 Tony Visconti/Paschal Byrne 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' and lived with it for a while (great audio, same as this issue) – but I found the extras lacking (sold it) and I've plumed instead for this single disc version with four 'Bonus Tracks' that I actually want. A case of less is more I think (and its under four quid). Time to 'Get It On' and indeed 'Bang A Gong' for the original Jeepsters - T.REX...

UK released 17 April 2012 (1 May 2012 in the USA) – "Electric Warrior" by T.REX on Universal/A&M/Fly 533 780-1 (Barcode 600753378014) is an 'Expanded Edition' single CD Remaster and plays out as follows (55:58 minutes):

1. Mambo Sun

2. Cosmic Dancer

3. Jeepster

4. Monolith

5. Lean Woman Blues

6. Get It On [Side 2]

7. Planet Queen

8. Girl

9. The Motivator

10. Life's A Gas

11. Rip Off

Tracks 1 to 11 are the 2nd album "Electric Warrior" by T. REX (formerly known as Tyrannosaurus Rex for the four previous LPs) – released 24 September 1971 in the UK on Fly Records HIFLY 6 and in the USA on Reprise RS 6466. It peaked at No. 1 in the UK and No. 32 in the USA.

T. REX was:

MARC BOLAN – Vocals and Guitars

MICKEY FINN – Vocals and Percussion

IAN McDONALD – Saxophones

BURT COLLINS - Flugel Horn

STEVE CURRIE – Bass

WILL LEGEND – Drums

HOWARD & MARK VOLMAN – Backing Vocals

RICK WAKEMAN – Piano on "Get It On" (uncredited)

STRING SECTION – Uncredited

BONUS TRACKS:

12. There Was A Time/Raw Ramp (B-side of "Get It On" – UK 7" single released 2 July 1971 on Fly Records BUG 10. Although listed as a two-part B-side – it has in fact three distinct musical sections in the song with the uncredited Part 3 sometimes known as "Electric Boogie" because of the lyrics. "Get It On" peaked at No. 1 in the UK charts and was billed as "Bang A Gong" in the USA on Reprise 1032 when it was released December 1971

13. Hot Love (Non-Album A-side – UK 7" single released 19 February 1971 on Fly Records BUG 6) – peaked at No. 1 on the UK singles charts

14. Woodland Rock (1 of 2 Non-Album B-sides to "Hot Love" – UK 7" single released 19 February 1971 on Fly Records BUG 6) – peaked at No. 1 on the UK singles charts

15. The King Of The Mountain Cometh (2 of 2 Non-Album B-sides to "Hot Love" – UK 7" single released 19 February 1971 on Fly Records BUG 6) – peaked at No. 1 on the UK singles charts

Reproduced beneath the see-through tray is that gorgeous Fly Records label with the script track lists for Side 1 and 2 - while the CD itself has the Marc Bolan/Mickey Finn photo that adorned the other side of the LP label (nice touches). The generously outfitted 24-page booklet is a fan's dream – beautifully and smartly laid out. You get updated (new research especially for this 2012 issue) and in-depth liner notes from noted Bolan expert MARK PAYTRESS – as well Melody Maker, NME, Sounds and Beat Instrumental front page repros, snaps of Bolan in the studio, on stage with T.Rex and relaxing (the poster shot). There is the rare sheet music for "Hot Love" and a picture of Bolan by a bus with his girlfriend as well as the beautiful George Underwood pencil drawings that were the inner bag (Bolan on one side, Mickey Finn on the other) – they adorn either side of the centre pages.

Original Producer TONY VISCONTI has remastered the album for this issue while the hugely experienced Audio Engineers PASCHAL BYRNE and BEN WISEMAN handled the Bonus Tracks. All of it sounds renewed and incredibly alive. There are hissy passages for sure but no tampering with the original sound has taken place to my ears - it's just breathing better now. A job sensitively done...

Right from the opening guitar chug of "Mambo Sun" – the vocals, the strings and backing singers and those cool swinging guitars – all of it sleeks out of your speakers with the swagger of a man on the up. There is a lot of hiss as "Cosmic Dancer" opens with the Acoustic and Strings – but there's no denying the loveliness of the song. The whack off "Jeepster" is shocking – that foot-stomping guitar boogie still gets me too (another effortless No. 1 single dashed off in his sleep). That lone guitar rip at the beginning of "Monolith" threatens to punch a hole in your speaker cones on this ballsy remaster – the lurching slugger beat somehow now even more epic than I remember it ("...shallow are the actions of the children of the men...oh yeah!") Side 1 ends with "Lean Woman Blues" – a one two and buckle my shoe set of Bolan Blues where he bemoans his lady's 'lean love' while those guitars riff and groan ("...you're the love of my life...then you gorge me with a knife...")

What can you say about "Get It On" - a winner to this day. I was a kid in Dublin 1971 and we'd gone with the scouts to Todd Vale Camp Site near Liverpool in England for a summer outing. On the site someone had a portable singles deck and the rare picture sleeve of "Get It On". Sun shining down – campfires nearby cooking dinner - bopping to that infectious beat - man we must played that sucker nine times in a row (the memory still sends chills up my arms). And here it is again with that fabulous Visconti production only better – bang a gong baby! Many peoples other fave is the slinky Acoustic Rock of "Planet Queen" – a great Bolan groove. Burt Collins provides the Flugel Horn for the pretty "Girl" – a song where Marc sounds most like Bowie - who would of course release "Hunky Dory" in December of that great year (1971). More cool Bolan riffage with the "...love the way you walk..." groove of "The Motivator" – while both 'Life's A Gas" and the angry live-in-the-studio "Rip Off" have healthy amounts of hiss for sure but still sound like they've been given a right old dust off - unleashed even.

What I also love about this reissue is that the Bonus Tracks provide you with four truly great non-album single sides – “Woodland Rock” and "The King of The Woodland Cometh" like some Tyrannosaurus Rex boogie outtakes, the so sexy sway of "Hot Love" and that amazing 3-part B-side to "Get It On". I’ve even isolated "Electric Boogie" as a track by itself (begins at 3:23 minutes) – what a blast.

Marc Bolan would go on to "The Slider" and "Tanx" albums and so much more until his sad loss in London in 1977 – but "Electric Warrior" is the one in the hearts of his original fans. As Bolan sang in the irrepressible "Jeepster" - "...I'll call you a jaguar if I may be so bold..." Amen to that you slinky mother...

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 245 entries and 2100 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap).