"A Music Man Like Nobody Ever Saw" by ARTHUR 'BIG BOY' CRUDUP (2016 Bear Family 5CD Box Set Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...That's Alright Mama...Any Way You Do...That's Alright..."

First things first - a note about the content of this much anticipated Bear Family Box Set - more especially what's 'not' in it.

Born August 1905 in Forest Mississippi, Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup picked up the guitar at the late age of 30 and recorded prolifically until he passed in March 1974. However what the Box Set name "A Music Man Like Nobody Ever Saw" doesn't tell you is that despite there being 5CDs worth - Bear Family BCD 17352 is 'not' a full career retrospective but concentrates 'only' on 1946 to 1962 (it states this on the back of the box and not the front). Therefore albums like 1968's "Look On Yonder's Wall", 1969's "Crudup's Mood" (both on Delmark) or the last LP "Roebuck Man" released in the UK in 1970 with members of McGuinness Flint - are 'not' on the box set "A Music Man Like Nobody Ever Saw". Like their handling of Freddie King's catalogue - the later half of Crudup's career will undoubtedly follow in a forthcoming multiple disc set a couple of years from now...

So what do you get? Every Arthur Crudup recording from 1941 to 1962 on RCA Victor and its associated labels Bluebird and Groove, Trumpet, Checker, Ace and Fire - 124 tracks (12 previously unreleased) across 5 CDs housed in a 12" x 12" Box Set with an LP-Sized 68-Page Hardback Book with new liner notes and Discography by the award-winning R&B and Blues Historian BILL DAHL and Bear's own RICHARD WEIZE (with the vastly knowledgeable COLIN ESCOTT as a Consultant). Bear Family have used an Elvis Presley quote when he was being interviewed in that mercurial year of 1956 as their box's title - Presley happily acknowledging the influence and huge success he owed to a fellow Mississippi man - Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup.

For the time frame 1945 to 1962 - amazingly Crudup saw only saw two officially released LPs in the USA (other variants appeared in France) - the original 1962 Fire Records LP "Mean Ol' Frisco" and a retrospective put out in 1971 by RCA on their Vintage Blues Series of his 1941 to 1954 recordings called "The Father Of Rock 'n' Roll" (referencing and acknowledging his Elvis Presley tie-in with "That's Alright" - a song that changed musical history). Both LPs are here - as are all the 78s on Bluebird and the 45s on Groove, Trumpet, Fire and Ace Records etc. The Discography also notes LP and CD reissues and tracks that appeared in the 80ts, 90ts etc by Krazy Kat, Ace Records, Westside, Charly R&B, Relic, Document and Vivid Sound and P-Vine in Japan. Let's get to the nitty gritty...

UK and Europe released Friday 29 July 2016 (12 August 2016 in the USA) - "A Music Man Like Nobody Ever Saw" by ARTHUR 'BIG BOY' CRUDUP on Bear Family BCD 17352 (Barcode 5397102173523) is a 124-Track 5CD 12" x 12" Box Set (12 Previously Unreleased) with a 68-Page Hardback Book and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1, 1941 to 1948 recordings, 22 tracks, 67:50 minutes

Disc 2, 1947 to 1951 recordings, 26 tracks, 77:54 minutes

Disc 3, 1950 to 1953 recordings, 24 tracks, 70:53 minutes

Track 13 "Never No More (Take A)" and Track 14 "Why Did You Leave Me (Take A)" both PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Disc 4, 1952 to 1954 recordings, 28 tracks, 79:36 minutes

Track 16 "Help Me To Bear This Heavy Load", Track 17 "I Love You", Track 19 "She Ain't Nothin' But Trouble (Take B)"

Track 20 "Oo Wee Darling (Love Me With A Thrill) (Take A)", Track 22 "Nobody Wants Me (Take A)", Track 23 "Star Bootlegger (Take A)"

Track 25 "Goin' Back To Georgia (Take A), Track 26 "Mr. So And So (Take A)", Track 27 "Do It If You Want To (Take A)"

Track 28 "Nelvina (Take A)" are all PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Disc 5, 1955 to 1962 recordings, 24 tracks, 64:38 minutes

Each CD is a different picture disc and that picture is replicated on the inlay beneath the see-through CD tray. A team of four have carried out the transfers - CHRISTIAN ZWARG, VICTOR PEARLIN and MATT CAVALUZZA (Disc and Metalpart Transfers), BILL DAHL (Tape Comparisons) and final Mastering done by CHRISTIAN ZWARG.

BILL DAHL does his usual storming job of chronicling the ups and downs of Crudup's recording career (all those missing Royalties from the Presley years) and there are quotes peppering the text. There's a section called 'Impressions From The South In The 1940s' where we get Pages 12 to 17 filled with colour plates of images from that time - then another section called 'The South Side Of Chicago, Illinois In The 1940s' on Pages 30 to 35 with full plate black and white photos. But bluntly little of it has to do with Crudup himself and feels like filler. There are only five or six 'actual' images of Crudup for the whole 22-year period - most of which get duplicated in varying forms. The Discography pictures three tape reels - one a page - without anyone telling you in an aside what they are! You have to go deep within the Discography to find out that EDVB 3430 is "She Ain't Nothing But Trouble". The lone reference in the Discography to one of only two LPs issued during the period - and they get it wrong. "I'm Gonna Dig Myself A Hole" is on LPV-573 and not LPV-57 - and how does the untrained eye know what 'LPV-57' is anyway? I'm always amazing in these supposed scholarly Discographies that no one seems to name the actual Record Label or title of the LP they're referencing. It's actually a reason why I do a Discography myself.

Having said that - these are minor niggles compared to the images that crop up everywhere and delight every time to look at them. There are beautiful US 45 label repros of "Rock Me Mamma" on Groove, "Mean Ole Frisco" on Fire and those period evocative 78s of "My Mama Don't Allow Me" and "Dirt Road Blues. Key players like Ransom J. Knowling who played String Bass on the 1946 RCA session that produced the legendary "That's All Right" is pictured with other musicians on Page 10. There’s a rare black and white of Joe McCoy who was on Crudup’s very first session for "Black Pony Blues" in September 1941 as World War II raged in Europe (also pictured on Page 10). There's a handy 'Alphabetical' track listing on Pages 60 and 61 and the ‘man with a guitar standing by the train tracks’ variant of the "Mean Ol' Frisco" Fire Records LP is pictured on Page 42.

The Music - Disc 1 is mostly the old Bluebird 78s and the Audio is accordingly crackly but hugely atmospheric. In fact there are moments on the 'three gold teeth' of "Black Pony Blues" and the identikit-sounding 'die before my time' of "Death Valley Blues" where he sounds like Robert Johnson with that Hellhound coming from the rear. There's incredibly clean Audio on Crudup's own "My Mama Don't Allow Me" where mummy doesn't want Arthur to stay out all night long - prey for those catfish who like a playboy on their line. "Mean Ole Frisco" and that '...low down Santa Fe...' has been taken by so many Blues Pioneers that it's almost turned into a standard (Muddy Waters, Little Walter and Eric Clapton all made it famous in their own way). Other highlights amidst the bare bones 78s are the 'what are you trying to do' of "Ethel Mae" and it 'cost me my baby' of "Cool Disposition". His guitar work on the 'my baby loves me right' of "So Glad Your Mine" is more gutbucket than virtuoso but there's a sameness to the melody of "No More Lover" that makes it less memorable.

The Audio on Disc 2 takes a giant leap forward as we reach September 1946 - "You Got To Reap" and "Chicago Blues" cooking - his Trio filled out by Ransom J Knowling on Double Bass and Judge Lawrence on Drums (the cymbals and Double Bass of "I Want My Lovin'" are startling). But then we're hit with the big daddy - a record that literally changed the fabric of the known Universe. Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right" was of course Elvis Presley's first Sun 45 in June 1954 - when the mighty Pelvis Rockabilly-fied that sucker into something extraordinary under the watchful eye of Sam Phillips. Even now it’s a thrill to hear this amazing slice of history – and sounding sweet too. A touch of that 'yeah man' Rockabilly/Rock 'n' Roll sound also surfaces on "Hey Mama-Everything's All Right". Clapton has done "Roberta Blues" and Arthur’s cover of Elmore James' "Dust My Broom" couldn't be more different than the hundreds of slasher guitar copycats that followed.

A hugely enjoyable Disc 3 opens with an Engineer naming the Take number (many track are like this) on a fantastic "Mean Old Santa Fe" - a 1950 Blues bopper 78" that had the slower "Oo Wee Darling (Love Me With A Thrill)" on the flipside of RCA Victor 22-0092. "Never No More (Take A)" starts the Previously Unreleased tracks rolling - a great shuffling Blues recorded April 1951 at RCA Victor Studios with his trusty duo of Knowling and Riley on Double Bass and Drums. "Why Did You Leave Me (Take A)" provides the second of the unreleased tracks and is similar to its predecessor. Take B of "My Baby Left Me" is the master used for the 1951 RCA Victor 78" (22-0109) and rare 45 (50-0109) - a track Jon Fogerty's Creedence Clearwater Revival covered on their 1970 LP "Cosmo's Factory" (Dave Edmunds even had a go on his 1977 Swan Song Records LP "Get It" too). Other slightly Rockabilly cuts (akin to Elvis' "That's All Right") include "Where Did You Stay Last Night" and "Goin' Back To Georgia". Uncle Sam wants words with the Big Boy on "Mr. So And So" and poor Arthur has had the Blues all night long on the mournful “Late In The Evening” (4 o’clock in the morning and still out in the street).

Disc 4 offers up a tasty 10 new Previously Unreleased cuts - best of which is the ivory roller "Help Me To Bear This Heavy Load" with Thomas Patten on Piano while Robert Fulton uses both Harmonica and Guitar and the sparse but wickedly good "She Ain't Nothing But Trouble" recorded March 1950 with his duo of Knowling and Lawrence. Take 8 is the unreleased version of "Nelvina" recorded January 1952 with Jimmy Sheffield on String Bass and N. Butler on Drums. The 1962 rare and original "Mean Ol' Frisco" LP on Fire Records and its incredibly productive sessions dominate Disc 5 - where Arthur cut new versions of his old songs with great effect and a rearranging nod to what Presley did at Sun. I swear but the "Mean Ol' Frisco" album and its superior audio/renditions is a bit of an unsung masterpiece - and I can see why its rarity value is clocked at a cool $900.00 or more in Price Guides (if you can locate one). The rest of the tracks turned up on varying CD compilations across the years and are largely outtakes from those early 1962 sessions (it's easy to hear why they were so popular with reissue labels - they were so damn good and well-recorded into the bargain).

A mammoth project and clearly not for the faint-hearted - nonetheless "A Music Man Like Nobody Ever Saw" is the kind of Box Set that only cements Bear Family’s name as the Box Set label. A hero of musical history finally given the treatment and document he's always deserved. Roll on Box No. 2...

PS: The Two LPs covered by the Bear Family Box Set (1941 to 1962)

[5/2] = Track 5 on Disc 2

[4/5] = Track 4 on Disc 5 etc.

1. "Mean Ol' Frisco" - May 1962 USA Mono Original LP on Fire Records FLP 103 - Produced by BRUCE ROBINSON – the LP contains 1962 New York City re-recordings of older hits from the 1940s and 1950s.

Side 1:

1. Mean Ol' Frisco [4/5]

2. Look On Yonder Wall [8/5]

3. That's Alright [5/5]

4. Ethel Mae [9/5]

5. Too Much Competition [6/5]

6. Standing At My Window [10/5]

Side 2:

1. Rock Me Mama [3/5]

2. Greyhound Bus [11/5]

3. Coal Black Mare [7/5]

4. Katie Mae [1/5]

5. Dig Myself A Hole [2/5]

6. So Glad You're Mine [12/5]

2. "The Father Of Rock 'n' Roll"

November 1971 Mono Reissue LP on RCA Victor Vintage Series LPV-573 (USA) and RCA Victor RD 8224 (UK)

Original Recordings from 1941 to 1954

Side 1:

1. If I Ever Get Lucky [4/1]

2. Mean Old Frisco [9/1]

3. Rock Me Mamma [13/1]

4. Keep Your Arms [14/1]

5. Cool Disposition [11/1]

6. She's Gone [18/1]

7. So Glad You're Mine [20/1]

8. Ethel Mae [19/1]

Side 2:

1. That's All Right [5/2]

2. Lonesome World To Me [14/2]

3. Shout, Sister, Shout [22/2]

4. My Baby Left Me [6/3]

5. I'm Gonna Dig Myself A Hole [24/4]

6. Mr. So And So [18/3]

7. Keep On Drinkin' [20/3]

8. If You've Ever Been To Georgia [15/4]

"Groovin' The Blues" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (2016 Bear Family CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Got A Key To The Highway...Goin' Back Home..." 

On Page 34 of this very cool Fifties Rhythm 'n' Blues CD there's the eye-catching cover shot of Atlanta's Zilla May distracting comedian Al Jackson with her 'shapely charms' and 'torso tossing' at the Royal Peacock Club. Full of fun, hip-shaking naughtiness and good time music – it visually sums up this first of two barnstorming CD reissues from Bear Family for RCA's 'Groove' label - "Groovin' The Blues" and "Rockin' The Groove". And I'm lovin' both big time...

RCA Victor's major label response to the dominance of the R&B genre by driven-independents like Atlantic, Modern and King Records was the fondly remembered but unfairly forgotten 'Groove' label inaugurated in February 1954. As a major player in the field - RCA had had a long and prestigious history with their 'Bluebird' imprint - pumping out pre-War Blues 78’s since 1932 that featured huge and influential names like Memphis Minnie, Big Bill Broonzy, Lil Green and Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup (to name but a few) - Groove was their attempt to take a new share of the burgeoning 45 marketplace.

Now with access to their vaults via a deal with SONY – BF have formulated two jam-packed compilations to celebrate Groove Records - "Groovin' The Blues" on Bear Family BCD 17411 (Barcode 5397102174117) and "Rockin' The Groove" on Bear Family BCD 17412 (Barcode 5397102174124). Both are released February 2016 and come stuffed to the gunnels with tasty unreleased tracks, gorgeous 80-minute-plus Remasters from award-winning Audio Engineer MARCUS HEUMANN and 60-page booklets courtesy of one of the best genre chroniclers in the business - BILL DAHL. There's a heap of mess to get through...so...

UK and Europe released February 2016 - "Groovin' The Blues: When Groove Was More Than Just A Habit" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Bear Family BCD 17411 (Barcode 5397102174117) is a 33-track single CD compilation (13 of which are Previously Unreleased) with an attached 59-page booklet and plays out as follows (84:25 minutes, all tracks Mono):

1. SONNY TERRY - Lost Jawbone (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0015, A - see 6 for B-side)

2. COUSIN LEROY (Leroy Rozier) - Goin' Back Home (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0123, A - see 19 for B-side)

3. CHAMPION JACK DUPREE - The Ups (September 1956 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

4. BUDDY LUCAS - No Dice (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0030, A, Instrumental)

5. SUE ALLEN and OSCAR BLACK - Hold Me Baby (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0012, B-side of "I'll Get By")

6. SONNY TERRY - Louise (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0015, B - see 1 for A-side)

7. CLAYTON LOVE - Love Blues (May/June 1956 Recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

8. MAYMIE WATTS - There Goes That Train (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0103, A)

9. BIG TINY KENNEDY - 'Taint Right (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0133, A)

10. LITTLE TOMMY BROWN - Don't Leave Me (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0132, A - see 26 for B-side)

11. COUSIN LEROY (Leroy Rozier) - 41 Highway (July 1955 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

12. SONNY TERRY - Tell Me Baby (September 1955 RCA Victor instrumental recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

13. BUDDY LUCAS - I Got Drunk (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0003, A)

14. ZILLA MAYS - Romance In The Dark (October 1955 recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

15. BIG TINY KENNEDY - I Need A Good Woman (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0106, A)

16. OSCAR BLACK - What Makes Me Love You So (August 1956 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

17. SONNY TERRY - Hootin' Blues No. 2 (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0135, A)

18. THE DU-DROPPERS - You've Been Good To Everybody (March 1954 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

19. COUSIN LEROY (Leroy Rozier) - Catfish (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0123, B-side - see 2 for A)

20. BEATRICE READING - Beantown Boogie (May 1954 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

21. COUSIN LEROY - Lonesome Bedroom (July 1955 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

22. CHAMPION JACK DUPREE - Lonely Road Blues (1956 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0171, A)

23. SONNY TERRY - Throw This Old Dog A Bone (November 1955 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

24. BUDDY LUCAS (Amelia Stewart Lead Vocal) - I Need Help (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0006, A)

25. SONNY TERRY - I Took You In Baby (February 1954 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

26. LITTLE TOMMY BROWN - Won't You Forgive Me (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0132, B-side of "Please Don't Leave" - for A see 10)

27. CHAMPION JACK DUPREE - Story Of My Life (September 1956 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

28. BEATRICE READING - I Wash My Hands (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0022, B-side of "Little Things Mean A Lot")

29. OSCAR BLACK and SUE ALLEN - I'll Live My Life Alone (1955 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0115, A)

30. SONNY TERRY - Juice Head Woman (February 1954 RCA Victor recording - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

31. SONNY BROOKS - Sentimental Blues (1954 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0027, B-side of "Champ Ale")

32. OSCAR BLACK - Into Each Heart (Some Tears Must Fall) (1956 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0168, A)

33. BIG CONNIE - Wait Till Next Year, Baby (1956 USA 7" single on Groove 4G-0142, B-side of "Mumble Blues")

NOTES: Tracks 3, 7, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 30 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Produced by DANNY KESSLER and BOB ROLONTZ - the card digipak for "Groovin' The Blues" has a beautiful 59-page booklet attached to the centre with Artist-By-Artist biographies in Alphabetical Order from renowned genre authority BILL DAHL. As well as a newly researched Discography (Pages 45 to 57) - in-between the wall-to-wall factoids are quality black and white publicity photos of each artist as well as repros of rare trade adverts. It's both visually gorgeous and a great read about lesser-heard names in R 'n' B. A trio of trusted names carried the great-sounding transfers - RON SANTOS and BILL DAHL (Tape Research and Comparison) with final Mastering done by MARCUS HEUMANN - a name I've raved about before. Despite the massive playing time (nearly eighty-five minutes) - it Rocks and Rolls and pleases in every way.

Last time I visited the 'Groove' label was on reissue vinyl - "Groove Jumping" on the UK's De-Tour Records DT 33003 in 1984 and the follow up compilation 'Still Groove Jumping" on De-Tour DT 33006 in 1987. I used to twirl them along with all those Edsel and Charly R&B reissues and theta sense of fun is back. It's hard to imagine why something as witty and catchy as "The Ups" by Champion Jack Dupree could remain unreleased - Champion talking out his daily 'ups and down' while Teddy 'The Bear' McRae answers his protestations about his baby's mean lowdown ways with a growling voice. It's a blast and is typical of this compilation. Instrumentals come at you in the shape of Sonny terry's Harmonica groover "Lost Jawbone" and the guitar driver "No Dice" from Buddy Lucas. Some of the tracks have a very homemade vibe like Sue Allen and Oscar Black's "Hold Me Baby" - a very rare and early 45 on the label - and Clayton Love - where the whole band sound like their literally going to drown in the sea of "Love Blues" they're singing about.

A genius discovery is the rasp and 'meow' of Maymie Watts giving it some seriously great Big Maybelle/Little Esther ache on "There Goes That Train" where some willowy strumpet has stolen her man and bunked on the 12:15. Big Tiny Kennedy sits down and drinks a cup of coffee to ease his aching head and warns that if his baby doesn't start 'treating him right' - this snake might have to bite back (oh dear). The mock weeping of Little Tommy Brown throughout the whole of "Please Don't Leave Me" will probably make you laugh out loud instead of empathise with this clearly deranged sucker (I can't imagine how many takes it took to get this down – it’s bloody funny anyway). Another witty winner is "I Got Drunk" where Buddy Lucas gets loaded and name checks more drink types than there are Juke Joints in Memphis. Sauciness is never far from the surface and the truly fabulous ZILLA MAYS (the gal gracing the cover) gives it some 'touch my lips' on the wonderful piano-stroller "Romance In The Dark" where she urges her man to explore more than rhythms as they dance. Zilla's previously unreleased cover version of Lil Green and Big Bill Broonzy's song was recorded October 1955 at RCA Victor's studios with both Mickey Baker on guitar and Sam 'The Man' Taylor on Saxophone and is one of many highlights on "Groovin' The Blues". The B-side "Right Now" of her officially released lone 45 on Groove (Groove 4G-0127) along with a Previously Unreleased track feature on the companion volume "Rockin' The Groove" (I wish they was more photos of Zilla May - she passed in 1995 after a lifetime in music).

Seriously great slide-guitar boogie comes in the shapely form of "I Need A Good Woman" from Big Tiny Kennedy - immeasurably improved by the fretwork of McHouston 'Mickey' Baker (pictured in colour in the Discography on Page 54). DJs will dig the brass bopper "What Makes Me Love You So" by Oscar Black where he asks what makes a man do the things he does for his 'little girl' (let me take a year to explain buddy). And they'll also be able to use "Beantown Boogie" by Beatrice Redding - a shuffler with a fun vocal. Rock History has always had a special place for "Catfish" - a version of Robert Petway's "Catfish Blues" done here by Cousin Leroy (Leroy Crozier) and naughtily listed as co-penned by Champion Jack Dupree's wife Lucille (check out the blistering Jimi Hendrix version on the CD compilation "Blues" or Rory Gallagher's Taste from "Live At The Isle Of Wight). Lucille also penned the unreleased "Lonesome Bedroom" for Cousin Leroy - a half-decent bopper with Larry Dale on Guitar and her hubby Champion Jack on Piano.

Sonny Terry begs his lady throughout a Harmonica shuffle to please "Throw This Old Dog A Bone" - but I think she's done cooking our hero breakfast even if he is on his knees howling like a hound towards the end. Almeta Stewart fronts a fabulous vocal for Saxophonist Buddy Lucas as she pleads "I Need Help" and should have received dual credit on the 45-label (she makes the song). Champion Jack Dupree gives us spoken advice on his 'lowdown and dirty' mistreatment by friends who used to turn up in Cadillacs - but now that his spondulicks have gone – so have his so-called friends. The big and sassy Beatrice Reading (great photo of her on Page 37) fairs no better on the B-side "I Wash My Hands" where she cries out convincingly that she's done with all things 'concerning love'. Sonny Brooks does his best Johnny Ray impression with the soppy "Sentimental Blues" - while the CD ends on a bopping winner from Big Connie who finds that the lady friend in his '56 Ford wants him to "Wait Till Next Year, Baby" and having spent all his dough and taken all that lip all night long – the Big C is none too pleased (boo hoo). What a great listen this whole CD is. 

It's a measure of "Groovin' The Blues" that I can't wait to rip open the shrink-wrap of "Rockin' The Groove" which arrived this morning too. 

Beautifully done, superbly presented and sounding as eager as Saturday Night at the Apollo - Bear Family have done it again. A shoe-in for Rhythm 'n' Blues 'Reissue Of The Year' 2016...

"The Complete Columbia Albums Collection" by THE BYRDS (2011 Sony/Legacy 15CD Mini Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 300+ Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

1960's and 1970's MUSIC ON CD - Exceptional CD Remasters
Volume 1 of 3  

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

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

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…My Back Pages…"

Talk about a monster. 13 albums across 15 CDs (2 are Deluxe Edition doubles), more unreleased tracks than you can shake a wobbly stick at – a chunky 40-page booklet that literally gives track-by-track annotation - dinky facsimile 5” card sleeves – blindingly good remastered sound - and all of it for under twenty five quid!

Even the first 10 CDs reflect the “360 STEREO Sound” red Columbia labels that came with original American LPs - while the last three are the plain red variant – nice attention to detail. And apart from the very downward slope of the early Seventies sets - the music is pretty much sublime throughout. So here are the musical highs and lows of these American feathery troubadours…

Released November 2011 – "The Complete Columbia Albums Collection" by THE BYRDS on Sony/Columbia/Legacy 88697873802 (Barcode is the same) is a 15CD Box Set with a 40-Page Booklet and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 “Mr. Tambourine Man” in a single sleeve (45:40 minutes):

1. Mr. Tambourine Man

2. I Feel A Whole Lot Better

3. Spanish Harlem Incident

4. You Won’t Have To Cry

5. Here Without You

6. The Bells Of Rhymney

7. All I Really Want To Do [Side 2]

8. I Knew I’d Want You

9. It’s No Use

10. Don’t Doubt Yourself, Babe

11. Chimes Of Freedom

12. We’ll Meet Again

Tracks 1 to 12 are the debut LP “Mr. Tambourine Man” – released June 1965 in the USA on Columbia CL 2372 (Mono) and CS 9172 (Stereo) and August 1965 in the UK on CBS Records BPG 62571 (Mono) and CBS S BPG 62571 (Stereo). The Stereo Mix is Used and Stereo Album Artwork for the repro 5” sleeve. This is the same for all discs listed below…

BONUS TRACKS (1996 CD):

13. She Has A Way (Previously Unissued Version with Alternate Vocal Track/Take 2)

14. I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better Way (Previously Unissued Version with Alternate Lead Guitar Overdub)

15. It’s No Use (Previously Unissued Version with Alternate Lead Guitar Overdub)

16. You Won’t Have To Cry Way (Previously Unissued Version with Alternate Vocal Track/Take 2)

17. All I Really Want To Do – Mono 7” Single Version (A-side of USA 45 on Columbia 4-43332)

18. You And Me Way (Previously Unissued Instrumental Backing Track/Take 13)

Disc 2 “Turn! Turn! Turn!” in a single sleeve (49:12 minutes):

1. Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season

2. It Won’t Be Wrong

3. Set You Free This Time

4. Lay Down Your Weary Tune

5. He Was A Friend Of Mine

6. The World Turns All Around Her [Side 2]

7. Satisfied Mind

8. If You’re Gone

9. The Times They Are A-Changin’

10. Wait And See

11. Oh! Susannah

Tracks 1 to 11 are the LP “Turn! Turn! Turn!” – released December 1965 in the USA on Columbia CL 2454 (Mono) and CS 9254 (Stereo) and March 1966 in the UK on CBS Records BPG 62652 (Mono) and S BPG 62652 (Stereo). Stereo Mix used

BONUS TRACKS (1996 CD):

12. The Day Walk (Never Before) – Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

13. She Don’t Care About Time – Mono 7” Single Version (Non-Album B-side to “Turn! Turn! Turn!” USA 45 on Columbia 4-43424)

14. The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Previously Unreleased Version 1/Take 1

15. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue - Previously Unreleased Version 1/Take 1

16. She Don’t Care About Time - Previously Unreleased Version 1/Take 2

17. The World Turns All Around Her - Previously Unissued Alternate Mix/”Bongo Version” 1

18. Stranger In A Strange Land - Previously Unreleased Instrumental Backing Track/Take 10

Disc 3 “Fifth Dimension” in a single sleeve (62:21 minutes):

1. 5D (Fifth Dimension)

2. Wild Mountain Thyme

3. Mr. Spaceman

4. I See You

5. What’s Happening?!?!

6. I Come And Stand At Every Door

7. Eight Miles High [Side 2]

8. Hey Joe (Where You Gonna Go)

9. Captain Soul

10. John Riley

11. 2-4-2 Fox Trot (The Lear Jet Song)

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “Fifth Dimension” – released August 1966 in the USA on Columbia CL 2549 (Mono) and CS 9349 (Stereo) and September 1966 in the UK on CBS Records BPG 62783 (Mono) and S BPG 62783 (Stereo). Stereo Mix used.

BONUS TRACKS (1996 CD):

12. Why – Mono 7” Single Version (Non-Album B-side to “Eight Miles High” – a US 45 on Columbia 4-43578)

13. I Know My Rider (I Know You Rider) - Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

14. Psychodrama City - Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

15. Eight Miles High - Previously released on the 1987 American compilation “Never Before” on Murray Hill Records

16. Why – as per 15

17. John Riley – Instrumental Version 1

Disc 4 “Younger Than Yesterday” in a single repro sleeve (47:35 minutes):

1. So You Want To Be A Rock ‘n’ Roll Star

2. Have You Seen Her Face

3. C.T.A. – 102

4. Renaissance Fair

5. Time Between

6. Everybody’s Been Burned

7. Thoughts And Words [Side 2]

8. Mind Gardens

9. My Back Pages

10. The Girl With No Name

11. Why

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “Younger Than Yesterday” – released March 1967 in the USA on Columbia CL 2642 (Mono) and CS 9442 (Stereo) and April 1967 in the UK on CBS Records BPG 62988 (Mono) and S BPG 62988 (Stereo). Stereo Mix used.

BONUS TRACKS (1996 CD):

12. It Happens Each Day – David Crosby song Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

13. Don’t Make Waves – Mono 7” Single Version (Non-Album B-side to “Have You Seen Her Face” – a US 45 on Columbia 4-44157. Also non-album B-side to the UK 45 of “Lady Friend” on CBS 2924 in September 1967)

14. My Back Pages – Previously Unreleased Alternate Version

15. Mind Gardens – David Crosby song – Previously Unreleased Alternate Version

16. Lady Friend – Mono 7” Single Version (A-side of a US 45 on Columbia 4-44230)

17. Old John Robertson – non-album B-side of 16

Disc 5 “The Notorious Byrd Brothers” in a single repro sleeve (58:27 minutes):

1. Artificial Energy

2. Goin’ Back

3. Natural Harmony

4. Draft Morning

5. Wasn’t Born To Follow

6. Get To You

7. Change Is Now [Side 2]

8. Old John Robertson

9. Tribal Gathering

10. Dolphin’s Smile

11. Space Odyssey

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “The Notorious Byrd Brothers” – released January 1968 in the USA on Columbia CL 2775 (Mono) and CS 9575 (Stereo) and April 1968 in the UK on CBS Records BPG 63169 (mono) and S BPG 63169 (Stereo). Stereo Mix used.

BONUS TRACKS (1997 CD):

12. Mood Raga - Previously released on the 1987 American compilation “Never Before” on Murray Hill Records

13. Bound To Fall – Previously Unissued Instrumental

14. Triad - David Crosby song Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

15. Goin’ Back – Previously Unissued Version 1

16. Draft Morning – Previously Unissued Version with an Alternate End

17. Universal Mind Decoder (Early Demo Version of “Change Is Now”) – Previously Unreleased Instrumental Version

Disc 6 “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” in a gatefold sleeve – Disc 1 (55:05 minutes):

1. You Ain’t Going Nowhere

2. I Am A Pilgrim

3. The Christian Life

4. You Don’t Miss Your Water

5. You’re Still On My Mind

6. Pretty Boy Floyd

7. Hickory Wind [Side 2]

8. One Hundred Years From Now

9. Blue Canadian Rockies

10. Life In Prison

11. Nothing Was Delivered

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” – released August 1968 in the USA on Columbia CS 9670 (Stereo) and September 1968 in the UK on CBS Records S BPG 63353 (Stereo)

ADDITIONAL MASTER TAKES from the 2003 Legacy 2CD DELUXE EDITION:

12. All I Have Are Memories – Previously Unreleased

13. Reputation - Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

14. Pretty Polly – as per 13

15. Lazy Days – as per 13

16. The Christian Life – Master Take with Gram Parsons Vocals - as per 13

17. You Don’t Miss Your Water - Master Take with Gram Parsons Vocals - as per 13

18. One Hundred Years From Now - Master Take with Gram Parsons Vocals - as per 13

19. Radio Spot for “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” Album

Disc 7 “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” – Disc 2 (61:20 minutes):

THE INTERNATIONAL SUBMARINE BAND

1. Sum Up Broke – 7” Single Mono Mix

2. One Day Week – 7” Single Mono Mix (1 and 2 are the A&B-sides of a International Submarine Band US 45 on Columbia 4-43935)

3. Truck Drivin’ Man – 7” Single Mono Mix – A-side of a US 45 on Ascot AS-2218

4. Blue Eyes

5. Luxury Liner

6. Strong Boy – 4, 5 and 6 from the US 1968 LP “Safe At Home” on LHI Records S-12,001

WORKNG DEMOS, OUTTAKES & REHEARSAL VERSIONS – PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

7. Lazy Days (Alternate Version)

8. Pretty Polly (Alternate Version)

9. Hickory Wind (Alternate “Nashville” Version/Take 8)

10. The Christian Life (Rehearsal Version/Take 7)

11. The Christian Life (Rehearsal Version/Take 8)

12. Life In Prison (Rehearsal Version Takes 1 & 2 with Gram Parsons Vocal)

13. Life In Prison (Rehearsal Version Takes 3 & 4 with Gram Parsons Vocal)

14. One Hundred Years From Now (Rehearsal Version Takes 12 & 13 with Gram Parsons Vocal)

15. One Hundred Years From Now (Rehearsal Version Takes 14 & 15 with Gram Parsons Vocal)

16. You’re Still On My Mind (Rehearsal Version Takes 13 with Gram Parsons Vocal)

17. You’re Still On My Mind (Rehearsal Version Takes 48 with Gram Parsons Vocal)

18. All I Have Are Memories (Alternate Instrumental Take 17)

19. All I Have Are Memories (Alternate Instrumental Take 21)

20. Blue Canadian Rockies (Rehearsal Version Take 14)

Disc 8 “Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde” in a single sleeve (51:59 minutes):

1. This Wheel’s On Fire

2. Old Blue

3. Your Gentle Way Of Loving Me

4. Child Of The Universe

5. Nashville West

6. Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man [Side 2]

7. King Apathy III

8. Candy

9. Bad Night At The Whiskey

10. Medley: My Back Pages/B.J. Blues/Baby, What You Want Me To Do

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album “Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde” – released March 1969 in the USA on Columbia CS 9755 (Stereo) and April 1969 in the UK on CBS Records S 63545 (Stereo)

BONUS TRACKS (1997 CD):

11. Stanley’s Song - Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

12. Lay, Lady, Lay – as per 11

13. This Wheel’s On Fire – Previously Unissued Version 1

14. Medley: My Back Pages/B.J. Blues/Baby, What You Want Me To Do – Previously Unissued Alternate Version Take 1

15. Nashville West - Previously Unissued Alternate/Nashville Version

Disc 9 “Ballad Of Easy Rider” in a single sleeve (56:51 minutes):

1. Ballad Of Easy Rider

2. Fido

3. Oil In My Lamp

4. Tulsa

5. Jack Tarr The Sailor

6. Jesus Is Just Alright [Side 2]

7. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue

8. There Must Be Someone (I Can Turn To)

9. Gunga Din

10. Deportee (Plane Wreck At Los Gatos)

11. Armstrong, Aldrin And Collins

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “Ballad Of Easy Rider” – released December 1969 in the USA on Columbia CS 9942 (Stereo) and January 1970 in the UK on CBS Records S 63795 (Stereo)

BONUS TRACKS (1997 CD):

12. Way Beyond The Sun - Previously released on 1990 4CD Box Set “The Byrds”

13. Mae Jean Goes To Hollywood – as per 12

14. Oil In My Lamp – as per 12

15. Tulsa County – Previously Unissued Alternate Version

16. Fiddler A Dram (Moog Experiment) – Previously Unissued

17. Ballad Of Easy Rider – Previously Unissued Long Version

18. Build It Up – Previously Unissued Instrumental

Disc 10 “(Untitled/Unissued)” in Gatefold Sleeve (Disc 1 – 71:24 minutes):

1. Lover Of The Bayou [Side 1 Live]

2. Positively 4th Street

3. Nashville West

4. So You Want To Be A Rock ‘N’ Roll Star

5. Mr. Tambourine Man

6. Mr. Spaceman

7. Eight Miles High [Side 2 Live]

8. Chestnut Mare [Side 3 Studio]

9. Truck Stop Girl

10. All The Things

11. Yesterday’s Train

12. Hungry Planet

13. Just A Season [Side 4 Studio]

14. Take A Whiff On Me

15. You All Look Alike

16. Welcome Back Home

Tracks 1 to 16 are the DOUBLE ALBUM “(Untitled)” – released October 1970 in the USA on Columbia G 30127 and November 1970 in the UK on CBS Records S 66253. Sides 1 & 2 of the double-album are ‘live’ – Sides 3 & 4 are studio tracks. The Bonus CD is a mixture of both as noted below…

Disc 11 “Unissued” (Disc 2 – 49:24 minutes):

1. All The Things (Alternate Version)

2. Yesterday’s Train (Alternate Version)

3. Lover Of The Bayou (Studio Recording)

4. Kathleen’s Song (Alternate Version)

5. White’s Lightning, Pt. 2 (Studio Recording)

6. Willin’ (Studio Recording of the Lowell George song)

7. You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere (Live Recording from Felt Forum, 1 March 1970)

8. Old Blue (Live Recording as per 7)

9. It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) (Live Recording as per 7)

10. Ballad Of Easy Rider (Live Recording as per 7)

11. My Back Pages (Live Recording as per 7)

12. Take A Whiff On Me (Live Recording from Fillmore East, 23 September 1970)

13. Jesus Is Just Alright (Live Recording as per 12)

14. This Wheel’s On Fire (Live Recording as per 7)

Disc 12 “Byrdmaniax” in a Gatefold Sleeve (46:51 minutes):

1. Glory, Glory

2. Pale Blue

3. I Trust

4. Tunnel Of Love

5. Citizen Kane

6. I Wanna Grow Up To Be A Politician [Side 2]

7. Absolute Happiness

8. Green Apple Quick Step

9. My Destiny

10. Kathleen’s Song

11. Jamaica Say You Will

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “Byrdmaniax” – released July 1971 in the USA on Columbia KC 30640 and August 1971 in the UK on CBS Records S 64389

BONUS TRACKS (2000 CD):

12. Just Like A Woman – Previously Unreleased Bob Dylan cover

13. Pale Blue – Previously Unreleased Alternate Version

14. Think I’m Gonna Feel Better – Previously Unreleased Gene Clark song

Disc 13 “Farther Along” in a Single Repro Sleeve (46:02 minutes):

1. Tiffany Queen

2. Get Down Your Line

3. Farther Along

4. B.B. Class Road

5. Bugler

6. American Great National Pastime [Side 2]

7. Antique Sandy

8. Precious Kate

9. So Fine

10. Lazy Waters

11. Bristol Steam Convention Blues

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album “Farther Along” – released December 1971 in the USA on Columbia KC 31050 and January 1972 in the UK on CBS Records S 64676

BONUS TRACKS (2000 CD):

12. Lost My Drivin’ Wheel – Previously Unreleased

13. Born To Rock And Roll – Previously Unreleased Roger McGuinn song

14. Bag Full Of Money - Previously Unreleased Roger McGuinn song

Like the SIMON & GARFUNKEL and ELVIS PRESLEY catalogues – THE BYRDS have had the magic touch of remaster/remix engineer VIC ANESINI. I’ve sung his praises many times before (Hall & Oates, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jayhawks to name but a few) – and yet again – the STEREO quality on these recordings is gorgeous. When you get to the fabulous “Younger Than Yesterday” album with nuggets like “Goin’ Back” and “Draft Morning” – the sonic power of the remaster combined with the beauty of the tunes is a pretty overwhelming thing. To hear their beautiful version of Dylan’s “My Back Pages” sound this good is a joy.

And while there are tracks like “Glory, Glory” and “Pale Blue” on “Byrdmaniax” – I’d prefer “Just A Season” from the underrated “Untitled” double and “Get Down Your Line” from the patchy “Farther Along”. Also check out the David Crosby outtake “It Happens Each Day” from late 1966 which first appeared on the 1990 4CD retrospective “The Byrds” – unbelievably good. The Gram Parsons outtakes on “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” are amazing too. And of course throughout the duration is the guiding hand and voices of GENE CLARK and ROGER McGUINN – pumping out singles like “I Feel A Whole Lot Better”, “Eight Miles High” and “it Won’t Be Wrong”.

"...I opened my heart to the whole universe…and found it was loving…" - Roger McGuinn sings on "5D (Fifth Dimension)". 

Open your soft machine to this groovy BYRDS box set and I’m sure you’ll be feeling the love decades from now…