"Free At Last" by FREE (2016 Universal/Island Remasters CD Reissue - Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Little Bit Of Love..."

Another decade, another version and another sound - FREE fans will know that the February 2002 CD reissue campaign of all seven of their albums (six studio and one live) came with great Peter Mew remasters, decent bonus tracks and expanded booklets to match - and were mid-price at the time.

But here we are in September 2016 with another reissue campaign of all seven albums accompanied by "The Free Story" compilation (a 2LP set onto 1CD) that strips away those brilliant bonuses entirely – and unwisely substitutes their hugely informative liner notes for booklets with only band photos.

But (and this is a big but) – these new 2016 reissues do offer us one genuinely worthy consolation prize - 2016 ANDY PEARCE and an uncredited MATT WORTHAM Remasters that breath wonderful naturalistic vitality back into the albums. On buying and reviewing "Highway" and "Heartbreaker" and loving their audio – I splashed out on four more and the results are equally magical. Also with most of the eight being offered on Amazon at less than five pounds including P&P – you can of course argue that the price is right - and with their generic 'Island Remasters' see-through side panelling on the jewel case – they look good too. But what real fans are essentially getting is great new sound - but lesser discs (one step forward, two steps back etc). That said - here are the little bits of love...

UK released Friday, 9 September 2016 - "Free At Last" by FREE on Universal/Island Remasters 473 183-9 (Barcode 602547318398) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 9-track 1972 UK LP and plays out as follows (36:02 minutes):

1. Catch A Train

2. Soldier Boy

3. Magic Ship

4. Sail On

5. Travellin’ Man

6. Little Bit Of Love [Side 2]

7. Guardian Of The Universe

8. Child

9. Goodbye

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 5th studio album "Free At Last" - released June 1972 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9172 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-4349. Produced by FREE and engineered by Richard Digby-Smith - it peaked at No. 9 on the UK LP charts and No. 69 in the USA.

The six missing bonus tracks on the 2002 Island Remasters IMCD 287 version are "Burnin' (Molten Gold) (Alternate Take)",  "Honky Tonk Women", "Magic Ship (Alternate Mix)", "Little Bit Of Love (Alternate Mix)", "Guardian Of The Universe (Paul Rodgers Solo Version)" and "Child (Early Version)". As you can see from this list of missing extras - your loss is considerable - every one of these bonus tracks adding huge punch to the overall vibe of the 2002 reissue.

The new booklet is 12-pages with a March 1972 Tape-Box Photo of "Little Bit Of Love" on Page 2, other black and white and colour photos and reissue credits on the centre colour spread (the band looking very much like the archetypical hairy-rockers they were) - but there's no liner notes giving history, details etc. Beneath the see-through CD tray are pictures of the seven reissued albums with the eight being "The Free Story" double-album compilation from 1974 (for catalogue numbers see notes below) and the CD label repro's the UK 'pink rim palm-tree' label logo of Island Records in 1972.

But a fabulous new master from ANDY PEARCE – who did such great work on Pentangle, Frankie Miller, Thin Lizzy, Wishbone Ash, the 2012 Rory Gallagher CD remasters and most recently the 2016 Budgie 3CD Box Set for their MCA LPs and the 'Deluxe Editions' of the Emerson, Lake & Palmer Island catalogue (see reviews for them all) - resoundingly compensates for all of that distasteful compromise. 

I've had the 2002 remaster and the Japanese 2008 SHM-CD reissue – both of which rock – but this version is way better to my ears. There's suddenly staggering naturality and presence to the whole LP. Pearce let things breathe (it's a trademark of his) – and their self-produced "Free At Last" album has always had a hugely accomplished sound. Like the CD Remaster of "Highway" – Pearce and Wortham’s version is muscular - not loudness for loudness sake – not shrill so to speak – just in your face – huge power and presence - like an original tape should be. In shirt this CD sounds fabulous...

I have to admit that I’m taken aback by June 1972’s "Free At Last" – I’d forgotten how good it is and remembered it in a less than favourable light – but just for Side 2 alone it gets five stars. And like "Highway" – I’d argue "Free At Last" is a bit of an overlooked gem. It opens with the hooky riffage of "Catch A Train" and you're walloped with huge Production values - Kossoff screaming out those notes and the band sounding very close to early Bad Co. The slow drum march of "Soldier Boy" builds into a guitar tale of a kid 'standing on the battlefield' hearing that bugle call to destiny (Drums and Bass are amazing on the new Remaster). I've always loved the swagger of "Magic Ship" - that wicked interplay between guitar and piano. Island Records used the wonderful "Sail On" as the B-side to the May 1972 UK 7" single for "Little Bit Of Love" (Island WIP 6129). Side 1 ends with the groovy "Travelling Man" - another sexy Rock slink from Free.

I know people rave on about "All Right Now" and "The Stealer" and "Wishing Well" and so many more - but for me the single "Little Bit Of Love" that opens Side 2 is FREE at their brilliant Rock-Soul best - and here it sounds just incredible - gorgeous clarity (don't deny your feeling inside indeed). "Guardian Of The Universe" still seems unfinished or something - like they were trying for something but never quite getting there. No such problems with the fabulous acoustic Rock of "Child" - a really great FREE ballad. And again I'd dismissed "Goodbye" before as just another mid-tempo ballad - but here the Remaster has brought out those drums and Kossoff notes that punctuate the song. "Free At Last" is not a masterpiece - but it's a damn good Seventies Rock record and brother that's good enough for me...

Across the seven new 2016 reissues we probably loose thirty to thirty-five genuinely cool bonus tracks of old and all that enlightening info in the booklets too - so buying their catalogue yet again may become a chore for some fans (docked a star for less instead of more). But they’re cheap at a fiver and we do gain fabulous new audio - and for many that's probably going to be the deciding factor. And how good is to hear them sound so awesome after all these decades...

PS: FREE titles in the 9 Sept 2016 Island Remasters CD Reissue Series are:

1. Tons Of Sobs (March 1969 debut UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 181-5 (Barcode 602547318152)

2. Free (October 1969 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-1 (Barcode 602547318718)

3. Fire And Water (June 1970 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-4 (Barcode 602547318749)

4. Highway (December 1970 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 181-9 (Barcode 602547318190)

5. Free Live! (June 1971 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-6 (Barcode 602547318763)

6. Free At Last (June 1972 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 183-9 (Barcode 602547318398)

7. Heartbreaker (January 1973 UK Final Studio LP) - Island Remasters 473 182-6 (Barcode 602547318268)

8. The Free Story (March 1974 UK 2LP Compilation) - Island Remasters 472 262-9 (Barcode 602547326294)

There is also a VINYL Box Set "FREE - The Vinyl Collection" on Universal/Island 473 187-9 released 9 September 2016 with seven LPs (Barcode 0602547318794)

PPS: Amazon have typically lumped the 2002 and 2016 issues into the same review and it would appear the same product entry. Even if you use the correct Barcode 602547318398 it will bring you to the 2002 entry - so if you're specifically after the 2016 reissue - ask the supplier what version it is they're selling.

"The Rolling Stones In Mono" by THE ROLLING STONES (2016 ABKCO Records 15CD Box Set Of Remasters with Mini LP Repro Artwork and 48-Page Booklet) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Play With Fire..."

Oh lawdy mama yes. I pre-ordered this sucker the day it was announced and I've been giddy like Donald Trump at a Deluxe Toupee Convention ever since. On arrival and being a Rolling Stones reissue 'MONO' is typically a mixed bag of the fabulous vs. the downright sloppy and lazy (presentation glitches) – especially at this price and in 2016. But overall it's been worth the wait. There's a ton of info to get through and crossovers between the UK and American variants as well as the first official release of the first two British LPs in Mono on CD ("Rolling Stones No.1" and "No. 2") - so let's get to the factoids first...

UK and USA released Friday, 30 September 2016 – "The Rolling Stones In Mono" by THE ROLLING STONES on ABKCO Records 018771834526 (Barcode 018771834526) is a Remastered 15CD Box Set with a 48-Page booklet containing all of the UK and USA albums released between 1964 and 1969 on Decca, London and ABKCO Records (MONO only) and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 "The Rolling Stones" (32:51 minutes, 12 Tracks, UK Mono LP):

1. Route 66

2. I Just Want To Make Love To You

3. Honest I Do

4. Mona

5. Now I've Got A Witness (Like Uncle Phil And Uncle Gene)

6. Little By Little

7. I'm A King Bee [Side 2]

8. Carol

9. Tell Me (You're Coming Back)

10. Can I Get A Witness

11. You Can Make It If You Try

12. Walking The Dog

Tracks 1 to 12 are their debut album "The Rolling Stones" – released 17 April 1964 in the UK on Decca LK 4605 (Mono only) – first time on CD.

Their US debut album was called "England's Newest Hitmakers" – released 3 May 1964 on London LL 3373 (Mono) and London PS 375 (Stereo). The Bo Diddley cover of "Mona" from the British LP was dropped in favour of "Not Fade Away" - a Buddy Holly cover version (see Track 10, Disc 15). The other tracks remained the same and to sequence that US album from these discs use the following [10/15 = Track 10, Disc 15, 5/1 = Track 5, Disc 1 etc]:

1. Not Fade Away [10/15]

2. Route 66 [1/1]

3. I Just Want To Make Love To You [2/1]

4. Honest I Do [3/1]

5. Now I've Got A Witness... [5/1]

6. Little By Little [6/1]

7. I'm A King Bee [7/1] [Side 2]

8. Carol [8/1]

9. Tell Me (You're Coming Back) [9/1]

10. Can I Get A Witness [10/1]

11. You Can Make It If You Try [11/1]

12. Walking The Dog [12/1]

Disc 2 "12 x 5" (32:27 minutes, 12 Tracks, US Mono LP):

1. Around And Around

2. Confessin' The Blues

3. Empty Heart

4. Time Is On My Side

5. Good Times, Bad Times

6. It's All Over Now

7. 2120 South Michigan Avenue [Side 2]

8. Under The Boardwalk

9. Congratulations

10. Grown Up Wrong

11. If You Need Me

12. Susie Q

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 2nd US album "12 x 5" – released 23 October 1964 on London LL 3402 (Mono) and London PS 402 (Stereo).

Disc 3 "The Rolling Stones No. 2" (37:02 minutes, 12 tracks, UK Mono LP):

1. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love

2. Down Home Girl

3. You Can't Catch Me

4. Time Is On My Side (Guitar Intro Version)

5. What A Shame

6. Grown Up Wrong

7. Down The Road Apiece [Side 2]

8. Under The Boardwalk

9. I Can't Be Satisfied

10. Pain In My Heart

11. Off The Hook

12. Susie Q

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 2nd UK LP "The Rolling Stones No. 2" – released 30 January 1965 on Decca LK 4661 (Mono only) – first time on CD.

Disc 4 "The Rolling Stones, Now!" (35:58 minutes, 12 Tracks, US Mono LP):

1. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love

2. Down Home Girl

3. You Can't Catch Me

4. Heart Of Stone

5. What A Shame

6. Mona (I Need You Baby)

7. Down The Road Apiece [Side 2]

8. Off The Hook

9. Pain In My Heart

10. Oh Baby (We Got A Good Thing Goin')

11. Little Red Rooster

12. Surprise Surprise

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 3rd US album "The Rolling Stones Now!" - released 12 February 1965 on London LL 3420 (Mono) and London PS 420 (Stereo)

Disc 5 "Out Of Our Heads" (33:41 minutes, 12 tracks, US Mono LP variant):

1. Mercy Mercy

2. Hitch Hike

3. The Last Time

4. That's How Strong My Love Is

5. Good Times

6. I'm Alright

7. Satisfaction [Side 2]

8. Cry To Me

9. The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man

10. Play With Fire

11. The Spider And The Fly

12. One More Try

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 4th US album "Out Of Our Heads" - released 30 July 1965 on London LL 3429 (Mono) and London PS 429 (Stereo).

The UK LP "Out Of Our Heads" (their 3rd British LP release) was issued 24 September 1965 on Decca LK 4733 (Mono) and Decca SKL 4733 (Stereo) but with different artwork and a radically different track list – presented here as Disc 6.

Disc 6 "Out Of Our Heads" (29:37 minutes, 12 tracks, UK Mono LP variant):

1. She Said Yeah

2. Mercy Mercy

3. Hitch Hike

4. That's How Strong My Love Is

5. Good Times

6. Gotta Get Away

7. Talkin' 'Bout You [Side 2]

8. Cry To Me

9. Oh Baby (We've Got A Good Thing Goin')

10. Heart Of Stone

11. The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man

12. I'm Free

Disc 7 "December's Children (And Everybody)" (29:07 minutes, 12 tracks, US Mono LP):

1. She Said Yeah

2. Talkin' About You

3. You Better Move On

4. Look What You've Done

5. The Singer Not The Song

6. Route 66

7. Get Off Of My Cloud [Side 2]

8. I'm Free

9. As Tears Go By

10. Gotta Get Away

11. Blue Turns To Grey

12. I'm Moving On

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 5th album "December's Children (And Everybody's)" - released 4 December 1965 on London LL 3431 and London PS 451 (Stereo).

Disc 8 "Aftermath" (52:47 minutes, 14-tracks, UK Mono LP variant):

1. Mother's Little Helper

2. Stupid Girl

3. Lady Jane

4. Under My Thumb

5. Doncha Bother Me

6. Goin' Home

7. Flight 505 [Side 2]

8. High And Dry

9. Out Of Time

10. It's Not Easy

11. I Am Waiting

12. Take It Or Leave It

13. Think

14. What To Do

Tracks 1 to 14 are their 4th UK album "Aftermath" - released 15 April 1966 on Decca LK 4786 (Mono) and Decca SKL 4786 (Stereo).

The US variant of "Aftermath" dropped three of the British tally of 14 tracks (down to 11) and replaced them with their recent US hit "Paint It Black" as the opening track on Side 1 and like "Out Of Our Heads" - it also featured different artwork to the US issue. Disc 9 is the American version.

Disc 9 "Aftermath" (43:01 minutes, 11 tracks, US Mono LP variant):

1. Paint It Black

2. Stupid Girl

3. Lady Jane

4. Under My Thumb

5. Doncha Bother Me

6. Think

7. Flight 505 [Side 2]

8. High And Dry

9. It's Not Easy

10. I Am Waiting

11. Going Home

Tracks 1 to 11 are their 6th US album "Aftermath" - released 2 July 1966 on London LL 3476 (Mono) and London PS 476 (Stereo).

Disc 10 "Between The Buttons" (38:47 minutes, 12 tracks, UK Mono LP variant):

1. Yesterday's Papers

2. My Obsession

3. Back Street Girl

4. Connection

5. She Smiled Sweetly

6. Cool, Calm & Collected

7. All Sold Out [Side 2]

8. Please Go Home

9. Who's Been Sleeping Here?

10. Complicated

11. Miss Amanda Jones

12. Something Happened To Me Yesterday

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 5th UK album "Between The Buttons" - released 20 January 1967 on Decca LK 4852 (Mono) and Decca SKL 4852 (Stereo).

The US variant of "Between The Buttons" dropped down from 12 to 11 and also had different tracks lists to its UK equivalent. Using Discs 10 and 11 the US "Between The Buttons" LP can be sequenced as follows [3/11 = Track 3 on Disc 11 - 1/10 = Track 1 on Disc 10 etc]:

Side 1:

1. Let's Spend The Night Together [3/11]

2. Yesterday's Papers [1/10]

3. Ruby Tuesday [1/11]

4. Connection [4/10]

5. She Smiled Sweetly [5/10]

6. Cool Calm And Collected [6/10]

Side 2:

1. All Sold Out [7/10]

2. My Obsession [2/10]

3. Who's Been Sleeping Here? [9/10]

4. Miss Amanda Jones [11/10]

5. Something Happened To Me Yesterday [12/10]

Their 7th US album "Between The Buttons" was released 11 February 1967 on London LL 3499 (Mono) and London PS 499 (Stereo).

Disc 11 "Flowers" (37:04 minutes, 12 tracks, US-only Mono LP):

1. Ruby Tuesday

2. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?

3. Let's Spend The Night Together

4. Lady Jane

5. Out Of Time

6. My Girl

7. Backstreet Girl [Side 2]

8. Please Go Home

9. Mother's Little Helper

10. Take It Or Leave It

11. Ride On, Baby

12. Sittin' On A Fence

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 8th studio album "Flowers" - released (US only) 15 July 1967 on London LL 3509 (Mono) and London PS 509 (Stereo).

Disc 12 "Their Satanic Majesties Request" (44:18 minutes, 10 tracks, UK and US Mono LP):

1. Sing This All Together [Side 1: Frontside]

2. Citadel

3. In Another Land

4. 2000 Man

5. Sing This All Together (See What Happens)

6. She's A Rainbow [Side 2: Backside]

7. The Lantern

8. Gomper

9. 2000 Light Years From Home

10. On With The Show

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 6th UK LP (9th US LP) "Their Satanic Majesties Request" - released 8 December 1967 in the USA on London NP 2 (Mono) and London NPS 2 (Stereo) and 9 December 1967 in the UK on Decca TXL 103 (Mono) and Decca TXS 103 (Stereo).

Disc 13 "Beggars Banquet" (40:00 minutes, 11 tracks, UK and US Mono LP - uses the US artwork):

1. Sympathy For The Devil

2. No Expectations

3. Dear Doctor

4. Parachute Woman

5. Jigsaw Puzzle

6. Street Fighting Man [Side 2]

7. Prodigal Son

8. Stray Cat Blues

9. Factory Girl

10. Salt Of The Earth

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 6th UK studio album (10th US LP) "Beggars Banquet" - released 6 December 1968 in the UK on Decca LK 4955 (Mono) and Decca SKL 4955 (Stereo) and 7 December 1968 in the USA on London LL 3539 (Mono) and London PS 539 (Stereo).

Disc 14 "Let It Bleed" (42:25 minutes, 9 Tracks, UK and US Mono LP):

1. Gimme Shelter

2. Love In Vain

3. Country Honk

4. Live With Me

5. Let It Bleed

6. Midnight Rambler [Side 2]

7. You Got The Silver

8. Monkey Man

9. You Can't Always Get What You Want

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 7th UK studio album (11th US LP) "Let It Bleed" - released 28 November 1969 in the USA on London NP 4 (Mono) and London NPS 4 (Stereo) and 5 December 1969 in the UK on Decca LK 5025 (Mono) and Decca SKL 5025 (Stereo).

Disc 15 "Stray Cats" (70:17 minutes, 24 Tracks):

1. Come On

2. I Want To Be Loved

Tracks 1 and 2 are the non-album A&B-sides of their debut UK 7" single released 7 June 1963 on Decca F 11675

3. I Wanna Be Your Man [Lennon-McCartney song]

4. Stoned [Instrumental]

Tracks 3 and 4 are the non-album A&B-sides of their 2nd UK 7" single released 1 November 1963 on Decca F 11764

5. Fortune Teller (A Benny Spellman cover version on the 1964 UK LP compilation "Saturday Club" on Decca LK 4583)

6. Poison Ivy (Version 1) (A Coasters cover version on the 1964 UK LP compilation "Saturday Club" on Decca LK 4583)

7. Bye Bye Johnny

8. Money

9. Poison Ivy (Version 2)

Tracks 7, 8 and 9 are on their first UK EP (Extended Play) "The Rolling Stones" released 10 January 1964 on Decca DFE 8560

10. Not Fade Away (A Buddy Holly cover version, 21 February 1964 UK 7" single on Decca F 11845, A-side)

11. I've Been Loving You Too Long (an Otis Redding cover version and 1965 outtake minus the fake applause of the "Got Live If You Want It" LP version)

12. The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man (Single Version) (5 June 1965 US 7" single on London 9766, B-side of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction")

13. 19th Nervous Breakdown (4 Feb 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F 12331, A-side)

14. Sad Day (12 February 1966 US 7" single on London 9823, non-album B-side of "19th Nervous Breakdown")

15. Con Le Mie Lacrime (As Tears Go By) - (Italian Language Version sung by Jagger on the Italian 1956 7" single for Decca F22270)

16. Long, Long While (13 May 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F 12395, non-album B-side of "Paint It Black")

17. Who's Driving Your Plane? (23 September 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F 12497, non-album B-side to "Have You Seen Your Mother...")

18. We Love You (Single Version)

19. Dandelion (Single Version) (Tracks 18 and 19 are the A&B-sides of the 18 August 1967 UK 7" single on Decca F 12654)

20. Child Of The Moon (23 May 1968 UK 7" single on Decca F 12782, non-album B-side to "Jumping Jack Flash")

21. Jumpin' Jack Flash (23 May 1968 UK 7" single on Decca F 12782, non-album A-side)

22. Street Fighting Man (Single Version) (30 August 1968 US 7" single on London 909, A-side)

23. Honky Tonk Women (Single Version)

24. You Can't Always Get What You Want (Single Version Edit) (Tracks 23 and 24 are the A&B-sides of the 11 July 1969 UK 7" single on Decca F 12952)

This Box Set will also allow fans to sequence two iconic compilation Best Of LPs from the period – "Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)" and "Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)" in both their US and UK variants using the follow tracks:

"Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)" – US LP

Side 1:

1. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

2. The Last Time

3. As Tears Go By

4. Time Is On My Side

5. It's All Over Now

6. Tell Me (You're Coming Back)

Side 2:

1. 19th Nervous Breakdown

2. Heart Of Stone

3. Get Off Of My Cloud

4. Not Fade Away

5. Good Times Bad Times

6. Play With Fire

Their first greatest hits compilation "Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)" was released 11 March 1966 in the US on London NP 1 (Mono) and London NPS 1 (Stereo). All tracks on previous albums except "19th Nervous Breakdown" which was exclusive to this compilation.

"Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)" – UK LP

Side 1:

1. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?

2. Paint It Black

3. It’s All Over Now

4. The Last Time

5. Heart Of Stone

6. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

Side 2:

1. Get Off Of My Cloud

2. As Tears Go By

3. 19th Nervous Breakdown

4. Lady Jane

5. Time Is On My Side

6. Little Red Rooster

Their first greatest hits compilation "Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)" was released 4 November 1966 in the UK on Decca TXL 101 (Mono) and Decca TXS 101 (Stereo). All tracks on previous albums except "19th Nervous Breakdown" which was exclusive to this compilation.

"Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)" - US LP

Side 1:

1. Paint It Black

2. Ruby Tuesday

3. She's A Rainbow

4. Jumpin' Jack Flash

5. Mother's Little Helper

6. Let's Spend The Night Together

Side 2:

1.Honky Tonk Women

2. Dandelion

3. 2000 Light Years From Home

4. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?

5. Street Fighting Man

Their 2nd Greatest Hits compilation "Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)" was released 12 September 1969 in the US on London NP 3 (Mono) and London NPS 3 (Stereo). All tracks previously released on various US albums.

"Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)" - UK LP

Side 1:

1. Jumpin' Jack Flash

2. Mother's Little Helper

3. 2000 Light Years From Home

4. Let's Spend The Night Together

5. You Better Move On

6. We Love You

Side 2:

1. Street Fighting Man

2. She's A Rainbow

3. Ruby Tuesday

4. Dandelion

5. Sittin On A Fence

6. Honky Tonk Women

Their 2nd Greatest Hits compilation "Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)" was released in the UK 12 September 1969 on Decca LK 5019 (Mono) and Decca LKS 5019 (Stereo). All tracks previously released on British albums except the four single sides "We Love You", "Dandelion", "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Honky Tonk Women" which were new to a British LP here.

CREDITS:

DAVID FRICKE does the expert and affectionately written liner notes (Pages 1 to 43) that are accompanied by beautifully rendered black and white and colour period photos of the band from the TERRY O’NEILL Archive. There are all the 14 variants of album covers pictured but disappointingly for such a prestigious project there's zero memorabilia, foreign picture sleeves (where's the beautiful Italian Picture Sleeve to "Con Le Mie Lacrime"? a song featured on the "Stray Cats" double or the iconic American artwork to "19th Nervous Breakdown" with its exclusive "Sad Day" B-side and of course the uber rare "Street Fighting Man"), trade adverts or even an indication from the sedate photos of just how much mayhem this unruly mob of R&B reprobates caused around the world. It’s classy for sure but there's little acknowledgement of 'The Rolling Stones' if you know what I mean - all a bit sedate really for my tastes...

SOUND:

But that's small beer to the really big deal news – the superb new MONO AUDIO. Mastered by BOB LUDWIG at Gateway Mastering - a team of three handled the transfers – STEVE ROSENTHAL and TED YOUNG did Sound Restoration while TERI LANDI did Analogue-to-Digital Transfers and Tape Research. GUS SKINAS is the DSD consultant while SEAN MAGEE and ALEX WHARTON did the Lacquer Cutting for the Vinyl Version at Abbey Road Studios. First generation tapes were used and as David Fricke enthuses on Page 3 of the excellent liner notes - the whole shebang is 'newly remastered with unprecedented fidelity and revelatory detail'. And I'd agree with that. I've waded through the lot over the weekend and I'm convinced by everything up to "Satanic Majesties" (far better in Mono to my ears) - but not so persuaded by "Beggars Banquet" or "Let It Bleed" (which the liner notes acknowledge were never true Mono in the first place) – I'll take the Stereo versions of those from the 2002 ABKCO SACD/DSD reissues any day of the week. And listening to the array on "Stray Cats" is a blast...like a weird 'Best Of' you've never sequenced before...

CONTENTS:

'Made In The Czech Republic' on the base of the oversized glossy clamshell box is probably not what every Stones fan wants to read immediately – but I'd have to say that once inside the EU version of ABKCO Records 018771834526 the detail is impressive and at times beautifully tactile. The credits page is pasted onto the back of the box so its not one of those annoying sheets that falls away the second you undo the shrink-wrap. Each oversized glossy full-colour hard card sleeve is held in a resealable 300 grams plastic and the glossy CDs themselves protected on the inside by an anti-static Japanese plastic so the surface of the disc remains un-scuffed by the card repro. But even though they look the part - practically speaking - re-sealable plastics are a frigging nightmare to actually use. Anyone who knows what those Japanese versions are like will cringe - they look gorgeous but tear so easily and the sealable flap sticks to the sleeve on exit and entry. Fortunately as these are all 'glossy' hard-card sleeves that won't matter too much. Also instead of those brittle Japanese issues - ABKCO have smartly used a durable plastic on their re-sealable wraps. It's a little thing to note for sure - but if you actually want to play these and not rip strips off of your repro artwork every time you open them - it's a smart move.

I like the flip-over lid, the covers in their plastics fit snugly within the box and the booklet looks the part too. The rear sleeves are paste-on for the first few albums and 'No. 1' even comes with the 'Mona' track credit of the first British pressing (later issues have "I Need You Baby"). But rather stupidly they've used the American 'Toilet' sleeve for "Beggars Banquet" and then the British white sleeve by way of compensation to UK fans on the "Stray Cats" gatefold cover - when I feel it should have been the other way around. All the red labels on the CDs ape the Decca Mono LP look but "Beggars Banquet" has a US sleeve and a Decca CD Label when it should have been London of course to reflect the correct US issue (sloppy). And while its smart to have the track list in the same script font as the UK "Beggars Banquet" LP on the "Stray Cats" 2CD compilation - other than that there's no song details either in the booklet or on the artwork as to what track is what on "Stray Cats" or on any of the other LPs for that matter. Why in God's name aren't the LPs listed inside the booklet – songwriting credits, release dates, catalogue numbers, the differences between US and UK LPs - like say the two superlative Bowie boxes have done? At least David Fricke gives some explanation of the odds and sods tracks on the "Stray Cats" double on the final pages of the booklet but there's no catalogue numbers or release dates on anything (you'll get more info from my review). "Let It Bleed" is missing the poster, the red inner sleeve with track details and the 'Poster Included' sticker that came with British originals on the front cover is also AWOL (see PS re Japanese version below). The booklet does admits that "Beggars Banquet" and "Let It Bleed" are not True Mono but are really only included for completeness. And where are those Decca/London Inner Bags that came with original UK and US issues? It’s all a tad haphazard really after all these years waiting.

On the up side - fans will know that the first two British albums "Rolling Stones No. 1" and "No. 2" were originally released in Mono in the UK for a limited time (later in other territories) and have been officially AWOL on CD forever - a fact that seems amazing in 2016. So it's very cool to see their release here at last. The typo error of "Congradulations" to "Congratulations" on "12 x 5" has been made on the rear sleeve and US fans will appreciate the inclusion of 'both' sides of the Mono coin - the US and UK variants with their different track line-ups - even if there is a wee bit of duplication. A little about that too...

UK and US LPs and THE TWO "Big Hits" COMPILATIONS:

The UK and US LPs didn't merge track-wise until "Their Satanic Majesties Request" in late 1967 - so all the Mono variants of those first eight American studio LPs can be sequenced using this box - as well as iconic compilation LPs like "Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)" from November 1966 (with "19th Nervous Breakdown" as an exclusive track) and its follow up "Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)" from September 1969. Being a studio only Box Set - the US live album "Got Live If You Want It" from 9 December 1966 on London LL 3493 (Mono) and London PS 493 (Stereo) is excluded - excepting the studio version of "I've Been Loving You Too Long" which has been stripped of its fake "Got Live" applause and added here as an 'outtake' on the "Stray Cats" double - Track 11.

MONO MUSIC:

It's genuinely bizarre after all these years to hear "Rolling Stones" (No. 1) and "No. 2" in MONO on CD officially - the sly harmonica R&B of Slim Harpo's "I'm A King Bee" and cool stuff like "What A Shame" and Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me". And you can only imagine what The Stones must have been like during a live version of "Down The Road Apiece" - that Berry Boogie ripping through the room - it sounds fabulous here - less cluttered somehow and packing real punch.  Even better is the Bluesy "Confessin' The Blues" - that echoed Jagger vocal and their own Bo Diddley knock off "Empty Heart" - tambourine shakes and drum whacks hitting your speakers like a boxer. Dig that Bluesy Instrumental vibe in "2020 South Michigan Avenue" as they pay homage to their R&B heroes at Chess Records on the "12 x 5" LP (Jagger giving some wicked Harp) .

I prefer the US version of "Out Of Our Heads" to the UK line-up. "Hitch Hike" is very clear but the Mono wallop off "The Last Time" is a revelation – yummy. The Bass is warm and clear on their cover of "That's How Strong My Love Is" and there’s sweetness to Sam Cooke's "Good Times". Even the live cut of "I'm Alright" can be heard above the screaming girls. But most impressive of all is the stark power to both "The Spider And The Fly" and "Cry To Me" – I haven't heard either sound this clear in decades ("Heart Of Stone" on the UK LP is the same). That fuzzy-wuzzy guitar on the British LP version of "Have Mercy" is also a tad clearer but "Talkin' About You" has Bass that will actually threaten the structural safety of your speaker cones. And of course the monster "Satisfaction" has amazing oomph all of a sudden - those fuzzed-up guitars giving it some neck jerk with conviction (no losing streak here).

I've had the Mono vinyl to "Between The Buttons" for decades but this CD is so damn clean - I'm double-taking on each song. Love that fuzz guitar in "Yesterday's Papers" and those layered vocals. Great wallop during that Piano and Drums beginning of "My Obsession" and the same to the forgotten "Connection" (were they ever this Pop again). Jagger's vocal during "She Smiled Sweetly" is very clear even if that organ still sounds weedy and the Bass overdone. The Acoustic/Harmonica combo that intro's "Who's Been Sleeping Here?" must surely have been their nod towards Dylan (sounds sweet too). I'm loving "Miss Amanda Jones" - huge grungy guitar and a rhythm section that's punching way above its weight all of a sudden. And dig Keith's unmistakable vocal on the Tuba-happy "Something Happened To Me Yesterday" - amazing clarity throughout.

The whole of the "Flowers" album also surprises me - I love this record in Stereo - but I'd gladly admit to be blown away by "Ruby Tuesday" in Mono - amazing clarity and so centred. I'm not so sure about "Have You Seen Your Mother..." but acoustic cuts like "Lady Jane" and "Back Street Girl" are amazing - and I'm still taken aback at how 'pretty' some of the Stones songs are. That clavinet on "Ride On, Baby" is right up there as are the drums and vocals. Hell even the slightly embarrassing "Majesties" has renewed clarity (if I can bring myself to suffer the whole album). And on it goes to the true Stones genius of "Beggars Banquet" and "Let It Bleed" where I'd agree with other reviewers - give me the Stereo versions any day of the week...

As ever with Rolling Stones 'Deluxe Editions' there's a compromise for long-suffering fans - but it would churlish and penny-pinching to call this reissue anything other than a triumph. I'm going to be opening this re-sealable plastics for years - and I like that a lot...

PS: Objects Of True Lust x 2 – the Japanese 15CD Box set Edition of "The Rolling Stones In MONO" on Universal/Polydor UICY-77710 (Barcode 4988031139295) – also released Friday, 30 September 2016 - has exclusive SHM-CDs for each title but are in '7" Single Sized Repro Artwork' with Obi Strips and all relevant inserts. They replicate the original UK and US artwork – laminate sleeves for No. 1 and No.2 with flip-back cover art, paste-back card covers for the US albums, the US issue of "Majesties" with a wavy Red Inner Sleeve, the Red Inner Sleeve instead of a Blue one for the Mono "Let It Bleed" including Poster etc. It's available for approximately £250 from many online retailers including Amazon.

The 2nd is Universal's own version of "The Rolling Stones In MONO" available only from their global websites as a very limited edition bundle - TRSMONOBUND01 comes with the 15CD Box Set AND Repro's of 9 x 7" rare singles from around the world (seven in picture sleeves):

German 7" Single in Picture Sleeve

A - 2,000 Light Years From Home

B - She's A Rainbow

UK 7" Single in Decca Label Bag (Export Issue)

A - Poison Ivy

B - Fortune Teller

Australian 7" Single in Picture Sleeve

A - Fortune Teller

B - Sad Day

U.S.A 7" Single in Withdrawn Picture Sleeve

A - Street Fighting Man

B - No Expectations

French 7" Single in Picture Sleeve

A - We Love You

B - Dandelion

Japanese 7" Single in Picture Sleeve

A - Tell Me (You're Coming Back)

B - Carol

Norwegian 7" Single in Picture Sleeve

A - Time Is On My Side

B - Congratulations

Dutch 7" Single in Picture Sleeve

A - Empty Heart

B - Around And Around

Canadian 7" Single in Decca Label Bag

A - Not Fade Away

B - I Wanna Be Your Man