Sounds Good, Looks Good...

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

Friday 7 October 2016

"Fire And Water" by FREE (2016 Island Remasters CD - Andy Pearce/Matt Wortham Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"... Let’s Raise The Parking Rate..."

There are few Classic Seventies Rock fans that don't worship at the unfussy feet of ILPS 9120. But it's another decade, so we get another version with yet another sound – and despite its niggling flaws – what a barnstormer this 2016 reissue is.

FREE fans will know that the October 2001 and 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. Then fans were hit with the motherlode – the 18 March 2008 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' set of "Fire And Water" on Universal/Island 5306090 (Barcode 600753060902) with copious amounts of bonus cuts, previously unreleased material, tasty presentation and fab sound. There has been Japanese SHM-CD variants since and a recent beautiful Half-Speed Remaster on VINYL done at Abbey Road in 2016.

But here we are in September 2016 with another CD reissue campaign of all seven albums accompanied by an eight - the "The Free Story" compilation (a 2LP set onto 1CD). Unfortunately these new 2016 single-disc versions strip away those brilliant bonuses entirely and unwisely substitute the hugely informative liner notes of the 2001 and 2002 issues for booklets with only band photos. Essentially for "Fire And Water" and we’re back to a straightforward transfer of the 7-track 1970 LP as is – but is another purchase necessary? I'd argue its 'essential'.

Despite the neutering of bonuses and the information-less booklet and even the sloppy wrong-order of tracks on the rear inlay (see photos below) – this new 2016 reissue offers us one genuinely worthy consolation prize – a new 2016 ANDY PEARCE and an uncredited MATT WORTHAM Remaster that breathes wonderful naturalistic vitality back into the album.

On buying and reviewing the underrated "Highway", "Free At Last" and "Heartbreaker" CDs in this 2016 reissue cluster and loving their audio – I splashed out on more and the results are equally magical. In fact I'd say that "Fire And Water" here has had more real work done on it than ever before and fans will need this in their homes. 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. Here are the details for Mr. Big and his great big hole in the ground...

UK released Friday, 9 September 2016 - "Fire And Water" by FREE on Universal/Island Remasters 473 187-4 (Barcode 602547318749) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 7-track 1970 UK LP and plays out as follows (35:43 minutes):

1. Fire And Water

2. Oh I Wept

3. Remember

4. Heavy Load

5. Mr. Big [Side 2]

6. Don’t Say You Love Me

7. All Right Now

Tracks 1 to 7 are their 3rd studio album "Fire And Water" - released 26 June 1970 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9120 and August 1970 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4268. Produced by FREE and JOHN KELLY (Engineered by ROY ROGER) - it peaked at No. 2 on the UK LP charts and No. 17 in the USA.

The six missing bonus tracks on the October 2001 Island Remasters IMCD 284 (Barcode 731458622727) version are: "Oh I Wept (Alternate Vocal Take)" from the "Bumpers" 2LP Island Sampler, "Fire And Water (New Stereo Mix)", " Fire And Water (BBC Session)", "All Right Now (BBC Session)", "All Right Now (Single Version)" and "All Right Now (First Version)". As you can see from this list of missing extras - your loss is considerable – most of these bonus tracks adding huge punch to the overall vibe of the 2001 reissue.

The new booklet is 16-pages and shows an 8-Track Tape-Box photo of their most famous song 'All Right Now' on Page 2 (dated 8 March 1970) as well as other black and white photos of the band and the lyrics to the songs (which is new and welcome). Even without any album release info or background details (not even a catalogue number) – its actually the prettiest of the booklets I've seen so far. 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 'I' Label logo design of Island Records in early 1970. There's no liner notes giving history, details etc. and the track list for the album on the rear inlay is sloppily in the wrong order (the booklet is right).

But a fabulous new master from ANDY PEARCE and an uncredited MATT WORTHAM – 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 and the new '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 October 2001 single-disc Remaster and the March 2008 Deluxe Edition 2CD Reissues for years now – both of which rock – but this new September 2016 single-disc version is an entirely different aural beast. There's suddenly staggering naturality and presence to the whole LP. Pearce and Wortham let things breathe (it's a trademark of their work) – and this notoriously lo-fi recording which was apparently rejected by Island's Chris Blackwell on first hearing – has always been a brute to get right. In a recent interview with Andy Pearce on the old dog and bone – I've learned than he and Wortham (both huge fans of the band) spent more hours with “Fire And Water” than any of the others and are proud of the outcome (even if Universal forgot to credit Wortham in the booklet - a fact they're trying to rectify on the second run). The results are powerful to say the least. Their version is muscular and meaty. This is 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 short this CD sounds fabulous. On to the music...

Prepped by the edited single of "All Right Now" in May 1970 which raced up to number 2 in the British charts (Island WIP 6082) - the vinyl album delivered what the public seemed to already know - here was a truly great British Rock band hitting its stride. And while Lead Singer PAUL RODGERS and Guitarist PAUL KOSSOFF always pull the plaudits – both SIMON KIRKE the Drummer and especially the Bassist ANDY FRASER added so much to the mix too. Andy Fraser was only 18 at the time and along with Rodgers they co-wrote five of the sevens songs - "Fire And Water", "Remember", "Heavy Load", "Don’t Say You Love Me" and of course the mighty slayer "All Right Now". Kossoff co-wrote "Oh I Wept" with Rodgers and Fraser also had a part in the fabulous "Mr. Big" as it was written by all four.

The simplicity of "Fire And Water" is still touching somehow – barely any credits – no inner sleeve – just the basic cover and the music. The rear sleeve of the American LP on A&M Records (Tan Label) simply referred to the big hit single as "All Right Now" (5:32 minutes) - but the British album had been preceded by a truncated 7" single in May 1970 with the instrumental "Mouthful Of Grass" from their 2nd album "Free" as its B-side (superb two-sider if ever there was one) - so they called it '(Long version)' on the original Island LP sleeves so that fans would know there was a difference between the LP cut and the 45.

It opens with "Fire And Water" where the elements have apparently '...made you their daughter...' and immediately you're struck by the power of the band. The remaster is fantastic – FREE in your living room – drums and guitars - all hairy and wearing unbuttoned shirts as they leer at your worryingly interested underage daughter. The surprisingly lovely "Oh I Wept" feels incredibly clean - that strummed guitar and gently patted high-hat followed by Fraser's clear-as-a-bell Bass - a wonderful job done. "Remember" still has that slightly odd guitar arrangement with the riff upfront and the licks in the background - it's clearer as Rodgers sings '...wish I had you near me...' like he's already pining for a less cluttered life. "Heavy Load" closes Side 1 on an 'ancient song' where the Piano features strongly - adding a Soulfulness to Free's brand of 'rawk'.

Side 2 is perfection to me - only three tracks - but each an absolute balls-to-the-wall winner. "Mr. Big" has Rodgers warning a potential suitor of his girl to watch out no matter what his connections are. The thud of that opening Drum followed by superb Kossoff Guitar and Fraser's wickedly effective Bass run make "Mr. Big" feel the single that should have followed "All Right Now". The Bass is incredible in the Remaster - dominating your speaker cones throughout even as Kossoff sails off into that drawn-notes solo before the big chiming build-up. Surely they're best ballad - "Don't Say You Love Me" is unfortunately still smitten with heavy amounts of tape hiss which I noticed was dampened for the 2008 version. Here its way more obvious but does sound warmer as the band kicks in around 1:30 minutes. And what can you say about their signature song "All Right Now" - it comes roaring out of your speakers here like it was recorded yesterday and not 46 years ago. This transfer alone should sooth the savage naysayers - well done Remaster boys...

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. 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.

"Fire And Water" is back with a bang - and how good is it to hear FREE sound so awesome again 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 2001, 2008 and 2016 issues into the same review and it would appear - the same product entry – even though they’ve three distinct barcodes and prices. Even if you use the correct Barcode 602547318268 for the 2016 single-disc reissue it will bring you to the 2008 2CD Deluxe Edition entry. So if you're specifically after the 2016 reissue with its different remaster - ask the supplier you're buying from what version it is they're selling. If you’re just buying the Amazon Store issue for £4.99 – it will always be the 2016 7-Track remaster you receive...

Thursday 6 October 2016

"Aladdin Sane: 40th Anniversary Edition" by DAVID BOWIE (April 2013 UK EMI CD '40th Anniversary Ediition' Reissue with Ray Staff, Kevin Reeve and Jo Blair Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...He Screams And He Bawls…"

Bowie fans have had their fair share of reissue rehashes - 'Anniversary' markers on Seventies Classics that crassly milk an endless reservoir of affection. Yawns and sighs can only have greeted the announcement of yet another. But that is until you actually 'hear' this astonishing 2013 audio overhaul.

Hot on the heels of a 20th and 30th Anniversary CD remaster of Bowie's "Aladdin Sane" (both with bonus tracks) - here comes a straightforward transfer of the 1973 LP in April 2013 as a '40th Anniversary' reissue (41:47 minutes). This time it's been done in conjunction with David Bowie.com and remaster engineer RAY STAFF - assisted by Kevin Reeve and Jo Blair who co-ordinated the project for EMI. Kevin Reeve is a name familiar to me - his credentials have popped up many times when I'm trawling for quality remasters. Reeve has in fact done large swathes of much-praised reissues for Universal (see my Tag for their "Originals" series). But the aural hero this time is one RAY STAFF - who needs to be put on DB's staff retainer-list right away. What a job he's done. His name was always Buddy and here are the painted-face details...

1. Watch That Man

2. Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-19??)

3. Drive-In Saturday

4. Panic In Detroit

5. Cracked Actor

6. Time

7. The Prettiest Star

8. Let’s Spend The Night Together

9. The Jean Genie

10. Lady grinning Soul

Released on CD April 2013 - "Aladdin Sane: 40th Anniversary Edition" by DAVID BOWIE is on EMI DBAS 40 (Barcode 5099993447423) and reproduces the April 1973 UK/USA vinyl LP packaging of RCA Records RS 1001. The 5" gatefold repro card cover even goes as far as the inner lyric sleeve - and a very nice touch indeed is a tiny facsimile of the rare I Love You David Fan-Club Invite that came with original copies of the LP (a 55p postal order and fandom was yours). Even the CD label reflects the original yellow RCA Records label. It's tastefully done. But the real fireworks comes with the stunning remaster...

The second you play the opening song "Watch That Man" - this sonic overhaul makes mincemeat of those that went before. But it's not until you hear the fabulous piano playing of MIKE GARSON on "Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?)" that your jaw drops. As others have commented - it feels like he's in the room - it's a true audio revelation. Bowie then gets vaudeville funky with Twig The Wonder Kid on "Drive In Saturday" while the wonderful MICK RONSON gives us some Glam Rock swagger guitar on "Panic In Detroit" (T.J. Bolder's Bass is so clear too).

1. Watch That Man

2. Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-19??)

3. Drive-In Saturday

4. Panic In Detroit

5. Cracked Actor

6. Time

7. The Prettiest Star

8. Let’s Spend The Night Together

9. The Jean Genie

10. Lady grinning Soul

The lyrics of "Time" still have the power to shock - as does the superb melody of the "Lie Lie Lie" sing-a-long chorus. Once again Ronson's guitar leaps out at you on "The Prettiest Star". And I cannot get enough of Bowie's fantastic remake of The Rolling Stones "Let's Spend The Night Together" - a rollicking guitar fest - and just what the album needed at that point on Side 2 ("...our love comes from above..."). Thinking it can't get any better - it does - "The Jean Genie" is still a huge fan favourite to this day. It ends on more piano clarity on "Lady Grinning Soul".

In the same way that STEVE WILSON has revitalised the JETHRO TULL and YES catalogues - I'm pretty certain Bowie fans want this nice RAY STAFF geezer set loose on those other nuggets. Let's hope we don't have to wait another bloody decade to see his catalogue finally be given the respect it so obviously deserves...

from above..."). Thinking it can't get any better - it does - "The Jean Genie" is still a huge fan favourite to this day. It ends on more piano clarity on "Lady Grinning Soul".

"Who Can I Be Now? [1974-1976]" by DAVID BOWIE [feat John Lennon, Luther Vandross, Roy Bittan (of The E-Street Band), Tony Kaye and David Sanborn] (September 2016 Parlophone 12CD Box Set – Ray Staff , Tony Visconti, John Webber and Cicely Balston Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Wild Is The Wind..."

Back when I pre-ordered this 2nd Bowie Box Set covering 1974 to 1976 - I looked at the track list and thought - where's my ton's worth? There seemed to be a lot of filler and unnecessary duplication for a hundred quid - and with his incredibly sad and untimely passing – the taking of the monetary Michael.

But having living with 'DBX 2' a week or so now - I'm way more impressed that I thought I'd be. And not just with the beautiful presentation and the spiffing new Ray Staff remasters - but with the 'content' which has made me reassess this whole period completely – a phase in his ongoing changes that always seems to be maligned and poo-poo'd compared to the classic early Seventies and the Berlin period to come. There's a lot to wade through - so lets once more celebrate the Thin White Duke becoming the Cool Soul Boy...

UK and US released 24 September 2016 - "Who Can I Be Now? [1974-1976]" by DAVID BOWIE on Parlophone DBX 2 - 0190295989842 (Barcode 0190295989842) is a 12CD Cube Box Set with an 84-Page Hardback Book and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 "Diamond Dogs" (38:33 minutes)

1. Future Legend

2. Diamond Dogs

3. Sweet Thing

4. Candidate

5. Sweet Thing (Reprise)

6. Rebel Rebel

7. Rock 'N' Roll With Me

8. We Are The Dead

9. 1984

10. Big Brother

11. Chant Of The Ever Circling Skeletal Family

Tracks 1 to 11 are his 8th studio album "Diamond Dogs" - released 31 May 1974 in the UK on RCA Victor APL1 0576 and in the USA on RCA Victor CPL1 0576. Written, Arrange and Produced by DAVID BOWIE with TONY VISCONTI - it peaked at No. 1 in the UK and No. 5 in the USA on the LP charts. CD Newly Remastered by RAY STAFF at Air Mastering with TONY VISCONTI.

Disc 2 "David Live - At The Tower Philadelphia":

CD1 (39:43 minutes)

1. 1984

2. Rebel Rebel

3. Moonage Daydream

4. Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise)

5. Changes

6. Suffragette City

7. Aladdin Sane

8. All The Young Dudes

9. Cracked Actor

CD2 (41:35 minutes):

1. Rock 'N' Roll With Me

2. Watch That Man

3. Knock On Wood

4. Diamond Dogs

5. Big Brother

6. The Width Of A Circle

7. The Jean Genie

8. Rock 'N' Roll Suicide

Disc 1 and 2 are the double live-album "David Live" - released 29 October 1974 in the UK on RCA Victor APL2 0771 and in the USA on RCA Victor CPL2-0771. Produced by TONY VISCONTI - it peaked at No. 2 in the UK and No. 8 in the USA. CD Newly Remastered by RAY STAFF at Air Mastering with TONY VISCONTI.

Disc 3 "David Live (2005 Mix)":

CD1 (49:11 minutes)

1. 1984

2. Rebel Rebel

3. Moonage Daydream

4. Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise)

5. Changes

6. Suffragette City

7. Aladdin Sane

8. All The Young Dudes

9. Cracked Actor

10. Rock 'N' Roll With Me

11. Watch That Man

12. Knock On Wood

CD2 (53:39 minutes):

1. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

2. Space Oddity

3. Diamond Dogs

4. Panic In Detroit

5. Big Brother

6. Time

7. The Width Of A Circle

8. The Jean Genie

9. Rock 'N' Roll Suicide

Released November 2005 on EMI 874 3042 - CD Newly Remastered by RAY STAFF at Air Mastering with TONY VISCONTI.

Disc 4 "The Gouster" - Previously Unreleased As An Album (40:08 minutes):

1. John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) - 7:02 minutes

2. Somebody Up There Likes Me - 6:31 minutes

3. It's Gonna Be Me - 6:30 minutes

4. Who Can I Be Now? - 4: 42 minutes [Side 2]

5. Can You Hear Me - 5:24 minutes

6. Young Americans - 5:17 minutes

7. Right

The original version of what would become the "Young Americans" LP was to be called "The Gouster" and was mastered as such (one of the pages in the booklet shows Bowie's handwritten track list and mixing instructions). Produced by TONY VISCONTI except for "Right" and "Somebody Up There Likes Me" - done by TONY VISCONTI and HARRY MASLIN - CD Remastered by RAY STAFF with TONY VISCONTI

Disc 5 "Young Americans" (40:52 minutes):

1. Young Americans - 5:14 minutes

2. Win - 4:48 minutes

3. Fascination - 5:48 minutes

4. Right - 4:23 minutes

5. Somebody Up There Likes Me - 6:36 minutes [Side 2]

7. Across The Universe - 4:34 minutes

8. Can You Hear Me - 5:10 minutes

9. Fame 4:20 minutes

Tracks 1 to 9 are his 9th studio album "Young Americans" - released 7 March 1975 in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1006 and in the US on RCA Victor AQL1-0998. It peaked at No. 2 in the UK and No. 9 in the US LP charts. CD 2016 Remastered by RAY STAFF and TONY VISCONTI.

Disc 6 "Station To Station" (38:24 minutes):

1. Station To Station

2. Golden Years

3. Word On A Wing

4. TVC 15 [Side 2]

5. Stay

6. Wild Is The Wind

Tracks 1 to 6 are his 10th studio album "Station To Station" - released 23 January 1976 in the UK and USA on RCA Victor APL1 1327 and in the USA - it peaked at No. 5 in the UK and No. 3 in the US LP charts. CD 2016 Remastered by RAY STAFF and TONY VISCONTI.

Disc 7 "Station To Station (2010 Harry Maslin Mix)" (38:16 minutes):

1. Station To Station

2. Golden Years

3. Word On A Wing

4. TVC 15 [Side 2]

5. Stay

6. Wild Is The Wind

First released 20 September 2010 as part of the "Station To Station" Deluxe Box Set on EMI BOWSTSD 2010.

Disc 8 "Live Nassau Coliseum '76"

CD 1 (42:23 minutes):

1. Station To Station

2. Suffragette City

3. Fame

4. Word On A Wing

5. Stay

6. Waiting For The Man

7. Queen Bitch

CD 2 (40:38 minutes):

1. Life On Mars?

2. Five Years

3. Panic In Detroit

4. Changes

5. TVC 15

6. Diamond Dogs

7. Rebel Rebel

8. The Jean Genie

First released 20 September 2010 as part of the "Station To Station" Deluxe Box Set on EMI BOWSTSD 2010.

Disc 9 "Re: Call 2" (47:25 minutes):

1. Rebel Rebel (Original Single Mix) - 15 February 1974 UK 7" single on RCA Victor LPBO 5009 (mastered from an original 45 as mastertape is lost)

2. Diamond Dogs (Australian Single Edit) - 14 June 1974 Australian 7" single on RCA Victor 102462

3. Rebel Rebel (US Single Version) - the 'Phased' version released in the USA and Canada only as a 7" single on RCA Victor APBO-0287

4. Rock 'N' Roll With Me (Live - Promotional Single Edit) - October 1974 US 7" single on RCA Victor JB-10105 (stock copies are PB-10105)

5. Panic In Detroit (Live) - non-album B-side to the October 1974 US 7" single of Rock 'N' Roll With Me (Live)" on RCA Victor PB-10105 and the non-album B-side to "Knock On Wood (Live)" in the UK on RCA Victor RCA 2466 (released 13 September 1974)

6. Young Americans (Original Single Edit) - 21 February 1975 UK 7" single on RCA Victor RCA 2523

7. Fame (Original Single Edit) - 18 July 1975 UK 7" single on RCA Victor RCA 2579

8. Golden Years (Single Version) - 21 November 1975 UK 7" single on RCA Victor RCA 2640

9. Station To Station (Original Single Edit) - February 1976 French 'Factory Sample' 7" single on RCA Victor 42549

10. TVC 15 (Original Single Edit) - 30 April 1976 UK 7" single on RCA Victor RCA 2682

11. Stay (Original Single Edit) - July 1976 US 7" single on RCA PB-10736

12. Word On A Wing (Original Single Edit) - B-side to the July 1976 US 7" single of "Stay" on RCA PB-10736

13. John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (1975) (Single Version) - 7 December 1979 UK 7" single on RCA BOW 4 (1972 song using the 'Gouster' soul mix from 1975)

VISUALS:

The visuals for this box are gorgeous - the 84-Page Hardback Book is a thing of fan-pleasing beauty and must have taken some serious proofreading (Compilers NIGEL REEVE and JO BLAIR will surely be up for awards). Others involved are HARRY WRENN-MELLECK and AISHA COHEN. Each album is given a full run-down by Original Producers Tony Visconti and Harry Maslin who add invaluable anecdotes on the recording process to the liner notes. In-between the text is wads of period photos, trade adverts, magazine repro's, album artwork and full musician/recording credits as well as release details. The individually pictured rare 7" single from around the world on the "Re: Call 2" CD compilation are given a page each and in-depth fan-obsessed detail provided.

The Repro Artwork for each album is crisp and all original inserts are present (even if the white paper sleeves for "Gouster" and "Re:Call 2" seem a tad superfluous). Each CD has a Japanese plastic protective which is a smart move - "David Live" comes with its two inners - the second "David Live" offers different inner sleeves - "The Gouster" has a lyric insert - "Young American" has its 'Fascination' insert advert for Bowie's RCA catalogue - the original white sleeve and withdrawn colour artwork for "Station To Station" are used for those two variants - the "Nassau Coliseum '76" double has no inners which is a bit of a cop out and the "Re:Call 2" set has both an inner and artwork from the 'YA' period. It’s all very tastefully done. Let's get to the music...

AUDIO:

RAY STAFF - who received such praise for the "Five Years" first box - is back again - aided in Transfers and Mastering by JOHN WEBBER and CICELY BALSTON at Air Mastering. I'd have to say that the aural results very much depend on the album you're listening too. You can't argue with the Disco-Rock wallop of "1984", the Glam Boogie of "Rebel Rebel" and the backwards guitars of "Sweet Thing" - but "Rock 'N' Roll With Me" still sounds strangely lacking and weedy. There's also a marked difference between "The Gouster" unreleased-album as opposed to the clearer polish that came with "Young Americans". But the live stuff sounds way better than I had expected it too - and I'm loving that cover of The Velvet's "Waiting For The Man" on the recently unearthed "Nassau" double.

MUSIC:

After the collective yawn that greeted the cover versions project "Pin Ups" in 1973 – I can recall the same applying to the decidedly patchy "Diamond Dogs" for 1974. The obvious winners "Rebel Rebel" and "1984" showed he still had it - but stuff like "Big Brother" and "Chant..." felt strangely devoid - like Bowie was reaching for change but not quite knowing what that direction was in.

I love his Soulful period and it's now obvious from this Box Set that the "Young Americans" album as released was a smarter move both visually and musically than the slightly odd "Gouster" line-up. I can't imagine David Bowie would ever have signed of on the rather dull mock artwork Parlophone present us with here - even though it's clever to have the lyric insert in the same typeface as the released "Young Americans" version. And three of the mixes are Previously Unreleased - "Right", "Can You Hear Me?" and "Somebody Up There Likes Me".

But it's also obvious that Bowie's allegiance to John Lennon gave us the unconvincing cover of The Beatles' "Across The Universe" when we could have had the magnificent "It's Gonna Be Me" from the "Gouster" sessions. This song alone has to be the best unreleased Bowie gem ever - stunning Soulfulness ably helped by the mixed backing singers which included Luther Vandross amongst their numbers. There’s also a better crispness to the YA released version of "Right" that The Gouster lacks while the seven-minute "John, I’m Only Dancing (Again)" is more Disco than edgy-funk and for me - too long and weedy (he was right to think that less was more when the single was eventually released as a Soulful cut in 1979). "Fame" was a co-write with John Lennon and Carlos Alomar and great Bowie single - here sounding like Talking Heads before the event. Another factor that should be acknowledged is the guitar of CARLOS ALOMAR whose sheer funkiness lifts every track.

That other forgotten LP nugget in Bowie's cannon is surely "Station To Station" - an album that seems to grow in stature as the years pass. "Stay" and the Johnny Mathis/Nina Simone cover of "Wild Is The Wind" are magnificent stuff - as are both the extended LP version of "Golden Years" (wah wah wah) and the Side 1 finisher "Word On A Wing". I'm not sure I needed the 2010 Harry Maslin Mix of the LP but I'm digging the live double "Nassau" and as a 70ts singles freak - finally getting all those 7" single edits and promo versions together in once place on the rather cool "Re: Call 2" exclusive CD set is a blast.

The 3rd Box Set will deal with his Berlin period - "Low", "Heroes", the live "Stage", "Lodger" and possibly "Scary Monsters" - the mere thought of which is liable to make many DB fans combust on the spot - or lose even more hair - or both.

In truth I find this second Box Set a strange mixture of the sublime and the superfluous - but that hasn’t stopped my admiration for this extraordinary artist – if anything DBX 2 has only deepened it. Chameleon, innovator, ahead of so many curves - what a loss his talent was...

Wednesday 5 October 2016

"Second Birth" by GRAVY TRAIN (2016 Esoteric Recordings CD Reissue - Mark Powell Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Fields And Factories..."

Lancashire's hard rocking Progressive Rock act GRAVY TRAIN managed four albums across two labels between 1970 and 1973 including their debut "Gravy Train" on Vertigo 6360 023 in December 1970 (a listed £400 rarity), the follow-up "(A Ballad Of) A Peaceful Man" on Vertigo 6360 051 in November 1971 (now a £900 listing) and their final studio effort "Staircase To The Sky" in July 1974 on Dawn Records DNLH 1 (yours for a paltry £125.00).

This superb-sounding 2016 British CD reissue deals with their 3rd outing "Second Birth" from March 1973 - their first with England's second home to all things Prog Rock - Dawn Records. In fact excepting dodgy bootlegs and a rare deleted 2003 Japanese issue - this rather dull-looking album has long been unavailable on an official CD remaster - until now.

'Esoteric Recordings' (part of Cherry Red in the UK) have gained an enviable reputation amongst Prog, Avant and Electronic fans when it comes to quality remasters of long-forgotten but criminally overlooked goodies - as hip as say Ace Records or Rhino. And they've done the audio business on this one yet again. Here are the tales of fields and factories and Tolpuddle episodes...

UK released 30 September 2016 (7 October 2016 in the USA) - "Second Birth" by GRAVY TRAIN on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2562 (Barcode 5013929466241) is a straight CD transfer/remaster of their 3rd studio album from 1973 and plays out as follows:

1. Morning Coming

2. Peter

3. September Morning News

4. Motorway

5. Fields And Factories [Side 2]

6. Strength Of A Dream

7. Tolpuddle Episode

8. Second Birth

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 3rd studio album "Second Birth" - released March 1973 in the UK on Dawn Records and in the USA on Bell Records 1121. Produced by JONATHAN PEEL (not the British DJ) - all songs written by Barratt, Davenport, Hughes and Williams - it didn't chart in either country.

BONUS TRACK:

9. Good Time Girl - non-album B-side to the February 1974 UK 7" single of "Starbright Starlight" on Dawn Records DNS 1058 - a track from their 4th LP "Staircase To The Sky"

GRAVY TRAIN was:

NORMAN BARRATT - Lead Guitar and Vocals

J.D. HUGHES - Keyboards, Flute and Saxophones

GEORGE LYNON - Guitar

LESS WILLIAMS - Bass Guitar

BARRY DAVENPORT - Drums and Percussion on "Morning Coming", "Fields And Factories" and "Tolpuddle Episode"

RUSSELL CALDWELL - Drums and Percussion on all other tracks

The striped-lines inner sleeve that graced the original Dawn Records gatefold is used as the centre-pages to the 16-page booklet - with the rear-sleeve images of three train carriages used as silhouettes behind the new MALCOM DOME liner notes. Featuring quotes from key band members Hughes and Williams and older quotes from founder member Norman Barratt – it’s an entertaining and enlightening read. But while the info is good - visually the booklet is dull like the naff artwork of the album over which it seems the band had no control. Looking as cheesy as it did with the stream-train puffs emanating from the 'i' in Gravy Train (spelt Gravytrain on the cover and on the sleeve but Gravy Train on the label) - is it any wonder the LP tanked. But the good news is a MARK POWELL Remaster that really rocks. The electric guitars in "Peter" and the Acoustic Guitars and Flute in "Fields And Factories" are all really clear and full of presence.

Sounding not unlike a less strangulated version of Roger Chapman from Family - Barratt takes the lead for "Morning Coming" - a typical Prog Metal number with layered vocals and clever breaks. "Peter" comes roaring at you with several guitars thrashing about the speakers - Gravy Train sounding like Uriah Heap having a Les Paul wig-out. The acoustic "September Morning News" slows things down and you can hear how (like everyone else) they'd soaked up Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. "Motorway" ends Side 1 on a screaming '...one hundred horse power of engine...' vocal where clever guitar, flute passages and harmony chorus have them sound like "This Was" Jethro Tull as they warn that endless construction will turn every meadow into endless criss-crossing highways. "Fields And Factories" opens Side 2 with more Acoustic vs. Electric interplay and you can get why Dawn thought "Strength Of A Dream" might make a decent single. Released June 1973 in the UK, Dawn DNS 1036 came with "Tolpuddle Episode" on the B-side but you'd have to say (as Dome does) that its slide guitar sound and those chunky 12-string strummed acoustics sound not unlike George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" from 1970. Prettier and more affecting is "Tolpuddle Episode" even if there is a slight harshness to the lead vocal - a tale of ordinary folk chucked into darkened cells to be deported to Australia's Van Diemen's Land. Back to Prog with the seven-minute title track "Second Birth" - probably the album's strongest showing of player virtuosity. The almost Ronnie Lane and Slim Chance English Jug Band shuffle of the non-album B-side "Goodtime Girl" comes as a pleasant surprise after all that laboured Prog and I'd swear that's Maggie Bell on the second female vocal?

You wouldn't call "Second Birth" anything other than ordinary (even plodding in places) - but if you've a penchant for GRAVY TRAIN and Seventies Progressive Metal - at least this 2016 Esoteric Recordings CD reissue sounds good and comes with expanded presentation...

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

"...Wishing Well..."

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.

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. Bottom line - what fans are essentially getting here is great new sound but lesser discs (one step forward, two steps back etc). That said - here are the wishing wells...

UK released Friday, 9 September 2016 - "Heartbreaker" by FREE on Universal/Island Remasters 473 182-6 (Barcode 602547318268) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 8-track 1973 UK LP and plays out as follows (35:52 minutes):

1. Wishing Well

2. Come Together In The Morning

3. Travellin In Style

4. Heartbreaker

5. Muddy Water [Side 2]

6. Common Mortal Man

7. Easy On My Soul

8. Seven Angels

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 6th and final studio album "Heartbreaker" - released January 1973 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9217 and in the USA on Island SW-9324. Produced by FREE and engineered by Richard Digby-Smith - it peaked at No. 9 on the UK LP charts and No. 47 in the USA.

The six missing bonus tracks on the 2002 Island Remasters IMCD 288 version are: "Wishing Well (US Mix)", "Let Me Show You" (non-album B-side to the November 1972 UK 7" single for "Wishing Well" on Island WIP 6146), "Muddy Water (Alternate Vocals)", "Hand Me Down/Turn Me Round (Prospective Album Track)", "Heartbreaker (Rehearsal Version)" and "Easy On My Soul (Rehearsal 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 and shows a Tape-Box Photo of the Entire Side 2 'Master Reel' on Page 2 (dated 21 Nov 1972) as well as other black and white photos of the band (now a five-piece with the loss of Kossoff). Although the band was now Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, John 'Rabbit' Bundrick and Tetsu Yamauchi – Paul Kossoff played guitars on all tracks except "Muddy Water" and "Easy On My Soul". There's a photo of PK on Page 5 and the other four on the remaining pages (you also get the lyrics that were on the white inner sleeve). 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 early 1973. There's no liner notes giving history, details etc.

But a fabulous new remaster from ANDY PEARCE and an uncredited MATT WORTHAM – 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 Emerson, Lake & Palmer's 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 last self-produced studio album "Heartbreaker" has always had a bit of an aural beastie – far heavier than their previous efforts. Like the CD Remasters of "Highway" and "Free At Last" – Pearce and Wortham’s version is muscular and meaty. This is 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 short this CD sounds fabulous...

The presence of long-time sessionman and songwriter John "Rabbit" Bundrick (filling in for PK) is felt in his decidedly Led Zeppelin heavy tracks "Muddy Water" and "Common Mortal Man". And along with Rodgers, Kossoff, Kirke and Yamamuchi – he also had a hand in their hugely popular single "Wishing Well" which eventually peaked January 1973 in the UK at No. 7 (Island WIP 6146 with the non-album "Let Me Show You" on the B-side – one of the bonus cuts on the 2002 CD Remaster). "Wishing Well" opens proceedings on Side 1 with an aggressive FREE getting lippy with your living room. Rodgers gives us the more languid "Come Together In The Morning" which gets Soulful come the sing-a-long chorus (it’s a wee bit hissy but you really can now hear those Kossoff guitar fills). Maybe the British public was bored with Free by March 1973 explaining why such a cool little single like "Travellin' In Style" on Island WIP 6160 didn’t chart originally or as a reissue on Island WIP 6223 in March 1974 (both versions had the ballad "Easy On My Soul" on the B-side). Rodgers then stumps up a heavy-heavy hitter in the title track "Heartbreaker" – ending Side 1 on a hard-rocking note.

Side 2 opens with the Soulful "Heartbreaker" – a '...the first time you deceive her...you’ve broken her spell...' warning about lying to your woman and afterwards forever walking in the rain with your emotional shoes untied. I love the way the piano interplays (Bundrick working his own song) with Rodger’s great vocal on this forgotten song - an underrated Free classic. Bundrick supplies again with "Common Natural Man" - another mid-tempo keyboard song with a Soulful feel - but this time about drugs where our weary man is buying/selling his future for 'three bucks a share' - just another sucker 'standing in line...for a fantastic time'. Rodgers gives us the final two - the lovely sway of "Easy On My Soul" and the huge even menacing "Seven Angels" where he gets all Biblical on us with '...in my right hand is the sword of truth...in my left hand is the fire of love...' - fantastic guitar work from Kossoff - for me amongst his inspired best...

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 again after all these decades...