"Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon" by STATUS QUO (2003 Sanctuary/Castle Music 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Junior's Wailing..."

Across many decades of record collecting and buying/selling rarities for Reckless Records in London - I can count on one-hand the number of times I've seen a British original of Quo's "Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon" August 1970 LP with it's 'S/Quo' black and white poster inside. I suspect like the poster in The Who's "A Quick One" - the number is under 1000 - possibly even only 500. But it's a measure of how comprehensive and well thought out this superb 2003 CD reissue from England's Sanctuary Records is - that said rarity is pictured in all its hairy-rocker glory on Side 2 of the foldout inlay - along with a huge array of other relevant memorabilia much of which is seriously hard to find.

As all Quo fans know - "Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon" was the band's 'real' beginning. Gone were the garish coats and frilly shirts and the 60ts Psychedelic warbling about Matchstick men and what not - and in came the start of their head's down no-nonsense Rock Boogie that Status Quo became so famous for (and have been continuing into 2016). Along with England's Slade and The Rolling Stones - they can claim to be a band for over 50 years. In fact I'd argue that the "Ma Kelly's..." album is actually more diverse and shows a group maturing rapidly and not just finding their twelve-bar feet - a flowering that would explode on "Dog Of Two Head" in 1971 (their final LP for Pye) and enter British hearts on "Piledriver" in late 1972 (their first LP for Vertigo). Here are the egg and chips...

UK released February 2003 - "Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon" by STATUS QUO on Sanctuary/Castle Music CMQCD 754 (Barcode 5050159175420) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with ten Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows (71:58 minutes):

1. Spinning Wheel Blues

2. Daughter

3. Everything

4. Shy Fly

5. (April) Spring, Summer And Wednesdays

6. Junior's Wailing [Side 2]

7. Lakky Lady

8. Need Your Love

9. Lazy Poker Blues

10. Is It Really Me/Gotta Go Home

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 3rd studio album "Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon" - released August 1970 in the UK on Pye Records NSPL 18344. The American copy on Janus Records JLS-3018 wasn't released until March 1971 so dropped the last track on Side 2 "Is It Really Me/Gotta Go Home" and replaced it with the single "In My Chair" as Track 1 on Side 2 (followed by 6, 7, 8 and 9 above). The front sleeve was the same but the 'table/menu' photo on the back of the British LP was replaced with a black and white photo of the band as a four-piece (minus Roy Lynes who is shown on the 'S/Quo' poster in UK copies - he officially resigned the band).

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Is It Really Me/Gotta Go Home (Early Rough Mix)

12. Daughter (Early Working Mix)

13. Down The Dustpipe - 6 March 1970 UK 7" single on Pye 7N 17987 (B-side was "Face Without A Soul" from the 1969 "Spare Parts" LP)

14. In My Chair - 23 October 1970 UK 7" single on Pye 7N 17998 - A-side

15. Gerdundula - 23 October 1970 UK 7" single on Pye 7N 17998 - B-side to "in My Chair" - features the 'Original Version' which is different to the cut on the 1971 "Dog Of Two Head" LP

16. Down The Dustpipe (BBC Session)

17. Junior's Wailing (BBC Session)

18. Spinning Wheel Blues (BBC Session)

19. Need Your Love (BBC Session)

20. In My Chair (1979 Pye Promo Flexidisc)

STAUS QUO were:

FRANCIS ROSSI - Guitar and Lead Vocals

ALAN LANCASTER - Guitar and Lead Vocals

RICK PARFITT - Bass and Lead Vocals

JOHN COUGHLIN - Drums

The outer card-wrap/slipcase gives this reissue a classy feel and the 8-squares-per-side foldout inlay is a feast of fan memorabilia that is in itself bolstered up by superlative and seriously detailed liner notes from DAVE OXLEY. Chief moved on the reissue was JOHN REED who has been behind so many great reissues and is a compiler fans trust and admire. SEAN MAGEE at Masterpiece did the Remasters and there's a special thanks to LIAM MOORE at the BBC for the Sessions.

There's a repro of the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' advert for the UK single of "In My Chair" with the brill "Gerdundula" on the B-side (Pye 7N 17998) - it depicts the ludicrously hard-to-find British picture sleeve for "In My Chair" which they wittily refer to as 'a pretty bag' (I've never seen one in 45 years and sure its £45 price tag in the RC 2018 Price Guide is a tad low).

Even though the bopping "Shy Fly" was considered as a 45 - the album actually produced no singles. But the then non-album 45's for "Down The Dustpipe" and "In My Chair" in March and October of 1970 changed everything for the band - getting them radio play and crucial sales. Written by Australian songsmith Carl Groszmann - apparently the initial demo Quo heard for "Down The Dustpipe" was none other than an uncredited MAN - the Welsh Rock Band. Initially ignored by Radio - Quo toured and pushed the catchy "Dustpipe". Two months later it debuted in May 1970 and eventually crept up to a healthy No. 12 on the British charts. And although the non-album follow-up "In My Chair" only made it to No. 21 (hit the charts in November of 1970) - it signalled 'their sound' - a fabulous slow Boogie Rocker with the boppy and unpronounceable "Gerdundula" on the B-side. Their inclusion as 'Bonus Tracks' on this CD ups the listening ante in a big way (Tracks 11 and 12 are Previously Unreleased).

Album tracks like "Spinning Wheel Blues", "Lakky Lady" and "(April) Spring, Summer And Wednesdays" would be used by Pye to sell a "Best Of" in May 1973 after the band had broken huge with their debut Vertigo album "Piledriver" in December 1972 (afforded the luxury of an eye-catching gatefold sleeve) and the single "Paper Plane" which busted the UK Top Ten in January 1973 by landing at No. 8.

British proto-metal band Steamhammer provided the cover version of "Junior's Wailing" and Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac the slow burner cover of "Lazy Poker Blues" - but the rest are band originals. The other great unsung hero of the band in the early years was songwriter and occasional Harmonica player BOB YOUNG who co-wrote "Spinning Wheel Blues",  "Shy Fly", "(April) Spring, Summer And Wednesdays" and "Need Your Love" with Rossi while Lancaster trumped up two in the shape of "Daughter" and "Is It Really Me/Gotta Go Home". Parfitt co-wrote "Everything" and "Lakky Lady" with Rossi.

An often overlooked part of the mighty Quo's career and yet an album held in real affection by true fans. A wolf in sheep's clothing indeed and the beginning of a classic LP run with those 'From The Makers Of' logos on the back on each album sleeve. Ah them was the days...

"Geordie Boy: The Anthology" by ALAN PRICE (2002 Sanctuary/Castle Music 2CD Reissue - SIMON MURPHY Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Just For You..." 

This 46-song comprehensive overhaul of ex Animals front man ALAN PRICE brings together a huge swath of his largely forgotten catalogue stretching from early 45s on Decca in August 1965 (as Alan Price Set) - through his singer-songwriter Seventies output on CBS, Warner Brothers, Polydor and Jet Records to finally rest at the CD "A Gigster's Life For Me" on Indigo Records in 1995.

And since its original release in late 2002 (reissued in 2008) – the jam-packed "Geordie Boy: The Anthology" has been deleted and become very pricey ever since. Ex Record Collector writer and musicologist Peter Doggett (who wrote the liner notes) thinks that Price’s output is just as important as his more famous Newcastle compatriot Eric Burdon and his solo stuff - I'm not sure if the aural evidence here confirms that but there's plenty to uphold his enthusiasm. Here are the details for Fatfield's finest (Fatfield, Co Durham that is)...

UK released October 2002 (reissued February 2008) - "Geordie Boy: The Anthology" by ALAN PRICE on Sanctuary/Castle Music CMEDD 384 (Barcode 5050159138425) is a 46-track 2CD Remastered compilation that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (78:45 minutes):

1. Any Day Now (My Wild, Beautiful Bird) - August 1965 UK 7" single on Decca F 12217, A (as Alan Price Set)

2. I Put A Spell On You - March 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F 12367, A (as Alan Price Set)

3. Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo - July 1966 DUTCH 7" single in a Picture Sleeve on Decca F 12442, A (as Alan Price Set)

4. Take Me Home - July 1966 DUTCH 7" single in a Picture Sleeve on Decca F 12442, B (as Alan Price Set, written by AP)

5. Getting Mighty Crowded - on his 1966 UK Debut LP "The Price To Pay" on Decca LK 4839 (Mono only)

6. Simon Smith And His Amazing Dancing Bear - February 1967 UK 7" single on Decca F 12570, A

7. Tickle Me - February 1967 UK 7" single on Decca F 12570, AA (double A-side)

8. The House That Jack Built - July 1967 UK 7" single on Decca F 12641, A

9. So Long Dad - on his 1966 UK Debut LP "The Price To Pay" on Decca LK 4839 (Mono only)

10. To Ramona - on his 1966 UK Debut LP "The Price To Pay" on Decca LK 4839 (Mono only)

11. Shame - November 1967 UK 7" single on Decca F 12691, A

12. Don't Stop The Carnival - January 1968 UK 7" single on Decca 12731, A

13. Love Story - July 1968 UK 7" single on Decca 12808, A

14. The Trimdon Grange Explosion - June 1969 UK 7" single on Deram DM 263, A

15. Sunshine And Rain (The Name Of the Game) - May 1970 UK 7" single on Decca F 13017, A

16. Rosetta - March 1971 UK 7" single on CBS Records S 7108, A - and on the 1971 UK LP "Fame & Price Together" on CBS Records S 64392 [with Georgie Fame]

17. Yellow Man - on the 1971 UK LP "Fame & Price Together" on CBS Records S 64392 [with Georgie Fame]

18. That's How Strong My Love Is - on the 1971 UK LP "Fame & Price Together" on CBS Records S 64392 [with Georgie Fame]

19. O Lucky Man! - September 1973 UK 7" single on Warner Brothers K 16266, A - and on the 1973 UK LP "O! Lucky Man! on Warner Brothers K 46227

20. Poor People - November 1973 UK 7" single on Warner Brothers K 16293, A - and on the 1973 UK LP "O! Lucky Man! on Warner Brothers K 46227

21. Jarrow Song - March 1974 UK 7" single on Warner Brothers K 16372, A - and on the June 1974 UK LP "Between Today And Yesterday" on Warner Brothers K 56032

22. Between Today And Yesterday - on the June 1974 UK LP "Between Today And Yesterday" on Warner Brothers K 56032

23. In Times Like These - August 1974 UK 7" single on Warner Brothers K 16452, A - and on the 1974 UK LP "Between Today And Yesterday" on Warner Brothers K 56032

24. Papers - June 1975 UK 7" single on Polydor 2058 613, A - and on the April 1975 UK LP "Metropolitan Man" on Polydor 2442 133

25. The Drinker's Curse - on the April 1975 UK LP "Metropolitan Man" on Polydor 2442 133

Disc 2 (78:25 minutes):

1. Changes - on the December 1975 UK LP "Performing Price" on Polydor 2683 062

2. Goodnight Irene - January 1976 UK 7" single on Polydor 2058 682, A

3. Kiss The Night - October 1976 UK 7" single on Polydor 2058 806, A

4. Glass Mountain - on the October 1976 UK LP "Shouts Across The Street" on Polydor 2383 410

5. I Know When I've Had Enough - on the October 1976 UK LP "Shouts Across The Street" on Polydor 2383 410

6. Shouts Across The Street - on the October 1976 UK LP "Shouts Across The Street" on Polydor 2383 410

7. I've Been Hurt - November 1977 UK 7" single On Jet Records UP 36315, A - and on the January 1977 UK LP "Alan Price" on Jet/United Artists UAS 30133

8. Just For You - April 1978 UK 7" single on Jet Records UP 36358, A - and on the January 1977 UK LP "Alan Price" on Jet/United Artists UAS 30133

9. I'm A Gambler - on the January 1977 UK LP "Alan Price" on Jet/United Artists UAS 30133

10. England, My England - May 1979 UK 7" single on Jet Records JET 143, A - and on the 1978 UK LP "England, My England" on Jet Records DLP 207

11. Baby Of Mine - February 1979 UK 7" single on Jet Records JET 135, A - and on the 1978 UK LP "England, My England" on Jet Records DLP 207

12. Those Tender Lips - on the 1978 UK LP "England, My England" on Jet Records DLP 207

13. The House Of The Rising Sun - April 1980 UK 7" single on Jet Records JET 177, A - and on the 1980 UK LP "Rising Sun" on Jet Records JET LP 227

14. I'm Coming Back - on the 1980 UK LP "Rising Sun" on Jet Records JET LP 227

15. Perfect Lady - on the 1980 UK LP "Rising Sun" on Jet Records JET LP 227

16. Over And Over - on the 1980 UK LP "A Rock 'n' Roll Night At The Royal Court Theatre" on Key Records KEY 1

17. Don't Slam That Door - on the 1986 UK LP "Travellin' Man" on Trojan Records APB 101

18. 50 Pence - on the 1986 UK LP "Travellin' Man" on Trojan Records APB 101

19. People Are Talking - on the 1986 UK LP "Travellin' Man" on Trojan Records APB 101

20. Boom Boom - on the 1995 UK CD album "A Gigster's Life For Me" on Indigo IGOCD 2048

21. Some Change - on the 1995 UK CD album "A Gigster's Life For Me" on Indigo IGOCD 2048

At the time of release I remember thinking how good the Sanctuary compiled CD sets were - and if you want proof of that - the 8-square-per-side foldout insert is a minor work of presentation art. Quite apart from Peter Doggett's superb liner-notes assessment of Price's up-and-down career (someone Doggett feels has been unfairly overlooked) - each and every square on both sides of the foldout page is festooned with pictured memorabilia from the varying periods of his long career - 7" single labels from Decca and Deram - 60ts and 70ts press clippings, reviews and trade adverts and of course all those album sleeves. There are even foreign picture sleeves of "Rosetta" (with his pal Georgie Fame), snaps with Brenda Lee, Lulu and Brian Poole as well as a repro of the rare "A Price On His Head" Decca LP from 1967 that you never see. Compiled by ROGER DOPSON for Castle Music and 'Sound Restored' by SIMON MURPHY at SRT Studios in St. Ives - the whole set reeks of class and has wickedly good audio too (given the myriad sources). Let's get the music...

The opening 7" single is awful pap and to add insult to injury - the audio sounds like some poor Reggae 45 recorded in a bucket. Things improve immeasurably with the very-Animals cover of the Screaming Jay Hawkins classic "I Put A Spell On You" - Price digging into great material as that lone organ whines in the background. I can't be certain but I'd swear the chipper Dutch single "Hi Lili, Hi Lo" and its non-album Alan Price penned flipside "Take Me Home" are both in Stereo (the flip could easily be a Mod dancer). Next up Price has a go at Betty Evertt's "Getting Mighty Crowded" - a wickedly good talcum-powder dancer on Vee Jay Records 628 from late 1964 penned by a young Van McCoy (one of the jewels on here no doubt). Randy Newman's witty "Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear" has always been grit for the cool covers mill - and Price does a great job at capturing its vaudeville charms (a No. 4 chart hit in 1964). Even better is "Tickle Me" - another Newman track on this 1967 Double-A (is that Page on guitar?) and he returns to the American songsmith for "So Long Dad" on the debut LP. The lyrics and melody to his "The House That Jack Built" show why Price was so drawn to Newman songs - they share the same wit and cleverness with a melody and set of words (another No. 4 chart hit).

With "To Ramona" Price's inner singer-songwriter is truly awakened - as I'm sure Bob Dylan songs did for so many. With just him and the piano - it's a sweet and well-chosen performance. His own bopper "Shame" is a stab at chart action while he's probably copying Nilsson a little too much in his piano and vocal phrasing for Randy Newman's acidic "Love Story" - or is it the other way around. "The Trimdon Grange Explosion" represented a new start with the weird and wonderful Deram label - the song laden with banks of brass, strings and organ all competing for your ears (the Remaster sounds great). We reach a genuine hit with "Rosetta" in the early Seventies - a successful pairing on single and LP with his pal Georgie Fame. The pair go after Randy Newman again with Newman's typically clever take on just how ripped-off Indian culture was and still is in "Yellow Man". A change to Warner Brothers brought on a renaissance - especially in his LPs. "O Lucky Man!" sounds great while "Poor People" again reflects his likely-lad upbringing - thoughts on the plights of the hard-pressed 'working man' who has to smile while he's 'making it'. An unlikely hit - "Jarrow Song" put his tale of Geordie McIntyre into the charts - the 4:36 minute edit peaking at an impressive No. 6 in May 1974 (in fact I remember Pans People doing a dance routine to the historical song on Top Of The Pops). A sophistication crept into his work on the beautifully orchestrated "Between Today And Yesterday" where Price sounded like really good Gilbert O'Sullivan on Mam.

Disc 2 opens with the lovely self-penned "Change" recorded live for the "Performing Price" LP that bookended a good year for AP – 1975. He sounds almost gaunt on the Leadbelly classic "Goodnight Irene" and "Glass Mountain" has both wicked keyboard moments and production values. His own "Shouts Across The Street" is so Randy Newman as to be embarrassing but its also a cool little 'trick-or-treat' song with smart lyrics. The utterly delightful "Just For You" saw him back in the British charts for a brief brush with a No. 46 placing (I recall Jet Records put it on a heart-shaped picture disc - yikes). "I'm A Gambler" is a guitar-bopper where our hero keeps on taking too many chances - a gentleman of fortune laying it on the line a little too much. "England, My England" and "Baby Of Mine" show his fast vs. ballad combo to great effect (and lovely production too). Of the later material I'm partial to the old-time barroom slobber of "Don't Slam The Door" while his cover of Hooker's "Boom Boom' returns to his first love - American Rhythm 'n' Blues.

"Geordie Boy..." is not all genius by any stretch of the imagination but the compilers are right to be proud of their 'anthology' which seems to have changed artwork during its run too both front and rear (see my photos of the original below). Huge playing times on both CDs - great annotation and audio - fans needs to own this... 

"Fleetwood Mac" by FLEETWOOD MAC (2004 Reprise 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Seasons Of My Life..."

LP titles like "Kiln House", "Heroes Are Hard To Find" and "Bare Trees" aren’t exactly household names - unlike the mega-group Fleetwood Mac.

With Peter Green's departure in 1969 for a solo career from the early Bluesy incarnation of the British Super Group – 1970 to 1974 proved a lean time for the Mac. But when American songwriters/lovers Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined forces with Brits Christine McVie, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood – magic was in the air. Their 1975 self-titled album "Fleetwood Mac" introduced a smoother more radio-friendly sound and a new beginning and by 1977's "Rumours" would make them one of the biggest bands on the planet. Here are the landslides...

UK released March 2004 – "Fleetwood Mac" by FLEETWOOD MAC on Reprise 8122-73881-2 (Barcode 081227388126) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster that comes with Five Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (62:25 minutes):

1. Monday Morning

2. Warm Ways

3. Blue Letter

4. Rhiannon

5. Over My Head

6. Crystal

7. Say You Love Me [Side 2]

8. Landslide

9. World Turning

10. Sugar Daddy

11. I'm So Afraid

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "Fleetwood Mac" – released August 1975 in the UK on Reprise K 54043 and in the USA on Reprise MS 2281. Produced by Fleetwood Mac and KEITH OLSEN.

BONUS MATERIAL:

12. Jam No. 2

13. Say You Love Me (Single Version)

14. Rhiannon (Will You Ever Win) (Single Version)

15. Over My Head (Single Version)

16. Blue Letter (Single Version)

Recorded across three months at Sound City Studios in California – Producer Keith Olsen had no fears about material with three songwriters in the band – Christine McVie, Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. In fact it was Olsen who was a principal mover for the mega-band when he played Mick Fleetwood a track from the "Buckingham-Nicks" debut album on Polydor in 1973 to demonstrate the studios great sound quality. Mick Fleetwood immediately heard that Lindsey guitar and then Stevie's haunting vocal phrasing and knew these guys were the 'fresh blood' his band needed.

The chunky 20-page booklet is a pleasingly fact-filled affair with loads of period photos of the new five-piece line-up (black and white and colour shots including outtakes from the cover shoot with the two men larking about in the doorway), the lyrics in the same type-face as the LP insert and a new set of liner notes by PARKE PUTERBAUGH and a beautiful Remaster from long-time tape engineers for Rhino and WEA - BILL INGLOT and DAN HERSCH. 

Reprise Records chose the gorgeous sexy groove of Christine McVie's "Over My Head" as their lead off 45 in September 1975 with Lindsey's "I'm So Afraid" on the B-side. It was a smart move – the remixed Reprise RPS-1339 (different to the album cut) hit Top 20 in the USA and suddenly old and new American fans were listening to Fleetwood Mac again (Lindsey's trademark guitar harmonics bolstering the song's impact). But it Stevie's mesmerising "Rhiannon (Will You Ever Win)" that really caught the public's ear – giving the band their first decent hit in February 1976 by making No. 11 on the Pop Charts (Christine McVie’s chipper "Sugar Daddy" was the flipside) and a song that stamped their new 'sound'.

The album was huge in the USA hitting the coveted No. 1 spot – but it would take until November 1976 for the LP to seize any real chart action in their own Blighty where it crawled up to No. 23 almost a year after its release. And that only happened after Reprise hammered the UK market with an unprecedented four new Mac singles – waking the public up to the quality of the new record - "Warm Ways" in October 1975 (Reprise K 14403), "Over My Head" in February 1976 (Reprise K 14413), "Rhiannon" in April 1976 (Reprise K 14430) and "Say You Love Me" in September 1976 (Reprise K 14447). It was the last "Say You Love Me" that finally cracked the UK charts - albeit a modest 7" hit at No. 44. 

Re-listening to it now and apart from the more famous singles - you’re taken by the album cuts too – the great Buckingham/Nicks duet vocals of "Crystal" – the opening bopper "Monday Morning" – the Acoustic Blues chug of the fantastic "World Turning" (similar to "Big Love") and best of all – the heart-breaking ballad "Landslide" – quite possibly Stevie Nicks' best song and surely one of her most beautiful melodies (why wasn't this chosen as a 45?).

"...Mirror in the sky...what is love...can the child within my heart rise above..." – Stevie sang longingly on the beautiful "Landslide". In 1977 that voice and journey would take the world by storm. Start your journey here...

PS: there's also an April 2012 180-Grams Remastered VINYL LP on Reprise 530137-1 (Barcode 093624952305)

"Three Man Army [aka "Mahesha"]/Three Man Army Two" by THREE MAN ARMY (2016 Beat Goes On 2LPs on 1CD - Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Space Is The Place..."

Sandwiched between late 60ts GUN on CBS Records, the early 70ts solo years of PARRISH and GURVITZ on Regal Zonophone and finally 1974's BAKER GURVITZ ARMY with GINGER BAKER on Vertigo is the completely overlooked interim group THREE MAN ARMY featuring the musical link between them all – the dynamic brother-duo of ADRIAN and PAUL CURTIS (or GURVITZ as they became known).

Three Man Army's rather good little debut album "A Third Of A Lifetime" from 1971 on B&C's short-lived offshoot label Pegasus Records has built up a serious rep amongst collectors – and was released in real style by England's Esoteric Recordings (part of Cherry Red) in July 2016 (see separate review).

Lovers of Classic Seventies Rock (especially hard-rocking bands like Montrose and Grand Funk Railroad) will be glad to see their following two platters on Reprise Records on CD again – the American issued "Three Man Army" [aka "Mahesha"] from 1973 and "Three Man Army Two" from 1974 - even if they aren't as immediate as the debut. Let's get to those big chunky chords...

UK released September 2016 (October 2016 in the USA) - "Three Man Army/Three Man Army Two” by THREE MAN ARMY on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1256 (Barcode 5017261212566) features 2 full albums Remastered onto 1CD with an added Bonus Track and plays out as follows (76:18 minutes):

1. My Yiddishe Mama

2. Hold On

3. Come On Down To Earth

4. Take Me Down From The Mountain

5. Woman

6. Mahesha [Side 2]

7. Take A Look At The Light

8. Can't Leave The Summer - Part I & II

9. The Trip

Tracks 1 to 9 are their second studio album "Three Man Army" - released October 1973 in the USA on Reprise MS 2150 (No UK Issue). It was issued in Germany in 1974 on Polydor 2310 241 as "Mahesha" with different artwork and has been reissued under that title on LP and CD since then.

10. Polecat Woman

11. Today

12. Flying

13. Space Is The Place

14. Irving [Side 2]

15. I Can't Make The Blind See

16. Burning Angel

17. In My Eyes

Tracks 10 to 17 are their third studio album "Three Man Army Two" - released June 1974 in the USA on Reprise MS 2182 and in the UK on Reprise K 54015.

BONUS TRACK:

18. Schoolgirl Queen - non-album track and the B-side to "Polecat Woman" in certain European territories (Portugal, Warner Brothers N-S-63-59). The 1973 UK 7" single of "Polecat Woman" on Reprise K 14292 had "Take Me Down From The Mountain" from the 1973 "Three Man Army" LP as its B-side.

THREE MAN ARMY was:

PAUL GURVITZ - Bass Guitar and Vocals - TONY NEWMAN - Drums and Good Vibes - ADRIAN GURVITZ - Lead Guitar, Organ and Vocals

The card slipcase adds a touch of class to the reissue (as it does to all BGO releases) - the 12-page booklet features new liner notes from noted writer NEIL DANIELS who gamely tries to defend what some have described as sub Led Zeppelin Hard Rock while ANDREW THOMPSON has remastered both albums into High Def from real tapes and they sound huge and very powerful. Obvious comparisons like the no-prisoners hard rocking Rock 'n' Roll of Grand Funk Railroad and Montrose jump to mind - even early Blue Oyster Cult and Kansas.

Even if he has Jewish roots - the guitar instrumental cover of "My Yiddishe Mama" fades in and goes out again without any real impact. But things improve big time with the hard-rocking "Hold On" and the Kansas melodic "Come On Down To Earth" where Gurvitz lets rip on a hundred guitars like he's Ted Nugent on acid (the Remaster is huge). "Take Me Down From The Mountain" provides a rare moment of Three Dog Night Funk-Rock with a clever piano chug while "Woman" sounds like TMA are trying to channel their inner FREE and just about pulling it off. Side 2's "Mahehsa" has a lot going on in it - but again feels tired and even plodding despite its best efforts. At least "Take A Look At The Light" features great guitar work and a half-decent 'bickering' set of lyrics and verse melody. "Can't Leave The Summer - Part I & II" have nice melodic touches too amidst the huge riffage...

"Polecat Woman" reeks of Led Zeppelin circa "Houses Of The Holy" - a sort of cross between "Immigrant Song" and "Over The HIlls And Far Away" - all rapid guitars and slightly distant production. I can hear why someone thought it a 7" single even with that Bonzo copycat drum solo. The power ballad "Space Is The Place" even features strings in its 'ripe' six minutes - coming on like an over-zealous ELO. "I Can't Make The Blind See" is afflicted with the same syrup strings - and even though it has one of the prettiest bluesy melodies on the album - it's ruined by the overdone production. "In My Eyes" has a clever riff even when the wall of band voices threaten to swamp everything.

Neither album is great and despite the playing and the occasional moments of Hard Rock brilliance - these will be an 'acquired taste'. But fans should not hesitate - the presentation and audio is first rate...