"Little Games" by YARDBIRDS [Jimmy Page, Jim McCarty, Keith Relf & Together] (1991 EMI CD Remasters - 18-Tracks in Stereo and Mono) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Puzzles In My Mind..."

The Yardbirds last official album "Little Games" US-released July 1967 on Epic Records in Mono and Stereo has delighted and bewildered fans of this extraordinary British band for decades. What could have been...should have been...etc.

The first official British vinyl release for "Little Games" came on EMI's budget label Fame as late as May 1985 (Cassette too) when they took the original 10 Stereo tracks and bumped up the track-count to 16 (catalogue number Fame 4131241). Then came this October 1991 official EMI CD with 18 tracks and there's been a subsequent expanding of that again in 2003 along with many Japanese repro issues along the way. For this review we'll concentrate on the 1991 reissue because I love the Audio on it...

UK released October 1991 - "Little Games" by THE YARDBIRDS on EMI CD EMS 1389/CDP 7 96064 2 (Barcode 0077779606429) is an 18-track British released CD compilation of Stereo and Mono Remasters that plays out as follows (51:50 minutes):

1. Little Games

2. Smile On Me [Mono]

3. White Summer

4. Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor [Mono]

5. Glimpses

6. Drinking Muddy Water [Side 2]

7. No Excess Baggage

8. Stealing Stealing

9. Only The Black Rose

10. Little Soldier Boy

Tracks 1 to 10 are their fourth and final studio album "Little Games" - released July 1967 in the USA on Epic LN 24313 (Mono) and Epic BN 26313 (Stereo) - the Stereo mix is used for this 1991 CD reissue except Tracks 2 and 4 which are in MONO. Produced by MICKIE MOST - the LP peaked at No. 80 on the US LP charts.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Goodnight Sweet Josephine (UK Version) - withdrawn UK 7" single from March 1968 on Columbia DB 8368, MONO A-side (Tony Hazzard song)

12. Puzzles - UK and US 7" single from April 1967 on Columbia DB 8165 (UK) and Epic 10156 (USA), MONO B-side of "Little Games"

13. Ha Ha Said The Clown - US 7" single from June 1967 on Epic 10204, MONO A-side

14. I Remember The Night - a STEREO album outtake unavailable until the May 1985 UK reissue of the "Little Games" LP on Fame 4131241

15. Ten Little Indians - US 7" single from October 1967 on Epic 10248, MONO-A-side

16. Think About It - withdrawn UK 7" single from March 1968 on Columbia DB 8368, MONO B-side to "Goodnight Sweet Josephine"

17. Goodnight Sweet Josephine (USA Version) - withdrawn US 7" single from March 1968 on Epic 10303, MONO A-side (Tony Hazzard song)

18. Together Now (by TOGETHER) - Previously Unreleased STEREO version of a Jim McCarty and Keith Relf song recorded Spring 1968

For the "Little Games" sessions and thereabouts – THE YARDBIRDS consisted of Jimmy Page (Guitar), Keith Relf (Vocals), Chris Dreja (Bass) and Jim McCarty (Drums).

Co-ordinated by TIM CHACKSFIELD (a name that's still gracing many prestigious reissues - Jethro Tull's "Stand Up: The Elevated Edition" from November 2016 is one - see review) - the 8-page booklet has decent informative liner notes from BRIAN HOGG and a photo of the "Ha Ha Said The Clown" advert as well as a colour photo of our young innovative heroes. But as was typical with these early CD reissues - EMI doesn't state who mastered what from what or where. 10-tracks of the 18 are in STEREO – eight of the ten-track LP (Tracks 2 and 4 are Mono) plus the outtake "I Remember The Night" and the unreleased TOGETHER song "Together Now" (Keith Relf and Jim McCarty). The remaining six are the MONO single mixes - "Goodnight Sweet Josephine" being represented twice - in its 'phased' and 'unphased' versions (the band was dissatisfied with the sound of the original phased take and had it withdrawn).

English songwriters and hit-makers Harold Spiro and Phil Wainman trumped up the saucy title track "Little Games" where you can hear that Rock guitar trying to take over the Pop-ness of the song throughout. Things go full-on Chess R&B with the wickedly good "Smile On Me" - and again that wild electric guitar making it a highlight. The long-fingers of Bert Jansch, Davey Graham and John Renbourn seep through the wonderful Acoustic jaunt that is "White Summer". This Jimmy Page penned instrumental would turn up in Led Zeppelin sessions and concerts and here it's given the ultimate hippy accolade of Indian Tabla and Oboe accompaniment - love this track. "Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor" again has innovative guitar sounds as Relf goes through the Doctor Baker and Shoemaker lyrics. But that’s soundly trumped by everyone’s fave Psych track – the brilliant 'aah aah aah' of "Glimpses". Using sampled sounds from train stations, children's playgrounds and wah-wah pedals on his guitars while Relf almost chants 'aah' throughout the song - you get a Psych groove that some have quite rightly compared to the early droning of Hawkwind. I absolutely love this track and I can remember Psych collectors being frustrated when I worked in Reckless Records as they came looking for a US Stereo original on Epic Records (no chance pal).

Side 2 opens up with another Chess knock-off - "Drinking Water Blues" - the piano plinking of future Rolling Stone stalwart Ian Stewart in the background as the Paul Butterfield type harmonica wails over Rocking Blues - another bloody good track. Future Zeppelite John Paul Jones plays Bass on the excellent dancer "No Excess Baggage". Mississippi Jug music pioneer Gus Cannon did the original of "Stealing Stealing" back in the previous century - here the English boys ham it up with washboard, kazoo and harmonica. Surely another fave for fans is the lovely acoustic "Only The Black Rose" - a Keith Relf original in the vein of a Donovan ballad. "...I long to find someone that reminds me of you..." Relf sings while Jimmy Page backwards the guitars as the song reaches its final stages. The drummer-boy rat-a-tat-tat of "Little Soldier Boy" is probably another attempt at a hit single but I hate it.

The singles have great punch in MONO - especially the pair of American A-sides "Ha Ha Said The Clown" and "Ten Little Indians". I've always thought 'Clown' was more dismissible pap and the countdown drumming mess that is "Ten Little Indians" isn't much better (too much melodrama). But I'm digging the vaudeville "I Remember The Night" outtake which sounds like a 1969 Kevin Ayers outtake where he camps up some fairground voice over a rollicking piano amble (apples and pairs). But I love the TOGETHER track - very nice and an indication of Renaissance to come. And it’s criminal that something as good as "Puzzles" didn’t make the album – relegated to a B-side when frankly it could have broken the band if it had been given a chance as the A (and dig that fabulous guitar solo). Hardly wonder its so sought after a Psych Freakbeat 7” single...

After The Yardbirds Keith Relf and Jim McCarty formed Renaissance - Relf would later join Medicine Head and Armageddon – McCarty went to Shoot and both were reunited in the process of forming Illusion when Relf was killed in a horrible accident at home in May 1976. Beck would of course blaze a trail with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood on the "Truth" and "Beck-Ola" LPs in the late Sixties then go Fusion for the Seventies - while out of the ashes of The New Yardbirds Jimmy Page would form some no-mark no-chance bunch of English hard rockers called Led Zeppelin (Led who says you).

When you think of it now in the winter of 2016 – it’s hard to imagine all that talent flying around in one group – but of course therein lay the seeds of destruction for The Yardbirds. The market demanded hit singles when they just wanted to innovate and takes things to the next level - which all eventually ended up doing thank God.

But it started here – bit Pop – bit Rock – bit witty – bit Psych in places and even at three and half stars out of five - much of it is a bit bloody brilliant frankly. The US would issue a 2-disc version of "Little Games" in 1992 and there have been other weightier reissues subsequently as I mentioned earlier – but I like the Audio on this British version.

Early CD reissues like this are to be cherished...

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"Stand Up: The Elevated Edition" by JETHRO TULL (November 2016 Parlophone/Chrysalis 2CD + 1DVD-Audio Book Pack Reissue - Steve Wilson Remixes) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Look Into The Sun..."

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR   

The Nov 2016 'Stand Up: The Elevated Edition' 2CD + 1DVD-Audio Reissue ***

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2016 'Stand Up: The Elevated Edition' 2CD + 1DVD-Audio VERSION ***

Let's be blunt about this - although "Stand Up: The Elevated Edition" is technically a better reissue of 2010's Chrysalis CHRX 1042 (2CDs and 1DVD in a fold-out hard card digipak) - I'm already thinking that this new November 2016 edition may well be 'Rock Reissue Of The Year' with a speeding bullet.

I was mightily impressed with the '40th Anniversary Adapted Edition' of Tull's 1971 opus "Aqualung" from April 2016 - but this new version of "Stand Up" is sensationally good - hammering the fan boy in us all on the three fronts that matter - sound - content and presentation.

You could argue that a British No. 1 album deserves such an elaborate display - but when you think about how 'ordinary' (if that's the word) some of the Panegyric reissues have been for YES (Steve Wilson Remixes also) especially on the presentation front - the no-stone-unturned 112-page booklet attached to the hard-back book is going to big-time impress even the most jaded of fans – the kind of visual and written feast you want to own and keep (that Bear Family feeling). There is a ton of detail to wade through so once more my bearded friends unto the Fat Man in Leicester Square...

UK released Friday, 18 November 2016 - "Stand Up: The Elevated Edition" by JETHRO TULL on Parlophone/Chrysalis 0190295932862 (Barcode 0190295932862) is a 2CD + 1DVD-Audio reissue housed in a Hardback Book Pack with a 112-page attached booklet. 

STEVE WILSON of Porcupine Tree fame (and an acknowledged solo career) has once again done the honours and sprinkled his knob-twiddling magic on the original 1969 Island Records LP – newly remixed here into both Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound. Disc 2 offers A Stockholm Concert from January 1969 and Includes Two Filmed Songs and other Rare Bonus Studio Tracks. It plays out as follows:

CD1 (71:40 minutes, 19 Tracks):
"Stand Up" The Album - A New Steve Wilson Stereo Remix
1. A New Day Yesterday
2. Jeffery Goes To Leicester Square
3. Bouree
4. Back To The Family
5. Look Into The Sun
6. Nothing Is Easy [Side 2]
7. Fat Man
8. We Used To Know
9. Reasons For Waiting
10. For A Thousand Mothers
Tracks 1 to 10 are their second studio album "Stand Up" - released 27 July 1969 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9013 and 29 September 1969 in the USA on Reprise Records RS 6360 (both Stereo only - reissued August 1973 on Chrysalis CHR 1042). All tracks written by Ian Anderson (Produced by Ian Anderson and Terry Ellis) - the vinyl LP peaked at No. 1 in the UK and No. 20 in the USA.

Associated Recordings - Steve Wilson Stereo Remixes
11. Living In The Past
12. Driving Song
13. Bouree (Morgan Version)
Previously Unreleased

Original 1969 Stereo Single Mixes
14. Living In The Past
15. Driving Song
July 1969 US Promo-only Stereo Single on Reprise 0845-S
Also released on a 1970 Japanese LP compilation "Golden Jethro Tull" on Reprise SWG-7183

BBC Sessions (Mono)
16. A New Day Yesterday
17. Fat Man
18. Nothing Is Easy
19. Bouree
Recorded in Mono on 16 June 1969 at Maida Vale Studio 4 for the BBC Radio 1 'Top Gear' programme - broadcast 22 June 1969

CD2 (71:22 minutes, 13 Tracks):
Live At The Stockholm Konserthuset - 9 January 1969 (Recorded in Mono by Sveriges Radio)

Second Show
1. Introduction
2. My Sunday Feeling
3. Martin's Tune
4. To Be Sad Is A Mad Way To Be
5. Back To The Family
6. Dharma For One
7. Nothing Is Easy
8. A Song For Jeffrey

First Show
9. To Be Sad Is A Mad Way To Be (Different Lyric)

Original 1969 Mono Single Mixes
10. Living In The Past
11. Driving Song
Released 24 April 1969 in the UK as a 7" single on Island WIP 6056 - peaked at No. 3

Radio Spots
12. Stand Up Radio Spot No. 1
13. Stand Up Radio Spot No. 2
Issued as US Promo 45 on Reprise PRO-353

DVD-AUDIO and VIDEO:
NTSC, Region 0 (Exempt from Classification), Aspect Ratio 16:9 (except film footage 4:3):
Contains the entire "Stand Up" LP with the three 'Associated Recordings' in THREE variants (running order as per Tracks 1 to 13 on CD1):
(i) Remixed to 96/24 LPCM Stereo (Tracks 1 to 13)
(ii) Remixed to DTS 5.1 Surround Sound (Tracks 14 to 26)
(iii) A 96/24 Flat Transfer of The Original 1969 Stereo Mix (Tracks 27 to 36)

(iv) A 96/24 Flat Transfer in MONO of the 1969 Single "Living In The Past" and "Driving Song" (Tracks 37 and 38)
(v) A 96/24 Flat Transfer in STEREO of the 1969 Single "Living In The Past" and "Driving Song" (Tracks 39 and 40)
(vi) Film footage recorded 9 January 1969 at The Stockholm Konserthuset of two songs - "To Be Sad Is A Mad Way To Be" and "Back To The Family" (Tracks 41 and 42)

Produced by TERRY ELLIS (of Chrysalis) and bandleader IAN ANDERSON – Research is by TIM CHACKSFIELD – the liner notes are by MARTIN WEBB and PHIL SMEE did the superlative Reissue artwork and layout. STEVE WILSON handled the Stereo Remixes and 5.1 Surround Version while CD master assembly and DVD authoring are by PHIL SHULMAN at Isonic. Before we get to the sound – let's talk about the packaging...

Unlike the laughable Pink Floyd 'Discovery' Editions of 2011 that left little to 'discover' in barely annotated 12-page booklets (piddly gatefold card sleeves - the 2016 Pink Floyd Records reissues are the same) - this new Elevated Edition of "Stand Up" is gorgeous stuff. The opening pages are an accurate replica of Jimmy Hashow's beautiful 'Pop-Up' sleeve – something that made the original 1969 Island Records vinyl feel so special (Reprise Records in the USA). Style-wise the whole book package is the same size as the "Aqualung" set and others so sits on your shelf neatly. To give you an idea of the attention to detail - Pages 80 to 89 feature a day-by-day 'Chronology' of the band - each page is filled with as much fan memorabilia as possible - the 25th April 1969 advert for the UK release of the "Living In The Past" single on Island WIP 6056 (went to No. 3) - the advert for the August 1969 gig in the Anaheim Convention Centre in LA as a support act to Atlantic's hot new signing Led Zeppelin.

Martin Webb's charting of the band from the underground Progressive Bluesy Rock darlings of 1968's "This Was" (their Island Records debut) through to the international stars they became with 1969's second platter "Stand Up" is chronicled from Page 6 onwards. It includes contributions from Ian Anderson, Martine Barre, Clive Bunker and archive quotes from the late Glenn Cornick. Every page is filled with black and white and colour photos - Page 16 has a trade advert for The Jimi Hendrix Experience in Copenhagen with Tull as the support act in January 1969 - just days after the Stockholm concert captured on CD2 - there are lyrics to all songs - sheet music - live snaps of Ian dancing like a loon with flute in hand and all that hair flowing underneath his wool hat - reproductions of NME articles from December 1969 as they turned on US listeners too.

There's even pages from Ian's diary showing that Monday 29 September 1969 is the day for the US issue of "Stand Up" on Reprise Records whilst they would play Belfast's Ulster Hall that same night. Pages 92 to 95 is a 'remembering' tribute to original band member GLENN CORNICK that even goes to the length of showing his Wild Turkey band and their brief Discography. The final pages are about New York Artist JAMES 'Jimmy' GRASHOW who designed the gorgeous and elaborate pop-up cover from woodprints based on the Trevi Fountain in Rome (he also did the colour artwork for the 'Live Yardbirds' sleeve on Epic) - and finally words with John Burns and Andy Johns - the Engineers responsible for the album's sound. Parlophone have even put the DVD-Audio into a separate flap so it doesn't scuff - meaning that only two CDs are clipped into the back leaf and therefore you don't get that scratching thing that can happen on multiple disc sets - smart and practical. The album CD sport the original ‘Pink’ Island label, the 2nd CD a master tape from Stockholm and the DVD-Audio a picture disc of the album artwork.

But the big news is of course the AUDIO – new Steven Wilson Stereo Remixes for the album and its associated singles as well as a 5.1 Surround Version - and to borrow from Jack Sparrow's drunken parlance - they ROCK. The first few seconds of "A New Day Yesterday" will probably come as a shock to listeners – huge riffage now unleashed. I was frankly worried about my B&W 652 floorstanders as this beast came marauder-like into my nice Feng Shui living room – grungy guitars and harmonica a go-go (where's the party pal). The bass and rattling treated guitar/flute combo of "Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square" is much clearer too - punching like Donald Trump on a blow-up Hilary Clinton doll. But then I'm properly taken aback by an instrumental that I've been listening to for over 47 years - "Bouree" - the clarity of the Bass and Flute on this transfer is utterly amazing (Wilson has outdone himself on this). I've always loved Ian Anderson's treated vocals that so cleverly works all through the mid-tempo "Back To The Family" - and when the band does come crashing in - you can really feel the nut-kick.

I think I genuinely fell in love with Tull and their unique sound when I first heard the brilliant "Look Into The Sun" - a stunning swirling song that works its Acoustic magic on your senses as it floats along on summer lyrics. The guitars and that gentle bass are so sweetly clear. The throaty "Nothing Is Easy" brings us back to rocking - a very JT rollick. The drums and guitar breaks are superb - that cymbal rattling your speakers with naughty intent. I must admit I might have shed a wee Proggy tear when "Fat Man" came on - wow! This thing sounds incredible - not too much to carry around with you (Take 4 was the master apparently). Deceptive is what you'd call the slouching "We Used To Know" - an acoustic strummer that now has that distant vocal centred and those flute interludes wonderfully full (great guitar solo too). The album's other hidden masterpiece is the brill "Reasons For Waiting" - a sight for my eyes indeed. The Audio here can only be called sublime - clear and fresh - not loud for the sake of it - just present and beautifully captured (check out those strings arrangements towards the end of the song). The album pounds to a finish with the angry "For A Thousand Mothers".

As if the album isn't enough - we're clobbered with three Previously Unreleased Stereo versions of "Living In The Past", "Driving Song" and a 'Morgan Studio Version' of "Bouree" - and each is brilliant in their own way. My fave here is "Bouree" which features an Anderson spoken intro followed by that Flute and Bass - very clear and at 4:18 minutes goes off in tangents that will thrill hardcore JT fans. The 'Stereo' versions of "Living In The Past" and "Driving Song" for the US Reprise label sound a tad lacking after Wilson's work on the Unreleased Versions. The four BBC Maida Vale recordings are interesting Top Gear fare but after so much Stereo glory feel like an Audio let down in thinny Mono. I would say that the "Fat Man" combo-rattle of Mandolin and Tambourine is always 'good fun' in any shape of size and there’s great guitar work on "Nothing Is Easy".

"...The equipment is not ours so we'll do our best..." bandleader Ian Anderson complains in the Introduction to the Stockholm concert but then proceeds into a brilliant version of "My Sunday Feeling" despite the audio compromise. Thing is the band's freshness and humour come through as they continue with the flute instrumental "Martin's Tune" – clearly still milking the "This Was" album (you can hear how confident they were and that they were getting better as a live unit). Martin Barre's guitar is a bit fuzzy but the Audio is way better than bootleg status and still pretty exciting stuff. The R&B of the lesser-heard "To Be Sad Is A Mad Way To Be" is fantastic stuff – rough and rocking with that huge bass sound anchoring everything. And on it goes to the inevitable drum solo of "Dharma For One". The Mono Single Mixes are cool additions but the bomb is the short but witty 'mind blower' Radio Spots where the first has some geezer talking like he’s Maxwell Smart the secret agent ratting out some Russians. The second Radio Spot has some laughably despondent DJ telling us that the new Reprise album is 'like Roland Kirk playing flute over Cream...whatever that means' Yikes!

Admittedly I haven't had time to wade through the massive amount of material (and duplication) on the 42-part DVD-Audio - but I'm certain that the 5.1 Surround Sound Remix alone will elicit a movement where it might be embarrassing at my age (naughty Ian).

Naught embarrassing about this reissue though – a genuine 2016 major label triumph. And hopefully Warner's Parlophone will give the much-loved "Living In The Past" double-album compilation from 1972 the same superb all-over treatment in 2017 (its 45th Anniversary). Bring it on you wonderful bearded man...

"Rock Workshop" by ROCK WORKSHOP [feat Alex Harvey, Alan Greed and Bob Downes] (2002 Angel Air 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Theme For Freedom..."

Lead Guitarist and principal songwriter RAY RUSSELL with the long forgotten band ROCK WORKSHOP had been gigging with Georgie Fame when he met ALEX HARVEY (later of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band) with his brother Lesley Harvey (lead guitarist with Stone The Crows) who were both playing in the musical "Hair".

Out of this came the collaborative free-basing band 'Rock Workshop' - a very Chicago/Blood Sweat & Tears first-album brass-driven 11-man fusion outfit (which a touch of Alexis Korner's C.C.S. thrown in) who managed two albums on CBS Records in 1970 and 1971. Both of these platters sank without a trace and have been very hard to find every since. Harvey would of course sign to Vertigo Records and start a run of highly successful albums and chart action (later LPs on Mooncrest). 

The band's second lead vocalist was ALAN GREED. Greed had been with Harsh Reality who had a lone Prog Rock album called "Heaven And Hell" released in 1969 on Philips SBL 7891. After Rock workshop failed - Greed went on to be with the band The Running Man who managed one self-titled LP on RCA's Progressive Rock Neon label (NE 11). The other notable in Rock Workshop was flutist BOB DOWNES - a Fusion heavyweight whose cult status amongst collectors and aficionados has long since been the very stuff of collectability.   

However - this 'Angel Air Records' CD Reissue and Remaster is not without its problems as other reviewers have noted - but I'd argue that it’s still worth checking out. Here are the wigged-out details...

UK released October 2002 - "Rock Workshop" by ROCK WORKSHOP on Angel Air SJPCD132 (Barcode 5055011701328) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster with Six Bonus Tracks that pans out as follows (71:16 minutes):

1. Ice Cold 

2. Wade In The Water 

3. Hole In Her Stocking 

4. He Looks At Me/Mooncross Groove 

5. Spine Cop 

6. Born In The City 

7. Theme For Freedom 

8. You To Lose 

BONUS TRACKS: 

9. Spine Cop (Alternate Version)

10. Hole In Her Stocking (Alternate Version)

11. Born In The City (Alternate Version)

12. You To Lose (Alternate Version)

13. Primrose Hill 

14. Return To The Goddess 

For some reason that's never explained - the original British LP's track list has been messed around with for this CD Reissue. Released June 1970 on CBS Records S 64075 (No US issue) - it should have been configured as follows: 

Side 1:

1. You To Lose (Ray Russell/R Cameron song) 

2. Wade In The Water (Ramsey Lewis cover - arranged Ray Russell)

3. Primrose Hill (Them For Jake) (Ray Russell/R Shepherd song)

4. Theme For Freedom (Ray Russell song)

Side 2: 

1. Spine (Ray Russell song)

2. Ice Cold (Ray Russell/R Shepherd song)

3. Hole In Her Stocking (Ray Russell/Alex Harvey song)

4. He Looks At Me (Ray Russell song)

5. Mooncross Grove (Ray Russell song)

ROCK WORKSHOP was:

ALEX HARVEY and ALAN GREED - Lead Vocals 

RAY RUSSELL - Lead Guitar 

BUD PARKES - Trumpet 

HARRY BECKETT - Trumpet/Flugelhorn

TONY ROBERTS - Tenor, Concert Flute and Alto Flute

BOB DOWNES - Tenor, Concert Flute and Alto Flute

DEREK WADSWORTH - Trombone

BRIAN MILLER - Keyboards 

DARYL RUNSWICK - Bass 

ALAN RUSHTON - Drums

ROBIN JONES - Drums or Congas/LA

All arrangements by Ray Russell - Electronic Music by Laurie Baker

But as you can see the CD's track list is rejiggered. The other problem is that the material is licensed from former band member Ray Russell (Remastered by Rik Walton) but it doesn't say what was used or how it was remastered. Harvey's vocals are distant in the mix while Russell's wild guitar playing is often amplified and to the fore. The Rich Wilson liner notes (June 2002) feature a good interview with founder member Ray Russell who laments the band's lack of gigs and promotion by the label (Harvey left after the first LP). There are blurry pictures of the eleven-strong group and the pages are done in the same 'shed' artwork of the album sleeve - but they're also sorely lacking. They don't mention the second LP "The Very Last Time" on CBS Records S 64394 nor show its gatefold sleeve - no catalogue numbers - no explanations of the Previously Unreleased Alternate Takes or even that "Primrose Hill" appeared on the 1971 double-album sampler "Rock Buster". It could have been a lot better. But I still dig the music...

The Side 1 opener "You To Lose" is a near seven-minute 3-parter (Overture, Breakout and Main Theme – Finale) that comes at you with a manic guitar solo first but then settles down into a great funky-rock groove that finally fizzles out with mad synth sounds (tasty). Their one-hundred miles an hour fuzzed-up guitar treatment of the Jazz Traditional "Wade In The Water" (famously associated with Ramsey Lewis) is the kind of freak-out Zappaphiles adore – Alex Harvey snarling like a loon as the brass tries to keep up with Russell letting rip on the axe. Alan Greed's vocals are a highlight on the brilliant "Primrose Hill" - a great song that deserved a better production. Other cool tracks include the seven-minute "Theme For Freedom" - a very Blood, Sweat & Tears affair with wilder guitar and horn playing (hell it even has a drum solo). The previously unreleased instrumental “Return To Goddess” will please fans of freak out guitar and brass...rave on boys...

Sure the Rock Workshop audio feels compromised and the presentation could have been better - but there's enough on here for punters to consider revisiting this forgotten wigout...give it a whirl... 

"Mona Bone Jakon" by CAT STEVENS - April 1970 UK LP on Island and August 1970 US LP on A&M Records - featuring Peter Gabriel as a Guest (2000 UK Universal/Island Remasters CD Reissue – Ted Jensen Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Won't Be Lonely For Long..."

After two pop albums with Deram ("Matthew And Son" and "New Masters" in March and December of 1967) and a two-year spell battling a bout of TB that nearly killed him - it was time for Steven Demetri Georgiou to become a proper singer-songwriter. CAT STEVENS signed to Chris Blackwell's mighty Island Records and the label's built-in policy of artistic-freedom saw the London lad with cat's eyes explode with creativity. And that flourishing sneaked in with April 1970's underrated and quietly forgotten "Mona Bone Jakon" LP.

Next port of call would be "Tea For A Tillerman" in November 1970 that would yield huge hits like "Wild World", "Hard Headed Woman", "Longer Boats" and the generation gap song "Father And Son" - the LP landing Cat Stevens in every bedsit up and down the country and around the globe. But it all with began with the rather solemn "Mona Bone Jakon" earlier in that mercurial year - 1970. Time to revisit the tearful dustbin on this gorgeous Remaster...

UK released August 2000 (May 2000 in the USA) - "Mona Bone Jakon" by CAT STEVENS on Universal/Island IMCD 267 / 546 883-2 (Barcode 731454688321) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 11-track 1970 LP and plays out as follows (35:13 minutes):

1. Lady D'Arbanville [Side 1]

2. Maybe You're Right

3. Pop Star

4. I Think I See The Light

5. Trouble

6. Mona Bone Jakon [Side 2]

7. I Wish, I Wish

8. Katmandu

9. Time

10. Fill My Eyes

11. Lilywhite

Tracks 1 to 11 are his 3rd studio album "Mona Bone Jakon" - released April 1970 in the UK on Island ILPS 9118 and August 1970 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4260. Produced by PAUL SAMWELL-SMITH (all songs by CS also) - it peaked at No.63 on UK LP charts in June 1970 (didn't chart USA).

Musicians

CAT STEVENS – Guitars and Keyboards and Lead Vocals

ALUN DAVIES – Additional Guitar

JOHN RYAN – Bass

HARVEY BURNS - Percussion

PETER GABRIEL - Flute on "Katmandu"

DEL NEWMAN - Arranged "Maybe You're Right", "Pop Star" and "Lilywhite" - all others arranged by Cat Stevens

The 12-page booklet reproduces the handwritten lyrics that were on a rare insert that came with original UK 'Pink Island' label vinyl LPs back in April 1970. Starting a long tradition that would continue throughout the whole of the Seventies - the front cover artwork is his own painting - the rear sleeve colour photo is on the last page. It's a damn shame that no-one thought to expand the booklet into even the most basic liner notes (a history) – or repro the rare UK picture sleeve to the 3-track Maxi-Single for "Lady D'Arbanville" on Island WIP 6086. That Maxi Single and its June 1970 release went Top Ten to No. 8 helping the LP to actually chart in the UK at the lowly placing of No. 63 ("Time" and "Fill My Eyes" were the B-sides). 

BILL LEVENSON supervised the reissue while TED JENSEN did the Remaster from original two-track analogue master tapes at Sterling Sound in New York in December 1999. This CD sounds gorgeous - all the instruments clear, strong and present in your speakers. As it's largely acoustic too - it rattles with beautiful clarity...

It opens with an obvious single - the lovely mid-paced "Lady D'Arbanville". Actually it's darker than its pleasant strum would initially suggest - the warmth of that acoustic soundstage countered with cheery lines like "...in your grave you lie...I'll always be with you...this rose will never die..." A hurting smoocher follows - this time Cat leading with piano on "Maybe You're Right". It’s a rather stunning little song that sounds like it could easily have been on "Tea For A Tillerman". With it's strings and deep melody - I can't help thinking it would have made a great follow up 45 - but Island let "Lady D'Arbanville" be the only 7" single lifted from the album. The rather acidic "Pop Star" whines just a little too much and just seems strangely out of place (a B-side) - but at least as he sings "...going to the cold bank..." the acoustics are crystal (a great transfer this). Side 1 ends with "I Think I See The Light" - a slight return to the Pop sound of the Deram days - and the beautiful "Trouble" - a song that exudes a tangible hurt (superb remastered sound).

Side 2 opens with the short and echoed title track "Mona Bone Jakon" where he sings 'jack-on' and tells us 'it won't be lonely for long' - whatever that means. A pencilled face with a closed-up mouth stares down at the lyrics for "I Wish, I Wish" in the booklet (his own sketch) - a strange hybrid sound that's somewhere between Deram and Island - and dig that fabulous Acoustic Guitar solo (Alun Davies I'd swear). The catgut strings of a Spanish acoustic guitar squeak throughout "Katmandu" where we hear the occasional Flute flourishes of Genesis' Peter Gabriel making a few bob before stardom on Charisma Records. It's a tad hissy this track but the audio is magnificent - Jensen has wisely let it breath. 

At 1:26 minutes "Time" is short but wow what a gorgeous little melody - him on acoustic with the occasional piano note nipping in and out like a jet (treated production). It segues into the equally pretty "Fill My Eyes" - a song with a sweet chorus. It finishes on another LP highlight - the ballad "Lilywhite" - Newman's arrangement of those big strings and cello notes elevating the song into something special - especially in that gorgeous fade-out passage.

"Mona Bone Jakon" isn't as special as the "Tea For The Tillerman" and "Teaser And The Firecat" LPs that would follow and make his name - instead it's a four-star effort 'getting' to those two stabs of genuine five-star greatness. But it has those moments and exudes the sort of acoustic melodies and song-sound that made Cat Stevens such a global musical phenomenon. Reacquaint yourself with this tunesmith's beginnings...especially with its fab new audio...