"Catch Bull At Four" by CAT STEVENS - September 1972 UK 6th Studio Album on Island Records (August 2000 UK Island 'Remasters' 1CD Reissue - Ted Jensen Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...I'll Tell You Everything I've Learned...

And Love...Is All He Said..."

Arriving onto a panting public in September 1972 - Steven Georgiou's sixth album (his fourth for Island Records UK, A&M Records USA) has always had something of a poor man's relationship to the two absolute joys that preceded it - "Tea For The Tillerman" (November 1970) and "Teaser And The Firecat" (September 1971). I can recall despite its huge-selling No. 2 and No. 1 status in the UK and USA, it wasn't critically well received and only a few years later - always the Cat Stevens album that got sold in first when cash got tight.

Well in 2019, "Catch Bull At Four" is a whopping 47 years old and I would argue that its one to return to for three good reasons - there are enough great songs to savour, the December 1999 audio transfer is absolutely gorgeous (eventually released globally in August 2000) and its still cheaper than a Nigel Farage milkshake. "Can't Keep It In" indeed - here are the bullish details...

UK released August 2000 - "Catch Bull At Four" by CAT STEVENS on Island IMCD 271/546 886-2 (Barcode 731454688628) is a straightforward transfer of the 1972 album Remastered onto CD and plays out as follows (39:40 minutes):

1. Sitting [Side 1]

2. The Boy With The Moon & Star On His Head

3. Angelsea

4. Silent Sunlight

5. Can't Keep It In

6. 18th Avenue (Kansas City Nightmare) [Side 2]

7. Freezing Steel

8. O' Caritas

9. Sweet Scarlet

10. Ruins

Tracks 1 to 10 are his sixth studio album "Catch Bull At Four" - released September 1972 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9206 and October 1972 in the USA on A&M Records SP 4365. Produced by PAUL SAMWELL-SMITH - it peaked at No. 2 in the UK and No. 1 on the US LP charts.

CAT STEVENS - Lead Vocals, Piano, Synthesiser, Diamond Organ, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar and Mandolin

ALUN DAVIES - Acoustic (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7) and Spanish Guitar (Track 4)

JEAN ROUSSEL - Organ and Piano

ALAN JAMES - Bass (Vocals on Track 3)

GERRY CONWAY - Drums

Guests:

Linda Lewis - Backing Vocals on "Angelsea"

Del Newman - Strings on "Silent Sunlight" and "18th Avenue (Kansas City Nightmare)"

Andreas Toumazis - Bouzouki on "O' Caritas"

As with all of these 'Island Remasters' CD issues, the 12-page booklet reproduces only the original LP artwork (the lyrics that were on the inner gatefold, the players pictured, Cat Stevens rear photo etc) with no new liner notes - which is a shame. The see-through spine has a cover artwork montage of the nine Island/A&M Records LPs issued between April 1970 through to January 1979 - "Mona Bona Jakon" to "Back To Earth" as well as two Greatest Hits sets (all now part of the 'Island Remasters' series of CDs).

But the big news here is the TED JENSEN Remaster from original two-track analogue master tapes done at Sterling Sound Studios in New York in December 1999. Jensen has managed to instil new life into these recordings – the acoustic led numbers like "Ruins" and particularly "The Boy With A Moon & Star On His Head" sound glorious – clean too – but not supressed – while band-led tunes like the synth-led "Angelsea", the pop single "Can’t Keep It In", the Side 2 opener "18^th Avenue (Kansas City Nightmare)" and the house of "Freezing Steel" electric guitar chugger are now bursting with revelatory audio.

For sure Side 2 is weak - "Sweet Scarlet" and "O' Caritas" still underwhelming and even odd – but the I’m on my way song "Sitting" and the album sleeper "Ruins" feels like rediscoveries waiting for you in the digital ether. But for me the album’s masterpiece has always been the moving and beautifully simple acoustic melody of "The Boy With A Moon & Star On His Head" – surely one of prettiest songs and those final lyrics always manage to floor me every time – I’ll tell you everything I’ve learned – and love is all he said – indeed.

Cat Stevens would give us the sophisticated but misunderstood "Foreigner" album in July 1973 that itself would go up to an impressive No. 3 in the USA and UK respectively (check out the stunning Side 1 Foreigner Suite collection of connecting songs). In the meantime check out the gift that someone left, the basket by the door, the man with the cool hat and nice smile on the rear cover urging you get a guiding wheel...(will do Cat)...

"Superfly: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" by CURTIS MAYFIELD (March 1997 US Rhino 'Deluxe 25th Anniversary Edition' Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Gotta Take The Pain Away..."

In the world of Sixties and Seventies Soul Music - some albums stand like giants from artists like Aretha, Marvin, Stevie, Isaac Hayes, Donny Hathaway – and of course - the second of three No. 1 albums for Chicago's Curtis Mayfield [ex The Impressions] – his soundtrack to the Blaxploitation movie "Superfly" issued in August 1972.

In 1997, reissue connoisseurs Rhino of the USA afforded the famous pusherman LP a 2CD "Superfly: Deluxe 25th Anniversary Edition" outing complete with a whole disc of Previously Unreleased material and brand new Remasters by long-standing Audio Engineer Dan Hersch. It’s even sporting the die-cut artwork of the American LP originally on Mayfield's own Curtom Records (very tasty). Let's get to Freddie and Eddie before the Feds do...

US released March 1997 - "Superfly: Deluxe 25th Anniversary Edition" by CURTIS MAYFIELD on Rhino/Curtom R2 72836 (Barcode 081227283629) is a 2CD Remaster that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (43:39 minutes):

1. Little Child Running Wild [Side 1]

2. Pusherman

3. Freddie's Dead

4. Junkie Chase (Instrumental)

5. Give Me Your Love (Love Song) [Side 2]

6. Eddie You Should Know Better

7. Nothing On Me (Cocaine Song)

8. Think (Instrumental)

9. Superfly

Tracks 1 to 9 are his third Studio album "Superfly: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" – released August 1972 in the USA on Curtom CRS-8014-ST (in a Die-Cut Gatefold Sleeve) and March 1973 in the UK on Buddah 2318 065 (in a Single Non Die-Cut Sleeve).

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Freddie's Dead (Theme From "Superfly") (Single Mix)

July 1972 US 7" single on Curtom CR 1975, A-side ("Underground" from the October 1971 "Roots" LP is the B-side)

11. Superfly (Single Mix)

October 1972 US 7" single on Curtom 1975, A-side ("Love To Keep You In My Mind" from the October 1971 "Roots" LP is the B-side)

Disc 2 (41:43 minutes): ALL PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

1. Ghetto Child (Demo Of "Little Child Runnin' Wild")

2. Pusherman (Alternate Mix with Horns)

3. Freddie's Dead (Instrumental Version from the film score)

4. Junkie Chase (Instrumental) (Full-Length Version)

5. Nothing On Me (Cocaine Song) (Instrumental Version from the film score)

6. Militant March (from the film score – Previously Unreleased)

7. Eddie You Should Know Better (Instrumental Version)

8. Radio Spot No. 1

9. The Underground "Superfly-esque Demo" from 1970 PU in USA)

10. Check Out Your Mind (Instrumental Version – Studio Jam)

11. Radio Spot No. 2

12. Curtis Mayfield (On "Superfly" Film & Songwriting) – from an interview with Rhino's David Dorn recorded fall 1995

The 24-page oversized booklet has liner notes by A. SCOTT GALLOWAY complete with loads of period photos and memorabilia (fab looking stuff) – even going as far as making the outer flap a die-cut like the original 1972 Soundtrack LP in the USA. But for me the big news is New Remasters by DAN HERSCH and the fabulous outtakes haul on Disc 2. Hersch is an Audio Engineer of long-standing who has handled huge swathes of the Atlantic/Atco Remasters Series for Rhino along with his partner in crime BILL INGLOT. This thing sounds fantastic – and Rhino has had their Remaster piggybacked upon by other reissue labels ever since. To the music...

You might think that some dodgy junkie movie from 1972 might not stand up musically in 2019 – but only one minute into the brilliant "Little Child Runnin' Wild" and you’re feeling Mayfield's lethal combo of a cool Soul music with genuinely keeping-it-real lyrics. As the strings fade out, words like "...gotta Jones...runnin' through my bones...guess its time to take another trip...don't care what nobody say...gotta take my pain away...all my life has been this way..." linger in your mind - you're feeling Freddie's ache and need and yes, despair. Next up is the full album version of "Pusherman" – the man in the alley – your friend – gotta need – he can supply the speed - his smug giggles throughout. It's another superb groove and not surprising that the song has featured in so many movies.

The album cut of "Freddie's Dead" is 5:20 minutes long, but the edited single mix at 3:20 minutes was so damn cool, it raced up to a No. 2 position on the US R&B singles chart (the song entered in August 1972 and stayed on chart for a whopping 16 weeks). The short 1:40 minute instrumental "Junkie Chase" ends Side 1 with wah-wah guitars and jagged Shaft-like Funk (slip it onto Baby Driver 2 anyone). Side 2 opens with the sexy "Give Me Your Love (Love Song)" and again that guitar groove with those strings is fantastic stuff - Curtis can't get mad at his lady (or is it something else he's alluding too). "Eddie You Should Know Better" is a wise-up brother song, tears and fears and personal cost. Spoken messages come fast and thick in "Nothing On Me (Cocaine Song)" - Curtis advising that a natural high is a better buzz than a chemically induced one - a high followed by a down you can't kick the next morning. The album slides towards its finish with a surprisingly pretty instrumental called "Think" followed by the titular full album version of "Superfly" at 4:58 minutes. Very cool – the title track is all sexy horn jabs and tight drumming as Curtis tells of friends who've suffered at the greedy hands of the Pusherman (like James Brown, they both saw what these hustlers were doing to black communities all over America). A single edit was released October 1972 and it peaked at an impressive No. 5 in the States - Ron O'Neil's leading role movie 45 even getting a titled picture sleeve.

Of the outakes I went straight for the 4:18 minute extension of the instrumental "Junkie Chase" - fab stuff - drums and funk way past the LP cut. The fifty seconds of "Militant March" is good but gone too soon - better is the superb "Check Out Your Mind" - 4:06 minutes of instrumental Shaft-type funkiness. The two Radio Spots have Curtis rhyming lyrics to a backdrop of the signature music asking punters to check out Freddie and his woes. I also like the demo of "Underground" - treated guitars and growled lyrics.

I've been playing this Soul Soundtrack album for near five decades now - my battered Buddah Records UK LP covered in too many scratches and party detritus. Well, this fabulous 2CD celebration has only served to remind me of why I return to Curtis and his music so much...a winner...

"Pure Prairie League/Bustin' Out/Two Lane Highway/Dance" by PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE (April 2019 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Compilation - 4LPs Newly Remastered onto 2CDs) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...All The Lonesome Cowboys..."

A Country-Rock phenomenon in the States (they charted nine albums there between 1975 and 1981 alone) – Cincinnati’s PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE has never really meant diddly in the UK. Even at the heights of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker Band, Ozark Mountain Daredevils and Eagles Country-Rock dominance in the mid-Seventies - I can recall PPL albums (on the ultra-hick RCA label) being reduced to pennies in secondhand racks for years.

But that might change with BGO's newest '4LPs onto 2CDs' reissue - a wonderful sounding transfer of their first two, fourth and fifth albums from 1972, 1975 and 1976 reissued by England's friend to Country and Country Rock music - Beat Goes On Records (the third album missing here is "If The Shoe Fits" from February 1976 USA and March 1976 UK). There is a lot to pedal steel through, so lets don our embroidered shirts all you lonesome cowboys, pick up our zip codes and get cuddly with our inner Kentucky Moonshine...

UK released 19 April 2019 (25 April 2019 in the USA) - "Pure Prairie League/Bustin' Out/Two Lane Highway/Dance" by PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE on Beat Goes On (BGO Records) BGOCD 1376 (Barcode 5017261213761) offers 4LPs Newly Remastered onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (68:15 minutes):

1. Tears [Side 1]

2. Take It Before You Go

3. You're Between Me

4. Woman

5. Doc's Tune [Side 2]

6. Country Song

7. Harmony Song

8. It's All On Me

Tracks 1 to 8 are their debut album "Pure Prairie League" - released February 1972 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4650 and in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8453 (reissued October 1975 with same catalogue number) - didn't chart in either country. 

9. Jazzman [Side 1]

10. Angel No. 9

11. Leave My Heart Alone

12. Early Morning Riser

13. Falling In And Out Of Love [Side 2]

14. Amie

15. Boulder Skies

16. Angel

17. Call Me, Tell Me 

Tracks 9 to 17 are their second album "Bustin' Out" - originally released October 1972 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4769 and in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8417. After the belated success of the "Amie" single - the album was reissued February 1975 and charted with the same catalogue number on the US Rock LP charts (their first entry, peaked at No. 34). It was reissued May 1975 in the UK, also using its original British catalogue number of RCA Victor SF 8417.

Disc 2 (65:57 minutes):

1. Two Lane Highway [Side 1]

2. Kentucky Moonshine

3. Runner

4. Memories

5. Kansas City Southern

6. Harvest [Side 2]

7. Sister's Keeper

8. Just Can't Believe It

9. Give Us A Rise

10. I'll Change Your Flat Tyre, Merle

11. Pickin' To Beat The Devil

Tracks 1 to 11 are their third album "Two Lane Highway" - released June 1975 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0933 and August 1975 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8445 - peaked at No. 24 in the USA, didn't chart UK.

12. Dance [Side 1]

13. In The Morning

14. All The Way

15. Livin' Each Day At A Time

16. Fade Away

17. Tornado Warning [Side 2]

18. Catfishin'

19. Help Yourself

20. San Antonio

21. All The Lonesome Cowboys

Tracks 12 to 21 are their fifth studio album "Dance" - released November 1976 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-1924 and January 1977 in the UK on RCA Victor PL 11924 - peaked at No. 99 in the USA (didn't chart UK). 

The outer card slipcase that is now standard for all BGO reissues lends the package a certain class (I always think) and the 20-page booklet features all original artwork between its pages with new liner notes by JOHN TOBLER that includes an interview conducted with the band's producer for the first two albums BON RINGE (and Editor of Omaha Rainbow magazine). The band's name is discussed (taken from an 1938 Errol Flynn film called "Dodge City" - it was a fictional Temperance Union group) as are the writing chops of the band’s principal tunesmith Craig Lee Fuller (interviewed also) and the guitar work of Mick Ronson who guested on the second LP "Bustin' Out". Guitarists George Powell and Larry Goshorn took over the songwriting reins for the second two platters on offer here (on Disc 2) with contributions from Bassist Mike Reilly.

It’s all impressively thorough and informative - but fans will want the real deal - superb new 2019 Remasters by BGO's longstanding Audio Engineer ANDREW THOMPSON. Even if the playing on the first two LPs in particular sounds a tad amateur at times - there's no getting away from how good this twofer sounds - songs like the gorgeous "You're Between Me" (their first US 45 in April 1972 on RCA Victor 48-1028) and the aforementioned Mick Ronson on "Angel No. 9" from the second platter (I’d swear that’s him on guitar as well as vocals and string arrangements – just not credited as such). You can clearly hear Country legend Chet Atkins guest on "Kentucky Moonshine" from "Two Lane Highway" (guitar solo) while other tunes feature Don Felder of Eagles (Mandolin) and Johnny Gimble (Fiddle). Backing vocals come from Emmylou Harris on "Just Can't Believe It" and Dianne Brooks of the 50ts girl group The Three Playmates on "Leave My Heart Alone". Clarence McDonald arranged horns on the "Dance" album and Hugh McCracken plays guitar on "Woman" from the 1972 debut.

The melody that broke PPL "Amie" is a typically lovely acoustic tune from Craig Fuller and along with tunes like "Harmony Song", "Tears" and "Call Me, Tell Me", it's easy to hear why so many reviewers of the day compared their style and sound to that LP selling juggernaut, the Eagles or even a Countrified version of Ventura Highway America. "Boulder Skies" is a bit Mickey Newbury while "Country Song" on the debut is seven and half minutes of Matthews Southern Comfort, Plainsong and Flying Burrito Brothers pedal steel vs. guitar (John Call is the player). At first it seems to overstay its lengthy welcome, but the clever changes and instrument battles keep it interesting. Not surprising either, that "Just Can't Believe It" and "Kentucky Moonshine" were paired as an A&B-side US 45 in September 1975. Disc 2 gives us other sweet peas like "Harvest", "Fade Away" and their Side 2 ender "All The Lonesome Cowboys".

For sure this kind of fiddle and pedal steel Country Rock will not be for everyone, but fans of melodies and good songwriting should dig in and long time followers of PPL and their cowboy-hat logo will love the great new audio and presentation. Nice one...

"Some Things Coming/Mobius Strip" by DELANEY BRAMLETT (April 2014 United Producers Records/UP Sounds CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Keep It Going..."

When Bonnie Lynn O'Farrell (from Acton in Illinois) met and married Delaney Bramlett from Pontotoc Count in Missouri in 1967 – the two Americans thereafter became professionally known as DELANEY and BONNIE. Separating in late 1972 - both pursued solo careers that are still going to this day – friends or no.

The first digital reissue of Delaney's solo efforts came in October 2007 on Acadia ACAM 8171 (Barcode 0805772817128) offering '2 Original LPs On 1CD' and played at 70:12 minutes. I had that crappy looking CD combo for years just to have the music – but as I recall it had a gatefold slip of paper for an inlay and worse – muffled sound from an unnamed mastering engineer.

Fast forward to here (April 2014) and at last we get a decent upgrade. When I compare the audio on both – there is a definite improvement in this Roger Lomas 2014 Remaster for United Producers Records (trading as UP Sounds) – licensed from Sony Products. Its brighter, clearer and has real punch where the songs need it – something the Acadia issue seriously lacked. Here are the righteous details...

UK released 28 April 2014 – "Some Things Coming/Mobius Strip" by DELANEY BRAMLETT on United Producers Records/UP Sounds UPRS 011 CD (Barcode 5060384950112) offers 'Two Original Albums On One CD' Remastered and plays out as follows (68:56 minutes):

1. Over And Over [Side 1]

2. Thank God

3. Please Accept My Love

4. Keep It Going

5. Some Things Coming (Heartbeat)

6. Down By The Riverside [Side 2]

7. Sit Right Down

8. I'm Not Your Lover, I'm Your Lovee

9. Try A Little Harder

Tracks 1 to 9 are his debut solo LP “Some Things Coming” – released November 1972 in the USA on Columbia Records KC 31613 and in the Netherlands on CBS Records S 65131. Produced by Delaney Bramlett

DELANEY BRAMLETT – Lead Vocals and Guitars

TED HEDING – Organ

JOE DAVIS, JIM GORDON and JERRY JUMANVILLE – Saxophones

DARREL LEONARD and LARRY SAVOIE – Brass

ROBERT WILSON – Bass

RON GRAYSON – Drums

MILT HOLLAND – Percussion

CLYDIE KING, VENETTA FIELDS, GLORIA JONES and SHIRLEY MATTHEWS – Backing Vocals and Choir

GEORGE BOHANON – String Arrangements

10. Are You A Beatle Or A Rolling Stone? [Side 1]

11. What Am I Doin’ (In A Place Like This)

12. A Young Girl (In Her Garden)

13. Big Ol’ Piece Of Blues

14. Circles

15. When A Man Is In Need Of A Woman [Side 2]

16. I’m A M-A-N

17. B.B.’s Blues

18. A Little Bit Of You In Me

19. California Rain

Tracks 10 to 19 are the album “Mobius Strip” – released September 1973 in the USA on Columbia KC 32420 and in the Netherlands on CBS Records S 65760.

DELANEY BRAMLETT – Lead Vocals, Guitars and Percussion

JOHN USSERY and ART MUNSON - Guitars

RED RHODES of Bamboo and Mike Nesmith’s International Band – Pedal Steel Guitar

TED HEDING – Organ

CRAIG PORTMAN – Synthesiser

JOE DAVIS, JIM GORDON and JERRY JUMANVILLE – Saxophones [Jim Gordon also plays Bagpipes]

DARREL LEONARD and LARRY SAVOIE – Brass

ROBERT WILSON – Bass

RON GRAYSON – Drums

KING ERICKSON – Congas

CLYDIE KING, VENETTA FIELDS, GLORIA JONES and SHIRLEY MATTHEWS – Backing Vocals and Choir

GEORGE BOHANON – String Arrangements

The 8-page inlay has liner notes from BOB FISHER which pictures the front and rear of the original sleeves, provides musician credits and gives an overview of Bramlett’s career before (with The Shindigs) and after meeting Bonnie and Friends (Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Bobby Whitlock etc). Neither of these Columbia Records albums received a British pressing – all copies being Dutch and imported into the UK in small numbers. They weren’t great sellers either (I used to see them prop up secondhand stores all the time) in their orange label CBS glory) – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t choice cuts to be had here.

Six cuts made the top and bottom of three US 45s – September 1972 saw "Over And Over" coupled with "I'm Not Your Lover, Just Your Lovee" on Columbia 4-45696 - "Good Vibrations" came next in July 1973 sporting "Are You A Beatle Or A Rolling Stone" on the B-side of Columbia 4-45897 - while "You Don't Know (How Glad I Am)" and "California Rain" became the final A&B pairing in October 1973 for Columbia 4-45950. None particularly troubled the charts but drummed up some interest in the albums.

I used to put the Funk-Rock "Keep It Going" on Funky Funky 70s Fest CD compilations in Reckless (brought customers to the counter enquiring after it) – a fabulous hard-hitting instrumental groove with guitars and brass punctured by the ladies singing "...Keep On Singing Your Song...Keep It Going..." every now and then. The album's title track is a bizarre hybrid of Dr. John and Eugene McDaniels voodoo rhythms with an Allman Brothers rock centre - the song literally going off on a geetar tangent half way through only to return to the hoodoo vibe.  "Sit Right Down" is another album highlight - treated National Steel guitar, shaking tambourines, the ladies getting Soulful as they sing "...gonna sit right down and talk about it..." - a fab groove as that Manassas Rock-Funk of his kicks in. Southern Soul organ opens the terribly titled "I'm Not Your Lover, I'm Your Lovee" - but don't let the iffy moniker fool you - its a tasty slice of Rock-Soul. The debut solo LP rocks to a 6:13 minute finish with "Try A Little Harder" where Clydie King (I think) is the duet-featured vocalist. The tune also allows the Horn Players to solo and stretch out the Funky Funky...

Album two "Mobius Strip" (still don’t know what that title means) opens with The Beatles vs. The Stones single where some infatuated lady hopes Rock Star Delaney is a bit of both. The acoustic guitar of "What Am I Doin' (In A Place Like This)" opens up a very Stephen Stills melody, once again filled with brass and Soulful rhythms. The first ballad is "A Young Girl (In Her Garden)" - a tale of an artist and his model trying to work out their dynamic - both tentative - both hoping to make love the rule and not be about money the fool. We go Piano Chugging Boogie for "Big Ol' Piece Of Blues" - a cool piece of Seventies Brass-driven Funk. And on it goes to the pretty acoustic strums of "California Rain" where the combo of Organ and Strum make it sound very Faces - a compliment I'm sure DB would relish any day of the week.

I don't know if either album is a masterpiece in 2019 - but this 2014 UP Sounds CD Remaster has made me think that maybe we all missed a trick back in the day by not loving these albums more (they deserve it now). A cool little reissue really of two that slipped past us and shouldn't have...