"Crusaders 1" by THE CRUSADERS – March 1972 US Double-Album on Blue Thumb Records and UK Single LP on Island/Blue Thumb Records – Featuring Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson, Wilton Felder, Nesbert "Stix" Hooper with guests Arthur Adams, Larry Carlton, David T. Walker and Chuck Rainey (August 2006 Universal/Verve/Blue Thumb 'Originals' CD Reissue – Bob Irwin and Jayme Pieruzzi Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Where You Want It..."

Dropping the Jazz in their name for only the second time since the Fifties and Sixties (the preceding US-only album "Pass The Plate" from May 1971 on Chisa Records showed the band as THE CRUSADERS for the first time on the front cover of the single-LP gatefold sleeve) - our Funky Heroes seemed somehow to sense that the Seventies would be their decade both nationally and internationally - and frankly funky frank – they were damn right.

Originally released March 1972 as a 2LP studio set - "Crusaders 1" by THE CRUSADERS featured the classic four-piece line-up of Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Wayne Henderson and "Stix" Hooper augmented by cool friends like Guitarists Arthur Adams, Larry Carlton and David T. Walker all sat on stools alongside Bassist Chuck Rainey - stunning session cats who would regularly feature on Steely Dan albums only a few years later absolutely because of their playing chops and zippy-licks genius. But a bit about this CD reissue first...

Still available in December 2019 as a quality Remaster for only a fiver to UK buyers - "Crusaders I" is part of Universal's ORIGINALS CD Reissue Series. A nice bonus (especially for UK buyers who are used to the 7-track single LP issued by Island Records in Blighty in 1972) is that this US-based CD goes with the American 14-track double-album configuration. So more bang for your buck for us - especially with stunners like their 11-minute cover of Carole King's gorgeous "So Far Away" not being on the British LP. British fans did eventually get the 2LP set but that wasn't until July 1976 when ABC Records of the UK reissued both "Crusaders 1" and the follow-up double "The 2nd Crusade" as double-albums. 

Digitally both "Crusaders 1" and their second double-album for Blue Thumb Records originally issued March 1973 as "The 2nd Crusade" hit the shops in August 2006 as CD Remasters ("The 2nd Crusade" is on Blue Thumb BTS 7000 - Barcode 602517040670). But unfortunately "The 2nd Crusade" CD has been deleted a good few years and subsequently crept up to a £25+ price tag (I'd argue the band was on fire during the 70ts, so acquire that sucker too if you can, cost or not). But let's get to One...

UK released August 2006 - "Crusaders 1" by THE CRUSADERS on Universal/Verve/Blue Thumb Originals BTS 6001 - 0602517040663 (Barcode 602517040663) is a CD Reissue and Remaster of the US 14-Track 1972 Double-Album and plays out as follows (77:41 minutes):  

1. That's How I Feel [Side 1]

2. So Far Away

3. Put It Where You Want It [Side 2]

4. Mystique Blues

5. Full Moon

6. Sweet Revival [Side 3]

7. Mud Hole

8. It's Just Gotta Be That Way

9. Georgia Cottonfield

10. A Shade Of Blues [Side 4]

11. Three Children

12. Mosadi (Woman)

Tracks 1 to 12 are "Crusaders 1" - released March 1972 in the USA on Blue Thumb BTS 6001 as a 12-Track Double-Album and as a Truncated 7-Track Single LP in the UK on Island/Blue Thumb ILPS 9218. The British LP consisted of CD Tracks 3, 1 and 10 making up Side 1 with Tracks 6, 7, 8 and 9 making up Side 2. 

The US 2LP set peaked at No. 29 on the American R'n'B album charts and No. 96 on the Rock charts. In July 1976, ABC Records finally issued "Crusaders 1" as a 2LP set on ABC Records ABCD 609 in the UK (they also issued in the same month the double-album of "The Second Crusade" on ABC Records ABCD 610). Produced by STEWART LEVINE - Tracks 1 and 11 written by Wilton Felder, Track 2 is a Carole King cover version, Tracks 3, 6, 9 and 10 written by Joe Sample with Tracks 4, 7, 8 and 12 written by Wayne Henderson.

THE CRUSADERS was:

JOE SAMPLE - Keyboards

WILTON FELDER - Tenor Saxophone and Electric Bass

WAYNE HENDERSON - Trombone

NESBERT "Stix" HOOPER - Drums and Percussion

Guests:

Arthur Adams, Larry Carlton and David T. Walker on Guitars with Chuck Rainey on Bass

The gatefold slip of paper that acts as an inlay just about mimics the minimal gatefold double-album of old (that black and white photo of the four boys on the inner and album credits) - but unfortunately naught else – no new assessments or liner notes. But at least the mastering by BOB IRWIN and JAYME PIERUZZI at Sundazed Studios in New York does the business - fab punch out of groovers like "Put It Where You Want It" and "That's How I Feel" - tunes that regularly represent this period on Best Ofs and Anthologies for The Crusaders. To the music...

As the wah-wah guitar combined with electric piano and thumping bass of "That's How I Feel" comes slinking across your speakers only to build into a Beatles "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" instrument-crescendo some five minutes later with Wilton and Wayne letting rip on Sax and Trombone – you release that the sexy cool of Jazz Funk has grabbed these Yanks by the musical cahonies. It's properly fab stuff and even a bit mad Mothers of Invention towards its final moments. But while the Side 1 opener was to get the juices going, the near 12-minutes of "So Far Away" is mellow mid-paced Jazz-Funk-Soul bliss to me. And it seems few in the Soul and Jazz world could resist the undeniably fab melodies on Carole's "Tapestry" album – the Isley Brothers including "It's Too Late" on their June 1972 T-Neck album "Brother, Brother, Brother" (see separate review). It's a little maddening though that we don't know who the guitar soloist is – Arthur or Larry or David – sounds like Arthur?

England's Island Records issued a 2:50 minute edit of "Put It Where You Want It" as a pre-LP 45 in January 1972 on Island/Blue Thumb WIP 6143 with an edit of Henderson's "Mosadi (Woman)" on the B-side. But the irresistibly catchy Joe Sample five-minute funk fest "Put It Where You Want It" that opened original copies of the British LP – soon incurred a slew of eager covers. None other than those smart Rock-Funk lads from Scotland - Average White Band – even added lyrics to their March 1973 UK 7" single on MCA Records MUS 1187. A US group called Southern Fried did a 45 version of it too on their rare Cream 1020 single, Nino and April on A&M Records, Hot Stuff on Bell Records as well...

I will admit that "Full Moon" is a bit more Jazz than Jazz-Funk for my liking and the faster-faster speed of "Sweet Revival" makes me want to reach for the skip button. But Wayne Henderson and his guitar buddies pull some wickedly great flicks and licks out of the fabulously funky "Mud Hole" – a six and half-minute neck jerker you can’t help thinking could have been a very tasty edited 45 too. Things mellow with "It's Just Got To Be That Way" - a Trombone smoocher that stays just about on the right side of Lounge Bar Central. Joe's piano opens the stomp that is "Georgia Cottonfield" and again some scratchy guitar playing adds a bottom end to the classy brass duo. The clavinet funk of "A Shade Of Blues", the Shaft wah-wah slick of "Three Children" and the settle down with a gin and tonic fizz of "Mosadi (Women)" end proceedings on a very impressive note (love that piano solo).

For sure I'm a declared Crusaders nut (Joe Sample's solo material too) - but here is a wee nugget that time has casually forgotten. And for under a fiver, the remastered "Crusaders 1" on CD can (and should be) yours...

"Piledriver" by STATUS QUO – Fifth Album from December 1972 on Vertigo Records (UK) and January 1973 on A&M Records (USA) – Featuring Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Alan Lancaster and John Coghlan with Guests Rob Young and Jimmy Horowitz (31 January 2005 Universal/Mercury Expanded Edition 'From The Makers Of' CD Reissue - Tim Turan Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...A Year..."

In March 1972, any self-respecting Rock-la-dyte like me had his gatefold copy of Rory Gallagher's "Live! In Europe" snuggled under his arm on the way into school (an LP known to have medicinal qualities like curing cider hangovers and late night kebab blindness). And come April and May of 1972 - "Machine Head", "Exile On Main St." and "Stephen Stills and Manassas" had replaced the Taste guitarist as the go-to pride of underarm-pit credentials.

Hell, with our gorgeous long hair and nit-spreading headbanger capabilities, in order to impress the lasses even more, some of us with a more sensitive and perhaps even girly disposition had their copy of Colin Blunstone's "Ennismore" to hand at all times. This could be craftily swapped with Sandy Denny's second solo LP "Sandy" or Nick Drake's "Pink Moon" or Lesley Duncan's "Earth Mother" or Cat Stevens' "Catch Bull At Four" or even (going all thoughtful like) with Randy Newman's "Sail Away". But by the time we hit the last three months of 1972 – the call of the lounge room tennis racket, Elfin paperback and one-consciousness cheesecloth shirt could no longer be denied - and we were back Rockin' and Progin' and doing the chanting Sri Chinmoy like a goodun to the likes of "Focus 3", "Close To The Edge", "Foxtrot", "Squawk" and "Caravanserai". Yeah baby...

Which brings us to December 1972. On the 8th of that Christmas month, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band released their debut album "Framed" on Vertigo 6360 081 with its Buff's Bar Blues and Midnight Moses - while Leonard and Marshall reminded us from whence all the Rock and Roll came - Chuck Berry and his "Golden Decade Volume 2" double-album set on Chess 6641 058. Amongst them was the no-nonsense "Piledriver" on Vertigo 6360 082 (the band had just signed to Vertigo) - delayed from the 8th until the 15th of December - Status Quo's genuine breakthrough Hard Rock moment...

The hairy foursome's album had also been preceded by an equally storming single in "Paper Plane" b/w "Softer Ride" in November 1972 on Vertigo 6059 071 (although non-album at the time of 45-release, "Softer Ride" would eventually emerge on the November 1973 "Hello" LP). With the combination of strong reaction from fans to its straight-up Blues Boogie feel, Vertigo Records promotion that allied the Quo with another popular British Heavy Metal band Black Sabbath and DJ-canny radio-play for what they knew was a catchy tune - both the 45 and LP rightly saw big chart action in January 1973 (No. 7 for the single and No. 5 for the LP on a 37-week run). 

So it was after years of touring, studio graft and ditching the Psychedelic 60ts sound for the Hard Rock of the new decade (begun on 1970's "Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon" on Pye Records) - at last Status Quo were on their way. They thereafter clocked up an astonishing 34 consecutive chart entries and a tribe of collectors known for their fanatical loyalty. And that's where this 2005 'From The Makers Of' CD Reissue and Remaster comes boogieing in...

UK released 31 January 2005 – "Piledriver" by STATUS QUO on Universal/Mercury 982 597-7 (Barcode 602498259771) is an Expanded Edition ‘From The Makers Of’ CD Reissue and Remaster with One Bonus Live Track that plays out as follows (44:26 minutes):

1. Don't Waste My Time [Side 1]

2. Oh Baby

3. A Year

4. Unspoken Words

5. Big Fat Mama [Side 2]

6. Paper Plane

7. All The Reasons

8. Roadhouse Blues

Tracks 1 to 8 are their fifth studio album "Piledriver" - released 15 December 1972 in the UK on Vertigo 6362 080 and January 1973 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4381.

BONUS TRACK:

9. Don't Waste My Time (Live) - Exclusive Track on the February 1974 UK-released compilation LP "Reading Festival '73" on GM Records GML 1008

STATUS QUO was:

FRANCIS ROSSI - Lead Guitar, 12-String and Acoustic Guitars and Lead Vocals

RICHARD PARFITT - 2nd Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Organ and Vocals

ALAN LANCASTER - Bass Guitar, 12-String Acoustic Guitar and Vocals

JOHN COUGHLAN - Drums and Percussion

Guests:

ROB YOUNG - Harmonica

JIMMY HOROWITZ - Additional Piano

The 14-page booklet is a surprisingly pretty affair, the original LP's gatefold artwork on the centre-pages, the lyrics to all eight of the album tracks, rare Japanese and two Euro picture sleeves for the "Paper Plane" single as well as customer-friendly liner notes from GARRY FIELDING. There are also live photos and the gorilla-holding-a-torpedo logo that adorned the rear cover. And the TIM TURAN Remaster is huge and punchy - he did the Nazareth catalogue and I loved the sound on those too. Might have been nice though to acknowledge Rob Young and his huge presence in the Quo universe by way of a photo. Young would of course become a future member of the heads down band and co-wrote “Don’t Waste My Time”, “Unspoken Words” and the hit “Paper Plane” with Francis Rossi.

As if to reflect the front cover's declaration of we're here to boogie - Side 1 opens with the crunching guitar-chug of "Don't Waste My Time" - itself compounded by one of my fave Quo gems - "Oh Baby" - a fabulous piece of riffage. There then follows two surprisingly sophisticated and pretty Quo tunes - the lovely "A Year" and the wistful strum of "Unspoken Words" - loving those almost Fleetwood Mac guitar fills and Bluesy solo as he sings "...hold your hand high..." 

Side 2 opens with a biggie for SQ nuts - "Big Fat Mama" – a first rate Rocker that encapsulates their sound – say you need me – say you need me - yes I do - Parfitt's piano fills as they riff onwards to the six-minute end. The single "Paper Plane" was actually never a fave of mine (we all make mistakes, please forgive me) - but it changed everything for Status Quo - a slice of simple guitar Rock - the band's playing tight as they give it a bit of three grand Deutsche car. Sappy as the Lancaster/Parfitt song "All The Reasons" is - I've always loved it - full of that great Quo combo of melody and guitar - hell even that solo is kinda cute. But its trashed by a fantastic 1-2-3-4 cover of The Doors winner "Roadhouse Blues" - a hunker-down Canned Heat type of boogie juggernaut from their 1970 "Morrison Hotel" LP. Its eight minutes of in and out rocking is immeasurably aided by great Harmonica wailing from Rob Young. And I love the way Morrison and Quo make the lyrics "I woke up this morning and I got myself a beer..." sound like the most coolly defiant thing in the world. "...This is a track on that "Piledriver" album..." Rossi announces to a clearly turned on Reading Festival audience on the bonus track – the band sounding exactly like the LP opener – unbelievably tight - the addition an actual bonus in both name and deed.

For sure there are those who in December 2019 (forty-seven years after their hair and sanity has long since disappeared) will say that this is good Classic Seventies Rock for sure - but it's also dated and a tad samey. And of course, in some ways, they'd be right. But man when the Quo was good, they were the piledriving best (and tis only a fiver). 

RIP Rick Parfitt and thanks for the glorious memories...

"Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings" by ARETHA FRANKLIN with JAMES CLEVELAND and THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOIR – The 14-Track Live Double Album of Gospel Music from June 1972 (USA) and September 1971 in the UK - Available As An Expanded Complete Recordings Version - Inside "The Atlantic Albums Collection" (November 2015 Rhino/Atlantic 16-Album/19CD Clamshell Box Set - Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...So Sweet The Sound..."

In 2019 there are a few ways to purchase hard copy CDs of Aretha Franklin's groundbreaking live Gospel double-album "Amazing Grace" (originally issued in June 1972 on Atlantic Records). Personally, I'd suggest going the long way round because the rewards are so much greater...

August 1993 saw a straightforward remaster onto 2CDs, then Rhino of the USA went the whole hog in May 1999 and issued "Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings" with 13 Bonus Tracks (27 altogether) in die-cut card digipak packaging. Further to this, November 2015 saw that extended 2CD version slipped quietly into the humungous 16-Album/19-CD Box Set "The Atlantic Albums Collection" (without really advertising it).

The 1999 version has been deleted years now and in some places, greedy sellers are asking over a hundred quid. Pretty packaging and liner notes aside, I say if you want the 1972 album (and more) – go for the motherlode – the box set – currently about forty-six pounds new in December 2019 and delivered to your door next day for Christmas. Talk about more bang for your buck, let me sales-rep you the box set for a moment...

Although it doesn't advertise it on the front of the box or indeed on the shrink-wrap description sticker for that matter - the albums contained within "The Atlantic Albums Collection" (released November 2015 in the UK on Rhino Records 081227951993 - Barcode 081227951993) are the Rhino/Atco CD Reissues released across the Nineties. Ably Remastered by Rhino's longstanding engineering duo of tape experts DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT - fans will know that some were 'Expanded Editions' - and deck the halls with holistic holly - Rhino has been smart enough in its digital dotage to include the whole dang lot - including "Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings" from 1999 and not the bare-bones 1993 issue.

The bounty on offer here is staggering – 336 tracks in total including 30 Bonuses across the fourteen Stereo albums Aretha released between 1967 and 1976, massively expanded versions of both Aretha Live At Fillmore West and Amazing Grace while the final two 2007 CD compilations offer up a further 14-track live set from 1972 (her vocals in blistering form) and 35 primo studio outtakes, rarities and single-sides from 1967 to 1976 in a stunning 2CD anthology. Amazing Grace, so sweet the sound - indeed.

Let's now get to that heavenly double...and how to unravel the convoluted presentation of it on "Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings"...

Disc 1, Thursday Night Show, 13 January 1972 (78:27 minutes):

1. Organ Introduction (Our Own Way) - KEN LUPPER

2. Opening Remarks - REV. JAMES CLEVELAND

3. On Our Way – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOIR

4. Aretha's Introduction - REV. JAMES CLEVELAND

5. Wholy Holy – ARETHA FRANKLIN

6. You'll Never Walk Alone – ARETHA FRANKLIN

7. What A Friend We Have In Jesus – ARETHA FRANKLIN

8. Precious Memories – ARETHA FRANKLIN with REV. JAMES CLEVELAND

9. How I Got Over – ARETHA FRANKLIN

10. (a) Precious Lord, Take My Hand (b) You've Got A Friend – ARETHA FRANKLIN

11. Climbing Higher Mountains – ARETHA FRANKLIN

12. Amazing Grace – ARETHA FRANKLIN

13. My Sweet Lord (Instrumental) – ARETHA FRANKLIN

13. Give Yourself To Jesus – ARETHA FRANKLIN

Disc 2, Friday Show, 14 January 1972, 14 January 1972 (78:11 minutes):

1. Organ Introduction (On Our Way)/Opening Remarks – KEN LUPPER & REV. JAMES CLEVELAND

2. On Our Way – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOIR

3. Aretha's Introduction – REV. JAMES CLEVELAND

4. What A Friend We Have In Jesus – ARETHA FRANKLIN

5. Wholy Holy – ARETHA FRANKLIN

6. Climbing Higher Mountains – ARETHA FRANKLIN

7. God Will Take Care Of You – ARETHA FRANKLIN

8. Old Landmark – ARETHA FRANKLIN

9. Mary, Don't You Weep – ARETHA FRANKLIN

10. Never Grow Old – ARETHA FRANKLIN

11. Remarks By Reverend C.L. FRANKLIN – C.L. FRANKLIN

12. Precious Memories – ARETHA FRANKLIN with REV. JAMES CLEVELAND

13. My Sweet Lord (Instrumental) – ARETHA FRANKLIN

The original 14-Track 2LP vinyl set credited to ARETHA FRANKLIN with JAMES CLEVELAND and THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOIR was issued June 1972 in the USA on Atlantic SD-2 906 and September 1972 in the UK on Atlantic K 60023 (peaked at No. 7 on the US LP charts) was pieced together from performances across both nights. But this reissue presents both shows as they were in strict unedited play-list order with no nod towards the original we’ve been used to all these decades. Here is the way to acquire the original playlist from the 27-tracks listed above:

Side 1: Use Track 9 on CD2, 10 on CD 1, 8 on CD2 and 14 on CD1

Side 2: Use Tracks 9, 7 and 12 on CD1

Side 3: Use Tracks 8 on CD1, 11 on CD1, 11 on CD2 and 7 on CD2

Side 4: Use Tracks 5 on CD1, 6 on CD1 and 10 on CD2

Credits:

As well as Lead Vocals where noted above, Aretha also plays piano on "Wholly Holy" and "Never Grow Old" and the Celeste on "What A Friend We Have In Jesus". Reverend James Cleveland plays piano throughout (except on "Wholly Holy" and "Never Grow Old") and has duet vocals with Aretha on "Precious Memories". CORNELL DUPREE plays Guitar, KEN LUPPER on Organ, CHUCK RAINEY on Bass, BERNARD PURDIE on Drums, PANCHO MORALES on Congas with THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOIR, Directed by Reverend James Cleveland with Assistance from Alexander Hamilton. Produced by JERRY WEXLER, ARIF MARDIN and ARETHA FRANKLIN. The front and rear of the MINI LP gatefold card sleeve are exactly the same as the original 1972 double-album – but the inner gatefold reflects the extended 27 tracks listing.

It is a little disconcerting to hear a different opening with casual (almost unaffected) chatting taking place in the background. But then that gorgeous soft organ playing comes floating in – setting the scene. Then the applause as Reverend Cleveland announces the first religious session for Aretha - urging the crowd to get involved and give into the spirit. He praises the band but as the Southern California Community Choir kicks into "On Our Way" with that organ pumped – the Audio is stupendous (glory be indeed) and you so get why Rhino wanted the whole thing out. Doing it live – he wants the small audience to sound like two thousand. But then – and again the audio wallops you – you get that piano intro to Marvin Gaye's gorgeous "Wholly Holy" – one of the highlights on his masterpiece "What's Going On" issued on Motown less than nine months prior to these 1972 recordings. Atlantic USA issued an edit of "Wholly Holy" as a 45 on Atlantic 2901 with "Give Yourself To Jesus" on the flipside – and even that made No. 41 on the US charts.

Inspiration is everywhere on this double-album. The doubling up of the Thomas Dorsey classic "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" with the inherent Soulfulness already in Carole King’s "Tapestry" gem "You've Got A Friend" feels so natural and right – a genius inclusion. Another contemporary nugget "My Sweet Lord" by Hari Krishna Beatles George Harrison is given an instrumental finisher. Trying to get home, the choir joins Aretha as they go "Climbing Higher Mountains". Her version of the Rogers and Hammerstein anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" is transformed into a magisterial follow-your-dreams powerhouse – the crowd shouting her name as she lets the vocal chords rip on every teased out lyric.

Of the new stuff, the 2:57 minute footstomping piano-bashing amen rabble-rouser "Old Landmark" was left off the original probably because, although its joyous, it feels out of place and frankly reminds me of that scene in The Blues Brothers movie when Jake shouts have you seen the light and Belushi goes cartwheeling down the aisle. Sixteen minutes of the title cut "Amazing Grace" is given a preamble by a clearly grateful and moved Reverend Cleveland – Aretha humming before she goes into that awesome piano and vocal opening line. How sweet the sound barely describes it...

"The Atlantic Albums Collection" by Aretha Franklin is a beautiful little thing and like Rhino's similarly well-endowed 2012 Joni Mitchell box set "The Studio Albums 1969-1979" is frankly an embarrassment of classy musical riches (with aesthetically pleasing matt card sleeves repro'ing the original period-gorgeous artwork and quality mastering - both look and sound cool too).

But that it contains "The Complete Recordings" of "Amazing Grace" puts this big old lummox into the stratosphere. Treat yourself to this passion – and remember - while you were once blind – now you can see...

PS: 22 March 2019 also saw a 4LP VINYL variant of "Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings" reissued on Rhino R1 75627 (Barcode 603497854196). It comes in a slightly altered configuration to the 2CD set.

"The Atlantic Albums Collection" by ARETHA FRANKLIN (6 November 2015 Rhino/Atlantic 16-Albums Remastered onto 19CDs in a Clamshell Box Set – All Albums In Stereo – 336 Tracks - Bill Inglot and Dan Hersch Remasters) - Guest Musicians Include Ray Charles, Billy Preston, King Curtis, The Memphis Horns, Cornell Dupree, Curtis Mayfield, Duane Allman, Jerry Wexler, Arif Mardin and many more - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...So Sweet The Sound..."

Although it doesn't advertise it too well on the front of the box or indeed on the shrinkwrap description sticker for that matter – the albums contained within this mighty lummox are the Rhino/Atco CD Reissues released across the Nineties. Ably Remastered by Rhino's longstanding engineering duo of tape experts DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT - fans will know that some were 'Expanded Editions' - and deck the halls with holistic holly - for Rhino has been smart enough in its digital dotage to include the lot for this rather gobsmacking Atlantic Records retrospective...

I mean the bounty here is staggering - 30 Bonuses across the fourteen Stereo albums Aretha released between 1967 and 1976 - while the final two CD compilations from 2007 offer up a further 14-track live set from 1972 (her vocals in blistering form) and 35 primo studio outtakes, rarities and single-sides from 1967 to 1976. There are 336 tracks in this mini behemoth with much of it being either inspired or just plain brill (take your pick). Amazing Grace, so sweet the sound - indeed. Let's get to the heavenly creatures...

UK released October 2007 - "The Atlantic Albums Collection" by ARETHA FRANKLIN on Rhino Records 081227951993 (Barcode 081227951993) is a 336-Track 16-Album/19CD Clamshell Box Set Housing 16 Repro Card Artwork Sleeves with Remasters stretching from 1992 to 2007 and it breaks down as follows:

1. I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You

(10 March 1967 USA LP on Atlantic SD 8139 in Stereo – 11 Track Album with 3 Bonuses on CD - 41:26 minutes)

2. Aretha Arrives

(4 August 1967 USA LP on Atlantic SD 8150 in Stereo – 11 Track Album - 36:29 minutes)

3. Lady Soul

(22 January 1968 USA LP on Atlantic SD 8176 in Stereo – 10 Track Album with 4 Bonuses on CD – 43:56 minutes)

4. Aretha Now

(14 June 1968 USA LP on Atlantic SD 8186 in Stereo – 10 Track Album – 29:28 minutes)

5. Aretha In Paris (Recorded At The Olympia Theatre) (12 October 1968 USA LP on Atlantic SD 8207 in Stereo – 13 Track Album – 41:06 minutes)

6. Soul '69 

(17 January 1969 USA LP on Atlantic SD 8212 in Stereo – 12 Track Album - 40:49 minutes)

7. This Girl's In Love With You 

(15 January 1970 USA LP on Atlantic SD 8248 in Stereo – 10 Track Album - 35:48 minutes)

8. Spirit In The Dark 

(24 August 1970 USA LP on Atlantic SD 8265 in Stereo – 12 Track Album - 39:12 minutes)

9. Aretha Live At Fillmore West 

(19 March 1971 USA LP on Atlantic SD 7205 in Stereo – 10 Track Single Album on CD1 (most tracks are uncredited as extended versions) with and additional 13 Bonuses on CD2 - CD1: 67:54 minutes, CD2: 60:50 minutes - see NOTES)

10. Young, Gifted And Black 

(24 January 1972 USA LP on Atlantic SD 7213 – 12 Track Album – 44:43 minutes)

11. Amazing Grace 

(1 June 1972 USA 2LP Live Gospel Set on Atlantic SD-2 906 – 14 Track Double-Album. This CD variant is "The Complete Recordings" two-disc version from 1999 with 13 Bonus performances spread across 2CDs (27 Tracks altogether) - CD1: 78:27 minutes, CD2: 78:11 minutes – see NOTES for sequencing of the original double-album from these CDs)

12. Hey Now Hey (The Other Side Of The Sky) 

(25 June 1973 USA LP on Atlantic Records SD 7265 – 9 Track Album plus 1 Bonus on CD – 51:10 minutes)

13. Let Me Into Your Life 

(25 February 1974 USA LP on Atlantic Records SD 7292 – 11 Track Album – 43:29 minutes)

14. Sparkle 

(27 May 1976 USA US LP on Atlantic SD 18176 - 8 Track Album – Songs Composed and Arranged by Curtis Mayfield – 33:08 minutes)

15. Rare & Unreleased Recordings From The Golden Reign Of The Queen Of Soul (October 2007 UK on Rhino/Atlantic 8122-79970-3 – A 2CD 35-Track Compilation of Remastered Outtakes, Alternates and Single-Sides – CD1: 66:15 minutes and CD2: 72:38 minutes)

16. Oh Me Oh My: Aretha Live in Philly, 1972 

(October 2007 US-Only 14-Track Set on Rhino Handmade RHM2 07757. A limited edition of 7,500 copies only – 56:19 minutes)

NOTES: Eagle-eyed collectors will have noticed the oddly long total playing time of 67:54 minutes for the 10-track LP "Aretha Live At Fillmore West". This is because it doesn’t tell you that most tracks are extended in small ways – the Simon & Garfunkel cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" goes from 5:49 to 7:25 minutes, her own "Dr. Feelgood" is upped from 7:02 to 8:57 minutes, the final track "Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)" goes from 2:39 to 5:03 minutes and so on. But while the CD label does quietly tell you that both "Spirit In The Dark" duets with guest RAY CHARLES are unedited versions – there are no track times. So the first "Spirit In The Dark" on Side 2 goes up from 5:20 to 7:24 minutes – but what it doesn’t say is that the Reprise entry leaps from 8:38 to a whopping 19:24 minutes. 

The legendary 1972 "Amazing Grace" Gospel Live Double-Album is even more convoluted. What you get here is "The Complete Recordings" issued 1999 by Rhino of the USA on Rhino R2 75627 – the full 27 performances Remastered and Unedited onto 2CDs. What that means is that the original 14-Track 2LP vinyl set of old which was pieced together from performances across both nights is actually spread across both CDs in higgledy-piggledy order. This reissue presents both shows as they were - Thursday and Friday nights, the 13th and 14th of January 1972 in strict play-list order with no nod towards how the original double-album we are all used to played out. So for fans, here is the way to acquire the original from this twofer reissue:

Side 1: Use Track 9 on CD2, 10 on CD 1, 8 on CD2 and 14 on CD1

Side 2: Use Tracks 9, 7 and 12 on CD1

Side 3: Use Tracks 8 on CD1, 11 on CD1, 11 on CD2 and 7 on CD2

Side 4: Use Tracks 5 on CD1, 6 on CD1 and 10 on CD2

To the contents - of course the real beauty with something like this is the discovery. I recall after the late 60ts flourish of genius where it seemed like she was releasing a winner every couple of months - Soul fans and their interest waned a little. British fans probably dipped their feet into the Gospel joy of "Amazing Grace" from 1972 and not much else. LPs like "Spirit In The Dark" (1970), "Young, Gifted And Black" (1972), "Hey Now Hey (The Other Side Of The Sky)" (1973) and even the "Sparkle" soundtrack from 1976 with Curtis Mayfield are full of Soulful nuggets a-begging to be rediscovered. I've already reviewed the amazing "Rare And Unreleased Recordings..." double CD set from 2007 - here in its entirety. With studio dialogue pre some of the takes, you feel like you are literally eavesdropping on magic being made – and how cool is it to see that retrospective in a gatefold Mini LP Card Sleeve.

The guest musicians list is impressive too to say the least – Bobby Womack, Ray Charles, Billy Preston, Spooner Oldham, King Curtis, The Memphis Horns, Jimmy Johnson, Joe South, Cornell Dupree, Curtis Mayfield, Duane Allman, The Sweet Sensations, Erma and Carolyn Franklin, Bernard Purdie and so many more - all alongside the capable hands of Producer/Arranger legends like Jerry Wexler and Arif Mardin.

Niggles: for sure the title carefully avoids the word complete so this box set doesn't contain five later Atlantic albums like "With Everything I Feel In Me", "You", "Sweet Passion", "Almighty Fire" or "La Diva" from 1974 through to 1979. Nor does it have a decent fact-filled booklet, which it’s crying out for, or indeed the Mono mixes of those Sixties LPs. But with the sheer amount of quality on offer here that wish list feels like a completist gripe rather than an actual negative. Better to concentrate of what we do have – huge swathes of fab 60ts and 70ts Soul.

"The Atlantic Albums Collection" by Aretha Franklin is a beautiful little thing and like Rhino's similarly well-endowed 2012 Joni Mitchell box set "The Studio Albums 1969-1979" is frankly an embarrassment of classy musical riches (with aesthetically pleasing matt card sleeves repro'ing the original period-gorgeous artwork and quality mastering - both look and sound cool too). 

Got a few bob to spend on pressies for your hip-replaced loved one ("The Atlantic Albums Collection" is currently on Amazon in December 2019 for under £47.00 as new including P&P) – then look no further my myopic messieurs and mademoiselles. And thanks Lady Soul for your passionate voice, beliefs and Dr. Feelgood-sounds oh so sweet...