"Hydra/Land Of Money/Rock The World" by HYDRA – Debut Album From September 1974 (USA) and November 1974 (UK) on Capricorn Records, Second Album from August 1975 (USA) and November 1975 (UK) on Capricorn Records with Their Third And Last Studio Album from April 1977 on Polydor Records – featuring Spencer Kirkpatrick and Ad Wayne Bruce (10 April 2020 UK Beat Goes On Reissue – 3LPs onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 424 Others are available in my e-Book:



"...Glitter Queen..."

Forever the support band and never the mainliner, Southern Rockers HYDRA were more Allman Brothers meets Montrose than the ludicrously inept Prog Rock-looking Hipgnosis artwork of their Debut Album suggested.

Issued in mid September 1974 in the USA on all things good-ole-boys-boogie 'Capricorn Records' – neither the band Hydra nor their debut barely registered in the UK – their third album from 1977 on Polydor Records not even issued in Blighty. And unfortunately, apart from some great moments of Foghat-like Slide Boogie on the overlooked self-titled debut album – it's easy to hear why.

After the initial excitement and flurry, records two and three here are sort of poor man’s Bad Company circa 1979 when the English Band didn't care. Both Hydra albums huff and puff and try hard but there are no real tunes or decent hooks. If you put say the stunning "Second Helping" album by Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1974 alongside Hydra's 1974 debut effort – the Sweet Home Alabama boys wipe the floor with Hydra. Hell, even Skynyrd's half-assed "Nuthin' Fancy" album of 1975 had more genuine Southern Rock charm than the dreadfully dated "Land Of Money" LP from the same year. As a Vocalist Wayne Bruce is good, but never great, Guitarist Spencer Kirkpatrick can slash those strings but the finished studio albums never go on fire  – you get the picture.

That brings us to this April 2020 '3LPs-onto-2CDs' reissue from England's Beat Goes On Records – the first time to my knowledge that their three albums have been brought together in the one place for a proper digital dust off. And BGO has excelled here. These albums now really Rock! ANDREW THOMPSON, BGO's resident Audio Engineer has delivered on the Audio front, even if the material (especially on those last two records) doesn't quite come up to snuff. Let's get seven-headed…

UK released Friday, 10 April 2020 - "Hydra/Land Of Money/Rock The World" by HYDRA on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1408 (Barcode 5017261214089) offers 3LPs from 1974, 1975 and 1977 Remastered onto 2CDs (no Bonus material) and plays out as follows:

CD1 (46:41 minutes):

1. Glitter Queen [Side 1]

2. Keep You Around

3. It's So Hard

4. Going Down

5. Feel A Pain

6. Good Time Man [Side 2]

7. Let Me Down Easy

8. Warp 16

9. If You Care To Survive

10. Miriam

Tracks 1 to 10 are their debut album "Hydra" – released September 1974 in the USA on Capricorn Records CP 0130 and November 1974 in the UK on Capricorn Records 2429 120. Produced by DAN TURBEVILLE – it didn't chart in either country

CD2 (70:22 minutes):

1. Little Miss Rock 'N Roll [Side 1]

2. The Pistol

3. Makin' Plans

4. Land Of Money

5. Get Back To The City [Side 2]

6. Don't Let Time Pass You By

7. Let The Show Go On

8. Slow And Easy

9. Take Me For My Music

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 2nd studio album "Land Of Money" - released August 1975 in the USA on Capricorn CP 0157 and November 1975 in the UK on Capricorn Records 2429 130. Produced by JOHNNY SANDLIN - it didn't chart in either country

10. Rock The World [Side 1]

11. Wasting Time

12. Can You Believe

13. You Love Gets Around

14. Shame [Side 2]

15. To The Willowed

16. Feel Like Running

17. You're The One

18. Diamond In The Rough

Tracks 10 to 18 are their third and final studio album "Rock The Nation" - released April 1977 in the USA on Polydor PD-1-6096 (no UK release). Produced by MICHAEL STEWART - it didn't chart

HYDRA was:

WAYNCE BRUCE – All Vocals and Guitar

SPENCER KIRKPATRICK – Lead Guitar, Slide and Acoustic

ORVILLE DAVIS – Bass

STEVE PACE – Drums

Guests (Debut Album):

Dan Turbeville on Keyboards

Randall Bramblett on Alto Sax with Oscar Jackson on Tenor Sax

Earl Ford on Trombones with Todd Logan on Trumpets

Guests (Land Of Money album)

Chuck Leavall (of The Allman Brothers Band and later The Rolling Stones) – Keyboards and Synths on all tracks

Will Boulware – Organ on “Take Me For My Music”

Bill Stewart and Johnny Sandlin – Percussion

As always with these BGO reissues, the outer card slipcase lends the 2CD set a classy feel while the 16-page booklet with liner notes features new liner notes from NEIL DANIELS. You get most of the original artwork and recording credits alongside the reissue details. But the big news as already mentioned is the 2020 ANDREW THOMPSON Remasters giving everything here real muscle.

As you can see from the details listed above, the debut album in particular had a four-piece Brass Section added on to two key tracks - "Glitter Queen" and "Good Time Man". This was done without the band's knowledge or even permission and Hydra were none too pleased. But their loss is our gain because I suspect Producer Dan Turbeville had maybe been listening to what horns did to the "Call Me The Breeze" J.J. Cale cover that ended Side 2 of Skynyrd's "Second Helping" (lifted it into the boogie stratosphere) and probably though the same would work here (especially on the great "Glitter Queen") - and for my money, the man right. 

A bit more about that Spencer Kirkpatrick-written track which I suspect is most people's entry into the band Hydra. "Glitter Queen" opened the debut in real Rock Boogie style and was featured on the "Peaches – Pick Of The Crop" Capricorn Records label sampler in the UK in the same month as the LP was released – November 1974 on Capricorn 2476 105 (you could pick up the sampler for 97p). "Peaches" came as a promo-only double-album sampler compilation in the USA on Capricorn PRO 588 as part of their 'Loss Leaders' series (it was on Side 4). Such was the punch in this song that Capricorn Records used it on both sides of the pond as a lead off single for the album. While the October 1974 British 45 on Capricorn 2089 008 had the lesser album-track "It's So Hard" on the flipside (perhaps killing its potential in Blighty), the US variant (also issued October 1974) has the far better "Going Down" (a Don Nix cover version) on its B-side for Capricorn CPS 0216. That US 45 feels like a bit of a forgotten Rocking classic to me. Other goodies on the Debut Album included "Good Time Man" – a tune that shows off Spencer Kirkpatrick as a hot Slide Guitarist (he had been part of The Atlanta Vibrations who managed one 1966 privately-pressed US 45 on Sim-Cor 101).

The final two albums have their moments – the frantic guitar chug of "Little Miss Rock 'N Roll" and the funky keyboard-driven "The Pistol" clearly considered by Capricorn Records as a potential 45 but it went to only Promo stage (no stock copies). But stuff like "Land Of Money" and "Let The Show Go On" are trying too hard and Boulware's lone song contribution "Take Me For My Music" is as cringing as its title sounds. By the time we reach 1977 "Rock The World" is hardly Lizzy in their prime and "Your Love Gets Around" feels like Foghat in second gear and going down further.

This is a five-star reissue of three-star material. But for fans of the band and lovers of Southern Rock (best exampled on the debut) - given the audio and quality presentation - this will be a must own...

"Natural Four/Heaven Right Here On Earth" by NATURAL FOUR – Second and Third Albums from May 1974 and July 1975 on Curtom Records (April 2010 UK Soul Brother Reissue – 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD with Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This review and 100s more like it inside my e-Book

"…What's On The Inside…"

Putting two Curtom LP rarities from the golden period of Seventies Soul back into the digital marketplace (and with 4 bonus tracks tagged on) smacks of a good idea to me.

THE NATURAL FOUR aren't as well known as their Curtom Records label mate Curtis Mayfield for sure (I admit that I’ve never actually seen a copy of their rare 1970 US debut album "Good Vibes!" on ABC Records ABCS-706) - but these following two platters contain wonderful Seventies Soul. And in this great sound quality - it's a proper blast to hear them again. Here are all-natural details...

Released April 2010 in the UK (reissued September 2010) – "Natural Four/Heaven Right Here On Earth" by NATURAL FOUR on Soul Brother CD SBPJ 41 (Barcode 5013993674122) offers 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD and plays out as follows (76:33 minutes):

1. Can This Be For Real [Side 1]

2. You Bring Out The Best In Me

3. Try Love Again

4. You Can't Keep Running Away

5. This Is What's Happening Now [Side 2]

6. Love That Really Counts

7. Try To Smile

8. Love's Society

9. Things Will Be Better Tomorrow

Tracks 1 to 9 are their second album "Natural Four" issued May 1974 in the USA on Curtom CRS 8600 (No UK release) – peaked at No. 36 on the US R&B LP charts

10. Heaven Right Here On Earth [Side 1]

11. Love's So Wonderful

12. Count On Me

13. Baby Come On

14. What Do You Do [Side 2]

15. Give This Love A Try

16. What's Happening Here

17. While You’re Away

Tracks 10 to 17 are their 2nd album "Heaven Right Here On Earth" issued July 1975 in the USA on Curtom CU 5004 and August 1975 in the UK on Curtom K 56142 – peaked at No. 49 on the US R&B LP charts (didn’t chart UK)

BONUS TRACKS:

Track 18 is a rare USA-only 7" single issued in late 1973 on Curtom CR 1984 - it's a cover version of Curtis Mayfield's "Eddie You Should Know Better". The original Mayfield version is on his 1972 "Superfly" soundtrack album – here it’s given a different arrangement here by The Natural Four.

Tracks 19, 20 and 21 are "I Think I Found The Girl", "How Have You Been" and "Get It Over With" - taken from their 3rd album "Nightchaser" issued in 1976 in the USA on Curtom CU 5008 and April 1976 in the UK on Curtom K 56224

Charly reissued "Natural Four" on CD in 1996 and Sequel reissued both albums in 2000 - but this is the first time they've been paired together and had 4 bonus tracks thrown in too (from their 3rd LP). But the big draw on these albums for Seventies Soul and Funk fans is the songwriting genius and involvement of LeROY HUTSON - not to mention the fact that original vinyl issues of these 2-Step monsters have been costing punters huge amounts of money for years. The booklet is a fairly basic 8-page colour affair with liner notes by Laurence Prangell and musician/album credits. It doesn't say who remastered what and where but the sound quality is superb - very clear, clean and good on the ear.

This is classy Soul - sort of Philly International meets Cadet meets Brunswick - funky love songs one minute ("Try Love Again" - lyrics above) and social commentary tunes the next ("Things Will Be Better Tomorrow"). When they slow it down on "Can This Be Real" (a R&B chart hit Stateside in December 1973) or the lovely "Heaven Right Here On Earth", you're reminded of The Dells, The Chi-Lites, The Main Ingredient, Blue Magic and of course - LeRoy Hutson solo stuff. There's even a Hall & Oates vibe going on in there too.

Genius choice goes to the lone 45 cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Eddie You Should No Better" sounding not unlike a more string-filled outtake - it's superb and a real rediscovery. They've even included the better dancer tracks from the disco-fuelled 3rd album which sounds like AWB with Ben E King in places, but you're likely to return to the first two albums more because that's where the real quality is...

Very tasty indeed - another excellent reissue from Soul Brother Records of the UK…

"The Best Of" by ONE WAY featuring AL HUDSON and ALICIA MYERS (April 1996 USA MCA CD Anthology – Erick Labson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Get Up And Do Your Thang…"

One Way's most famous hit - 1979's "You Can Do It" - is the kind of infectious funky little Soul/R’n’B number that I loved then and still do now – and it's a guaranteed floor filler to this day - 30 years after the event. It's one of a few goodies on this rather excellent but overlooked CD reissue and remaster from MCA America. Here are the can-do details...

Released in the USA-only in April 1996 - "The Best Of" by ONE WAY featuring AL HUDSON and ALICIA MYERS on MCA Records MCAD-11432 (Barcode 008811143220) plays out as follows (69:32 minutes):

1. Cutie Pie (1982 USA LP "Who’s Foolin' Who" on MCA 5279)

2. Lady You Are (1984 USA LP "Lady" on MCA 5470)

3. You Can Do It (1979 USA LP "Happy Feet" on ABC 1136)

4. I Want To Thank You (1981 USA LP "Alicia" on MCA 5181)

5. Mr. Groove (1984 USA LP "Lady" on MCA 5470)

6. Something In The Past (1980 USA LP "One Way featuring Al Hudson" on MCA 5127)

7. Pop It [Single Edit] (1980 USA 7" single on MCA 41298 [A]) (The full album version is on "One Way featuring Al Hudson" (as per 6))

8. Don’t Think About It (1986 USA LP "One Way IX" on MCA 5823)

9. Appreciation (1984 USA LP "I Appreciate" on MCA 5485)

10. Push [Single Edit] (1981 USA 7" single on MCA 51110 [A]) (The full album version is on "Love Is…One Way" 1981 USA LP on MCA 5163)

11. If You Play Your Cards Right (1981 USA LP "Alicia" on MCA 5181)

12. Pull Fancy Dancer/Pull, Part 1 (1981 USA 7" single on MCA 51165 [A])

(The full album version is on "Fancy Dancer" 1981 USA LP on MCA 5247)

13. You Better Quit (1986 USA LP "One Way IX" on MCA 5823)

14. You Get The Best From Me (Say, Say, Say) (1984 USA LP "I Appreciate" on MCA 5485)

Tracks 1, 2, 5, 8, 12 and 13 are credited to ONE WAY

Tracks 6 and 7 are credited to ONE WAY featuring AL HUDSON

Track 3 is credited to AL HUDSON and THE PARTNERS

Tracks 4, 9, 11 and 14 are credited to ALICIA MYERS

The sound quality is fabulous throughout because all tracks have been remastered by one of Universal’s top audio engineers ERICK LABSON (has over 800 mastering credits to his name) while the 12-page inlay features affectionate and informative liner notes by one of Britain’s most famous soul aficionados DAVID NATHAN.

Personally I find some of the early solo Alicia Myers tracks difficult to take in all their over-the-top Eighties production and cheesy lyrics (her "Say, Say, Say" is however a genuine highlight here). What is smart though is to finally see the three rare 7" single edits of "Pop It", "Push" and "Pull Fancy Dancer…" make their way onto a good CD. In fact the superb remastered sound lifts them and all the other tracks out of their squashed vinyl muddiness into real clarity. The whack out of the funky and soulful "You Better Quit" (their last R&B hit) will make your feet tap and shake your booty (as they say in all the best commentaries)…

It’s not all genius of course, but this well-endowed "Best Of" compilation is still a cracking good soul listen – and it’s bolstered up with really great sound too.

One Way, Al Hudson and Alicia Myers are remembered with affection and on the strength of this – it’s easy to see why…

"Kimono My House" by SPARKS – May 1974 UK 3rd LP on Island Records with Ron and Russell Mael, Adrian Fisher, Martin Gordon and Dinky Diamond (October 2006 UK Island Expanded Edition CD Reissue – Part Of the '21st Century Edition' Series of Reissues For Sparks Back Catalogue – Kieron McGarry Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 255 More Like It Can Be Found In My AMAZON e-Book 

 

PICK UP THE PIECES - 1974

 

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional 

CD Reissues and Remasters 

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45's...

All In-Depth Reviews From The Discs Themselves

Over 2,280 E-Pages

(No Cut And Paste Crap)

<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=mabasreofcdbl-21&language=en_GB&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B08CQ7QLV2&asins=B08CQ7QLV2&linkId=4a0921806bfd2d1d5d1a3ee8294a571e&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>

 

 

"…Increasing Heartbeat…"

"Hitler's on Top Of The Pops Mum! I swear!"

"Oh don't be daft son!"

(Mum pauses to view said atrocity)

"Holy Mother of Mary and All The Saints Preserve Us!

You're Right!"

There are few of us of a certain advanced macular decrepitude that don't remember April 1974. There we were in our strategically faded Wranglers sat innocently on our monthly-installment-plan settee in front of the telly – eager to worry our parents even more by catching our weekly heroin fix of all things British Top Twenty – our Thursday night rendezvous with 'Top Of The Pops'. Maybe we'd get to see Peter Gabriel with his funny haircut or Ian Anderson on one leg with a flute in a vagrant's coat or even Pam in Pan's People flash a big of thigh - but no brothers, no...

On come Ron and Russell Mael and their band of Cabaret Rockers SPARKS - whether England likes it or not. There's Russell Mael - an American ensconced in London with his brother Ron - poncing about the TOTP stage with his corkscrew curls and chiffon scarf singing something falsetto about 'zoo time is she and you time' while pistol shots go off. Things get riffage-interesting after "...it ain't me who's gonna leave!" and that killer groove kicks you in the teeth. For sure me hearties, but their 4 April 1974 UK 7" single "This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us" on Island WIP 6193 is indeed-indictment a stone cold winner with Palm-Tree-label knobs on.

But that's not what's keeping you watching - nor the Wizzard and T.Rex Glam Rock - not even the slightly Proggy vibe the music is giving off at times – or even that fantastically underrated guitar work from Adrian Fisher when he launches into that wild soloing. What's got your peepers all jeepers-creepers is the other brother – nutter Ron on the Farfisa Organ with his Adolf-moustache - his menacing eyes staring at you as he catches the camera changes – mesmerizing. You feel you should (for some reason) look away – but you can't. You're hooked. You want in. Hell, you want to even buy the damn 45 the next day or maybe even the entire album (guiltily housing it) too. Ron's eyes and his undoubtedly evil Magnum P.I. mini-tache has to be one of the truly great moments in Seventies Rock history (and TV).

With such an eye-popping opening salvo, is it any wonder that SPARKS engendered such an instant cult following - British DJs loving the wit and kick-ass hit nature of "This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us" that made No. 2 - and its equally cool-as-no-school-today follow up "Amateur Hour" that achieved No. 7 in July 1974. Hell they even had a comic book once dedicated to all things "Barbecutie" (the non-album B-side to "This Town...").

Which brings us via facial hair and pistol-slapping mama’s to this brill little 2006 CD Remaster of their third album "Kimono My House" - almost certainly most people's starting point with this most original and loveable band. Increasing heartbeat indeed. Hasta Mañana baby. Here goes...

UK released 9 October 2006 - "Kimono My House" by SPARKS on Island 984 341 7 (Barcode 602498434178) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue - part of the '21st Century Edition' Series - with Three Bonus Tracks and it plays out as follows (47:32 minutes):

1. This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us [Side 1]

2. Amateur Hour

3. Falling in Love With Myself Again

4. Here In Heaven

5. Thank God It's Not Christmas

6. Hasta Mañana Monsieur [Side 2]

7. Talent Is An Asset

8. Complaints

9. In My Family

10. Equator

Tracks 1 to 10 are their third studio album "Kimono My House" - released May 1974 in the UK and USA on Island ILPS 9272. Produced by MUFF WINWOOD - it peaked on the UK LP charts at No. 4.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Barbecutie (non-album B-side to "This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us", 4 April 1974 UK 7” single on Island WIP 6193)

12. Lost And Found (non-album B-side to "Amateur Hour", 12 July 1974 UK 7” single on Island WIP 6203)

13. Amateur Hour (Live At Fairfield Halls, 9 November 1975) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

The 20-page booklet is a pleasingly in-depth affair featuring loads of carefully collected memorabilia includes Press Kits for the album, sheet music for the big single as well as a huge number of Euro and Worldwide pictures sleeves for "This Town..." They've even unearthed a 1974 tour program. PAUL LISTER, at the time Deputy Editor for "Uncut" Magazine did the liner notes and the lyrics of the original LP's inner sleeve have been included too. DARYL EASLEA coordinated the Remasters for Universal with Tape Research from PETE MATTHEWS and Mastering from KIERON McGARRY.

Improved audio-wise, when fans come to deep LP cuts like "Thank God It's Not Christmas" and "Complaints" - both have shockingly good bottom-end even if those vocals still feel a little too far in the distance at times. And I'm loving that both the excellent non-album Ron Mael B-sides "Barbecutie" and "Lost And Found" (so New Wave 1977-sounding three years before the event) have been rescued from obscurity.

Other cool audio upgrades include the Side 2 opener "Hasta Mañana Monsieur" - those Adrian Fisher guitars thrashing away before the melodrama piano notes bring it Fisher's very Roxy guitar solo. Camp and Glam combine for the 'he is a genius' song "Talent Is An Asset" - another Ron Mael song winner and great fun into the bargain. You can hear Martin Gordon punch those Bass notes for the Punky "Complaints" while Sparks goes all Cars with "In My Family" (next stop post-senility). Their third album ends on Russell Mael stretching his vocals chords on the wildly difficult to pin down "Equator". I also like that they've even included the lyrics for the two B-sides too. Nice.

In the end I wouldn't call "Kimono My House" a masterpiece by any means nor does it have the staying power or sheer suave sophistication of say Roxy Music's "Country Life" – but 1974 was an interesting year for Rock prepared to get a tad complicated and out there. Island Records would also issue Kevin Ayer's stunning "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" in that creative hub and sharing similar musical territory would be UK Records with 10cc's “Sheet Music”, Supertramp's audiophile "Crime Of The Century", Vertigo with SAHB's "The Impossible Dream" and Peter Gabriel's Genesis dropping the fantastic splurge that is November 1974's “The Lamb Lies Down Broadway” to name but a few.

They would cement their reputation with 1975's "Propaganda" – a fan's next stop after this. But many will find their heart pulled towards "Kimono..." - smiling all the while as they do. And isn't that the best...

"Super Session" by BLOOMFIELD, KOOPER & STILLS [Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper and Stephen Stills] - August 1968 US LP on Columbia CS 9701 (Stereo) and September 1968 in the UK on CBS Records S 63396 (Stereo) featuring Guests Barry Goldberg on Piano, Harvey Brooks on Bass and "Fast" Eddie Hoh on Drums (April 2003 Columbia/Legacy Expanded Edition CD Reissue – Allan Tucker Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

“...Pick Up Every Stitch...”

Having finished with Blood, Sweat & Tears and their debut album "Child Is Father To The Man" in 1968 – AL KOOPER found himself the in-house Producer at Columbia Records in need of a project. So he calls up ex Electric Flag and Paul Butterfield Blues band ace guitarist MIKE BLOOMFIELD and together they determine to make a 'quickie' – a Blues and Soul jam album they'll pump out in one manic session. They get down enough material for one whole side of an LP (a couple of covers and some originals) - but Kooper needs the remainder. With Bloomfield flown the coup (chasing things other than the blues) – Kooper called in ex Buffalo Springfield guitar/songwriting whizz Stephen Stills to record the rest. And out of these most unlikely of 'sessions' – history was born. Columbia CS 9701 (Stereo) peaked on the LP chart at an impressive 12 and started a run of superstar jam sessions - all trying to capture the same lighting in a bottle (common consensus agrees that few got near it).

Al Kooper's liner notes explain that he's gone back with Engineer ALLAN TUCKER to the original master tapes and 24-bit remastered the album to CD. And in keeping with fan-requests over the decades – he's taken off the 'horn' overdubs put on the long jam sessions so devotees of this iconic and cool 60ts album can finally hear Bloomfield workouts like "Albert's Shuffle" and "Season Of The Witch" 'sans horns' (see bonus tracks 10 and 11). They are magnificent and arguably up there with the best Bonus Tracks ever issued. All in all - you have to say that given what they had to work with – Kooper and Tucker have done a bang-up job. Here is the 'Man's Temptation'...

US/UK released April 2003 – "Super Session" by BLOOMFIELD, KOOPER & STILLS on Columbia/Legacy COL 508071 2 (Barcode 5099750807125) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue and remaster with Four Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (77:14 minutes):

1. Albert's Shuffle

2. Stop

3. Man's Temptation

4. His Holy Modal Majesty

5. Really

6. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry [Side 2]

7. Season Of The Witch

8. You Don't Love Me

9. Harvey's Tune

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "Super Session" – released August 1968 in the USA on Columbia CS 9701 (Stereo) and September 1968 in the UK on CBS Records S 63396.

BONUS TRACKS:

10. Albert's Shuffle (2002 Remix Without Horns)

11. Season Of The Witch (2002 Remix without Horns)

12. Blues For Nothing (Outtake from the Session – first made available on the 1995 Mastersound CD of "Super Session" on Columbia CK 64611)

13. Fat Grey Cloud (Live) – Previously Unreleased (Recorded 1968 at The Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA)

MIKE BLOOMFIELD – Guitar on Tracks 1-5, 10, 12 and 13

AL KOOPER – Vocals, Ondioline Organ, Piano, Electric and Acoustic Guitars

STEPHEN STILLS – Guitar on Tracks 6 -9 and 11

GUESTS:

BARRY GOLDBERG – Piano on Tracks 1 and 2

HARVEY BROOKS – Bass

"Fast" EDDIE HOH - Drums

The 12-page booklet has an opening 'Producer’s Note' from All Kooper not just explaining the recordings but the CD reissue and his 'without horns' 2002 remixes. BRUCE DICKINSON was Executive Producer for the re-release and both the Michael Thomas original LP liner notes and the David Fricke Rolling Stone Review are reproduced (four-stars from Robert who spends much of his time raving about Bloomfield when Kooper's contribution was just as big if not more in my books). There are some black and white session photos and not much else. ALLAN TUCKER did the Mastering at Foothill Digital Studios in New York and the Audio is fantastic – full of power and presence and that sense of immediacy the recordings had anyway (the Bonus Cuts are beautifully transferred too).

It opens with a Bloomfield/Kooper Instrumental called "Albert's Shuffle" – nearly nine-minutes of Shuggie Otis type Blues with Bloomfield shouting as he solos – Kooper letting loose on the keys (an organ sound most would kill to get). Next up is the uber-cool "Stop" – an instrumental cover of a Howard Tate soul tune on Verve Records from December 1967 (Verve VK 10573). I’ve loved this slinky little ditty for decades now and it still has that 60ts chug about it that utterly sends me. Next up is the first vocal by Al Kooper on their version of Curtis Mayfield's "Man's Temptation" – a song about a temptress who wants to "...ruin my happy home with man's temptation...” But then we get the magnificent band really cooking on another Bloomfield/Kooper creation "His Holy Modal Majesty" – a 9:19 minute Organ/Guitar battle that feels like Santana gone Prog by way of the Blues (and I still don’t know what the title means). Side 1 ends on the Traditional Slow Blues vibe of "Really" – 5:26 minutes of Bloomfield letting rip on the frets while Kooper puts in huge chords on the Organ (very tasty mama).

Side 2 has always been problematic for me. It opens with A Stephen Stills take on Dylan's "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry" and to me it immediately sounds like the album has gone off the rails. The tune is OK – but thematically it comes over like poor man’s Monkees instead of the fresh Bluesy workouts we were getting on Side 1. Things are brought back from the brink big time by the stunning 11:08 minutes of "Season Of the Witch" (a Donovan cover they did on the Side 1 all-day session). Columbia and CBS edited both it and "Albert's Shuffle" down to fit on the A&B-sides of a 45 in October 1968 (CBS 3770 in the UK, Columbia 44657 in the USA) – but it did little business despite the success of the album (it's a no-show here due to time constraints). Back to weird with the Hendrix flange cover of a Willie Cobbs tune called "You Don't Love Me" which again is good – but still feels wildly out of kilter with the rest of the record. Then we enter mellow Jazz Soul territory with the saxophone-led "Harvey's Tune" – another out of step instrumental that sounds like it should be in a Blaxploitation film instead of on this album. But then you’re hit with four corkers...

While the album has its incongruous moments – the bonus tracks act as an impossibly brilliant counterpoint – the first three sounding like the powerhouse Blues Session that should have been released. Why "Blues For Nothing" was left off the album and mediocrity like "Harvey's Tune" left on is a total mystery (4:15 minutes) and the two album cuts minus-the-horns actually seem to free the songs and focus you completely on the dynamic duo – Al Kooper on Organ and Mike Bloomfield on Guitar. "Season Of The Witch" is the prize here and stretches to its full 11:08 minutes - stripped and raw - it has a renewed power that's thrilling. As if this is not satisfying enough – the live Instrumental Blues of "Fat Grey Cloud" is fantastic – Bloomfield joking first about 'tuning' then letting rip – wild one second – Soulful Bluesy the next – with Kooper following after - pumping out an Organ Sound that is huge (4:39 minutes).

In truth the original album is probably more four-stars than five - but this genius CD reissue with those stunning bonus tracks bumps it up again.

"...You've got to pick up every stitch..." – Kooper sings in their funky cover of Donovan's Sixties-sinister "Season Of The Witch". And it seems that anything from that incredible 'super session' was indeed worth picking up...