"With A Little Help From My Friends" and "Singing/Playing" by LARRY CARLTON – 1968 US Debut Album on Uni Records and 1973 US Second Studio Album on Blue Thumb Records – featuring Three Members of The Crusaders on the 1973 LP (6 March 2020 UK Beat Goes On Reissue – 2LPs onto 1CD – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...One More Chance..."

Very much a tale of two musical cities, the debut from 1968 talks of 'Larry's Bag...' in the cheesy liner notes that unfortunately sets up a functional two-to-three star starter LP from one of the most gifted of guitar players (and future Crusader). But his 1973 effort "Singing/Playing" is a world away from that underwhelming first LP – a wee bit of a forgotten and overlooked gem - fabulous production values and some really clever song choices.

And typically BGO whomp you with top quality audio from their long-time resident Audio Engineer ANDREW THOMPSON. A snazzy card slipcase on the outside, a 16-page fact-filled booklet with new liner notes from Mojo magazine's main Jazz writer CHARLES WARING and you get the quality reissue picture here. Let's get to those slick-licks...

UK released 6 March 2020 - "With A Little Help From My Friends - and - Singing/Playing" by LARRY CARLTON on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1405 (Barcode 5017261214058) offers his first two studio albums from 1968 and 1973 newly Remastered onto 1CD and plays out as follows (68:56 minutes):

1. With A Little Help From My Friends - Beatles cover [Side 1]
2. MacArthur Park - Jimmy Webb song, Richard Harris cover
3. Don't You Care? - Buckinghams cover
4. When Sunny Gets Blue - Johnny Mathis cover (amongst others)
5. Honey - Bobby Goldsboro cover
6. Monday Monday - The Mamas and The Papas cover [Side 2]
7. Eleanor Rigby - Beatles cover
8. The Odd Couple - Neil Hefti song, cover of the movie theme
9. By The Time I Get To Phoenix - Jimmy Webb song, Glen Campbell cover
10. People Get Ready - Curtis Mayfield song, Impressions cover
Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut album "With A Little Help From My Friends" - release 1968 in the USA on Uni Records 73036 (no UK issue)

11. Easy Evil [Side 1]
12. I Cry Mercy
13. One More Chance
14. With Respect To Coltrane
15. American Family [Side 2]
16. Wavin' And Smilin'
17. Captain, Captain
18. Free Way
Tracks 11 to 18 are his second studio album "Singing/Playing" - released 1973 in the US on Blue Thumb Records BTS 46 (no UK issue)

With beautiful audio on both platters (especially the second) - the debut is all instrumental covers and you can see from the detailed track list provided above uses contemporary hits of the 1968-day alongside some deeper cuts. His band featured Trumpeters Graham Young, Virgil Evans and jack Caan with Organist Terry Trotter, Bassist David Carre and Drummer Michael F. Mills. But even on crowd-pleaser melodies like "Eleanor Rigby" where he admittedly tries to do his version of the "Revolver" classic – it all feels like George Benson whacking out a 99 cents LP for Saturday shoppers who should know better. The uptempo Jazz-happy beat given to "People Get Ready" is awful pap ruining a gorgeous song. Let's cut to the altogether more rewarding Box Number Two…

Featuring Keyboardists Joe Sample and Michael Omartian with Bassists Wilton Felder, Reinie Press, Max Bennett and Joe Osborn and Drummers Ron Tutt, John Guerin, Jim Gordon and Norbert "Stix" Hooper – Carlton turns out to have quite a cool Ned Doheny type voice. Two tracks on his second platter – a cover of Tom Scott's "With Respect To Coltrane" and Carlton's own "Free Way" - feature three key members of his future musical compatriots The Crusaders – Keyboardist Joe Sample, Bassist Wilton Felder and Drummer Norbert 'Stix' Hooper (Carlton would become their fourth band member for the best years of their Blue Thumb and ABC Records output right up to "Street Life" in 1979). Another huge session player Michael Omartian who has credits with Michael McDonald, Steely Dan, Rickie Lee Jones (and so many more) turns up giving it some Electric Piano on two Alan O'Day songs - "Easy Evil" and "American Family". I first touched on the fantastic "Easy Evil" on John Kay's cool second solo LP outside Steppenwolf - "My Sportin' Life" from 1973. I think as many as fifteen covers of this sideway-referencing drug-addiction song exist including variants by Merl Saunders, Travis Wammack and even actor John Travolta. Carlton gives his "Easy Evil" a very effective Classics IV "Spooky" groove and a sensuous laid-back vocal – very cool and with gorgeous clean-as-a-whistle audio too.

The obscure but delightful cover of "I Cry Mercy" was written by Tim and Steve Smith and first showed on the one and only Smith Perkins Smith album called (unoriginally) "Smith Perkins Smith" on Island Records in 1972 (featuring Wayne Perkins). I’ve always adored this album and in April 2020, it still remains stubbornly sans digital. What a blast to hear it here – anchored by ace sessionmen Jim Gordon on Drums and Joe Osborn on Bass and maybe too many syrupy strings. Speaking of uber obscure variants – Carlton also tackles a song called "Wavin' And Smilin'" penned by Bob Siller of the Reprise Records Psych act Mephistopheles (1969). He also had a sank-like-a-trace solo album called "This Is Siller's Picture" on RCA Victor Records in 1968. But his "Wavin’ And Smilin’" isn't on either, so is an exclusive here.

Things even get a tad Little Feat with the slinky Rock-Funk of "One More Chance" - the ladies echoing the title-chorus being Oma Drake, Julia Tillman and Maxine Willard - Carlton doing his best subtle B.B. King licks as the groove chugs along. A huge guitar sound jumps out at you for Tom Scott's "With Respect To Coltrane" - and if one track was to show how far Carlton had come from doing competent Woolworth's type covers - it's this one. His playing here is doubled-up and I'm reminded of Gary Moore in his "Grinding Stone" days when he'd make you sit up and perspire in awe.

A clever reissue from England’s Beat Goes On – fans will have to own it for that great audio upgrade – while the Jazz-Funk curious will find much to savour in the "Singing/Playing" album. Respect to Larry C...

"Slayed?" by SLADE – September 1972 UK Fourth LP on Polydor Records and February 1973 in the USA on Polydor Records – featuring Noddy Holder, Dave Hill, Jim Lea and Don Powell (21 August 2006 UK Salvo Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Five Bonus Tracks and Card Slipcase - Tim Turan Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Rock And Rave!"

Half way through Side 1's "The Whole World's Goin' Crazee" there's a give-it-all-you-got echoed lead vocal passage by Noddy Holder where he let's rip with line-after-line of screamed lyrics ("Rant And Rave!"). Such throat-shredding acrobatics would have made Brian Johnson (once of Geordie and then AC/DC of course) reach for lozenges even then. But it's SLADE and would we old-timer reprobates of the Seventies want it any other way.

In fact at the last count, I think Slade were the only Rock Band in the world that could count the same original line-up for 40 years straight from 1969's debut "Ambrose Slade" to the Naughties (or is it 50 years). There's always been something fun about these Wolverhampton anthem queens and rabble-rousers. Makes me want to don my glitter boots and mirror hat and misspell every song title. Let's get slaughtered and crazee...

UK released 21 August 2006 - "Slayed?" by SLADE on Salvo SALVOCD002 (Barcode 698458810229) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue and New Remaster with Five Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows (53:41 minutes):

1. How D'you Ride [Side 1]

2. The Whole World's Goin' Crazee

3.  Look At Last Nite

4. I Won't Let It 'Appen Agen

5. Move Over

6. Gudbuy T'Jane [Side 2]

7. Gudbuy Gudbuy

8. Mama Weer All Crazee Now

9. I Don' Mind

10. Let The Good Times Roll/Feel So Fine

Tracks 1 to 10 are their fourth album (third studio set) "Slayed?" - released September 1972 in the UK on Polydor 2383 163 and February 1973 in the USA on Polydor PD 5524. Produced by CHAS CHANDLER – it peaked at No. 2 on the UK LP charts and No. 69 in the USA.

BONUS TRACKS:

11. My Life Is Natural - non-album B-side to "Coz I Luv You", 8 October 1971 UK 7" single on Polydor 2058 155

12. Candidate - non-album B-side to "Look Wot You Dun", 27 January 1972 UK 7" single on Polydor 2058 195

13. Wonderin' Y - non-album B-side to "Take Me Bak 'Ome", 19 May 1972 UK 7" single on Polydor 2058 231

14. Man Who Speeks Evil - non-album B-side to "Mama Weer All Crazee Now", 25 August 1972 UK 7" single on Polydor 2058 274

15. Slade Talk to MELANIE Readers - 8 September 1973 UK 1-Sided 7" Flexi Disc on Lyntone LYN 2645, Melanie Magazine freebie

SLADE was:

NODDY HOLDER - Lead Vocals and Guitar

DAVE HILL - Guitar

JIM LEA - Bass and Violin

DON POWELL - Drums and Percussion

The 12-page booklet sports new liner notes from DAVID LING that is clearly part of an on-going history of the band and they're entertaining and informative – discussing Jim Lea's discomfort with rapid Nationwide fame - ending on Don Powell's near fatal car accident in July 1973 that did take the life of his then 20-year old girlfriend, Angela Morris. There are black and white period photos of the boys looking sometimes bewildered at the sudden fame and Number 1 singles status, shots of 'slayed' fans, memorabilia and a really nice two-page display of rare colour picture sleeves from around the world. TIM TURAN who did the Nazareth and Procol Harum remasters for Salvo has done the master-tape business and made a non-audiophile screamer of a Rock album seem more beefy and alive. For sure the vocals are still that bit distant (a trade mark sound for Slade) but the guitars and rhythm section are (in band parlay) in yer face. And how cool is it to hear those B-sides, especially the Acoustic Rock Swing of the non-album B-side to "Coz I Luv You" – the rather brill "My Life Is Natural". To the music…

Like Chas Chandler had done with Jimi Hendrix and Andrew Loog Oldham with The Rolling Stones – Noddy Holder and Jim Lea in particular were forced by their Manager/Producer Chas Chandler to write their own material – and preferably boys – some hits if you don’t mind. And that they did - "Slayed?" went all the way to the top – No. 1 – capitalizing on the mighty "Slade Alive!" LP that went before it in March of 1972 which had in itself smashed all the way up to the No. 2 position. Their next two vinyl platters, the compilation LP "Sladest" and the studio album "Old New Borrowed And Blue" would do the same in September 1973 and February 1974 – No. 1s. Slade singles became like T.Rex or Beatles releases – an event that saw huge chart highs and triumphant appearances on Thursday’s "Top Of The Boys". All of it culminating in the November 1974 film and soundtrack LP "Slade In Flame" which had to settle for a lowly No. 6 position on the Blighty album charts as the winning streak began to tail off and tastes moved on. But for two to three years there - the girls liked them and the boys lived to boogie by Slade.

The huge so young hits "Gudbuy T'Jane" and "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" both hit their rambunctious No. 1 spots on the British single charts - while other romper-stompers include the sexy almost T.Rex slink of "I Don't Mind" and the shake your tambourine throw me out "I Won't Let It Happen". Amidst the eight originals are only two covers – a superb Noddy Holder like-for-like performance as he does justice to "Move Over" from Janis Joplin's brilliant "Pearl" album of the year prior (1971). The other cover is a double - the Shirley and Lee 1956 and 1955 Aladdin Records classics "Let The Good Times Roll" and "Feel So Good" bringing proceedings to a close nicely. I'd forgotten about "Candidate" – a no-one seems to like him B-side that is equal to anything on the album. Fans will be pleased with the here I am in the same old clothes looking back on my life of "Wonderin' Y" – a sort of lollygagging Faces-type love song.

For sure the Audio is of the hurried kind and not everyone in 2020 will think it the Glam Rock genius we thought Slayed was back in the day – but every time I see that Gerard Mankowitz artwork – I smile. And I likes dat I duz…

"Before My Eyes Go Blind: Complete Recordings" by ZIOR and MONUMENT – Featuring Four Albums and Two Bonus Tracks (one credited as MONUMENT) from May 1971, October 1971, 1973 and 2018 (August 2019 UK Grapefruit Records 4CD Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

1971

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"...Give Me Love..."

Sporting the same luxurious yet doom-obscure gatefold artwork as the Black Sabbath debut album (courtesy of cult artist Keef) - Zior's 1971 debut on the obscure Nepentha Records label waffled on the front cover about Hell and Love and the icky like. Yet talk of the occult and stage shows that apparently scared the living crap of unsuspecting audiences - Zior turned out to be a rather ordinary Hard Rock Band with occasional hooky tunes that really could have done something if they hadn't been mired in such jump-on-the-occult-bandwagon crap.

Typically though, cult British reissue label Grapefruit Records (part of Cherry Red) do the business by our hairy Southend band and deliver a Box Set that may at last give their Atomic Rooster/Black Widow Rock sounds a better airing and understanding. I can't honestly say that all of it is worthy of such lavish attention - but you do get the hugely expensive May 1971 debut on Nepentha Records, an October 1971 album featuring Zior Leading Man Keith Bonsor hiding under the pseudonym of Steve Lowe in a band called Monument (on Beacon Records), a German-only LP from 1973 by Zior on Interchord Records and finally on Disc 4, a privately issued album of new Zior recordings from 2018. The first two even sport bonus tracks in the shape of rare single B-sides. Let's get blinded by the light (and coven clichés)...

UK released 30 August 2019 - "Before My Eyes Go Blind: The Complete Recordings" by ZIOR [including MONUMENT] on Grapefruit Records CRSEGBOX057 (Barcode 5013929185708) is a 4CD Clamshell Box Set of Remasters that plays out as follows:

CD1 (44:10 minutes):

1. I Really Do [Side 1]

2. Za Za Za Zilda

3. Love's Desire

4. New Land

5. Now I'm Sad

6. Give Me Love

7. Quabala [Side 2]

8. Oh Mariya

9. Your Life Will Burn

10. I Was Fooling

11. Before My Eyes Go Blind

12. Rolling Thunder

Tracks 1 to 12 are their debut album "Zior" - released May 1971 in the UK on Nepentha Records 6437 005 (no US issue). Produced by BILL FARLEY - it failed to chart.

BONUS TRACK:

13. She's A Bad, Bad Woman - Non-Album B-side to "Za Za Za Zilda", released 25 June 1971 in the UK on Nepentha 6129 002

CD2 (45:47 minutes):

1. Entrance Of The Devil [Side 1]

2. The Chicago Spine

3. Have You Heard The Wind Speak

4. Time is The Reason

5. She'll Take You Down

6. Dudi Judy

7. Strange Kind Of Magic

8. Ride Me Baby

9. Evolution

10. Every Inch A Man

11. Cat's Eyes 3

12. Suspended Animation

13. Angel Of The Highway

Tracks 1 to 13 are their second studio album as ZIOR called "Every Inch A Man" - released early 1973 in Germany on Global/Interchord Records 26009-1.

CD3 (33:56 minutes):

1. Dog Man [Side 1]

2. Stale Flesh

3. Don't Run Me Down

4. Give Me Life

5. The Metamorphosis Tango

6. Boneyard Bumne

7. First Taste Of Love

8. And She Goes

9. Overture For Limp Piano C

10. I'm Coming Back

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "The First Monument" by MONUMENT where all tracks are credited to STEVE LOWE as the writer - really KEITH BONSOR of ZIOR - released October 1971 in the UK on Beacon Records BEAS 15

CD4 (61:54 minutes):

1. Welcome To My World Of Darkness

2. The Wicca Maker

3. Crowman Rises

4. Demon Woman

5. Vampire Night

6. Earth Hell & Fire

7. The Spirit Of India

8. Release The Dogs

9. Eastwood Bugsy

10. Sabbat 8

11. Scorpion

12. Storm Chaser

13. Entry Of The Devil Voices

14. Rue Chanoinesse

15. Data Bizzare

Tracks 1 to 16 are the album "Spirit Of The Gods" privately released on Vica Records (with no catalogue number) in 2018

BONUS TRACK:

16. Inner Mind Vision (1971)

The 24-page booklet features a new interview with Zior's principal songwriter Keith Bonsor (all material is licensed from him, no mastering credits) and DAVID WELLS liner notes on their 'colourful' history. There are impossibly rare Euro picture sleeve variants for their two Nepentha Records 45s - "Za Za Za Zilda" (June 1971 on 6129 002) and "Cat's Eyes" (December 1971 on 6129 003 with "I Really Do"on the B-side).

Bonsor also explains that the band may have encapsulated actual witches, but they were never evil-mongers and the Beacon Records album by Monument only did for their rep with its lurid claims on the back cover of Witchfinder General goings on. The audio on each varies from good to great - the superb Flute and Harmony Rock of "New Land" on the debut sounding suitably impressive for instance while the 2018 is actually too in your face. And the debut card sleeve is a gatefold reflecting that original iconic artwork – the others are singles.

You can understand why Nepentha Records tried the Blackfoot Sue "Standing in The Road" sounding "Za Za Za Zilda" track as a 45 that might land Zior on 'Top Of The Pops' - hooky and catchy. It was at least better than its rather dull "She's A Bad, Bad Woman" non-album B-side. But the debut (like much of their stuff) suffers from average songs, a good but never great vocal and a fair-to-middling production. Those expecting the big riffs of Sabbath can look elsewhere - but that doesn't stop stuff like "New Land" being excellent - though you may wonder where the bop Rock 'n' Roll of "Rolling Thunder" fits in with all that doomy artwork. Albums two, three and four feature more badly recorded vocals buried in the mix of Rock riffage ("Strange Kind Of Magic"), Psych Rock ("Boneyard Bumne") and so on. By the time you make it to the final splash, it feels like hard work instead of hard rock.

In the end much of the Zior material is very second rate and feels more dated that dark. For fans it's a treat for sure, but I'd advise anyone else a listen before purchase...