Sounds Good, Looks Good...

Welcome to Mark Barry's Review Blog - SOUNDS GOOD, LOOKS GOOD... It features in-depth reviews for Quality CD Reissues and Remasters - all with Discography Info (six times Amazon 'Hall of Fame' Reviewer). With over 2,600 posts - genres covered include Rock, Pop, Soul, Funk, Jazz Fusion, Blues, Rhythm 'n' Blues, Doo Wop, Vocal Groups, 1960s and 1970s, Prog, Psych, Folk, Blues-Rock, Goth, Punk, New Wave, 1980s, Reggae and more. I also review FILMS, TV Shows, BLU RAYS and BOOKS. Enjoy the reads...

Wednesday 9 December 2020

"Point Of Know Return" by KANSAS – October 1977 Fifth US Album on Kirshner Records featuring Kerry Livgren, Steve Walsh, Rich Williams, Robby Steinhardt, Dave Hope and Phil Ehart (February 2002 US Epic/Legacy Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Two Bonus Tracks - Darcy M. Proper, Suha Gur and Jeff Glixman Remixes and Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 300 Others Is Available In My

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Music Of 1975 to 1979

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Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters

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"...Lightning's Hand..."

As per the hugely informative fold-out inlay and new liner notes from original producer Jeff Glixman - Kansas' 5th album "Point Of Know Return" released in early October 1977 was rushed in every way - especially the final mixing.

The band had scored huge with "Leftoverture" in October of the previous year (a breakthrough LP and a US No. 5) and the new platter was going to be just as big, buoyant and script typeface Progtastic as its much loved little brother ("Point Of Know Return" went one notch higher in fact, up to No. 4). There is discussion of 70-hour marathon mixing and finishing-up sessions that left the original makers and recording crew deeply unhappy. But with release and another tour imminent - there was no time to fix it. Flying from L.A. to NYC, they walked into a New York Radio Station with a lacquer cut only that afternoon at Sterling Sound for them to play immediately - plugging a band performance that evening.

So it appears that with some relief the Jeffster, alongside renowned Audio Engineers Darcy M. Proper and Universal's Suha Gur, were all well pleased in 2001 to get their grubby hands on a second chance to properly remaster this dense album. They could now give it the breathing space the CD format allows and even throw it a couple of apt Previously Unreleased Bonuses too.

Which brings us here – the Epic/Legacy Remaster Series for Kansas. Let's get ship shape, tame this musical tempest and float back over that newly visible horizon...

US released 12 February 2002 - "Point Of Know Return" by KANSAS on Epic/Legacy EK 85387 (Barcode 888837145428) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster with Two Bonus Tracks that plays out as follows (54:35 minutes):

1. Point of Know Return [Side 1]
2. Paradox
3. The Spider
4. Portrait (He Knew)
5. Closet Chronicles
6. Lightning's Hand [Side 2]
7. Dust In The Wind
8. Sparks Of The Tempest
9. Nobody's Home
10. Hopelessly Human
Tracks 1 to 10 are their fifth album "Point Of Know Return" - released October 1977 in the USA on Kirshner Records JZ 34929 and November 1977 in the UK on Kirshner KIR 82234. Produced by JEFF GLIXMAN - it peaked at No. 4 in the US LP charts (didn't chart UK).

BONUS TRACKS (Previously Unreleased):
11. Sparks Of The Tempest (Live at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, Maryland, Columbia)
12. Portrait (He Knew) (Remix)

KANSAS was:
KERRY LIVGREN - Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Keyboards & Percussion
STEVE WALSH - Keyboards and Lead Vocals
RICH WILLIAMS – Acoustic & Electric Guitars
ROBBY STEINHARDT – Violin, Cello, Vocals
DAVE HOPE – Bass
PHIL EHART – Drums and Percussion

The twelve-leaf foldout inlay repro's in full that elaborate Peter Lloyd cover art and the beautiful Bob Maile calligraphy lyrics/credits that has always been such an identity point for this huge album. The new DAVID WILD Liner notes also feature reminiscences from band main-man Kerry Livgren whilst the big prize is of course brand new DARCY M. PROPER, SUHA GUR and JEFF GLIXMAN Remixes and Remasters – the album now absolutely jumping. There isn't too much dust left on these tapes...to the Prog...

Kirshner opened the album's account with the title song "Point Of Know Return" b/w "Closet Chronicles" released as an October 1977 US 45-single - Kirshner ZS8 4273 achieving No. 28 on the Top 100 in the USA whilst its British December 1977 release on KIR 5820 was ignored.

But it was "Dust In The Wind" b/w "Paradox" that really blew the album sales up. Released in January 1978 - Kirshner ZS8 4274 entered the US singles chart in mid February where it began a steady rise - eventually securing a No. 6 slot in the Top 10. This fantastically hooky tune that seemed to slot into so many genre-categories (bet Epic loved that) explains the album's 51-week chart run. It also saw the struggling bands near 10-year stretch of existence suddenly become moneyed. Kansas was now one of the 'huge' bands on Epic's roster - Boston, Journey and Kansas - they have always been inextricably linked as American Rock Bands that give it some guitar and more guitar and larrup on the keyboards (even strings) for good measure.

In May 1978, a third US 45-single would appear coupling "Portrait (He Knew)" with Side 2's opener "Lightning's Hand" on the flipside - but it hadn't the legs of its predecessor and failed to make the Top 100. Still - this Remaster has made one of my album faves sing - command the "Lightning's Hand" - while its interesting to hear the (not surprisingly) unreleased 'live' version of "Sparks In The Tempest" where the band begins to fall apart at the end. Love that Prog rip-through in the instrumental "The Spider" too.

Outside of the hugely catchy "Carry On Wayward Son" single in early 1977 - Kansas never did mean much in Blighty - but the boys from Topeka were superstars in the USA then and remain so to this day - fans tearful just looking at the artwork for "Point of Know Return". Now they can hear it properly too and buy it for under six quid or even less. Nice one...

Tuesday 8 December 2020

"Maximum Darkness" by MAN – September 1975 UK Tenth LP on United Artists (a 5-Track LIVE Set) featuring Deke Leonard, Micky Jones, John Cipollina (ex Quicksilver Messenger Service), Terry Williams and Martin Ace (May 2008 UK Esoteric Recordings Expanded Edition CD Reissue – Paschal Byrne Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Many Are Called..."

It seems that suddenly (if you could call it that) - MAN had begun to gain actual notice from the buying public when the critical and commercial success of "Rhinos, Winos + Lunatics" in May 1974 was rapidly followed by "Slow Motion" in November of that productive year. Their 9th and 10th studio sets had finally struck a chord and their weird Welsh Rock rhythms were even beginning to sound – dare we say it – kinda cool.

Time therefore of course to stop, take stock and release yet another live one. Time maybe too, to even take in a third axeman of repute to stand out front alongside the twin lead guitars of Deke Leonard and Micky Jones - John Cipollina of Quicksilver Messenger Service. The Welsh and The American – what could go wrong?

And that's where the beautifully realised "Maximum Darkness" live album with its laminated gatefold sleeve and foldout poster came a Prog-rocking in...

Between 2008 and 2014, Esoteric Recordings of the UK (part of Cherry Red) colluded and canoodled with remaining band members, relaunching their entire album catalogue from 1969 through to 1977 in real CD-reissue style (see detailed list below). Here are the details for entry number ten...

UK released 26 May 2008 (9 June 2008 in the USA) – "Maximum Darkness" by MAN on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2061 (Barcode 5013929716124) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster with Two Bonus Tracks that pans out as follows (79:42 minutes):

1. 7171 551 [Side 1]
2. Codine
3. Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You
4. Many Are Called, But Few Get Up [Side 2]
5. Bananas
Tracks 1 to 5 are their 10th album – the live set "Maximum Darkness" – released July 1975 in the UK on United Artists UAG 29872 and in the USA on United Artists UA-LA345-G. It was recorded at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm in London on 26 May 1975 by VIC MAILE and Produced by MAN.

BONUS TRACKS:
6. C'mon (Live) – Previously Unreleased
7. Romain (Live) – Previously Unreleased
Both tracks recorded live at The Keystone, Berkeley, California in April 1975

For "Maximum Darkness" MAN was:
DEKE LEONARD – Lead Guitars, Keyboards and Vocals
MICKY JONES – Lead Guitars and Vocals
JOHN CIPOLLINA – Lead Guitars
MARTIN ACE – Bass and Vocals
TERRY WILLIAMS – Drums and Percussion

As well as reproducing Deke's copious original liner notes to the September 1975 UK LP (Pages 16 to 19, albeit in tiny print) - the 20-page booklet features new liner notes by band guitarist DEKE LEONARD recalling how the collaboration with Cipollina came about and their musical meetings of minds. And like all of the booklets in this exemplary reissue series, the text is peppered with period memorabilia like stage passes, trade adverts, gig flyers, the LP artwork and poster and the press buzz around Cipollina joining the band for their tour dates. All is tastefully laid out as Deke recalls hotel room shenanigans when JC first came to meet them (they shoot the door in his face thinking he was some imposter – nice).
But the really big news is a superb new remaster handled by PASCHAL BYRNE at Audio Archiving using original master tapes. And that pair of Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks are actually that – bonuses - especially "Romain" – a slide-guitar chugger that had opened Side 1 of their third album "Man" way back in the spring of 1971.

While "7171 551" was new, Quicksilver aficionados would recognize two of their songs in "Codine" and "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" – tunes that had turned up on the 1968 Psych Soundtrack album "Revolution" (again on United Artists). In the new liner notes, Deke Leonard explains that Cipollina leaving the band to return to America after the British Tour left a musical hole in Man. And you can so hear why on the two Side 2 live works outs - "Bananas" and "Many Are Called, But Few Get Up" (originally on the albums "Do You Like It Here Now? Are You Settling In?" and "Be Good to Yourself At Least Once A Day" from 1971 and 1972). They go to eleven and half minutes and nearly fourteen – the blend of musicianship being exactly what you would imagine it to be – a hybrid of Man vs. QMS amalgamated – such sympatico in the playing and ideas. The combined sound is one of both Classic Seventies Rock sidling up to Prog Rock elements and both winning in the antler rut.

Bonuses - the eleven-minute studio version of "C'mon" originated on the "Be Good To Yourself At Least Once A Day" LP in November 1972, while "Romain” had been on the "Man" album that preceded it in March 1971. "C'mon" scoots along with typical Man guitars until it reaches about four minutes in and slows to a Blues pace where the introduction of Brian Auger/Graham Bond type organ give it a very mellow Prog/Jazz feel. "Romain" is a guitar vehicle where the band gets to stretch out. Great extras and cleverly chosen too.

So there you have it – a largely forgotten 70s live set that should be rediscovered - reissued by a label that cares...

Deke Leonard put out three Solo LPs in 1973, 1974 and 1981 (also on UA), Terry Williams later joined Dire Straits and Guitarist Micky Jones passed away in 2010.
Esoteric have reissued and remastered the entire MAN catalogue in the same upgraded manner with full co-operation from the band (see list below) and I’ve reviewed 4, 6, 9 and 10 and now 11 to date.

MAN DISCOGRAPHY for Esoteric Recordings CD Reissues

1. Revelation (January 1969 debut) – Esoteric ECLEC 2127 (2009 Remaster with 4 Bonus Tracks)

2. 2 Ozs Of Plastic With A Hole In The Middle (September 1969) – Esoteric ECLEC 2128 (2009 Remaster with 3 Bonus Tracks)

3. Man (March 1971) – Esoteric ECLEC 2012 (2007 Remaster with 2 Bonus Tracks)

4. Do You Like It Here Now, Are You Settling In? (November 1971) – Esoteric ECLEC 2013 (2007 Remaster with 3 Bonus Tracks)

5. Live At The Padget Rooms, Penarth (September 1972) – Esoteric ECLEC 2014 (2007 Remaster with the original 3-track album expanded onto 6 tracks across 2CDs)

6. Be Good To Yourself A Least Once A Day (November 1972) – Esoteric ECLEC 2019 (2007 Remaster In Card Digipak with "Map Of Wales" insert and 2 Bonus Tracks)

7. Christmas At The Patti by MAN and FRIENDS (July 1973) – Esoteric ECLEC 2018 (2007 Remaster. The original vinyl was a live double 10” Record that featured FLYING ACES, DUCKS DELUXE, THE JETS, PLUM CRAZY with DAVE EDMUNDS, HELP YOURSELF with DEKE LEONARD and B.J. COLE and finally MAN with DAVE EDMUNDS and STAN PHIFER. The CD contains the full double with no extras)

8. Back Into The Future (September 1973 – Half Live/Half Studio Double-Album) – Esoteric ECLEC 2060 (2008 3CD Remaster with the 2LP set on CD1 whilst CD2 (June 1973) and CD3 (August 1973) have 10 Bonus Tracks)

9. Rhinos, Winos + Lunatics (May 1974) – Esoteric ECLEC 2020 (2007 Remaster with a Bonus 7” single cut on Disc 1 and a Previously Unreleased 5-Track Live Concert at The Whiskey A Go Go in LA on Disc 2)

10. Slow Motion (November 1974) – Esoteric ECLEC 2062 (2008 Remaster 6 Bonus Tracks)

11. Maximum Darkness [Live] (September 1975) – Esoteric ECLEC 2061 (2008 Remaster with two Live Bonus tracks)

12. The Welsh Connection (March 1976) – Esoteric ECLEC 22403 (2013 Remaster with a Bonus 7” single B-side ad 5 live tracks on CD1 and a 2nd CD of 9 tracks)

13. All's Well That Ends Well [Live] (November 1977) – Esoteric ECLEC 32431 (2014 Remaster of the album on CD1 with 2 Previously Unreleased CDs of the entire show from December 1976 (Discs 2 and 3) newly mixed from the 24-track tapes. There is also a repro of the "History Of Man" insert that came with the first 5000 copies of the original vinyl album)

"The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album" by MUDDY WATERS – April 1975 US LP on Chess Records featuring Pinetop Perkins, Paul Butterfield, Bob Margolin, Garth Hudson and Levon Helm of The Band, Fred Carter and Howard Johnson with Producer Henry Glover (October 1995 UK/EUROPE MCA/Chess Expanded Edition CD Reissue with One Bonus Track – Part of The Original Chess Masters Reissue Series - Erick Labson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 300 Others Is Available In My

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Music Of 1975 to 1979

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"...Deep As The Ocean... "

After 27 years recording for Chess Records, this April 1975 American album was Muddy's last for the label (never got a UK release) and I think it's a bit of a forgotten gem.

"The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album" is also one of those CDs that actually received an official British and European release by MCA as part of 'The Original Chess Masters' Series. Here is the love, deep as an ocean...

UK/EUROPE originally released 24 October 1995 - "The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album" by MUDDY WATERS on Chess/MCA MCD 09359 (Barcode 076732935927) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue with One Bonus Track and is part of The Original Chess Masters Reissue Series. It plays out as follows (43:54 minutes):

1. Why Are People Like That [Side 1]

2. Going Down To Main Street

3. Born With Nothing

4. Caldonia

5. Funny Sounds [Side 2]

6. Love, Deep As The Ocean

7. Let The Good Times Roll

8. Kansas City

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album" – released April 1975 in the USA on Chess Records CH 60035 and was produced by HENRY GLOVER.

BONUS TRACK:

9. Fox Squirrel – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED CD-Only Bonus Track

MUSICIANS:

MUDDY WATERS – Vocals and Guitar

PINETOP PERKINS – Piano and Additional Vocals on "Kansas City" and "Caldonia"

PAUL BUTTERFIELD – Harmonica

BOB MARGOLIN – Guitar

HOWARD JOHNSON – Saxophone

GARTH HUDSON (of The Band) – Organ, Accordion and Saxophone

FRED CARTER – Bass and Guitar

LEVON HELM (of The Band) – Drums and Bass

As you can see from the list provided above, an impressive array of musicians were involved in the sessions recorded across two days in February 1975 at Bearsville's Studios in Turtle Creek, New York (the 6th and 7th). Paul Butterfield of Elektra Records' The Butterfield Blues Band provides fabulous bluesy Harmonica throughout; the legendary (Joe Willie) Pinetop Perkins tinkles the ivories and guest vocals on "Kansas City" and "Caldonia" with both Garth Hudson and Levon Helm of those Americana champions The Band throwing in Keyboards/Accordion and Drums/Bass respectively.

While "The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album" is a straight-up blues record for the most part, Hudson's Accordion playing gives some of the tracks a slightly Swing/Cajun feel - and is a genuine surprise and treat for it too. Special mention should also go to Butterfield's harp warbling which is typically fantastic throughout - clearly enthused by the mere proximity of the great blues man. In fact you can 'feel' the love of each musician towards Muddy in each and every recording.

Five of its eight tracks are Muddy Waters originals topped up with three cover versions - Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller's peach "Kansas City", made famous by Wilbert Harrison and done by hundreds of others since, with the other two being Louis Jordan R 'n' B classics, "Let The Good Times Roll" and "Caldonia" - penned by his wife Fleecie Moore. The original vinyl album was afforded the luxury of a colour gatefold sleeve picturing the famous Blues and Rock World guests on the inside - the 12-page booklet reproduces those photos (smiles all around) and adds new liner notes from CHRIS MORRIS of Billboard Magazine.

Producer-Songwriter Henry Glover had cut albums on King Records in the Fifties and Sixties with some amazing names – James Brown, Little Willie John and Hank Ballard - whilst Drummer and full-on Muddy enthusiast Levon Helm had been the catalyst for the Rock-Blues album – emulating what Howlin Wolf had done with The Rolling Stones on their label for the stunning 'London Sessions' series of albums (Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and so on). I have reviewed "The Howlin Wolf London Sessions: 2CD Deluxe Edition" reissue (check that out).

This 1995 ERICK LABSON remaster has typically ace sound from one of Universal's primo engineers (over a thousand transfer credits to his name including huge swathes of the Chess, Cadet and Checker catalogues). What is cool too is that "Fox Squirrel" - a CD-only bonus track – is just that - a genuine discovery and bonus (astonishing that this McKinley Morganfield original was left off the record nor ever used as a B-side?).

"The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album" divides some fans, but I feel it's a forgotten gem from a golden age that deserves a rethink. For sure it isn't the hard-hitting Chicago Blues-Rock that the later Johnny Winter/Muddy Waters collaborations on Blue Sky Records would produce - "Hard Again" in 1977, "I'm Ready" in 1978 and the "Live" Album in 1979 - stuff that revitalised the great man's career. But it is good, just in a different way, criminally overlooked and like almost all of his 70's recordings - I have always loved it to bits.

I know there are those who would say that his 40ts, 50ts and 60ts Aristocrat and Chess sides are the only Holy Grail worth sipping from - but I say knob to that.

Test out "Going Down To Main Street" on iTunes or any streamer service and you'll get to a deeper part of an ocean you will want to swim/drown in...

"Black And Blue" by THE ROLLING STONES – April 1976 UK and US Album on Rolling Stones Records featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts with Guests Harvey Mandel and Wayne Perkins on Guitars, Billy Preston and Nicky Hopkins on Keyboards and Backing Vocals with Ian Stewart with Ollie Brown on Percussion (June 1994 UK Virgin CD Remaster by Bob Ludwig vs. May 2009 Polydor CD Remaster by Stephen Marcussen) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 300 Others Is Available In My

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"...Shake Your Body...Work It Right Now..."

If it weren't for the abomination that is their cover version of Eric Donaldson's Reggae song "Cherry Oh Baby" on Side 1 (a serious pet hate for me in the entirety of their formidable catalogue) - I would actually consider April 1976's "Black And Blue" to be as close to perfect a Rolling Stones 70ts album as you can get.

For sure it's not the mighty "Let It Bleed", "Sticky Fingers" or "Exile On Main St." - but then what is. But "Black And Blue" is an album that had taken the Funk and Soul influences that had crept into 1973's "Goats Head Soup" and even elements of 1974's "It's Only Rock 'N Roll" and given it full flourish. Stuff like "Hey Negrita" and "Hot Stuff" were a revelation to me when I heard them first - the Stones smartly catching the Funk, Soul and Jazz Funk vibes of the time and stretching their sound out to accommodate them. And "Melody" had a sass and sway about it too. But white boys doing Reggae never did quite work for me outside of say the Ska rhythms of Two Tone that would come at the end of that fantastic decade.

Plus the non-crammed vinyl record sounded 'brilliant' - produced like a kicking mule - which is not something you could ever have accused "Goat's Head Soup" of. And I thought the ballad "Fool To Cry" to be magical (and still do). But what CD variant of this 8-track genre-melt do you buy?

1. Hot Stuff [Side 1]
2. Hand Of Fate
3. Cherry Oh Baby
4. Memory Hotel
5. Hey Negrita [Side 2]
6. Melody
7. Fool To Cry
8. Crazy Mama
Tracks 1 to 8 are their album "Black And Blue" – released 20 April 1976 in the UK and USA on Rolling Stones Records COC 59106 and COC 79104 respectively. Produced by The Glimmer Twins – it peaked at No. 1 in the USA and No. 2 in the UK.

Rolling Stones - Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts - were joined by Guests included guitarists Harvey Mandel and Wayne Perkins with Keyboardist and Vocalist Billy Preston, Keyboardist Nicky Hopkins and Ian Stewart with Ollie Brown on Percussion.

There are maybe four or even five remasters in total, but two I think worth it and easy to access. The first is the 1999 Virgin issue and the second – he more commonly available 2009 Polydor variant.

June 1994 saw two reissues using the UK original master tapes – the Standard CD Edition on Virgin CDV 2736 (Barcode 724383952021) and a Collector’s Edition on Virgin CDVX 2736 (Barcode 724383949922) issued in a stickered outer plastic slipcase with Original Album Packaging repro’d in Mini LP form on the inside – the 1976 gatefold and its track-by-track credits inner sleeve (41:25 minutes). Renowned Audio Engineer BOB LUDWIG carried out the Remaster at Gateway Mastering using the UV22 Super CD Encoding Process (created by Apogee Electronics in California).

The second came with the May 2009 Remaster on Polydor/Rolling Stones Records 0602527015613 (Barcode 602527015613) housed in a Super Jewel Case with a CD booklet. Part of The Rolling Stones Remasters Series (all done by STEPHEN MARCUSSEN), it plays to 41:21 minutes, has a Lips Sticker on the case and there is no Collector’s Edition.

The Virgin issues are both deleted and not surprisingly the Collector’s Edition garnishes a cost – none too unreasonable though as it regularly sells for somewhere between twelve and sixteen UK pounds. The Polydor issues (part of The Rolling Stones Remasters Series) have sold for as little as a fiver or somewhere below seven quid and are easily available. Japan has weighed in with SACD issues, Flat Transfer SHM-CD and Platinum SHM-CDs in presentation boxes and on it goes (I hated the Platinum variant of Sticky Fingers that used a flat transfer so I avoided the rest).

The Virgin issue has extraordinary vitality – the rhythms and flicks and vocals shouts leaping out of your speakers. As guest guitarist Harvey Mandel takes the sole Lead Guitar on the Side 1 opener "Hot Stuff" (a young virtuoso, he had played slide with Blues artists like Canned Heat and Charlie Musselwhite before starting a solo career in 1968) – the power is undeniably huge. He flicks sexy rhythms as a back beat then overlaying that with funky Jeff Beck Blow By Blow moments. Jagger sings he can't get enough and neither can I. Back to proper Stones fare with the superb "Hand Of Fate" - Keith back at the guitar reins with help from Manassas whizz-kid Wayne Perkins on the solo (a stunner). I love this kind of Stones swagger (watched him die, watch out boy) - they seem to make something out of nothing and it somehow comes up peaches and cream.

Long-time sessionman Nicky Hopkins provides the keyboards for "Cherry Oh Baby" but I quickly skip to the oddly touching "Memory Hotel" - it's seven-minutes and ten seconds feeling epic in all the best Stones way. Billy Preston plays String Synthesizer; Wayne Perkins plays Acoustic with Harvey Mandel on Electric - while Billy, Keith, Ronnie Wood and Mick all provide backing vocals. Sang a song to me - Jagger remembers - stuck right in my brain. I also love that 'she got a mind of her own and she uses it well...' off the cuff line from Keith as a counter melody. The audio is superb. Used to mean so much to me – it still does.

The sloppy Joe signature sound of Ronnie Wood combined with Keef gives the fantastic "Hey Negrita" (apparently a nickname for Jagger's wife) - Billy Preston dropping in those off-the-cuff piano fills that just so work. Stevie Wonder's percussionist Ollie Brown is in their too shuffling with Charlie Watts. But its Wood who slots in like a glove - catching the groove - as Jagger hollers just a momentita - one last dollar - then we go - fantastic stuff. Mick Jagger is credited with 'foot stomp' on the jazzy New Orleans sleaze that is the Saturday Night of "Melody" - Arif Mardin arranging a genius horn section towards the finish while Billy Preston slips in superb second vocals.

We race to the finish with a double-whammy of greatness that puts the album up there for me - the poor-me tear-fest "Fool To Cry" and the boozy riffage of "Crazy Mama". Even today, I can still recall the chills that went up my arms when I first heard "Fool To Cry" - the Nicky Hopkins and Mick Jagger synth and piano combo - its words nailing me to some lonesome mast or other - the Stones are like that. The ball and chain sawn-off shotgun pound of "Crazy Mama" is still a mule kicker and easily as good as say "Start Me Up" – just not as famous.

The 2009 Polydor Remaster (which I also own) is fantastically clear and fulsome, but somehow there's a softer naturality to the 1994 version that keeps bringing me back to it. But if you are on a budget, either will do in truth.

"Black And Blue" is a great Seventies Stones album for me. "It makes me wonder why...daddy you're a fool to cry..." Well, I don't care if I do look like a nit after all these decades of Glimmer Twins & Co worship, because this is one I want to cry about...

Monday 7 December 2020

"Night Moves" by BOB SEGER and THE SILVER BULLET BAND – October 1976 US Ninth Studio Album on Capitol Records featuring guests Pete Carr and Jimmy Johnson on Guitars, Barry Beckett on Keyboard, Jerry Luck on Accordion, David Hood on Bass and Roger Hawkins on Drums of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and Backing Singers Sharon Dee Williams, Rhonda Silver and Laurel Ward (December 1999 US Capitol CD Reissue – Punch Andrews Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 300 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

PROVE IT ALL NIGHT

Music Of 1975 to 1979

Your All-Genres Guide To

Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

Just Click Below To Purchase (No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Trying To Lose Those Awkward Teenage Moves..."

It seems staggering that it took Michigan's Bob Seger and his crack-a-lacking group The Silver Bullet Band eight studio albums and one further live double to get to the eventual chart success of 1976's "Night Moves" - his ninth studio set since his debut "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man" all the way back in January 1969.

Preceded only six months earlier by the raucous double-album set "'Live' Bullet" in April 1976 that had reignited every young American's interest in Bob Seger (it peaked at an impressive No. 34 on the US LP charts) - "Night Moves" followed in early October 1976. And with that great voice, his tight band on Side 1 and the even tighter Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section on Side 2 – all of it backed up by unbelievably hooky tunes that captured the fun and misery of growing up in small town USA oh so well – it soon became a monster Rock LP that 'just happened' as they say.

Although his music meant little in Blighty (it didn't chart there - not one of his releases ever had) - Seger smashed the Top Ten in his native USA where "Night Moves" peaked at No. 8 and was the place where his career really kicked off.

And like fellow mucker Steve Miller who saw his "Fly Like An Eagle" album on Mercury Records alter his life forever in 1976 too, both of these intelligent rockers had been around since the late Sixties, popping out albums to much critical acclaim but not a lot else. But "Night Moves" had three great singles off of it (beginning in November 1976 when Capitol 4369 paired "Night Moves" with "Ship Of Fools" on the flipside) and had legs from its LP release date in October 1976 right through until the late summer of 1977 - spending a whopping 88 weeks on the US charts.

Which brings us via the fire down below to here. After twenty years in the digital domain, this barebones 1999 American CD Remaster on Capitol Records is still the easiest way to access a tasty listen to it. So let's get them up high, put on a few pounds and head down to main-street...

US released 7 December 1999 - "Night Moves" by BOB SEGER and THE SILVER BULLET BAND on Capitol 72435- 24034-2-4 (Barcode 724352403424) is a straightforward transfer and Remaster that plays out as follows (36:53 minutes):

1. Rock And Roll Never Forgets [Side 1]
2. Night Moves
3. The Fire Down Below
4. Sunburst
5. Sunspot Baby [Side 2]
6. Mainstreet
7. Come To Pappa
8. Ship Of Fools
9. Mary Lou
Tracks 1 to 9 are his ninth studio album "Night Moves" - released October 1976 in the USA on Capitol ST-11557 and March 1977 in the UK on Capitol E-ST 11557. It peaked at No 8 in the US LP charts (didn't chart UK). All tracks are Bob Seger originals except "Come To Pappa" which was an Earl Randle/Willie Mitchell song sung by Ann Peebles on Hi Records in 1975 and "Mary Lou" which was a cover of the Young Jessie Modern Records 45-classic from 1955.

The 8-page inlay is a horribly functional affair – album credits, lyrics and zip else whilst the only transfer credit is to a June 1999 CD Remaster by PUNCH ANDREWS at Capitol Mastering in L.A. Having said all of that, this is a lovely listen – clean – pucker – those acoustic strums and the three lady backing singers on Night Moves (Sharon Dee Williams, Rhonda Silver and Laurel Ward) all allowed to breathe. And when it needs to kick ass for say Sunspot Baby – the muscle and clarity are both there too.

The album is a tale of two groups – the Silver Bullet Band playing most of Side 1 – featuring Drew Abbott on Guitars, Robyn Robbins on Keyboards and Horns, Chris Campbell on Bass and Charlie Allen Martin on Drums - whilst guests the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section took over the reins for most of Side 2 - Pete Carr and Jimmy Johnson on Guitars, Barry Beckett on Keyboards, Jerry Luck on Accordion, David Hood on Bass and Roger Hawkins on Drums.

The four cuts on Side 1 represent something of a clean sweep - the Rawk of "Rock And Roll Never Forgets" where local papers are checked for hot gigs and the sheer nostalgia-fest that is "Night Moves" - our scrawny hero with his eyes popped out by the sight of a girl too beautiful to be real. It really is such a classic tune and like Side 2's unfeasibly-touching "Mainstreet" has become something of a permanent fixture on Classic Rock radio stations for over 45 years now. Boogie returns with "The Fire Down Below" - rich man, poor man, young gal and young buck afflicted with the need for love and a way out of the darkness looming in the distance.

There is fantastic audio on the rocking "Sunspot Baby" - the Bobster outfoxed by a lady with a penchant for nicking his American Express card and leaving him with the bar tab and whatever other bills she clocked up (he's looked in Miami and Negril, but still can't find her). An exotic but lovely dancer in a downtown club floats his boat every night as she struts her stuff - if only he could get the courage up to speak to her - watching her pass around midnight - is she lonely or is she sussed - is she going to make it one day out of "Mainstreet".

While I can see the funky-groove attraction of the Ann Peebles cover "Come To Pappa", I never did think it worked but "Ship Of Fools" and the Young Jessie R&B cover "Mary Lou" finishes a great album with an upbeat Rock 'n' Roll vibe of old.
You can't help thinking that in late 2020 - Bob Seger's classic "Night Moves" is long overdue an 'Extended Edition' or 2CD Deluxe Version (2021 with be its 45th Anniversary, so maybe something is planned for that).

He would go further with May 1978's "Stranger In Town" album (again on Capitol) - all the way up to No. 4 in the States and a 110-week chart run. But "Night Moves" is where my heart lies and it's as available and as cheap as the waves crashing on the side of a ship of fools.

"...I'm gonna catch up sometime...sure had a real good time..." Bob Seger sang on "Sunspot Baby". I agree. Invest and enjoy...

Saturday 5 December 2020

"The Complete Island Recordings" by BOB MARLEY and THE WAILERS - Including Eleven UK Albums (9 Studio, 2 Live) - "Catch A Fire" and "Burnin'" (April and November 1973), "Natty Dread" and "Live!" aka "Live! At The Lyceum" (May and December 1975), "Rastaman Vibration" (April 1976), "Exodus" (May 1977), "Kaya" and "Babylon By Bus" (March and December 1978, 2nd is Live-Double, 2LPs onto 1CD), "Survival" (October 1979), "Uprising" (June 1980) and "Confrontation" (May 1983 posthumous) – featuring Bunny Livingstone (aka Bunny Wailer), Peter Tosh, Earl Lindo, Bernard Harvey, Tyrone Downie, Al Anderson, Earl Smith, The i-Threes and more (December 2020 UK/EUROPE Tuff Gong/Island/UMC 11-CD Clamshell Box Set with Singular Mini LP Card Sleeve Repros and a Booklet – Island Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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A 12-LP VINYL version of "The Complete Island Recordings" by Bob Marley & The Wailers in a limited edition hinge-top silver metal box of 3000 copies was released 25 September 2015 on Tuff Gong/Island/UMC 5360252 (Barcode 600753602522). This 11CD variant is essentially a digital reissue of that.

I got my CD copy this morning, day of release, Friday, 4 December 2020, and I have to say that "The Complete Island Recordings" is a tad underwhelming presentation wise (hence the four stars) – even if it does boast awesome Remastered Audio. So what's inside?

The albums date from the April 1973 Island Records debut "Catch A Fire" through to the posthumous May 1983 LP "Confrontation". The same dull-looking generic CD-label is used across all eleven albums (no Island or Tuff Gong repros then) and a 24-page booklet that seems chunky at first turns out to be the front and rear of the album sleeves repeated across all the pages and nothing else. What is the point of repeating the album artwork front and rear when it's already on the card sleeves?

There are no new liner notes, no catalogue numbers, release dates, no history, no chart info - there isn't even a mastering or reissue credit (not 2015 nor 2020 to indicate what Remasters were used). But one listen to all of them and they are the much-praised remasters Universal has used all along with Marley product. Soundwise the first Wailers LP "Catch A Fire" is hissy on most tracks throughout (even if the music is good), but from "Burnin'" onwards, the audio is pretty much amazing - full of life, drums bashes and pumping bass. There is a warm clarity to these transfers and I suspect having shifted some 75-million records worldwide – someone was smart enough to keep the Island tapes in good nick. The final two "Uprising" and "Confrontation" may blow your speakers out – they are that good. Plus stripped of bonuses and remixes – it is nice to hear each album again sans padding ("Exodus" – what a stunning album all on its owneo).

Disappointingly, "Catch A Fire" uses the spliff reissue sleeve and not the magical Zippo Lighter version that came with original highly sought-after 1972 Island Records LPs (they did this on the 2015 LP Box too) - the "Babylon By Bus" live double from 1978 had a die-cut sleeve for the windscreen, two inners and a poster (all AWOL) - "Exodus" had that gorgeous gold artwork with embossed lettering and an inner, "Live! At The Lyceum" a poster – all not here and so on. As for the 'complete' title, there are single versions, 12" remixes etc that could have been put on Disc 12 but again, not here. Anyway, let's get to what is present...

UK/Europe released Friday, 4 December 2020 - "The Complete Island Recordings" by BOB MARLEY And THE WAILERS on Tuff Gong/Island/UMC 00602435081243 (Barcode 602435081243) is an 11-CD Clamshell Box Set of Remasters with Singular Mini LP Card Sleeve Repros that play out as follows:

CD1 and 2 as The Wailers, all others credited to Bob Marley And The Wailers

LP release-date and original UK catalogue number beneath each CD entry

CD1 "Catch A Fire" (36:16 minutes, 9 Tracks)

April 1973 UK LP on Island ILPS 9241 as The Wailers

CD2 "Burnin'" (38:59 minutes, 10 tracks)

November 1973 UK LP on Island ILPS 9256 as The Wailers

CD3 "Natty Dread" (38:52 minutes, 9 tracks)

May 1975 UK LP on Island ILPS 9281

CD4 "Live!" aka "Live! At The Lyceum" (37:31 minutes, 7 tracks)

December 1975 UK LP on Island ILPS 9376

CD5 "Rastaman Vibration" (35:20 minutes, 10 tracks)

April 1976 UK LP on Island ILPS 9383

CD6 "Exodus" (37:24 minutes, 10 tracks)

May 1977 UK LP on Island ILPS 9498

CD7 "Kaya" (37:14 minutes, 10 tracks)

March 1978 UK LP on Island ILPS 9517

CD8 "Babylon By Bus" (73:41 minutes, 13 tracks)

December 1978 UK LIVE Double-Album on Island ISLD 11 (2LPs onto 1CD)

CD9 "Survival" (38:09 minutes, 10 tracks)

October 1979 UK LP on Island ILPS 9542

CD10 "Uprising" (36:15 minutes, 10 tracks)

June 1980 UK LP on Island ILPS 9596

CD11 "Confrontation" (37:53 minutes, 10 tracks)

May 1983 UK posthumous LP on Island ILPS 9760

When the 14-Track Greatest Hits set "Legend: The Best Of Bob Marley & The Wailers" was released in May 1984 – it quickly became and has become the biggest-selling Reggae LP of all time. But in order to fit into the restricted playing time of a Vinyl LP - eight of its fourteen cuts were either seven-inch single edits or remixes. The 1984 CD (with its extra playing time) allowed for "No Woman, No Cry" and "Exodus" to be their full album versions at 7:08 minutes and 7:40 minutes. Here in 2020, all fourteen of its tracks are available in their full and original album-form and you can sequence an Extended Version of that legendary "Legend" as follows:

Side 1: Is This Love (CD7), No Woman No Cry (Live) (CD4), Could You Be Loved (CD10), Three Little Birds (CD6), Buffalo Soldier (CD11), Get Up Stand Up (CD2) and Stir It Up (CD1)

Side 2: One Love/People Get Ready (CD6), I Shot The Sheriff (CD2), Waiting In Vain (CD6), Redemption Song (CD10), Satisfy My Soul (CD7), Exodus (CD6) and Jamming (CD6).

The "Live! At The Lyceum" in London set still thrills on sheer atmosphere alone and the opening track "Trenchtown Rock" (new to Island Records) was from his brief tenure at Trojan Records in 1971 and 1972. Album discoveries include the overlooked "Burnin'" LP from November 1973 with the stunning positivity of "Get Up Stand Up", the socially aware "Burnin' and Lootin'" – a highlight on the Lyceum set and "I Shot The Sheriff" which Eric Clapton covered of course on his 1974 mega-hit "461 Ocean Boulevard" album – making everyone ask – who is Bob Marley? By the end of 1975, everyone n the world would know.

"Natty Dread" and "Kaya" get forgotten about too, the politically charged "Survival" (with "Zimbabwe") whilst the entirety of 1977's "Exodus" is probably his most accomplished work with Reggae, Funk and Love songs all nestled beside each other. And there is prettiness too in "...turn your lights down low and pull your window curtains...let Jah moon shine in". And on it goes...

I just wish Island and Universal/UMC had gone that little extra mile with the overall visual impact. How hard for instance would it have been to provide a separate foldout sheet/insert with the poster for "Live! At The Lyceum" reproduced on one side and the "Babylon By Bus" one on the other? Just how cool would that have looked – even beautiful? Bob Marley & The Wailers was/is a truly legendary artist - and both he and his ace band deserved it.

Still, despite the lack of extras or even unreleased - at a smidgen under thirty-one quid new from Amazon and delivered to your door shrink-wrapped and ready to make your Hi-Fi Get Up, Stand Up - I suppose you can't really complain in terms of sheer value for money. And it sounds awesome too - I played each and there isn't a duffer except for maybe that slightly hissy first.

Otherwise, i-Three and i-and-i say – if you want to lively up your Dad Rock self in 2020 and be no Covid-drag, then this little sweetie is a fabulous inoculation that won't wither your arm off...

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Sounds Good, Looks Good...

Amazon Music Bestsellers and Deals

Wednesday 9 December 2020

Tuesday 8 December 2020

Monday 7 December 2020

Saturday 5 December 2020

INDEX - Entries and Artist Posts in Alphabetical Order

Quality CD Player/Classy Bit Of Kit - Best Paired With PM 6007 UK Amp

Quality AMP from Marantz - Best Paired With Marantz CD 6007

B&W Speakers - I Have Black Variants of These and they are stunning!

RM Series Replacement Remote - Handy!

Cute As A Button and Practical Too...

More Fantastic 60ts 70ts Soul Than You Can Shake A Stick At - SEE MY REVIEW

Probably The Best Value Remasters Box Set Around - SEE MY REVIEW

Apple's Best Laptop By A Country Mile...

Keep Your CDS. BLU RAYS and DVDS clean and new!

BEATLES - "In Mono" - Gorgeous Gift! SEE MY REVIEW

GRATEFUL DEAD - 2 x HDCD Reissue from Rhino - Fab Track Choices, Sound and Price - SEE MY REVIEW

BEATLES - Abbey Road (50th Anniversary Remaster from 2019) - Beautiful! SEE MY REVIEW

Superb Socially-Conscious Soul/Funk from 1971 to 1974 - See Review

BEATLES - "White Album" - Amazing 2018 Remaster and Unplugged Demos - SEE REVIEW

Breakdown/Protection for SOUNDBARS for 2 Years

ALLMANS Forgotten But Brilliant Double from 1972 - SEE MY REVIEW...

BILL WITHERS Truly Great Multi-Disc Soul Box - SEE MY REVIEW

Great Deal on a great book