"What’s Going On" by MARVIN GAYE – May 1971 US LP on Tamla - October 1971 UK on Tamla Motown featuring Ed Townsend (March 2001 and January 2011 UK Universal/Motown 2CD Deluxe Edition Reissue and Remaster – Kevin Reeves and Suha Gur Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…A Place Where Love Is King…"

Infused with a legend that only grows deeper as the decades pass - Marvin Gaye's 1971 album "What's Going On" is surely the cornerstone of every Soul lover's collection - a vinyl LP so engrained in our hearts that its probably impossible to review it with any real distance. 

And why the Hell would you want to. Some things are just beautiful - plain and simple. And this fabulous 2CD Deluxe Edition celebration of that Tamla Motown crown jewel only hammers its legend home with presentational and sonic knobs on. What an album and what an artist. Here's What's Happening Brother...

The 2CD set "What's Going On: Deluxe Edition" by MARVIN GAYE was originally UK released March 2001 (February 2001 in the USA) on Motown 013 404-2 (Barcode 044001340420). 

It's been subsequently reissued January 2011 on Universal/Motown 0600753279557 (Barcode 600753279557) and both DE versions break down as follows:

Disc 1 (75:37 minutes):

ORIGINAL LP RELEASE (21 May 1971)

1. What's Going On

2. What's Happening Brother

3. Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky)

4. Save The Children

5. God Is Love

6. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

7. Right On [Side 2]

8. Wholy Holy

9. Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)

Tracks 1 to 9 is the original album "What's Going On" - released May 1971 in the USA on Tamla TS 301 and October 1971 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11190

ALTERNATE DETROIT MIX (5 April 1971) - Previously Unreleased

10. What's Going On

11. What's Happening Brother

12. Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky)

13. Save The Children

14. God Is Love

15. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

16. Right On

17. Wholy Holy

18. Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)

THE FOUNDATION - Previously Unreleased

19. What's Going On (Rhythm & Strings Mix)

Disc 2 (77:28 minutes):

LIVE AT THE KENNEDY CENTER, WASHINGTON DC (Recorded 1 May 1972):

1. Sixties Medley: That's The Way Love is/You/I Heard It Through The Grapevine/Little darling (I Need You)/You're All I Need To Get By/Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing/Your Precious Love/Pride And Joy/Stubborn Kind Of Love

2. Right On

3. Wholy Holy

4. Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)

5. What's Going On

6. What's Happening Brother

7. Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky)

8. Save The Children

9. God Is Love

10. Stage Dialogue

Reprise:

11. Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)

12. What's Going On

Tracks 1 to 12 are Previously Unreleased Live Versions

ORIGINAL SINGLE VERSIONS:

13. What's Going On

14. God Is Love

15. Sad Tomorrows

IN THE MEANTIME...

16. "Head Title" (aka Distant Lover) - Previously Unreleased

The 2011 reissue comes in a 2CD jewel case when the original 2001 issue was one of those chunky Deluxe Edition Card Digipaks in a plastic titled outer slipcase. The 32-page booklet reproduces the 'Family Photo Album' insert that came with original copies of the LP, there an intro from Smokey Robinson, an essay on the album called "A Revolution In Sound & Spirit: The Making Of What's Going On" by BEN EDMONDS of the Mojo Magazine, lyrics, notes on the Detroit Mix, Single Versions and after by HARRY WEINGER and comprehensive reissue credits. In between the text are outtake photos of Marvin playing football and training in the snow, taking a phone call and even getting a haircut (it's comprehensive!).

KEVIN REEVES (Disc 1) and SUHA GUR (Disc 2) - both long-time Universal Engineers - carried out the 24-bit remasters from originals tapes - and the sound is gorgeous - as warm and as lovely as you would have hoped for. The album broke the production line process at Motown and is heavily layered, deeply religious and spiritual in its feel and message - that all surfaces as the instruments, strings and voices surface in your speakers. The live set is not a great recording by any means but it is full of atmosphere and Marvin's band digging the new material. It feels like you're eavesdropping on musical history...

Chills race up my arms every time I hear the song "What's Going On" - possibly the most sublime opening tune on any album anywhere. It morphs into the double-whammy of "What's Happening Brother" and "Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky)" - linked by rhythm and social messages. Marvin goes into full on preacher mode with "Save The Children" and ends Side 1 with another own-two sucker punch - the beautifully uplifting "God Is Love" and "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" (those strings and that sax solo). But the best is yet to come - Side 2. Marvin's worries for America and the World and his positive solutions for the same are name-checked in the sublime groove of "Right On" - a seven and half minute slice of magic that never fails to move me - forty-three years after the event.

The extras are a mixed bag as always. The liner notes explain that some oxidization on the tapes have produced drop outs and heavy amounts of hiss on the "Detroit Mix" of the album and indeed it's particularly evident on Side 2 - "Right On", "Wholy Holy" and "Inner City Blues..." But if I'm honest I can see why Marvin discarded this mix - there's just something missing. It could be that I'm so used to hearing the original that it makes an alternate hard to swallow. There's interesting vocal passages in "Inner City Blues" and a more prevalent rhythm section - but again it feels about as subtle as mallet.

Far more exciting is the live set. Recorded a year after the album's release - even his opening 13-minute "Sixties Medley" is done in a languid "What's Going On" groove - slow and mournful - with the band playing a blinder while he gets seriously Soulful on the piano (impressive playing). There then follows the whole of Side 2 - that finally sees the gig lift off into Donny Hathaway territory - the vibe and the crowd behind him and the funky groove. He even starts "Inner City Blues..." over again much to the crowd's clapping delight. Disc 2 ends with four winners - three single mixes and a Demo taste of the future. The B-side "Sad Tomorrows" is a version of "Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky)" while I've always loved the Single Mix of "God Is Love".

So there you have it - a masterpiece given a worthy reissue. Even the front cover photo gives me the wobblies - what an album.

"...Some of us feel the icy wind of poverty blowing in the air...heed the people's cries..." - Marvin sang on "Right On". Our Soul Hero may be gone but the truth soldiers on...

"Gold" by MARVIN GAYE – Tracks from 1962 on Tamla and Motown through to 1982 on Columbia Records Including Two Previously Unreleased Tracks from 1968 and 1972 – Guests Include The Vandellas, Kim Weston, Tammi Terrell and songwriters Holland-Dozier-Holland with Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong (September 2005 UK Universal/Motown 2CD Anthology of Kevin Reeves Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Come Get To This..."

When it comes to huge artists across many different genres and you just want a 'Best Of' or 'Anthology' that delivers but won't cost you a second mortgage - where do you look? I’d advise that right here is a truly fab place to start. 

The 2CD "Gold" sets from Universal is one of those boring generic series of reissues where they 'make it easy for the public to understand'– a catchall type compilation for the supermarket shelf or Megastore (if there any of those even left). I think Universal have as many as 40 maybe even 50 different artists given the twofer "Gold" treatment (see my reviews for Steppenwolf, The Crusaders, Traffic and The Commodores/Lionel Richie). 

But here's the rub (and the distant lover); despite the rather naff artwork and a title that shows all the creative imagination of a concrete brick - I've found without exception that the "Gold" series does the absolute business on the audio front. You get great remastering names like ERICK LABSON (huge swathes of Chess), ELLEN FITTON (all 14 of the award-winning Motown Singles Book Sets), SETH FOSTER (James Brown) and SUHA GUR (Allman Brothers, Joe Cocker, Elvis Costello, Kansas, Cat Stevens, Rod Stewart and more). 

In the case of our Soul hero Marvin Gaye, Motown tapped a name used by many Audiophile companies and an Audio Engineer who has handled literally hundreds of CD Reissues and Remasters to mucho praise - KEVIN REEVES. This 2CD set sounds glorious. And it’s cheaper than a party political promise come election time. In fact if you look in the right places, you can probably nab this sexy little double digital Anthology for under a fiver. 

"...Mercy Me" is right. So, if you'll forgive the obvious pun, let's get it on and do the details...

UK released 5 September 2005 - "Gold" by MARVIN GAYE on Universal/Motown 0602498632253 (Barcode 602498632253) is a 34-Track 2CD Definitive Collection of Remasters covering 1962 to 1982 that plays out as follows:

CD1 (54:05 minutes):

1. Stubborn Kind Of Fellow [The Vandellas on Backing Vocals]

2. Hitch Hike [The Vandellas on Backing Vocals]

3. Pride And Joy 

4. Can I Get A Witness 

5. You're A Wonderful One 

6. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) 

7. I'll Be Doggone 

8. Ain't That Peculiar 

9. It Takes Two [with KIM WESTON]

10. Ain't No Mountain High Enough [with TAMMI TERRELL]

11. Your Precious Love [with TAMMI TERRELL]

12. If I Could Build My Whole World Around You [with TAMMI TERRELL]

13. Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing [with TAMMI TERRELL]

14. You're All I Need To Get By [with TAMMI TERRELL]

15. You 

16. I Heard It Through The Grapevine 

17. Too Busy Thinking About My Baby 

18. That's The Way Love Is 

19. His Eye Is On The Sparrow [PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED 1968 Stereo Mix]

CD2 (76:09 minutes):

1. What's Going On 

2. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

3. Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler) 

4. You're The Man - Pts. I & II (5:45 minutes)

5. Where Are We Going? [PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED 1972 recording]

6. Trouble Man 

7. Let's Get It On

8. Come Get To This 

9. Distant Lover (Live) 

10. I Want You 

11. Got To Give It Up (Live, 11:48 minutes)

12. Anger 

13. Ego Tripping Out 

14. Praise 

15. Sexual Healing 

The 16-page booklet features liner notes from Marvin's official biographer DAVID RITZ who gives a potted history of his recording career and well-publicised mental and financial troubles towards to end - right up to he triumphant "Sexual Healing" return in 1982 that put him right back up on top everywhere in the world. There are cool colour photos and the track-by-track annotation offers the LP title, writer credits and US R&B and Pop chart positions if applicable. They use the same smiling photo of MG on the rear inlay beneath the see-through tray. KEVIN REEVES handles the MONO and STEREO Remasters and they are fabulous. 

While the early stuff like "Hitch Hike" and "Pride And Joy" is very much for aficionados of early 60ts Soul – tunes like "Can I Get A Witness" and "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" carry with them a joy that made Motown so huge (Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting contributing). Can we even count the number of movies that have used Marvin and Tammi tearing it up on "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and you have forgotten how touching and life-affirming they were on the upbeat "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You". There was also something so expressive in his voice when he hit those "I" high notes in "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" – Smokey Robinson commenting in the liner notes that he could up any song you threw at him into something better. 

And what can we say about "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" – a Number 1 R&B hit for Gladys Knight & The Pips a whole year earlier in 1968. It was thrown onto the "In The Groove" LP in August 1968 as filler on Side 1, and in fact if you look at the cover art for original issues of Tamla TS 285 in Stereo, you will see that the song isn’t even mentioned in the highlights track list on the front cover. Clearly not much was expected of it. But a Chicago DJ spotted "...Grapevine" and it's rhythmic brilliance and after saturation play and huge reaction from his listening public, Berry Gordy was forced to rush release the single in November 1968 Stateside. And wham – a US R&B No.1 and Pop too. In fact when it was belatedly issued February 1969 in the UK on Tamla Motown – the 45-single did the same – up to No.1 – only Motown’s second number 1 in the UK for the whole of that decade. In the USA they re-named the "In The Groove" LP after the tune now forever associated with our hero. Even now "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" sends chills down my spine. A masterpiece...

I half suspected that the Traditional Gospel tune "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" which had been an American-only Mono single in September 1968 would be a bit of a barnstormer in STEREO – and it is. He goes at the Jesus watches over me epic with gusto even if the brass and backing singers threaten to drown the song with too much reverence. But it’s a find and a clever set up to the God-love that opens CD2.

Everything is everything – gotta find a way to bring some love here today. It is impossible for me not to hear "What’s Going On" and not go to tearful mush. This stunning album has been in my life 50 years and never diminishes. So CD2 hammers you with a trio of Gaye gorgeousness that just can’t be beat – "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" and "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” following the title track. Cool too to hear "Ego Tripping out" and "Praise" from those last albums he did for Motown. The 2CD Deluxe Edition of "Let's Get It On" featured an Alternate Mix of the unreleased "Where Are We Going" (a 1972 outtake) – the song being a sort of almost-Pop version of "What's Going On" meets "Let's Get In On". It’s beautifully recorded and genuinely feels like a discovery. And on it goes to the 'good for me' comeback song "Sexual Healing" - a suitable end to this Anthology.   

Disappointments and exclusions: looking at that 54:05 minute playing time for CD1 and it's clear that at least seven or even eight more songs could have been fitting onto the '60s' disc. Gems like the stand-alone "Baby Don't You Do It" single from September 1964 - a huge kick-ass R&B fave of The Who, Small Faces, The Band and so many other Rock acts. It would have elevated proceedings hugely. Or even more of the sublime Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell duets like "Two Can Have A Party". 

True MG fans kind of lose it for his brilliant and largely instrumental "Trouble Man" soundtrack album too, so the sexy-funky "'T' Plays It Cool" would have added another bow to CD2, displaying his real talent and diversity. And do I want nearly 12-minutes of the live "Got To Give It Up" when I could have had "When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You" from the underrated divorce-present double-album "Here, My Dear"? But besides these wee niggles; what you do get is wall-to-wall excellence (and in Stereo) rounded off with two unreleased and a booklet presentation that doesn't disgrace itself.

In an ideal world, I’d revamp CD1 and push the page number up in the booklet. But as it stands "Gold" is a very satisfying listen with that great Remastering and a solid block reminder of a talent so huge that we miss him still – nearly thirty-seven years since his passing. Hot like an oven...

"Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures Volume 5" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Featuring Tracks from 1958 to 1972 by James Carr, Z.Z. Hill, The Soul City, Lattimore Brown, Jerry Washington, Ronnie Taylor, Big Maybelle, Esther Phillips, The Masqueraders, Zilla Mayes, The Chantels, Linda Jones, Kenny Carter, The Emotions, Barbara Lynn, Helena Ferguson, Mark IV, Betty Harris, Dee Dee Warwick and George Jackson with Songwriting from Van McCoy, Gil Scott-Heron, Eddie Hinton, Marlin Greene and more (October 2019 UK Ace Records/Kent Soul CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Nothing Can Change The Love I Have For You..."

There's a black and white photo on page 30 of the rammed booklet in this exemplary CD reissue. Two earnest white Englishmen - Dave Godin and Norman Jopling - stand with beer and wine glasses in hand talking enthusiastically to a slightly stunned Berry Gordy Jr. (Motown's main man) during a Press Conference in London for the then fledgling American Soul label's first UK tour. The up-close and personal snap is dated September 1964. And in February 2021 – a paltry 57 years later - I frankly sit in awe at such smarts in these unlikely hipsters - and so early on too. 

Dapper and tall Dave Godin – originally a London, Lambeth boy - had discovered Atlantic Records R&B via an American Air Force Base Jukebox that had been recently placed in the 'Silver Lounge' Ice Cream Parlour in Bexleyheath - home of the luscious calorie-inducing Knickerbocker Glory, that then washed down with some decent coffee whilst checking out tunes your mommy warned you about emanating every 2:39 minutes from the carnal carousel by the wall. Full of import 45s on exotic labels, these were not cream-puff Pat Boone types nicking Black Music and winking through their trilbies pretending it was their own. These centerless 7" singles contained the raunchy real deal – deep-vocal men and women singing about lust and shifty lovers and daughters being treated mean whilst dancing their asses off in saucy Chitlin Circuit dives every Saturday Night with a Sour Mash in one hand and a revolver in the other. 

Norman Jopling had championed the American R&B chart when he joined the British 'Record Mirror' music newspaper as an article-writer in 1961 - likewise tapping into an underground love affair with music The Beatles and Stones were soaking up big time before they’d ever got an actual record out. Godin and Jopling were clued-in tuned-in British young men - pioneers - both of them – the lads of Northern Soul and Mod New Breed and have been genre heroes to besotted collectors ever since. Baring in mind the prejudice and racial crap he and his performers must have had to put up with back home (and all too often) - is it any wonder that Berry Gordy Jr. looked ever so slightly taken aback. As I say, on the money dudes who opened eyes, ears and hearts...

And that's where Volume 5 of this extraordinary series comes roaring in - not so much a tribute to a pioneer, but a belated homage and celebration of their love affair with American Soul and R&B (it's been 15 years since Volume 4 – see full list below). Covering 1958 to 1972 with many 60ts stopovers inbetween, there's a lot to celebrate and catalogue, so let's get deep into these British Soul Brother's sanctified craves...

UK released 25 October 2019 (1 November 2019 in the USA) - "Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures Volume 5" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 485 (Barcode 029667096126) is a 25-Track CD compilation of Remasters covering 1958 to 1972 that plays out as follows (76:08 minutes):

1. Who Knows - THE SOUL CITY (November 1966, Goodtime Records GT-801, B-side of "Everybody Dance Now" – "Who Knows" is a Gladys Knight & The Pips cover)

2. Without Love - BONNIE TAYLOR (August 1967, Nassau N-101, A-side)

3. Don't Pass Me By - BIG MAYBELLE (September 1966, RoJac 1969, A-side)

4. Where Is The Party - HELENA FERGUSON (August 1967, Compass CO-7009, A-side)

5. Dead! - CAROLYN SULLIVAN (January 1968, Philips 40507, A-side)

6. Home Is Where The Hatred Is - ESTHER PHILLIPS (March 1972, Kudu KU-904, A-side - Gil Scott-Heron cover)

7. I Ain't Got To Love Nobody Else - THE MASQUERADERS (August 1968, Bell B-733, A-side)

8. I'll Be Right There (To Make Love To You) - MARK IV (December 1972, Mercury 73353, B-side of "My Everything You Are")

9. I'm Not The One - KENNY CARTER (2019, Previously Unissued 1966 Recording)

10. Somebody New - THE EMOTIONS (March 1968, Twin Stacks 126, A-side)

11. (Until Then) I'll Suffer - BARBARA LYNN (from the July 1968 US LP "Here Is Barbara Lynn" on Atlantic SD 8171 in Stereo)

12. Foolish Fool - DEE DEE WARWICK (January 1969, Mercury 72880, A-side)

13. My Desires Are Getting The Best Of Me - GEORGE JACKSON (July 1969, Fame 1457, B-side of "Find 'Em, Fool 'Em and Forget 'Em")

14. These Ain't Raindrops - JAMES CARR (March 1969, Goldwax 340, B-side of "To Love Somebody")

15. Standing At The Crossroads - EDDIE & ERNIE (August 1971, Buddah 250, B-side of "Hiding In Shadows")

16. Can't Last Much Longer - BETTY HARRIS (September 1967, Sansu 471, A-side)

17. Lovers Always Forgive - GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (August 1964, Maxx 329, A-side - Van McCoy song)

18. Every Night (I Pray) - THE CHANTELS (February 1958, End E-1015, A-side) 

19. Satisfaction Guaranteed - JUDY WHITE (December 1968, Buddah BDA 79, A-side - Eddie Hinton and Marlin Greene song)

20. Right Here Is Where You Belong - JERRY WASHINGTON (December 1972, Excello EX-2327, A-side)

21. I Will - LATTIMORE BROWN (September 1970, Renegade 1201, B-side of "Sweet Desiree")

22. It's Too Late (For Tears) - RENE BAILEY (August 1968, Carnival CAR-539, A-side)

23. All I Want Is You - ZILLA MAYES (February 1968, Tou-Sea 132, B-side of "I Love You Still")

24. What Can I Do (Without You) - LINDA JONES (June 1968, Loma 2099, A-side)

25. Nothing Can Change This Love I Have For You - Z.Z. HILL (January 1968, Kent 45X481, A-side - Sam Cooke cover)

Tracks 6, 7, 9, 12 and 20 are STEREO - All Others MONO

Track 10 is PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED

The booklet is a pleasingly chunky 30-page affair and a masterstroke is to reprint long forgotten interviews with Godin (done in the 90ts) about his beginnings in the scene - the text peppered with mouth-watering fan-pleasing memorabilia. There's a telegram to Godin at his old Church Road home in Bexleyheath about an impending fan reception for Marvin Gaye and Harvey Fuqua in November 1964 - a July 1965 letter from Charlotte the secretary in The Miracles Fan Club thanking him for plugging Motown that is way more personal than someone Stateside keeping in with him because it was necessary - trade adverts and photos of 'Soul City' Record Shop in Monmouth Street to which he was associated - publicity photos for lesser-seen artists like Helena Ferguson, Mark IV, Lattimore Brown and Judy White (Daughter of the great US Folk legend Josh White), and so on. 

There are UK and American label repros - British demos of "Home Is Where The Hatred Is" on Kudu KUS 4000 (June 1972) and one I've never seen, "I Ain't Got To Love Nobody Else" on Bell BLL 1022 (October 1968). But the real meat is actually the sheer amount of space given to each entry by long-standing compiler and annotator for Ace Records - ADY CROASDELL. 

Many had thought Volume 5 would never show (Godin sadly passed in 2004 as Volume 4 went to press) - so it's clear that both Croasdell and Ace felt they had big shoes to feel and the quality count to keep high, and I think they've achieved both with aplomb (can't imagine the nightmare of chasing licensing on some of these). DUNCAN COWELL has done the transfers and Remasters and they sing like the proverbial lark arising (gettin' up off of that thing to make himself feel better). To the tunes...

The lovely "Who Knows" by The Soul City was issued Stateside in November 1966 as the B-side of "Everybody Dance Now" on Goodtime Records, but had the sides reversed in the UK for its 45-single debut in February 1967 on Cameo Parkway C 103. "Everybody Dance Now" was more of a Frat House Garage Rocker than a Soul side, but "Who Knows" had actually been a Gladys Knight & The Pips tune before The Soul City got their grubby paws on it and give an intensity edge. Following that is a Guitarist and Singer called Ronnie Taylor who had been with King Pharoah & The Egyptians for their April 1961 single "Shimmy Shammy" on Federal 12413. The obscure 'Nassau' label put out his scorch-earth ballad "Without Love" and you can so hear why Godin loved it. 

Hurting way down inside continues with a get down your knees Big Maybelle giving it some pleading in her "Don't Pass Me By" – the kind of eerie echoed vocal that a drugged-up Etta James might have given that somehow actually feels like pain rather than a voyeur just singing about it. More concerned in her tune with where the in-crowd goes, the lovely Helena Ferguson is said to have shifted less than 250 copies of her "Where Is The Party" 45 when London UK issued it in November 1967 (there is a trade advert for it on Page 14 of the booklet). From there we go to proper heartbreak as Carolyn Sullivan sings in absolute earnest "...leave me alone...I ain't got nothing to live for... " – literally a slow-suicide plead that organ/tambourines its way to a shuffling finish. I must say I can see why it's here, but it wouldn't be a go-to winner in my book. Sticking with domestic horrors, Esther Phillips gets all 1972 wah-wah guitar with her Gil Scott-Heron cover of "Home Is Where The Hatred Is”. Sounding like some Blaxploitation track that's taking no prisoners lyrically - the former Atlantic Records chanteuse sings of needles and neighbourhood's destroyed and all your essence being lost. As good as it is with that extraordinary mixture of Funk and Soul - it's perhaps just a little too much reality for me (how very GSH) where its inclusion here feels slightly out of kilter. 

Other highlights include the strings vs. girls "Somebody New" by The Emotions, clearly distraught as they wail "...I don't want to go if I can't be with you..." (I know how you feel darling). Just one kiss would do so much for James Carr in his fantastic croak-Soul weepy "These Ain't Raindrops" – great audio as the great man struggles all the way to the bar. That other famous Southern Soul Man George Jackson is instead trying to dampen his ardour in his "My Desires Are Getting The Better Of Me" – paired in August 1969 on Capitol CL 15605 with the equally brilliant "Find 'Em, Fool 'Em and Forget 'Em" – a Fame Records double-whammy of great Soul. And on it goes to a cover of a Sam Cooke classic that sums up his abiding adoration to a tee.

I would admit that not everything on here lights up my dimly lit noggin, but I know that so many others will have the lights explode in their heads at the sheer class and presentation that is going on in CDKEND 485. A great set for a great pioneer. I own the other four volumes and love seeing their spines sat on my shelf. Job done, respect shown...

Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures CD Series – A List

1. Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures: Taken From The Vaults... (Volume 1) – April 1997 UK CD on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 143 (Barcode 029667214322) 

2. Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures: Taken From The Vaults... Volume 2 – January 1999 UK Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 158 (Barcode 029667215824)

3. Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures: Taken From The Vaults... Volume 3 – November 2000 UK Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 200 (Barcode 029667220026)

4. Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures: Taken From The Vaults... Volume 4 – August 2004 UK Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 230 (Barcode 029667223027)

5. Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures Volume 5 – October 2019 UK Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 485 (Barcode 029667096126)

"Ode To Joy" - A Review of the Jason Winer 2019 Film Starring Martin Freeman, Morena Baccarin, Jake Lacy and Melissa Rauch - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Thanks New York...For This American Life... "

ODE TO JOY

A Review of the 2019 Film

The kind of film that critics hate and one that unfortunately sets itself up for the slaughter. The cataplexy medical condition is a very clever hook but you might feel it's a one-horse joke stretched the length of a movie. But - and here's the big but - 2019's "Ode to Joy" feels so much better than that. 

Writing, acting chops and Director's Jason Winer's life-affirming warmth permeates this unnervingly romantic and hopeful film, lifting it up above cliché. "Ode to Joy" is smarter than its limiting premise and often goes to a place where it’s actually profound and moving especially when dealing with internalised pain and the hang-ups most all of us have and find hard to deal with. 

Not only does it have a really brilliant script (courtesy of Max Werner) that constantly allows the actors to stretch and laugh and look foolish if needs be - it hosts four great leads in the shape of Martin Freeman and Morena Baccarin playing Charlie and Francesca, an unlikely couple trapped in their own bubbles, criss-crossing lovers with Jake Lacy with Melissa Rauch who play Charlie's younger brother Cooper and the super-factoid-obsessed Bethany. 

As couples go, this is nerd-central. And yet across the viewing hours, the set scenes are cleverly done, bringing out each character’s journey to the place they are now – compromised and needing to escape mental prisons. The reality of Charlie's uncontrollable sleep-inducing muscle-failing narcolepsy that can and always has made him a laughing stock, comes home in the little slashes everyday life throws at him. But as funny and pithy as "Ode To Joy" is in places, you also get the cruel sickle of pain and how it debilitates a person (mostly through other people's lack of understanding). Charlie can't hope for hope because even that in itself, might kill him if he faints in the wrong set of circumstances.   

The only slight glitch in all of this soul-searching comedy is an obvious one – the sheer gobsmacking beauty and sexiness of the Brazilian actress Morena Baccarin – a woman who would probably elicit a full on heart attack in any sane man who comes within ten paces of her. Baccarin and her va-va-voom Francesca look stunning in this film, and I mean in every single scene too. So it is a hard sell getting us mere mortals to believe that in the real world her character would even consider someone as fundamentally damaged as Charlie – let alone see him as a 'love interest'. 

The truly captivating Melissa Rauch is sexy too but in a different more bookworm kind of a way. But despite these considerable odds - both leading ladies are quietly sensational in this film - given real meat to work with – and they know it. Their leading men did well to keep up. Martin Freeman in particular is brilliant – fleshing out a real person from material that could have quickly seen his library-safe Charlie descend into a caricature – even a person the audience hates and pities. But he at least has a brother who has his back and a motley crew of friends at work who are glad to see he is finally taking chances despite the fear and dangers. All this and there's a touching final reel after the credits you will want to see. 

"Ode To Joy" may seem like a cornball title for a film, maybe even a tad cheesy and reaching (there will be those who loathe this for sure). But, in truth, it reached me and I'm certain it will do the same for many others too. A rather lovely and life-affirming surprise and well done to all involved...

"Southern Soul Brother: The Murco Recordings 1967-1969" by EDDY GILES (October 2014 UK Ace Records/Kent Soul CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...If She Treats You Right...You Feel A Tingling..."

I suspect like so many genre loons, I first stumbled on Shreveport's Southern Soul singer par excellence Elbert Giles as late as October 2008 when his name popped up on Disc 1 of that year's reissue sensation - "Take Me To The River: A Southern Soul Story 1961-1977". 

That card-wrapped Ace Records 3CD Hardback-Booked Set (on KENT BOX 10) would quickly become 'Reissue of the Year' for many in 2008 - and there was Eddy Giles holding pride of place on Track 8, CD1. His understated but 'has something' weep and moan debut 45 "Losin' Boy" on Murco Records 1031 being one of the many gems on offer.  

Flicking his guitar, its shuffling 1967 sway-rhythms backed up by the Saxophone of James Steward and that great guttural voice Giles had, saw lyrics like "...I'm like Ray Charles, I guess I was born to lose..." create a slow storm of Dallas sales. A few months later it break through the local R&B charts all the way to No. 1 jostling with such legendary titles as "Respect" by Aretha Franklin. Sadly despite many thousands of local 45-single sales, Eddy "G" Giles (as some of his releases credited him) never did see National R&B chart action not achieve an album release. But that doesn't stop this superb little 2014 CD compilation from being so impressive. 

So what's on the menu? Six of its eighteen cuts are new Extended Versions (Tracks 3, 8 and 14) while three are Previously Unissued (Tracks 16, 17 and 18). You get 12 single-sides and even a post-released rarity from a year 2000 CD compilation - all of it mastered from well-kept master tapes. Let's get to the tinglin' details...   

UK released 11 October 2014 (27 October 2014 in the USA) - "Southern Soul Boy: The Murco Recordings 1967-1969" by EDDY GILES on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 401 (Barcode 029667240123) is an 18-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (48:57 minutes):

1. Losin' Boy (February 1967 US 45-single on Murco 1031, A-side)

2. I Got The Blues (February 1967 US 45-single on Murco 1031, B-side of "Losin' Boy")

3. Don't Let Me Suffer (Previously Unissued Extended Version of Murco 1033, 1967 US 45-single, A-side)

4. While I'm Away (Baby, Keep The Faith) (1967 US 45-single on Murco 1033, B-side of "Don't Let Me Suffer")

5. Eddy's Go-Go Train (July 1967 US 45-single on Murco 1034, A-side - B-side reissued "While I'm Away" from 1033, just with a shortened title)

6. Happy Man (1967 US 45-single on Murco 1037, A-side)

7. Music (1967 US 45-single on Murco 1037, B-side to "Happy Man")

8. Baby Be Mine (Previously Unissued Extended Version of Murco 1042, March 1968 US 45-single A-side)

9. Love With A Feeling (March 1968 US 45-single on Murco 1042, B-side of "Baby Be Mine")

10. Soul Feeling (Part 1) (July 1968 US 45-single on Murco 1048, A-side) 

11. Soul Feeling (Part 2) (July 1968 US 45-single on Murco 1048, B-side)

12. Ain't Gonna Worry No More (1969 US 45-single on Murco 1053, A-side)

13. Tingling (1969 US 45-single on Murco 1053, B-side of "Ain't Gonna Worry No More")

14. That's How Long My Love Is (Extended Version of the 1969 US 45-single Silver Fox SF-9, A-side, first issued on the February 2000 CD compilation "Shreveport Southern Soul" on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 178)

15. So Deep in Love (July 1969 US 45-single on Silver Fox SF-9, B-side of "That's How Long My Love Is")

16. Pins And Needles (2014, Previously Unissued)

17. It Takes More (2014, Previously Unissued)

18. Ain't Gonna Worry No More (2014, Previously Unissued Alternate Version)

All Tracks in MONO 

Tracks 1 and 2 plus 14 to 18 credited to EDDY GILES

Tracks 3, 4 and 5 credited to EDDY "G" GILES and The Jive Five 

Tracks 6 to 13 credited to EDDY "G" GILES

The 16-page booklet features detailed DEAN RUDLAND liner notes that include a new interview with our hero - now the Reverend Eddy Giles who does a Gospel Hour on Shreveport Radio (pictured as such on Page 4). Stock and Demo copies of those rare Murco US 45s are peppered across the text alongside a concert poster, signed publicity shot and a fabulous black and white 'live show' photo from 1967 where Eddy and his band play in front of a multi-cultural crowd of dancing hipsters. It's the usual classy affair from England's Ace and the NICK ROBBINS Remasters from real tapes are the same - punchy and kicking Mono that actually feels more alive for its slight amateurishness rather than homemade. To the tunes...

March 2015 would see two tunes from this October 2014 set turn up on other Ace/Kent Soul Soul-based CD compilations - "Tingling" on "Modernists: A Decade Of Rhythm And Soul Dedication" (CDKEND 431) and "Pins And Needles" on "Northern Soul's Classiest Rarities Volume 5" (CDKEND 432). And it is easy to hear why, both with a sort of lovely almost naivety feel to them that fans love. That lost my baby lurch fills the cool B-side "I Got The Blues" – his guitar work so Robert Cray – tight and lean as he licks those notes. 

Murco's follow-up to the popular "Losin' Boy" was "Don't Let Me Suffer" presented here as an extended version - 3:31 minutes as opposed to the original 2:45 minutes of the 1967 single. I'd rate it as good rather than great, but that slight disappointment is quickly offset by the organ-led Soul of "While I'm Away" which might have been called "Keep The Faith" for the number of times those words are used in the chorus. "While I'm Away" is properly gorgeous homegrown Southern Soul and features a duet vocal with Charles Brown of The Violinaires - the song subtly referencing US GIs away in Vietnam pining for their ladies/wives back home.

Time to bop and get ready - let's ride on "Eddy's Go-Go Train" - an organ-driven groover aimed firmly at the feet rather than the heart. Giles then slows it down to the church-lurch of "Happy Man" informing us that his baby is a winning hand and the big "G" can no longer lose (sweet tune man). Obviously trying for the Stax Records dancers market, “Soul Feeling” Parts 1 and 2 sound just like its Blues Brother title suggests. Time to don the shades and cartwheel down the aisles. Similar and something of a fab find is the brassy bopper that is "It Takes More" - the best of the three excellent Unreleased cuts. I'm fairly sure that Northern Soul stormer will be gracing something out of the Kent Soul camp soon enough. 

Its playing time may seem short and for sure Eddy "G" Giles is not exactly a household name in any circles never mind Southern Soul - but this CD has been a revelation. Typically cool and on the money - Kent Soul gives the man his due with style...