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...

Tuesday 28 February 2023

"Heartattack And Vine" by TOM WAITS – October 1980 US Seventh Album on Asylum Records featuring Roland Bautista (Guitars), Michael Lang and Ronnie Barren (Keyboards), Plas Johnson (Horns), Jim Hughart, Greg Cohen and Larry Taylor (Bass), "Big John" Thomassie (Drums) with Victor Feldman (Chimes and Percussion) and Strings Conducted and Arranged by Bob Alcivar and Jerry Yester (March 2018 UK Anti Records CD Reissue in Digipak Packaging – Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan, Karl Derfler and Peter Lyman Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 209 more are in my E-Book

Available on AMAZON

LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,650 e-Pages of Info

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Billy Joe Remarkable Looks On In Disbelief..."

Last reissued May 1993 in the UK by Elektra Records in a CD jewel case with reasonable Terry Dunavan Mastering (Elektra 7559-60547-2) – this new March 2018 variant of "Heartattack And Vine" by Tom Waits (originally issued October 1980 on Vinyl) now comes at us on Anti Records with a brand new Waits/Brennan Remaster – Anti Records being home to his music since the much-praised "Mule Variations" album in 1999.

You get a matt card digipak, a 16-page booklet and best of all - a new upgraded Remaster (with artist involvement) done at Infrasonic Mastering in California by Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan, Karl Derfler and Peter Lyman that gives this brilliant album a genuinely improved audio scrub-up. Everything on here is magnificent – structurally and sonicaly. "Heartattack And Vine" is his usual mishmash of ragged guttural vocals with fantastic street-hustler lyrics running alongside pretty ballads that will floor you. I loved to death (and still do) his "Blue Valentine" album on Asylum Records in 1978 – but October 1980's "Heartattack And Vine" was equal to it in every way - his last album for Asylum Records before he went to Island Records for "Swordfishtrombones" in 1981.

Of the nine cuts - Bob Alcivar arranged and conducted the strings on two genuine masterpieces - "Saving All My Love For You" (legendary sessionman Victor Feldman adds Chimes and Percussion to this gut-wrenching beauty) and on the Billy Joe Remarkable "On The Nickel" – a song Waits wrote for a movie of the same name done by Ralph Waite. The other arranger on the album is Jerry Yester of The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Association and the much-revered "Farewell Aldebaran" album with Judy Henske in 1969 on Straight Records – he does strings on two as well – the magnificent double-whammy of "Jersey Girl" and "Ruby's Arms".

In fact 1980’s "Heartattack And Vine" is probably the album that made Tom Waits more money from famous cover versions than its actual LP sales did. Bruce Springsteen has almost made "Jersey Girl" his own (people believe he wrote it – Soul singer Corrine Bailey Rae also did a version) - while Screaming Jay Hawkins ripped the title track "Heartattack And Vine" that was used in a Levi's advert. Country singers Nancy Griffiths and Patty Griffin have both done "Ruby's Arms" – a song that was also featured on the Asylum Years Best Of CD compilation "Used Songs" from November 1981 on Rhino. Brilliant - let's get to the details...

UK released Friday, 23 March 2018 - "Heartattack And Vine" by TOM WAITS on Anti 7571-2 (Barcode 8714092757125) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 9-track 1980 LP and plays out as follows (44:29 minutes):

1. Heartattack And Vine [Side 1]

2. In Shades

3. Saving All My Love For You

4. Downtown

5. Jersey Girl

6. 'Til The Money Runs Out [Side 2]

7. On The Nickel

8. Mr. Siegal

9. Ruby's Arms

Tracks 1 to 9 are his seventh album "Heartattack And Vine" (sixth studio set) - released October 1980 in the USA on Asylum Records 6E-295 and October 1980 in the UK on Asylum K 52252. Produced by BONES HOWE - it peaked at No. 98 in the USA but didn't chart in the UK. Track 7 "On The Nickel" written for the motion picture "On The Nickel" by Ralph Waite.

TOM WAITS –Vocals (All Tracks), Piano (Tracks 3 and 9), Electric Rhythm Guitar (Tracks 1, 2 and 4), Electric Guitar (Tracks 5 and 8)

ROLAND BAUTISTA – Electric Lead Guitar (Tracks 2, 4, 6 and 8), 12-String Acoustic (Tracks 5 and 9)

PLAS JOHNSON – Tenor and Baritone Saxophone (Track 1)

HAROLD BATTISTE – Piano (Tracks 7 and 9

RONNIE BARRON – Hammond Organ (Tracks 2, 4 and 6) and Piano (Track 8)

MICHAEL LANG – Piano (Track 7)

LARRY TAYLOR – Bass (Tracks 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8)

GREG COHEN – Bass (Tracks 5 and 9)

JIM HUGHART – Double Bass (Track 3)

VICTOR FELDMAN – Chimes, Keyboard Glock and Percussion (Tracks 3 and 5)

"Big John" THOMASSIE – Drums (Tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8)

BOB ALCIVAR – Conducted and Arranged Strings (Tracks 3 and 7)

JERRY YESTER – Conducted and Arranged Strings (Tracks 5 and 9)

The 16-page booklet gives you those all-important and all-consuming lyrics as if it’s a newspaper reporting different articles that ends in two pages of musician credits - no new photos or critique unfortunately. But we do get a new Remaster supervised by TOM WAITS, KATHLEEN BRENNAN and KARL DERFLER with mastering done by the award-winning PETER LYMAN at his Infrasonic Mastering Studios in California. In keeping with the lush production values Bones Howe gave the album in the first place - this transfer sounds beautiful in every way. There's very little hiss (if any at all) but loads of presence and body and at times the intimacy is spine tingling - a gorgeous job done...

"Liar! Liar! Pants on fire..." he roars as the opening title track comes a mooching in like a cop with a hangover on a murder scene - and then of course you are hit (not for the first time either) with his famously funny turns of phrase - "...don't you know there ain’t no Devil, there's just God when he's drunk..." The audio is tremendous.

"Downtown" is typically witty Waits – Americana Rock with a twist. How many artists will have lines like these in their songs "...Montclaire de Havelin doin' the St. Vitus dance, lookin' for someone to chop the lumber in his pants..." But it’s the beauty of "Jersey Girl" where he strips it all down to an ordinary fellow looking forward to seeing his gal on the weekend – no time for the corner boys anymore – it's deeply moving to me. "On The Nickel" goes even further in sparse – just Waits singing, Michael Lang on Piano and Bob Alcivar arranged strings – the effect is balladeer magic at its most poignant.

I could rabbit on about Tom Waits till the proverbial cows think – it's time for home boys. Because that's what he's always felt like to me – a weird American home that tingles and thrills and makes you laugh and cry – and I love that about him and his musical legacy. I have reviewed the entire 'Anti Records' Reissue Series because they are all fabulous.

Start your journey into his songs – mad, moving and ultimately enriching like a Skinnybone Tree or Hobos in the Freight Yard howling at the moon...

TOM WAITS

March 2018 Reissue Series of CDs, LPs and Downloads on Anti Records

All 7 CDs are in Card Digipaks, come with Booklets and Pic CDs, but No Extras

"Closing Time" and "The Heart Of Saturday Night" released 9 March 2018

- The others all released 23 March 2018

1. "Closing Time" (1973) - Anti 7565-2 (Barcode 8714092756524) - CD/LP is Anti 7565-1 (Barcode 8714092756517)

2. "The Heart Of Saturday Night" (1974) - Anti 7566-2 (Barcode 8714092756623)/LP due May 2018

3. "Nighthawks At The Diner" (1975 Live Double onto 1CD) - Anti 7567-2 (Barcode 8714092756722)/LP due May 2018

4. "Small Change" (1976) - Anti 7568-2 (Barcode 8714092756821)/LP due May 2018

5. "Foreign Affairs" (1977) - Anti 7569-2 (Barcode 8714092756920)

6. "Blue Valentine" (1978) - Anti 7570-2 (Barcode 8714092757026)

7. "Heartattack And Vine"(1980) - Anti 7571-2 (Barcode 8714092757125)

Friday 24 February 2023

"Ghost Town/Inamorata" by POCO – December 1982 and May 1984 on Atlantic Records featuring Rusty Young, Timothy B. Schmidt (of The Eagles), Richie Furay (ex Buffalo Springfield), George Grantham (Neil Young's Crazy Horse) and Paul Cotton (November 2015 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation – 2LPs Remastered in High Def onto 1CD – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 209 more are in my E-Book

Available on AMAZON

LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,650 e-Pages of Info

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...This Old Flame..."

Two long-forgotten US albums by POCO from their 'yacht rock' stay at Atlantic Records in 1982 and 1984 - remastered to perfection onto 1CD by Beat Goes On of the UK. Here are the ghostly post-heartache details...

UK released November 2015 – "Ghost Town/Inamorata" by POCO on Beat Goes on BGOCD 1212 (Barcode 5017261212122) in a compilation that offers 2 albums Remastered onto 1CD that plays out as follows (73:52 minutes):

1. Ghost Town [Side 1]

2. How Will You Feel Tonight

3. Shoot For The Moon

4. The Midnight Rodeo (In The Lead Tonight)

5. Cry No More

6. Break Of Hearts [Side 2]

7. Love's So Cruel

8. Special Care

9. When Hearts Collide

10. High Sierra

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Ghost Town" – released December 1982 in the USA on Atlantic 80008-1 (no UK issue)

11. Days Gone By [Side 1]

12. This Old Flame

13. Daylight

14. Odd Man Out

15. How Many Moons

16. When You Love Someone [Side 2]

17. Brenda X

18. Standing In The Fire

19. Save A Corner Of Your Heart

20. The Storm

Tracks 11 to 20 are the album "Inamorata" – released May 1984 in the USA on Atlantic 7 80148-1 and in the UK/Europe on Atlantic 780 148-1

There's the usual card slipcase, a 16-page booklet with full-albums credits (lyrics to "Ghost Town" only), artwork, band photos and new liner notes by noted writer JOHN O'REGAN. The ANDREW THOMPSON Remasters were done in 2015 in the UK from WEA licensed tapes – and as the card slipcase says is 'Mastered in high definition – audiophile recording from the Original Master'. This CD sounds amazing – reflecting the original Production values of JOHN MILLS on "Ghost Town" and RUSTY YOUNG with PAUL COTTON on "Inamorata".

In truth it's hard for me to say that I love either "Ghost Town" and especially its weedy follow-up "Inamorata" – both are the kind of mid Eighties Schlock Rock that cluttered up radios everywhere at the time. Having said that it's hard to resist the slick strummed guitars of "How Will You Feel, Tonight?" – nor the pretty melody behind "Shoot For The Moon" where Paul Cotton urges his lover to 'take a chance' and 'shoot for the moon'. "Break Of Hearts" is more Radio-friendly Countryish smooch while "Special Care" is pseudo guitar-boogie best forgotten. Better is the raunchy riffage of "High Sierra" – a rare moment when the album shows some Don Henley-like teeth.

1984's "Inamorata" saw both Young and Cotton stay in POCO, but joining them was a virtual supergroup of Country Rock – Timothy B. Schmidt (of The Eagles), Richie Furay (ex Buffalo Springfield) and George Grantham (Neil Young's Crazy Horse). With the bulk of songwriting shared between Rusty Young ("Daylight", "When You Love Someone", "Save A Corner Of Your Heart" and "The Storm") and Paul Cotton ("Days Gone By", "Odd Man Out", "How Many Moons", "Brenda X" and "Standing In The Fire") – it was down to Reed Nielsen to provide the odd man out song – "This Old Flame". The same quality production values that made "Ghost Town" such an Audio winner followed the band into "Inamorata" – this time with band stalwarts Rusty Young and Paul Cotton at the helm. Not that all this musical talent produced a winner - it didn't.

It opens promisingly enough with the catchy "Days Gone By" which is followed by the mellow "This Old Flame". But those are rare moments. The awful and tuneless "Daylight" is a victim of its own over-produced cleverness - better is Cotton's "Odd Man Out" and the chipper "How Many Moons". The duo of "Brenda X" and "Standing In The Fire" are again in desperate need of an actual tune - while the hooky "Save A Corner Of Your Heart" just about saves a patchy album.

A very long way from Poco's Seventies Country-Rock heyday – these Eighties uber-productions have all the gloss but lack those killer tunes - especially on that rightly forgotten 2nd Atlantic Records LP. Still POCO fans will love the Quality Audio and Presentation...and if they have any passion for the band - this is the reissue to buy...

Sunday 19 February 2023

"Blow Up Your Video" by AC/DC - February 1988 Album on Atlantic Records featuring Angus and Malcolm Young (Guitars), Brian Johnson (Vocals), Cliff Williams (Bass) and Simon Wright (Drums) (February 2003 UK Epic/Albert Productions CD Reissue with Access To Extra Online Material via 'ConnecteD Technology' - Part of The AC/DC Remasters Series - Repro Artwork Card Digipak Presentation with New Booklet, Picture CD and George Marino Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 209 more are in my E-Book

Available on AMAZON

LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,650 e-Pages of Info

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...That's The Way I Want My Rock 'n' Roll..."

I'd admit that at the time and as a self-professed AC/DC nut deeply invested in everything about the Bon Scott line-up of this fantastic Australian Rock Band - his loss in 1980 and back-to-business immediately replacement hammered me.

I don't care how many copies "Back In Black" subsequently sold or how good Brian Johnson's vocals were (a near perfect fit that maybe only Gary Holton of the Heavy Metal Kids could have fitted if he'd have been able to stay away from the drugs) - I hated the "Back In Black" album with a nuclear vengeance. I thought it cold and trite and knew how much better it would have been had Bon been at the lyrics helm.

So much of the AC/DC output for the entirety of the 80ts passed me by in a blur of 'they used to be good' oblivion. Until this snotty little number from early 1988 made me rethink and (partially) re-love (4 stars). Let's get to the kissing of the dynamite...

UK released 18 February 2003 - "Blow Up Your Video" by AC/DC on Epic/Albert Productions 510770 2 (Barcode 5099751077022) is a CD Reissue and Remaster that utilizes 'ConnecteD Technology' to access extra material via Online Sources (acdcrocks.com). It plays out as follows (42:57 minutes):

1. Heatseeker [Side 1]

2. That's The Way I Wanna My Rock N Roll

3. Meanstreak

4. Go Zone

5. Kissin' Dynamite

6. Nick Of Time [Side 2]

7. Some Sin For Nuthin'

8. Ruff Stuff

9. Two's Up

10. This Means War

Tracks 1 to 10 are their studio album "Blow Up Your Video" - released early February 1988 in the USA on Atlantic 7 81828-1 and Atlantic WX 144 in the UK. Produced by HARRY VANDA and GEORGE YOUNG - it peaked at No. 2 in the UK and No. 12 in the USA.

The entire campaign of 20 or so titles in The AC/DC Remasters series comes in a card digipak that mimics the 'US' artwork (gold title stickers on the front). "Blow Up Your Video" sports a new 16-page booklet with wildly appreciative and enthusiastic histories from uber-fan ALAN Di PERNA alongside new photos, memorabilia from the 1988 US Tour and of course it sports that all-important GEORGE MARINO Remaster from original tapes that absolutely ROCKS. The 'ConnecteD' Technology angle means that when your computer is 'connected' to the Internet, you can access extra material (music and videos) from their website acdcrocks.com.

The album comes roaring in with one of its genuine rawkin' highlights - "Heatseeker" - the band and Johnson rearing to go. It's the kind of perfect Hard Rock winner AC/DC seem to conjure up in their sleep and not surprisingly Atlantic Records gave it first dibs in January 1988 - the 7" single Atlantic 7-89136 paired with another album winner "Go Zone" on the flipside. With a very definite avoidance of big-hair solos - AC/DC go after the happy with each rocker - of which there are many - saucy lyrics ahoy "Two's Up" "Kissin' Dynamite" and so on.

Re-uniting with the Scott-era AC/DC-sound Producers of old - Harry Vanda and George Young - Johnson let rip. When you hear "This Mean's War" - his vocals are throat shredding while the riffage and drums smash all around you. "Nick Of Time" opens Side 2 with more of the same. And titling this review is the fabulous fun rawk of "That's The Way I Wanna Rock N Roll" - party time at the union hall - glory hallelujah - roll roll roll - blow up my video - tell the boss man where to go. Oh yeah - great stuff.

The only problem with forking out on this snotty little brute is obvious - you'll want the rest of them because your soul knows - you can never have enough AC/DC in your life and on the stereo terrifying the neighbours...

"Steve McQueen: Legacy Edition 2CD Reisue" by PREFAB SPROUT - June 1985 UK Second Studio Album on Kitchenware Records featuring Paddy and Martin McAloon, Neil Conti and Wendy Smith with Guests Thomas Dolby (Production and Keyboards), Phil Thornally (Production), Mark Lockheart (Saxophone) and Kevin Armstrong (Guitar) (June 2007 UK Sony/BMG/Legacy 2CD Deluxe Edition Reissue with a Thomas Dolby Remaster of the Album on CD1 with Nine New 'Acoustic Version' Interpretations of the Album Tracks by Paddy McAloon on CD2) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 209 more are in my E-Book

Available on AMAZON

LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,650 e-Pages of Info

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...The Things You Do To Stop The Truth From Hurting You..."

I was living in Dublin when this giant-leap-ahead album hit the shops in June 1985 on the eclectically named Kitchenware Records - quietly blowing Prefab Sprout's debut album "Swoon" from March 1984 out of the proverbial musical water. While the account starter was interesting (as they say in reviewer parlance) - its follow-up "Steve McQueen" from only a year later was an altogether better beast in every possible way.

"Steve McQueen" wowed (Side 1 especially). Most of my mates were in awe of emo-inducing songs like "Bonny" and "When Love Breaks Down" never mind the brilliant lyrics and crafty riffage and synth fills in tunes like "Faron Young" (on the TV at four in the morning), "Goodbye Lucille No. 1" (give it a rest Johnny, Johnny) and "Moving The River" (a truly gifted kid, only as good as the last great thing you did) - the kind of Eighties Rock sophistication so many bands and serious artists of the time allured to but seldom achieved. And I've been in love with Steve McQueen's gorgeous panorama ever since.

Called "Two Wheels Good" in the USA when it was issued on Epic Records (the estate of the famous actor took umbrage to the name 'Steve McQueen' being used as the album title) - it had slick Production values supplied by THOMAS DOLBY - but probably because of its 45-minutes plus total playing time, always sounded like a slightly muted audio letdown because of the limitations of vinyl. So we waited for CD to catch up and in early April 2007 - Sony-BMG did so with this fantastic 'Legacy Edition' 2CD reissue. To the six things on Paddy's mind (my review's not one of them)...

UK released 2 April 2007 - "Steve McQueen: Legacy Edition" by PREFAB SPROUT on Sony/BMG/Legacy KWCD3-25 - 82876731592 (Barcode 828767315928) is a 25th Anniversary 2CD Reissue with a Thomas Dolby Remaster of the 1985 album on CD1 and Eight 'New Acoustic Versions by Paddy McAloon' of key album tracks on CD2. It breaks down as follows:

CD1 "Steve McQueen" Original Album Remastered by Thomas Dolby (45:11 minutes):

1. Faron Young [Side 1]

2. Bonny

3. Appetite

4. When Love Breaks Down

5. Goodbye Lucille No. 1

6. Hallelujah

7. Moving The River [Side 2]

8. Horsin' Around

9. Desire As

10. Blueberry Pies

11. When The Angels

Tracks 1 to 10 are their second studio album "Steve McQueen" - released June 1985 in the UK on Kitchenware Records KWLP 3 and as "Two Wheels Good" in the USa on Epic Records BFE 40100. Produced by THOMAS DOLBY (except "When Love Breaks Down" by PHIL THORNALLY) - it peaked at No. 21 in the UK (didn't chart USA).

PREFAB SPROUT was Paddy McAloon (Lead Singer, Songwriter on all Songs, Guitars etc), Martin McAloon, Wendy Smith and Neil Conti. Guests included Kevin Armstrong who contributed Guitar to "Halleujah" and "Desire As" - while Mark Lockhart also proffered Saxophone on "Desire As". But the big name on "Steve McQueen" was THOMAS DOLBY who Produced the whole album (except "When Love Breaks Down" which was initially done by Phil Thornally and then Remixed by Dolby) and did the keyboards for nine of its eleven tracks - "Hallelujah" and "Desire As" being the two exclusions.

CD2 "New Acoustic Versions by Paddy McAloon" - Recorded Summer 2006 (34:58 minutes):

1. Appetite

2. Bonny

3. Desire As

4. When Love Breaks Down

5. Goodbye Lucille No. 1

6. Moving The River

7. Faron Young

8. When The Angels

The foldout card digipak is pretty if not a little underwhelming and insubstantial. There is a 12-page oversized booklet with new liner notes from PAUL LESTER done in December 2006. They give a potted history of the album's impact on both us and the band and does go into the new songs and their wildly different interpretations - the guitar riffage of "Faron Young" replaced with melodies you don't expect but so work. And the Thomas Dolby Remaster of the principal album is just 'so' beautifully subtle - muscular, clean but never antiseptic or polished to within an inch of its Supertramp life. He's kept the audio histrionics down - you just get gorgeous clarity and when that solo kicks in in "Bonny" - I'm in floods (check out the cover version Tom Smith of The Editors did of "Bonny" - stunning - McAloon would be proud to call it pal).

What's missing? For years fans of "Steve McQueen" have had to do with the US CD version called "Two Wheels Good" which while not remastered contained 3 bonus tracks not on the UK CD - "Faron Young (Truckin' Mix)", "The Yearning Loins" and "He'll Have To Go".

Between October 1984 and as late as February 1986, no less than 6 singles came off the album in the UK - "When Love Breaks Down" was put out 3 times - "Faron Young", "Appetite" and "Goodbye Lucille No. 1" were also issued and between them and their multiple formats, they produced as many as 12 unreleased B-sides and mixes. Shame none are here. But all of that disappears once you hear the audiophile-sounding 'acoustic' reinterpretations on CD2 which are unbelievably good. Wow. Here's hoping band main-man Paddy McAloon will consider doing the same for 1988's "From Langley Park To Memphis" or 1990's "Jordan: The Comeback" - too mouth watering a thought to even comprehend!

"...Wishing she could call him heartache, but it's not a boy's name..."

Smart lyrics, smart man - get this fantastic CD twofer in your life like you're Robin Hood and you've spotted a good tree up ahead with the best arrows in the forest...

Saturday 18 February 2023

"High Adventure/Vox Humana" by KENNY LOGGINS – September 1982 and April 1985 US Studio Albums on Columbia Records featuring Michael McDonald of The Doobie Brothers, Steve Parry of Journey, David Sanborn, The Pointer Sisters, Tom Scott, David Foster, Phil Bailey, Steve Lukather, Steve Pocaro of Toto and many more (August 2014 UK Beat Goes On (BGO) Compilation – 2LPs onto 2CDs – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 209 more are in my E-Book

Available on AMAZON

LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,650 e-Pages of Info

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...We All Do The Best We Can..."

Part of the Rock-Soul-Folkie duo of LOGGINS and MESSINA (Jim Messina was ex Poco and Buffalo Springfield) – Kenny Loggins had already clocked up five studio albums and 2 live sets with the pairing between 1972 and 1977 - and along with it considerable chart success and record sales. His inevitable solo career began in earnest in April 1977 with "Celebrate Me Home" on Columbia Records and continued into his most productive and commercially viable decade – the Eighties.

And that’s where this brilliant little duo CD combo comes in – giving us his 5^th and 6^th solo albums from 1982 and 1985. The big hair and big productions break down as follows…

UK released 4 August 2014 – "High Adventure/Vox Humana" by KENNY LOGGINS on Beat Goes On BGOCD1160 (Barcode 5017261211606) is a BGO digital compilation that offers 2LPs Remastered onto 2CDs (no bonuses) and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (41:32 minutes):

1. Don't Fight It [Side 1]

2. Heartlight

3. I Gotta Try

4. Swear Your Love

5. The More We Try

6. Heart To Heart [Side 2]

7. If It's Not What You're Looking For

8. It Must Be Imagination

9. Only A Miracle

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "High Adventure" - released September 1982 in the USA on Columbia Records TC 38127 and CBS Records 85932 in the UK (peaked at No. 13 on the US album charts).

Disc 2 (43:56 minutes):

1. Vox Humana [Side 1]

2. No Lookin' Back

3. Let There Be Love

4. I'll Be There

5. I'm Gonna Do It Right

6. Forever

7. At Last

8. Loraine

9. Love Will Follow

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "Vox Humana" – released April 1985 in the USA on Columbia FC 39174 and CBS 26221 in the UK. 'Vox Humana' is the Latin for Human Voice – the album peaked at 41 on the US album charts (didn't chart UK).

The substantial 24-page booklet features all lyrics and track-by-track annotation (with Loggins own notes) and a detailed summary by noted writer NEIL DANIELS. The outer card wrap – now generic with all BGO CD reissues – gives the whole shebang a classy feel too. But the big news is that Bernie Grundman's stunning original Production values have been brought to the fore by a superb 2014 ANDREW THOMPSON remaster. These CDs sound huge and in a good way.

In the late Seventies and into the Eighties – I was like many – obsessed with all things MICHAEL McDONALD. I hunted down his many contributions on other people's albums – Steely Dan, Christopher Cross, Bonnie Raitt, Stephen Bishop, Donna Summer – you name it – I had to have it. Loving the "Minute By Minute" album by The Doobie Brothers to distraction in 1978 – I more than noticed the name KENNY LOGGINS turning up on songs – especially his co-write with McDonald on the fabulous Grammy-winning "What A Fool Believes". That connection again features strongly on the "High Adventure" platter where McDonald co-writes and plays keyboards on three (no silken vocals unfortunately) - "I Gotta Try", "Heart To Heart" and "Only A Miracle".

Co-Produced with BRUCE BOTNIK (of THE DOORS fame) – the 9-track "High Adventure" LP also featured a co-write with Journey's STEVE PARRY on "Don't Fight It" itself benefiting heavily from the zippy guitar of NEIL GUIRALDO (Pat Benatar's better half). It was a chart hit – peaking at 17 in the USA in September 1982. Production genius and ex Skylark Keyboardist DAVID FOSTER contributed to "If It's Not What You're Looking For" - while TOM SNOW who did beautiful songs for Randy Crawford like "You Bring The Sun Out" on her lovely May 1981 album "Secret Combination" for Warner Brothers co-wrote the equally pretty "It Must Be Imagination". His long-time session associate MIKE HAMILTON also plays tasty guitar throughout.

With the mega soundtrack "Footloose" taking up most of 1984 – Loggins returned with the 9-track "Vox Humana" in 1985, again featuring large amounts of co-writes with heavy-hitters like DEAN PITCHFORD, TOM SNOW, NATHAN EAST, DAVID SANFORD and his wife EIN LOGGINS. The album also featured the usual plethora of classy session players – MICHAEL LANDAU and BUZZY FEITON on Guitars, STEVE POCARO of Toto on Synths, MICHAEL OMARTION on Keyboards, DAVID SANBORN on Saxophone and NEIL LARSEN with GREG PHILLINGANES also on Keyboards.

"I'm Gonna Do It Right" benefits from the backing vocals of THE POINTER SISTERS, STEVE LUKATHER's Guitar solo on "Forever" is typically brill and economical, PHIL BAILEY's backing vocals on "At Last" are cool and DAVID FOSTER provided choppy keys on "Lorraine" and "I'll Be There". Michael McDonald would name his second solo LP after Track 2 "No Lookin' Back" - a co-write between him, American Vocalist and Keyboard Player ED SANFORD and Kenny Loggins.

Both discs are all so Eighties I know – terrible jackets and equally awful trousers. But as always with KL, the melodies in stuff like "Heart To Heart" and "The More We Try" are still there. Fans need this BGO twofer and it's another winner from England's Beat Goes On who champion the neglected side of reissues so well...

Friday 17 February 2023

"The Colour Of Spring" by TALK TALK - March 1986 UK Third Studio Album on EMI Records featuring Mark Hollis, Tim Friese-Greene and Lee Harris with Guest Musicians Robbie McIntosh and David Rhodes on Guitars, Steve Winwood of The Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith and Solo Career on Organ, Mark Feltham of Nine Below Zero on Harmonica, Danny Thompson of Pentangle on Double Bass, Alan Gorrie of Average White Band on Bass, Gaynor Sadler on Harmonica, David Roach on Saxophone, Paul Webb on Bass and more (September 1997 UK EMI CD Reissue with a Phill Brown and Denis Blackham Remaster from Original Tapes) - A Review by Mark Barry

This Review and 209 more are in my E-Book

Available on AMAZON

LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,650 e-Pages of Info

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...Fresh Upon The Ground..."

I have a few touch-points when it comes to naysayers about the Eighties being nothing more than Poodle Rock, Synths and Drum Machines and Shoulder Pads bigger than their hair-dos. For such a maligned decade - the mid 80s onward didn't half produce some utterly ball-busting greatness.

It's now 40-years plus and I still haven't tired of Frankie Goes To Hollywood's shooting stars never stop double "Welcome To The Pleasuredome" (1984), David Sylvian's "Brilliant Trees" (1984), Kate Bush's meisterwerk "Hounds Of Love" (1985), Peter Gabriel's fabulous "So (1986), John Martyn's underrated "Piece By Piece" (1986), Deacon Blue's "Raintown" (1987), Love And Money's "Strange Kind Of Love" (1988) with Production from Steely Dan's Gary Katz, Joni Mitchell's "Chalk Mark In A Rainstorm" (1988), R.E.M.'s "Green" (1988), Simple Minds' "Street Fighting Years" (1989), Del Amitri's "Waking Hours" (1989) and The Blue Niles' "Hats" (1989).

And this is not forgetting Paul Simon's other-genres-enlightening "Graceland" (1986), the Texas debut "Southside" (1989) that introduced us to the fabulous vocals of Sharleen Spiteri and Ally McErlaine's stunning guitarwork, Matt Johnson's The The and his acidic but brilliant "Infected" (1986), The Smiths on a one-after-another stormer with "Meat Is Murder" (1985) and "The Queen Is Dead" (1986), Bruce Springsteen's "Tunnel Of Love" (1989), Prince's "1999" (1982) and "Purple Rain" (1984), John Mellencamp's "The Lonesome Jubilee" (1988), Eurythmics' "Be Yourself Tonight" (1985), Tom Petty's "Full Moon Fever" (1989) and so many more.

But up there with a whizz-bang bullet in the Top 10 pantheon for that entire decade is Talk Talk's gorgeous third album "The Colour Of Spring" from March 1986. Everything about this winner spells event. With the core of singer-songwriter MARK HOLLIS and Keyboard whizz and Producer TIM FRIESE-GREENE and Bassist LEE HARRIS - they roped in a formidable array of Guest Musicians to help achieve the vastly more sophisticated and ethereal sound the album debuted (a move away from the overly synth-based Pop of the first two LPs in 1982 and 1984 "Talk Talk" and "It's My Party".

That list included the lauded Robbie McIntosh and David Rhodes on Guitars, Steve Winwood of The Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith and Solo Career on Organ, Mark Feltham of Nine Below Zero on Harmonica, Danny Thompson of Pentangle on Double Bass, Alan Gorrie of Average White Band on Bass with other players like Gaynor Sadler on Harmonica, David Roach on Saxophone, Paul Webb on Bass and some schoolkids and a choir.

There are only 8 songs on the LP - but they matter and each in its own little way is a sonic masterpiece - beautifully arranged and produced by TFG. Throw in the seriously gorgeous and eye-catching JAMES MARSH hand-painted artwork that graced the front sleeve and all the hugely collectable 12" singles that came off the album - and "The Colour Of Spring" impacted with a face slap - sit up and take notice of this boys and girls of the C-90 generation.

And that's where this one-of-four CD Reissues and Remasters comes a stomping in. UK catalogue-numbered RETALK 100 to 104 - the four albums from "Talk Talk" in 1982, "It's My Party" in 1983, "The Colour Of Spring" in 1986 to "Spirit Of Eden" in 1988 are in the series - each spine spelling out a single letter at the top and base - TALK TALK. The beautifully clear yet muscular Remasters were done by a duo of much respected Audio Engineers - PHILL BROWN and DENIS BLACKHAM (of Skye Mastering) - each making the original 1/2" EMI Analogue Tapes shine like never before. This is a fantastic-sounding CD and my only fault would be that it could have done with those tasty Non-LP B-sides from the 12" singles.

To the details - once more unto the butterfly breach/peach...

UK released September 1997 - "The Colour Of Spring" by TALK TALK on EMI RETALK 102 - 7243 8 57131 2 5 (Barcode 724385713125) is a straightforward CD Reissue and Remaster of the album and plays out as follows (45:43 minutes):

1. Happiness Is Easy [Side 1]

2. I Don't Believe In You

3. Life's What You Make It

4. April 5th

5. Living In Another World [Side 2]

6. Give It Up

7. Chameleon Day

8. Time It's Time

Tracks 1 to 8 are their third studio album "The Colour Of Spring" - released March 1986 in the UK on EMI Records EMC 3506 and in the USA on EMI-America ST-17197. Produced by TIM FRIESE-GREENE - it peaked at No. 8 in the UK and No. 58 in the US Rock LP charts.

The 12-page booklet reproduces the inner sleeve (handwritten almost illegible lyrics intact) with musician credits beneath and a very nice touch is to give each of James Marsh's paintings (that graced the album's singles) a full leaf each (Pages 8 to 11). There isn't a history, liner notes or any involvement from the band, which is a bit of a let down - but the songs and the audio are the business (I've seen this CD for sale on Auction Sites for under four or even three pounds). To the chameleon music...

"Happiness Is Easy" opens accounts in a fantastic Talk Talk kind of a way - the song benefiting from a bevvy of impressive types - Steve Winwood on Organ, Robbie McIntosh on Guitar and Alan Gorrie of Average White Band on Electric Bass with Danny Thompson of Pentangle on Upright Bass. Bizarrely - there is also a Robbie McIntosh in AWB (their drummer), but the McIntosh used here is the session guitarist and a different bloke. The children chanting lyrics come courtesy of the School of Miss Speake.

EMI had preceded the March 1986 release of "The Colour Of Spring" album in January with the first of four singles from it - "Life's What You Make It" which hit a healthy interest-arousing No. 16 in the UK and No. 90 in America. March 1986 saw "Living in Another World" which made a lesser No. 48 in Blighty and then "Give It Up" in May 1986 which hit No. 59 and inexplicably - the best track on the album as far as I'm concerned - "I Don't Believe In You" in November of 1986 only to not chart at all. It's interesting to note that the last three British 45s, 12s and Picture Discs mentioned weren't released by EMI America in the States where the album seemed to languish as a non-event.

Speaking of "I Don't Believe In You" - it is the second of three tracks on "The Colour Of Spring" album that benefits big time from the floating Organ sound of Steve Winwood (the other song is "Living In Another World"). Both lingering-mood tunes also having Robbie McIntosh on guitar (his soloing on "I Don't Believe In You") is one of the highlights of the album - while David Rhodes provides a second guitar for "Living In Another World". And while the ear gravitates to the hits - especially "Life's What You Make It" - longtime listeners will adore the quietly brilliant "April 5th" and "Chameleon" too. It ends on "Time It's Time" - a wonderful eight-minute moody and broody little bugger that boasts Percussion from Morris Pert of Stomu Ymashta's Red Buddah band (and before that Sun Treader, also on Island Records) with Martin Ditcham of Virgin's Avant Garde band Henry Cow. The mood is also buoyed up with the church-like eerie vocals of The Ambrosia Choir. I love it.

"The Colour Of Spring" by Talk Talk is like Kate Bush's "Hounds Of Love" or Prefab Sprout's "Steve McQueen" from 1985 or Dead Can Dance's "The Serpent's Egg" on 4AD Records from 1988 - the kind of off-kilter genius I'll play the whole way through.

"Spirit Of Eden" that followed in 1988 would see them go even more uncommercial minimalist and soundscape weird - Mark Feltham of Nine Below Zero giving the greatest Harmonica solo ever on "The Rainbow" - its opening track. But in truth - 1986's "The Colour Of Spring" is the Talk Talk album I go potty for. Mark Hollis and his staggering warble vocals gave us a self-titled solo album in January 1998 on Polydor Records (much praised), but retired after that (despite huge cash offers) and was lost to us in February 2015 - a passing that I know many fans could hardly believe let alone bare. Both Hollis and the band were a talent that just wouldn't play the game (much to our advantage) - and I for one love them to bits for it...

The September 1997 TALK TALK EMI CD Remasters

RETALK 100 to 104 are UK Catalogue Numbers - The Next Are International

None Have Bonus Tracks - Phill Brown and Denis Blackham Remasters

1. The Party's Over (July 1982 Debut Album)

UK CD Remaster on EMI RETALK 100 - EMI 7243 8 56796 2 9

(Barcode 724385679629)

2. It's My Life (February 1984 Second Studio Album)

UK CD Remaster on EMI RETALK 101 - EMI 7243 8 56797 2 8

(Barcode 724385679728)

3. The Colour Of Spring (March 1986 Third Studio Album)

UK CD Remaster on EMI RETALK 102 - EMI 7243 8 57131 2 5

(Barcode 724385713125)

4. Spirit Of Eden (September 1988 Fourth Studio Album)

UK CD Remaster on EMI RETALK 103 - EMI 7243 8 57129 2 0

(Barcode 724385712920)

INDEX - Entries and Artist Posts in Alphabetical Order

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Friday 17 February 2023

INDEX - Entries and Artist Posts in Alphabetical Order

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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

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BEATLES - "Let It Be: Super Deluxe" Fabulous Underdog Album Box Set - Best Price!

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

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

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Great Deal on a great book