"Carry On" by CROSBY, STILLS & NASH – Anthology with Album and Single Sides, Demos, Alternate Mixes from 1968 to 1990 Including Eleven Previously Unreleased (December 1991 Original, Reissued 30 June 1998 - UK Atlantic Records 2CD 36-Track Truncated Edition Edited Down From The 4CD Box Set "CSN" of September 1991) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

 

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"...Horses Through A Rainstorm..."

 

What you have here is an edit – a truncated 2CD variant of the 4CD "CSN" Box Set. That "CSN" four-disc vaults-trawl behemoth was first issued September 1991 in the USA with 77-tracks – this 2CD follow-through "Carry On" came in December 1991. 

 

Using the same cover artwork, but re-titled "Carry On" after the famous Stephen stills song from "Déjà vu" – you got a 36-Track twofer – a sort of Best Of. There is a heap to catalogue – so to the details and the Wooden Ships...

 

UK released 3 December 1991 (re-issued 30 June 1998) – "Carry On" by CROSBY, STILLS & NASH on Atlantic 7567-80487-2 (Barcode 075678048722) offers you 36 Remastered Tracks (done in 1991) across 2CDs and pans out as follows:

 

CD1 (74:18 minutes):

1. Woodstock (Unreleased 1969 Alternative Mix) – CSNY

2. Marrakesh Express – CSN (from the debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" US released 29 May 1969 on Atlantic SD-8229)

3. You Don't Have To Cry – CSN (Unreleased First Crosby, Stills & Nash recording)

4. Teach Your Children – CSNY (from their 2^nd studio album "Déjà vu" US released 11 May 1970 on Atlantic SD-7200)

5. Love The One You're With – STEPHEN STILLS (from the 16 November 1970 US Solo debut album "Stephen Stills" on Atlantic SD 7202)

6. Almost Cut My Hair (Unreleased Unedited Original Version, 8:49 minutes) – CSNY

7. Wooden Ships – CSN (from the debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" US released 29 May 1969 on Atlantic SD-8229)

8. Dark Star (Allies LP Version from 1983) – CSN (song first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104, but this re-made version is the one issued on the 6 June 1983 LP "Allies" – James Newton Howard on Keyboards, Joe Vitale on Drums)

9. Helpless – CSNY (from their 2^nd studio album "Déjà vu" US released 11 May 1970 on Atlantic SD-7200)

10. Chicago//We Can Change The World – GRAHAM NASH (originally released on his debut solo album "Songs For Beginners" US released 28 May 1971 on Atlantic SD-7204 – features Rita Coolidge, Clydie King, Vanetta Fields, Shirley Matthews, Chris Etheridge and John Barbata)

11. Cathedral – CSN (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104 – George Perry and Russ Kunkle on Bass and Drums)

12. 4 + 20 (Unreleased Alternate Mix)

13. Our House – CSNY (from their 2^nd studio album "Déjà vu" US released 11 May 1970 on Atlantic SD-7200)

14. To The Last Whale... (a) Critical Mass (b) Wind On The Water – CROSBY & NASH (first issued on the 15 September 1975 Crosby & Nash LP "Wind On The Water" on ABC Records ABCD-902)

15. Change Partners – STEPHEN STILLS (originally released on his second solo LP "Stephen Stills 2" US released 30 June 1971 on Atlantic SD 7206 – line-up includes Fred Neil, David Crosby and much of what would become Manassas)

16. Just A Song Before I Go – CSN (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104 – Joe Vitale on Vibes, Tim Drummond and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums)

17. Ohio – CSNY (4 June 1970 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2740, A-side – first LP appearance (along with the B-side "Find The Cost Of Freedom", Track 19 on CD4) was on the 19 August 1974 Best Of vinyl LP compilation "So Far" on Atlantic SD 18100)

18. Wasted On The Way – CSN (first issued on the 21 June 1982 US LP "Daylight Again" on Atlantic SD 19360 – Craig Doerge on Keyboards, Joe Lala of Manassas on Percussion, Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles on Backing Vocals with Wayne Goodwin of the Emmylou Harris Hot Band on Fiddle)

19. Southern Cross – CSN (first issued on the 21 June 1982 US LP "Daylight Again" on Atlantic SD 19360 – Richard T. Bear and Mike Finnigan on Keyboards, Joe Lala of Manassas on Percussion, Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles on Backing Vocals)

NOTES on CD1:

CSN = CROSBY, STILLS & NASH (David Crosby (ex Byrds), Stephen Stills (ex Buffalo Springfield) & Graham Nash (ex The Hollies))

CSNY = CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG (with Neil Young (ex Buffalo Springfield))

Tracks 1, 3 and 6 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

CD2 (72:14 minutes):

1. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (Unreleased Alternate Mix) - CSN

2. Carry On/Questions – CSNY (from their 2^nd studio album "Déjà vu" US released 11 May 1970 on Atlantic SD-7200)

3. Horses Through A Rainstorm (Unreleased Song, recorded 28 Dec 1969) – CSNY

4. Johnny's Garden – STEPHEN STILLS & MANASSAS (originally released on the 12 April 1972 US 2LP Studio Album "Manassas" on Atlantic SD 2-903)

5. Guinnevere (Unreleased Early Demo, recorded 26 June 1968, also features Jack Cassidy of Jefferson Airplane on Bass with Cyrus Faryar of The Modern Folk Quartet on Bouzouki) – DAVID CROSBY

6. Helplessly Hoping (Unreleased Live Studio Version, 15 June 1969 Rehearsal) - CSNY

7. The Lee Shore (Unreleased Studio Version, 5:28 minutes) – CSNY (originally showed up as a new song on the 2LP Live Set "4 Way Street" from 1971 on Atlantic SD 2-902)

8. Taken At All (Unreleased CSNY Version) – CSNY (original version first issued on the 25 June 1976 Crosby & Nash LP "Whistling Down The Wind" on ABC Records ABCD-956)

9. Shadow Captain – CSN (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104 – Craig Doerge on Piano, Joe Vitale on Organ and Flute, George Perry and Russ Kunkel on Bass and Drums)

10. As I Come Of Age (Unreleased Version) – CSN (original version is on the 1975 US LP "Stills" on Columbia PC 33575 – this version recorded January 1981 – Michael Finnigan and Richard T. Bear on Keyboards, George Perry on Bass with Joe Vitale on Drums)

11. Drive My Car – DAVID CROSBY (first issued on the 23 January 1989 US LP "Oh Yes I Can" on A&M Records 395232-1 – Michael Hedges on Guitar with Backing Vocals from Graham Nash)

12. Dear Mr. Fantasy (Unreleased Version, Recorded 17 Nov 1980, Traffic cover version) – STEPHEN STILLS & GRAHAM NASH

13. In My Dreams – CSN (first issued on the 12 June 1977 US LP "CSN" on Atlantic SD 19104 – Joe Vitale on Vibes, Tim Drummond and Russ Kunkle on Drums)

14. Yours And Mine – CSN (first issued on the 11 June 1990 US LP "Live It Up" on Atlantic 82107-1 – Branford Marsalis on Soprano Saxophone, Craig Doerge on Keyboards)

15. Haven't We Lost Enough? – CSN (first issued on the 11 June 1990 US LP "Live It Up" on Atlantic 82107-1 – Stephen Stills only on Vocals and Acoustic Guitar)

16. After The Dolphin – CSN (first issued on the 11 June 1990 US LP "Live It Up" on Atlantic 82107-1 – Mike Landau on Guitar, Craig Doerge on Keyboards, Uses a President Truman Radio Broadcast mixed into the music)

17. Find The Cost Of Freedom – CSNY (4 June 1970 US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2740, B-side of "Ohio" – first LP appearance for both sides on the 19 August 1974 Best Of vinyl LP compilation "So Far" on Atlantic SD 18100 – A-side is Track 2 on CD2)

NOTES on CD2:

CSN = CROSBY, STILLS & NASH (David Crosby (ex Byrds), Stephen Stills (ex Buffalo Springfield) & Graham Nash (ex The Hollies))

CSNY = CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG (with Neil Young (ex Buffalo Springfield))

Tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

As with all of these CSNY-related retrospectives – a team of experts were called upon to do properly real transfers to digital – and the results are gorgeous. In this case 1991 Remixes were carried out by STEPHEN BARNCARD at Sunset Sound along with Analogue-To-Digital by JOE GASTWIRT at Ocean View Digital with both JOE GASTWIRT and JOHN MODELL doing the eventual remastering. The audio is a smidge short of breathtaking for us old farts used to hearing our battered LPs of 1969, 1970, 1971 and those early 1990s CDs. The instruments are so clear now, their harmonies coming at you like a wall of vocal marshmallow – it's beautifully clean and not just amped up for the sake of it. Lovely stuff. And amazingly much of the unreleased stuff matches the official output in terms of beauty...

 

The 66-page booklet of the 4CD "CSN" Box Set gets whittled down to a 20-Page variant for the 2CD Fate Jewel Case of "Carry On" that does at least give you track-by-track info but not a whole lot else. There are period photos but the song-by-song explanations are AWOL that were on the Box Set which is a shame.

 

The track placement on the twofer is just as clever as it was on the bigger box. "Carry On" opens with their electric guitar rockier version of the Joni Mitchell song "Woodstock" (an Alternate Mix) while later we get the same kind of angry sound their stand-alone single "Ohio" exuded – both Neil Young as Lead Vocalist and Crosby as Backing towards the end letting the US political machine know their disgust at University shootings that murdered protestors of the ludicrously poisonous Vietnam war. Solo choices please too like the hugely popular "Love The One You're With" – a 1970 Stephen Stills winner from his debut solo album that features Rita Coolidge, Pricilla Jones, John Sebastian propping up Crosby and Nash on Backing Vocals. His fantastic "Johnny's Garden" from the 1972 Manassas Band period is an absolute gem too.

 

And while you would expect the chipper "Our House" from "Déjà vu" to sound great and the gorgeous "Guinnevere" to move you again – it is shocking to hear stuff like the Alternate Mix of "Taken At All" from 1976 over on CD2 where their CSNY harmonies are still in full beautiful flow. And the 7:04 minutes of an unreleased cover version of the 1968 Traffic classic "Dear Mr. Fantasy" recorded in similar slinky Rock mode in November 1980 by Stills & Nash is a genuine discovery – Stills letting rip on distorted guitar ala Neil Young to amazing effect while Nash harmonizes on the chorus. Stills admits in his liner notes to the song to a lifetime admiration of British songwriter Steve Winwood and had intended him to be the keyboard player in the original line-up of CSN (Michael Finnigan adds his trademark Hammond Organ sound to the cover version to get that Traffic vibe).

 

For sure "Carry On" wanes a tad as the years progress - for all its undoubted recording sophistication, the very Sting with Branford Marsalis "Yours And Mine" from the 1990 album "Live It Up" is not touching, but actually ever so slightly insufferable. They end their odyssey on CD2 (as they did on the 4CD Box Set) by putting on the gorgeous and practically Acapella B-side "Find The Cost Of Freedom" as the last song – their 1970 plea for an end to war and the politics associated with it – a perfect finish for a spectacular vaults trawl.

 

The 30 September 1991 "CSN" 4CD splurge and its December 1991 2CD twofer follow up "Carry On" was by no means to be the end of unreleased material from the whole CSNY camp. Stephen Stills released his "Carry On" 4CD Hardback Digibook Anthology Set in February 2013, David Crosby had his 3CD "Voyage" back in November 2006, while Graham Nash brought us "Reflections" in February 2009 – another 3CD set with mucho unissued. There has also been a beautiful 50^th Anniversary LP-Sized Book Set for "Déjà vu" in May 2021 (see separate reviews for all of them) and Neil Young has not stopped reissuing unreleased material in his infamous Archive Series of CD and Vinyl.

 

Dennis Hopper asked Stephen Stills to pen a tune for the final scene of the Easy Rider movie he was in with Peter Fonda and the fantastic "Find The Cost Of Freedom" was what he offered (even if Hopper was too out of it to get its genius). The band ended every live concert with it – a clarion call to a generation hurting.

 

Well do not leave either the "CSN" 4CD Set or its 2CD baby brother "Carry On" languishing "...buried in the ground...” anywhere near you. I envy you the journey and thanks Coz (passed 18 January 2023 aged 81) for all the beautiful music and memories...

"The Police" by THE POLICE – Featuring Tracks from All Five Studio Albums (1978 to 1983) with Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland (June 2007 UK A&M Records 2CD 30-Track Compilation with 2003 Remasters in a Super Jewel Case – Has Two Bonus Tracks Over USA and EURO Versions) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of..."

 

Hardly the most exciting looking of Best Of I would admit - and that title – The Police – for Gawd's sake. But then you clap your cabbage patch ears on the Outlaws of Love contents and you're reaching for different adjectives – none of which are Canaries In A Coalmine.

 

In their late 70ts New Wave segueing into 80ts Sophisto-Pop kind of a way, the five Police albums rocked. As our tastes and listening pleasures matured, so did Sting's songwriting up to and including the last studio platter "Synchronicity" – arguably their most accomplished album - a Rock Music outing that still makes Top 100 Best LPs ever made lists. Platter No. 5 ("Synchronicity") might have had as pretentious an album title as some of the U2 outings (another fabulous band who need to speak to the album-titling ombudsman as a matter of urgency), but it's brilliance was undeniable. But all their albums felt that way to me - even the patchy third "Zenyatta Mondatta" - clearly knocked off in-between gigs and hotel corridors hijinks. I played the band named after the cops to death on my trusty Garrard SP25 turntable (as we all did) back in the 1978 to 1984 days – and their entire catalogue seemed pretty much necessary purchases (still do).

 

But what singles out this latest twofer career overview and gives it real bite are the track choices and their running order. For sure you have to have all the chart hits as such a compilation would demand, but CD1 also hits with you with deep LP cuts like "Truth Hits Everybody", "Driven To Tears", "Voices In My Head", "Walking in Your Footsteps" and even the Non-LP Andy Summers B-side from the Synchronicity period worth having - "Murder By Numbers". The UK variant of this goody two shoes also boasts two Bonus Tracks (see lists below). To the red lights...

 

Released 11 June 2007 -"The Police" by THE POLICE is a 2CD 30-Track career-spanning Compilation (1978 to 1983) using 2013 remasters that comes in two forms in the UK. The Super Jewel Case Edition is A&M Records 1736143 (Barcode 602517361430) – the 2CD Digipak Edition is A&M Records 1736144 (Barcode 602517361447) – both with 30-tracks (see Note). This review is for the Super Jewel Case version (pictured).

 

NOTE: The US release on A&M B0009080-2 has 28 Tracks – losing "The Bed's Too Big Without You" on CD1 (Track 12) and "Rehumanize Yourself" on CD2 (Track 7) – Both Are Bonus Tracks only on the 30-Track UK releases. There is also a European release on A&M 1736149 (Barcode 602517361492) and it only has 28-tracks which can be mistaken for a UK variant.

 

CD1 (55:06 minutes):

1. Fall Out

2. Can't Stand Losing You

3. Next To You

4. Roxanne

5. Truth Hits Everybody

6. Hole In My Life

7. So Lonely

8. Message In A Bottle

9. Regatta De Blanc

10. Bring On The Night

11. Walking On The Moon

12. The Bed's Too Big Without You

13. Don't Stand So Close To Me

14. Driven To Tears

15. Canary In A Coalmine

NOTES on CD1:

Track 1 is their debut UK 45-single released May 1977 on Illegal IL 001, A-side

Tracks 2 to 7 are from their debut album "Outlandos d'Amour" - released November 1978 in the UK on A&M Records AMLH 68502 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-4753. Produced by The Police - it peaked at No. 6 in the UK and No. 23 in the USA

Tracks 8 to 12 are from their second studio album "Reggatta de Blanc" - released October 1979 in the UK on A&M Records AMLH 64792 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-4792. Produced by The Police and Nigel Gray - it peaked at No. 1 in the UK and No. 26 in the USA. Track 12 is One of TWO BONUS TRACKS on UK editions of this Compilation

Tracks 13 to 15 are from their third studio album "Zenyatta Mondatta" - released October 1980 in the UK on A&M Records AMLH 64831 and in the USA on A&M SP-3720. Produced by Nigel Gray and The Police – it peaked at No.1 in the UK and No. 5 in the USA

 

CD2 (63:36 minutes):

1. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da

2. Voices Inside My Head

3. Invisible Sun

4. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

5. Spirits In The Material World

6. Demolition Man

7. Rehumanize Yourself

8. Every Breath You Take

9. Synchronicity 1

10. Wrapped Around Your Finger

11. Walking in Your Footsteps

12. Synchronicity II

13. King Of Pain

14. Murder By Numbers

15. Tea In The Sahara

NOTES ON CD2:

Tracks 1 and 2 are from their third studio album "Zenyatta Mondatta" - released October 1980 in the UK on A&M Records AMLH 64831 and in the USA on A&M SP-3720. Produced by Nigel Gray and The Police – it peaked at No.1 in the UK and No. 5 in the USA

Tracks 3 to 7 are from their fourth studio album "Ghost In The Machine" - released October 1981 in the UK on A&M Records AMLK 63730 and in the USA on A&M SP-3730. Produced by The Police and Hugh Padgham – it peaked at No. 1 in the UK and No. 2 in the USA. Track 7 is Two of TWO BONUS TRACKS on UK editions of this Compilation

Tracks 8 to 13 and 15 are from their fifth and final studio album "Synchronicity" – released June 1983 in the UK on A&M Records AMLX 63735 and in the USA on A&M SP-3735. Produced by Hugh Padgham and The Police – it peaked at No.1 in both countries

Track 14 "Murder By Numbers" was a Bonus Track on the Cassette and CD versions of the "Synchronicity" album when originally released in 1983. It was also the Non-LP B-side to the 45-single for "Every Breath You Take" when it was issued in the month before the album showed. Released May 1983 in the UK on A&M Records AM 117 (A&M Records AM-2542 in the USA) – that 45-single was itself a chart Number 1 in both countries (like the album)

 

THE POLICE was:

STING – Bass, Keyboards, Sequencers and Lead Vocals

ANDY SUMMERS – Lead Guitar

STEWART COPELAND – Drums

All songs written by Sting except "Fall Out" by Summers and Copeland (Henry Padovani played Guitar), "Regatta De Blanc" and "Rehumanize Yourself" by Sting, Summers and Copeland and "Murder By Numbers" written by Andy Summers (Music) and Sting (Words). Jean Roussel plays keyboards on "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"

 

The six-panel (either side) foldout-inlay has a Poster across one whole side for a Live New Wave Music Broadcast - 18 May 1979 at Madam Wong's (Wilshire Blvd in West Los Angeles) for KXLU-FM and KSPC-FM Radio Stations in Los Angeles and Claremont. Esther Wong was famously dubbed The Godmother of Punk, her venue was on Wilshire Blvd in West Los Angeles and the repro poster screams The Police Raid Madam Wong's!!

 

The other foldout side has six panels populated by period photos, some functionary liner notes about the band’s history and chart achievements from CHRIS SALEWICZ and the Reissue/Track List details on another part. Given that the release is only three years after the Five Album Remasters campaign of 2003 - these are very evidently the 2003 Remasters done in London and L.A. and Mastered by Bob Ludwig from original tapes. The audio here is fantastic – punchy, clear and at times (having been used to lesser versions) alarmingly in your face. There is a see-through tray for both CDs with a photo of the three-piece band on the rear inlay beneath. To the tunes...

 

The moment you play CD1 – you get what I was saying about the layout of the tracks. It opens on the fantastic Punk/New Wave/Rock Pop of "Fall Out" – their debut 45 on Illegal Records - a tremendous start to a career that would lead them to becoming one of the biggest bands in the world. Sting takes lead vocals with a suitably wild guitar solo handled by Henry Padovani (thereafter left). We cut straight to the A&M years and you’re hammered with hit after hit  - brilliant lyrics, catchy tunes with killer choruses. Immediately the production values take a leap "Can't Stand Losing You" (all this guilt will be on your head). "Next To You" cements Sting's knack of penning an irresistible tune with razor-sharp lyrics that left most Punk Bands in the dust. It's a clever follow to have "Truth Hits Everybody" come after the overplayed "Roxette" and then next up is the chug of "Hole In My Life". 

 

It is hard now in 2023 to realize the impact tracks like "So Lonely" and the genius that is "Message In A Bottle" had on us poor lovelorn punkettes in 1978 and 1979 - swaying on the dancefloor to these teenage-whinge anthems. And when CD1 races home with the winner-after-winner from the "Regatta de Blanc" CHA! album and even its slightly lacklustre follow up "Zenyatta Mondatta" ("Driven To Tears" is an outstanding moment on it) – we have to mention the band's other double-whammy secret weapons other than Sting's songs – the stunning guitar work of Andy Summers and that locked down tight drumming Stewart Copeland displayed on every song. This was a killer outfit given material that made them literally pop.And the world loved it - as the chart statistics bear out.

 

Too many cameras and not enough food – politics, the world, literature, thought processes – it all starts to dominate Sting’s writing by the time we get to "Ghost In The Machine" – an album I adored in 1981. CD2 gives us the obvious cuts of "Everything She Does Is Magic" and "Spirits In The Material World" and "Invisible Sun" is always impressive (one you forgot) – but I have never liked "Demolition Man" and the Bonus "Rehumanize Yourself" is good but I would have preferred "Too Much Information" or "One World (Not Three)" instead. 

 

The final run (amazingly) is all of the 10-track "Synchronicity" album bar three – the lesser Sting song "O My God" and the two truly dreadful Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland tunes "Mother" and "Miss Gradenko" (I am sure Sting put them on the album to show the world who the real songwriter in The Police was). But the song order is different to that of the LP and by slotting in the B-side "Murder By Numbers" in before "Tea In The Sahara" - it works like a new and better listen. There was a sophistication too in the music on the "Synchronicity" album of 1983 that set up Sting's hugely successful solo career that began with "The Dream Of The Blue Turtles" in June 1985 (again on A&M Records). 

 

Truth be told - this 2CD set of Police Remasters is regularly up for sale for under four quid in 2023 and often under that (including P&P). So with its stunning sound and 30 cool track choices – "The Police" represents some serious listening value for money. 

 

England's The Police really were a great band - right up to the inevitable egotistical acrimonious end. But this 2007 compilation hammers that home with big man-trucker boots. Hoover up this trio's not so ghostly spirits in a seriously material world and enjoy...

"Frankie Miller…That's Who! The Complete Chrysalis Recordings (1973-1980)" by FRANKIE MILLER – Including the Albums "Once In A Blue Moon" (1973), "High Life" (1974), "The Rock" (1975), "Full House" (1977), "Double Trouble" (1978), "Falling in Love" (1979), "Easy Money" (1980) and more. Features The Band Brinsley Schwarz with Nick Lowe, Ian Gomm and Bob Andrews, Allen Toussaint, Members of Atlanta Rhythm Section and The Classics IV, Steve Tyler of Aerosmith, Robin Trower and Gary Brooker of Procol Harum, Andy Fraser of Free, Paul Carrack of Ace, Tim Fenwick of Quiver, Terry Britten of Homer, Guitarists Chris Spedding and Reggie Young with Brass from The Memphis Horns (September 2018 EUROPE Chrysalis Records Reissue in a 7CD Clamshell Box Set with Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves Using 2011 Remasters by Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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****

 

"…Be Good To Yourself…Be True To One Another…"

 

Most Frankie Miller fans despaired of seeing their hero’s output on a decent CD retrospective. But all of that pining for the fjords ended with the May 2011 EMI 4CD Fat Jewel Case Anthology "Frankie Miller…That’s Who! The Complete Chrysalis Recordings (1973-1980)". That superb chunky outing slapped together seven whole albums, and as Bonuses - a Previously Unreleased 11-Track Original Mix of the second LP "High Life", three Non-LP single sides and one song exclusive to a US album with a different name. And all of it came with great remastered sound courtesy of two Audio heroes of mine – ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM.

 

What you have here is a September 2018 EURO Reissue that goes down the Clamshell Box Set route. The 4CDs have been turned into 7CDs with all seven albums put into Mini LP Card Sleeve Repro Artwork and the Bonus Material carried over too (full house, nothing lost). It's lovely to look at, boasts that great 2011 Remastered Audio on every album and even has a functional 8-Page booklet that gives track lists, couple of photos etc. There’s a lot on here, so let's be good to ourselves and get to the details…

 

EUROPEAN released 14 September 2018 (originally issued May 2011 in the UK in a Fat Jewel Case with 4CDs under the same title) - "Frankie Miller…That’s Who! The Complete Chrysalis Recordings (1973-1980)" by FRANKIE MILLER on Chrysalis Records CRB1073 (Barcode 5060516091249) is a 7CD Clamshell Box Set Reissue (using 2011 Remasters) that has Seven Albums Worth Plus Bonuses and plays out as follows:

 

CD1 "Once In A Blue Moon" (32:30 minutes):

1. You Don't Need To Laugh [Side 1]

2. I Can't Change It

3. Candlelight Sonata in F Major

4. Ann Eliza Jane

5. It's All Over

6. In No Resistance [Side 2]

7. After All (Live My Life)

8. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

9. Mail Box

10. I’m Ready

Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut album "Once In A Blue Moon" - released January 1973 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1036. Backing band on the whole album is BRINSLEY SCHWARZ featuring Bob Andrews, Brinsley Schwarz, Nick Lowe, Ian Gomm and Billy Rankin.

 

CD2 "High Life" (73:38 minutes – see NOTES):

1. High Life [Side 1]

2. Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)

3. Trouble

4. A Fool

5. Little Angel

6. With You In Mind

7. The Devil Gun [Side 2]

8. I'll Take A Melody

9. Just A Song

10. Shoo-Rah

11. I'm Falling In Love Again

12. With You In Mind

Tracks 11 to 22 are his second studio album "High Life" released January 1974 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1052 (see also Tracks 13 to 23). Produced by ALLEN TOUSSAINT – Tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12 written by him with Tracks 3, 5, 7, and 11 written by FRANKIE MILLER. Guest musicians included Barry Bailey of Atlanta Rhythm Section on Guitars, Auburn Burrell and Joe Wilson of The Classics IV on Guitars with Allen Toussaint on Keyboards.

 

BONUS ALBUM VERSION "High Life - The Original Mix"

13. Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)

14. Trouble

15. Little Angel

16. With You In Mind

17. I'll Take A Melody

18. High Life (Filler)

19. Shoorah Shoorah

20. Devil's Gun

21. A Day In The Life Of A Fool

22. I'm Falling In Love Again

23. Just A Song

NOTES: Tracks 13 to 23 are "High Life – The Original Mix". This was a previously unreleased version of the album with the running order re-arranged and was first issued May 2011 in the UK on the original 4CD Anthology (Tracks 1 to 12 are the officially released album – remixed without their permission or knowledge).

 

CD3 "The Rock" (49:05 minutes):

1. A Fool In Love [Side 1]

2. The Heartbreak

3. The Rock

4. I Know Why the Sun Don't Shine

5. Hard On The Levee

6. Ain't Got No Money [Side 2]

7. All My Love To You

8. I'm Old Enough

9. Bridgeton

10. Drunken Nights In The City

Tracks 1 to 10 are his third studio album "The Rock" released September 1975 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1088. James Dewar (ex Stone The Crows and at the time with The Robin Trower Band) and The Edwin Hawkins Singers provide Backing Vocals, Mick Weaver aka Wynder K. Frog played Keyboards, Henry McCullough and Chris Stewart (both ex Eire Apparent) played Guitars and Bass with The Memphis Horns providing Brass. Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar by Frankie Miller. All songs by Frankie Miller except "A Fool In Love" written by Andy Fraser of Free.

 

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever

12. I'm Old Enough (Edit)

Tracks 11 and 12 are the A & B-side of an August 1976 UK 7" 45-single on Chrysalis CHS 2103 – B-side is an Edit – Both Previously Unavailable on CD in 2011 when first issued

 

CD4 "Full House" (33:34 minutes):

1. Be Good To Yourself [Side 1]

2. The Doodle Song

3. Jealous Guy

4. Searching

5. Love Letters

6. Take Good Care Of Yourself [Side 2]

7. Down The Honky Tonk

8. This Love Of Mine

9. Let The Candlelight Shine

10. (I'll Never) Live In Vain

Tracks 1 to 10 are his fourth studio album "Full House" - released August 1977 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1128 – Produced by CHRIS THOMAS. Musicians included Guitarist Chris Spedding, Guitarist Ray Minhinnett (of Highway and Phoenix), Keyboardists Gary Brooker (of Procol Harum), John 'Rabbit' Bundrick (ex Free and Crawler) and Jim Hall (of Highway), Bassist Chris Stewart (ex Eire Apparent) with The Memphis Horns on Brass.

 

CD5 "Double Trouble" (37:47 minutes):

1. Have You Seen Me Lately Joan [Side 1]

2. Double Heart Trouble

3. The Train

4. You'll Be In My Mind

5. Good Time Love

6. Love Waves [Side 2]

7. (I Can't) Break Away

8. Stubborn Kind Of Fellow

9. Love Is All Around

10. Goodnight Sweetheart

Tracks 1 to 10 are his fifth studio album "Double Trouble" - released April 1978 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1174. Guest Musicians include Steve Tyler of Aerosmith, Ian Gomm of Brinsley Schwarz, Ray Russell of Rock Workshop and Chopyn, Chris Mercer of The Keef Hartley Band and Gonzalez and more

 

CD6 "Falling In Love" (38:41 minutes):

1. When I'm Away From You [Side 1]

2. Is This Love

3. If I Can Love Somebody

4. Darlin'

5. And It's Your Love

6. A Woman To Love [Side 2]

7. Falling In Love With You

8. Every Time A Teardrop Falls

9. Pappa Don't Know

10. Good To See You

Tracks 1 to 10 are his sixth studio album "Falling In Love" - released January 1979 in the UK on Chrysalis CHR 1220. Band featured Paul Carrack of Ace, Squeeze and Mike + The Mechanics, Terry Britten of The Twilights and Homer, Tim Fenwick of Quiver, Fran Byrne and Ed Deane from Bees Make Honey and more (Fran Byrne was also in Ace).

 

NOTE: With the same artwork, release date and catalogue number as the UK issue (Chrysalis CHR 1220) - the "Falling In Love" album was called "A Perfect Fit" in the USA. However, the song "If I Can Love Somebody" was replaced with "Something About You" (see Track 11) and the running order rejiggered. In order to sequence the US LP - use the following songs on CD6:

Side 1: Tracks 6, 2, 9, 11 and 1

Side 2: Tracks 4, 8, 7, 5 and 10

 

11. Something About You

Track 11 replaced the song "If I Can Love Somebody" on the American version of the "Falling In Love" LP which was called "A Perfect Fit" in the USA - see NOTE

 

CD7 "Easy Money" (37:57 minutes):

1. Easy Money [Side 1]

2. The Woman In You

3. Why Don't You Spend The Night

4. So Young, So Young

5. Forget About Me

6. Heartbreak Radio [Side 2]

7. Cheap...Thrills

8. No Chance

9. Gimme Love

10. Tears

Tracks 1 to 10 are his seventh studio album “Easy Money” - released July 1980 in the UK and the USA on Chrysalis CHR 1268. Musicians included Guitarist (Electric) Reggie Young of The Memphis Boys and Waylon Jennings Band, Guitarist (Acoustic) Bobby Thompson of Area Code 615 and Barefoot Jerry, Bassist Joe Osborn of Michael Nesmith & The First National Band and Session Drummer Larrie Londin

 

11. Sail Away (a Randy Newman cover and a non-album B-side to the November 1977 UK 4-Track 7" EP "Alveric’s Elfland Journey" - Previously Unavailable on CD)

 

It's cool to see the seven card sleeves - I love these things - probably hankers back to my vinyl days - but I can't get enough of a good Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeve. The only one that looks slightly less in CD7 - "Easy Money" - seems to be more blurred than it should be. The 8-page booklet is a fairly functionary affair with a small history of the albums taken from a 1998 Documentary for BBC Scotland (it is the same as the 2011 Fat Jewel Case original). You get a basic track-by-track list (I have provided players and musicians, the booklet does not) and pictures some album covers and rare European 7" picture sleeves. It’s good, but hardly great. But the real deal lies in the AUDIO and some genuinely tasty extras…

 

After years of budget label compilations, the remastered sound quality comes as a genuine shock – done by ANDY PEARCE and MATT WORTHAM at EMI – it’s full, warm and at last the music has the muscle its always deserved. The material itself (mostly self-penned) isn’t all genius of course, but when this Glaswegian was good – he was the absolute business. And like many rockers, he had loveliness in his ballads too, which in turn inspired cover versions from people as diverse as Cher, UFO and Ray Charles.

 

With regard to the remaster, the opening plaintive double of "You Don't Need To Laugh" and "I Can't Change It" from his 1973 debut album "Once In A Blue Moon" are good examples – the backing band is BRINSLEY SCHWARZ featuring Ian Gomm and Nick Lowe - and suddenly the piano, the acoustic guitars and even the backing girly vocals are all clear and alive. It’s not loud for the sake of it - just present – a treat to listen to.

 

His second studio platter "High Life" was originally produced by New Orleans Rhythm 'n' Blues genius ALLEN TOUSSAINT (who also wrote many of the tunes). But without his or Miller's permission, it was remixed before release. Hence it features on CD2 twice – the released mix first and now the previously unreleased original version second (different running order too and eleven tracks instead of twelve). One of my favourites is "A Fool" – the new version brings the guitars, percussion and brass solo to the front more and also lessens the hiss levels that were on the released version. "Trouble" is really clear too – fantastically well done.

 

1975's "The Rock" benefited from the production values of Elliot Mazer (Neil Young and Joni Mitchell) with the songs featuring brass on almost every track with that rock back-beat. Two of my personal craves are the driving boogie of "Hard On The Levee” and the epic Otis Redding type ballad "All My Love To You" (poignant lyrics given his later incapacity and his wife’s devotion to his recovery).

 

A polished production by Chris Thomas (Sex Pistols, Roxy Music, Pink Floyd) on 1977's "Full House" made the album his most commercial release to date and for me features one his best tracks - the truly fantastic "Be Good To Yourself". Written by Free's Bassist Andy Fraser, it epitomizes what fans love most about Miller - a top tune fronted by a great voice – an uplifting gem that hasn't dated a jot (lyrics above). His cover of John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" is soulful and full on, but his speeding up of Ketty Lester's "Love Letters" is less successful. "This Love Of Mine" is a soulful brass-driven Stax Records kind of ballad co-written with ace guitarist Robin Trower and is another highlight. Proceedings were also graced with Chris Spedding, Gary Brooker, John 'Rabbit' Bundrick and the brass of The Memphis Horns.

 

1978's "Double Trouble" featured Aerosmith's Steve Tyler playing Harmonica on four and singing Backing Vocals too ("You'll Be In My Mind", "Love Waves", "Love Is All Around" and "Goodnight Sweetheart") as well as songwriting collaborations with Paul Carrack of Ace, Squeeze, Mike & The Mechanics and Solo Career on five songs ("The Train", "You'll Be In My Mind", "Good Time Love", "Love Waves" and "(I Can't) Break Away"). A rocking Free-sounding "Double Heart Trouble" is not surprisingly written by - well - Andy Fraser of Free! Fraser also contributed the cool "Love Is All Around" over on Side 2. Ian Gomm of Brinsley Schwarz and Ray Russell of Rock Workshop and Chopyn provided Guitars while Chris Mercer of The Keef Hartley Band and Gonzalez lent his Saxophone. With two cover versions – the Motown classic "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" originally done by Marvin Gaye and the Spaniels 50t's Doo Wop classic "Goodnight Sweetheart" ending proceedings – it was a typical Frankie Miller album of the late Seventies – originals, contributions and smart song choices.

 

1979's "Falling In Love" (titled "A Perfect Fit" for its American release) features Frankie's biggest hit single "Darlin'", but like 1980's "Easy Money" it all becomes a bit run-of-the-mill – too many average cover versions. The ballad "Good To See You" and the rollicking "Heartbreak Radio" are good though. The LP also featured some great names - Paul Carrack of Ace etc, Terry Britten of The Twilights and Homer, Tim Fenwick of Quiver, Fran Byrne and Ed Deane from Bees Make Honey and more (Fran Byrne was also in Ace).

 

1980's "Easy Money" had a distinctly Country Rock Music set of session musicians who are called The Hitmen in the rear sleeve credits. They included the legendary Electric Guitarist Reggie Young of The Memphis Boys and Waylon Jennings Band accompanied by Bobby Thompson of Area Code 615 and Barefoot Jerry on Acoustic. Other Country-Rock names included Bassist Joe Osborn of Michael Nesmith & The First National Band and Session Drummer Larrie Londin who had played with everybody from Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard and would go on to Reba McEntire, Rosanna Cash and loads more. Troy Seals was also listed in the multiple Producers credits.

 

And yet with uncredited Organ and Brass Section on "The Woman In You" – much of this largely forgotten album has a decidedly Funky and Commercial feel – the kind of songs and production that would not have been amiss on an Atlanta Rhythm Section LP or a Dan Penn album out of Muscle Shoals. With his voice in raspy form - "Why Don't You Spend The Night" and "So Young, So Young" go for radio play as does the sappy "Forget About Me" – but much of it sounds ever so slightly tired and reaching. Side 2 opens with more Funky Brass Muscle Shoals sounding Rock-Soul in the shape of "Heartbreak Radio" – a great tune and imbibed with that magic sway of old - the woman Frankie loves done gone and left him with a big fat hit on – yes you guessed it. "Cheap Thrills" and its sleazy lyrics has not dated well – but the chipper almost Kool & The Gang Rock Funk of "Gimme Love" and the big ballad "Tears" rescue the whole LP (it is also one of the worst repro sleeves, the artwork too dark and slightly blurred).

 

The whole Box set ends on a better note as Frankie gets raspy on the Randy Newman gem "Sail Away" – a near five-minute cover version thrown onto CD7 as a Bonus Track – a version that has all but been lost to time from some obscure vinyl EP you never see. Frankly Frank it is better than much of the "Easy Money" LP that can be found on some auction sites for sale at under 80p. This is how we should love our FM – tearing into a great song – his voice and passion giving it wings.

 

Name-checked by Rod Stewart, Phil Lynott, Bob Seger, Joe Walsh, Kid Rock and too many others to mention – Frankie Miller was possessed of a voice and a way with a song that literally engendered hero worship – and this huge remastered haul finally does his criminally forgotten recorded legacy proper justice.

 

I know the whole listen lags in places (5-star presentation of 4-star material) and you wish there was one genuine masterpiece of an album in there to rant and rave about. But there are loads of top moments, tons of contributions from names I dig and music that makes me smile – and I like that.

 

Like Terry Reid, Long John Baldry, John Martyn and Maggie Bell – this great singer will always be held in genuine affection...

 

PS: ROBIN TROWER and IAN HUNTER in this EURO Series

See also my review for the February 2019 Robin Trower 10CD Clamshell Box Set called "The Studio Albums 1973-1983". It's another like the Frankie Miller reissue above. In July 2010 - EMI put out 2 x 4CD Fat Jewel Cases for Trower - the first called "A Tale Untold: The Chrysalis Years 1973-1976" on EMI/Chrysalis 642 1542 (Barcode 50999652154226) – and the second - "Father On Up The Road: The Chrysalis Years 1977-1983" on EMI/Chrysalis 301 3862 (Barcode 5099930138629).

 

The 10CD reissue Box Set for "The Studio Albums 1973-1983" does the same - the 8CDs become a 10CD Clamshell Box Set with Ten Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves though unfortunately loses the "Live!" LP and a small number of Bonus Single Sides. 

 

There is also an IAN HUNTER 4CD Remasters Fat Jewel Case called "From The Knees Of My Heart: The Chrysalis Years 1978-1981" issued October 2012 in the UK on EMI/Chrysalis 5099923270121 (Barcode (5099923270121). That too has been Reissued in 2019 in EUROPE with the same Title, Artwork, Remasters and all Bonuses, but again into a Clamshell Box Set with four repro card sleeves - Chrysalis CRB1074 - Barcode 5060516091256. I will review soonest...