"Lonesome, On'ry & Mean/Honky Tonk Heroes/This Time/Waylon The Ramblin' Man" by WAYLON JENNINGS – Four 'Country/Country Rock/Outlaw Country' American Albums from March 1973, July 1973, July 1974 and September 1974 on RCA Records – Guests Featuring Fred Carter, Billy Joe Shaver, Randy Scruggs, Charley McCoy and Members of Area Code 615, Pete Drake and Ralph Mooney, Tompall Glaser, Willie Nelson and more (August 2023 UK Beat Goes On Records (BGO) Compilation – 4LPs onto 2CDs Plus Six Bonus Tracks – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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This Review And 225 Others Is Available In My AMAZON E-Book 

BOTH SIDES NOW - FOLK & COUNTRY 

And Genres Thereabouts

Your Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

For the 1960s and 1970s

All Reviews In-Depth and from the Discs Themselves

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"...Moving Is The Closest Thing To Being Free..."

 

In what chart history has dubbed his Outlaw Country Music years, England's Beat Goes On Records (or BGO for short) continues their legacy exploration of the hugely successful and much-missed WAYLON JENNINGS - a serious Texan Duderino who clocked up a huge fifteen No.1 hits whilst at the same time kick-muling against sterile old ways when it came to presenting the music he loved and championed. This is BGO's fourth CD compilation for the Littlefield Highwayman (see list below).

 

What you get here are four albums issued on RCA Records in the USA (some in the UK) in rapid succession – March and July 1973 for the first two and July and September 1974 for three and four (all were Country LP chart hits in America). This twofer compilation however goes further though than just putting 4LPs onto 2CDs – it has also been smart enough to include three bonus tracks from the first LP and three more from the fourth that were previously issued on individual RCA Nashville/BMG Heritage CD Remasters out of the USA in 2003 and 2000.

 

And when you consider the huge guest name list – Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser, Billy Joe Shaver, Randy Scruggs, Charley McCoy and Members of Area Code 615, legendary Pedal Steel players like Ralph Mooney and Pete Drake – you're getting a whole lot of value for your money and all dressed up in cool duds too (sounds mighty fine as well). To the Honky Tonk Heroes...

 

UK released Friday, 11 August 2023 – "Lonesome, On'ry & Mean/Honky Tonk Heroes/This Time/Waylon The Ramblin' Man" by WAYLON JENNINGS on Beat Goes On Records BGOCD1496 (Barcode 5017261214966) features 4 LPs Remastered onto 2CDs with Six Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows:

 

CD1 (69:36 minutes):

1. Lonesome, On'ry & Mean [Side 1]

2. Freedom To Stay

3. Lay It Down

4. Gone To Denver

5. Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues

6. You Can Have Her [Side 2]

7. Pretend I Never Happened

8. San Francisco Mabel Joy

9. Sandy Sends Her Best

10. Me And Bobby McGee

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Lonesome, On'ry & Mean" – released March 1973 in the USA on RCA Records LSP-4854. Produced by DANNY DAVIS and RONNY LIGHT – it peaked at No. 8 on the US Country LP charts

 

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Laid Back Country Picker

12. The Last One To Leave Seattle

13. Big, Big Love

Three Previously Unreleased Studio Outtakes first released digitally 2003 on the CD Reissue/Remaster for "Lonesome, On'ry & Mean" on RCA Nashville/BMG Heritage 82876 53229 2. The first two came from the late 1972 sessions for the LP, while the third was from the album sessions for "Ladies Love Outlaws" (released September 1972, also on RCA).

 

14. Honky Tonk Heroes [Side 1]

15. Old Five And Dimers (Like Me)

16. Willy The Wandering Gypsy And Me

17. Low Down Freedom

18. Omaha

19. You Asked Me To [Side 2]

20. Ride Me Down Easy

21. Ain’t No God In Mexico

22. Black Rose

23. We Had It All

Tracks 14 to 23 are the album "Honky Tonk Heroes" – released July 1973 in the USA on RCA Records APL1-0240 and in the UK on RCA Records AFL1-0240. Produced by TOMPALL GLASSER and WAYLON JENNINGS (except "Low Down Freedom" and "Black Rose" produced by RONNIE LIGHT and "We Had It All" produced by KEN MANSFIELD and WAYLON JENNINGS) – the LP peaked at No. 14 on the US Country Music Charts

 

CD2 (71:01 minutes):

1. This Time [Side 1]

2. Louisiana Women

3. Pick Up The Tempo

4. Slow Rollin’ Low

5. Heaven Or Hell

6. It’s Not Supposed To Be That Way [Side 2]

7. Slow Movin’ Outlaw

8. Mona

9. Walkin’

10. If You Could Touch Her At All

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "This Time" – released June 1974 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0539 and in the UK on RCA Victor AFL1-0539. Produced by WAYLON JENNINGS and WILLIE NELSON – it peaked at No. 4

 

11. I’m A Ramblin’ Man [Side 1]

12. Rainy Day Woman

13. Cloudy Days

14. Midnight Rider

15. Oklahoma Sunshine

16. The Hunger [Side 2]

17. I Can’t Keep My Hands Off Of You

18. Memories Of You And I

19. It’ll Be Her

20. Amanda

Tracks 11 to 20 are the album "Waylon The Ramblin' Man" – released September 1974 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0734 and in the UK on RCA Victor LSA 3196 (APL1 0734). Produced by WAYLON JENNINGS and RAY PENNINGTON - it peaked at No.3 on the US Country Music Album Charts

 

BONUS TRACKS:

21. Got A Lot Going For Me

22. The Last Letter

23. The One I Sing My Love Songs To

Tracks 21 to 23 are outtakes from the sessions first released on the 2000 CD Reissue of the "Waylon The Ramblin' Man" album on Buddah 74465 99699 2

 

There's an outer card slipcase that lends the release a classy feel, the substantial 24-page booklet has liner notes from noted writer and Folk/Country Music aficionado JOHN O'REGAN and the artwork for all four albums, the musician credits and a long potted history on Jennings  that names Net Sources. It's a deep read that refers to Jennings' interviews done around the LPs - hands-on info from the man himself. But most will want to know about the audio.

I'm aware that some have said these albums (this period in general) was not really served well by Producers and RCA - yet there are others who swear by the naturality of the sound. In short you're probably getting that fans are often divided. To my ears the sonic improvement in ANDREW THOMPSON's New Remasters is considerable - the clarity of acoustic guitars - clean bass - very little traceable hiss - but yes the vocals are somewhat in the back of the mix on some songs, but it rarely gets in the way of his roadside performance. And those six Bonuses are actually worth having - putting an already tasty haul of Primo period albums over the edge. I love it, and as usual a quality release from BGO. To the tunes...

 

 

Recorded in late 1972 and determined not to fall back on tried and tested Country songs of old, Jennings fully embraced the new contemporary Country Rock sound of the early Seventies for his began to feel "Lonesome, On'ry & Mean" album. Sometimes referred to as Outlaw Country Music – the songs were still real but sometimes more macho and brutal in their subject matters. You get Danny O'Keefe and his 1971 ache-song "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues" (check out the Harry Manx cover of this), the huge Kris Kristofferson crossover hit "Me And Bobby McGee", Johnny Cash and Waylon between marriages as they don their broken hearts and scuffed black coats and be "Gone to Denver" - while the cult artist Steve Young has his feeling uppity song used as the title track to the LP - "Lonesome, On'ry & Mean". As the harmonica wails and the guitars pluck and slide – I like the fullness of the Remaster - a title track no one but a bandit would use. More hit me with a sledgehammer lonesome comes a smoking out of your speakers with "Freedom To Stay" – a rambler who had walked alone too long finally finding the lady eyes he wants to settle down for. Lovely gut-string acoustic is remastered so nicely for "Lay It Down" – a lovely Gene Thomas song that Waylon lays into with real vocal power.

 

His vocal gets a tad lost in "Gone To Denver" even if the rest of the instruments are so clear. A nod too goes to the magnificence of Mickey Newbury over on Elektra Records in his cover of "San Francisco Mabel Joy"). But if I am completely truthful here – I turn away from the flashy chart-bound cover versions and go far more for the three stripped down laid-bare bonus tracks – very cool stuff and somehow imbibed with honesty that is more touching. But I have to say that while the ladies that join him for the backing on "Pretend I Never Happened" – the in-your-face vocals by them in You Can Have Her" has not weathered the years well.

 

But in my not-so-humble opinion, his second LP here trounces the first - "Honky Tonk Heroes" from June 1973 almost entirely dominated by the songwriting chops of Billy Joe Shaver who provides and is involved in a whopping nine of its ten tracks. With most of the LP Produced by Country Legend Tompall Glaser (Ronnie Light produced two) - man is it good - talk about dudes suiting each other musically. The acoustic is quiet and airy – his vocals sweet and the violin and Dobro both sail in nicely for "Honky Tonk Heroes" – and then that electric geetar too. Jennings just goes straight up Country Ballad with the lovely "Old Five And Dimers (Like Me)" – songwriter Shaver talking of fence yards and weary bones that think too much needing a place to belong. Nice vocals and a clean remaster for "Willy The Wandering Gypsy And Me" – the Bass, Fiddle and Harmonica all holding up the strumming. Waylon does not want to risk love making a fool of him in "Low Down Freedom" – so he is a confused soul having to leave town when he does not really want to go (quality Remaster on this wildly underrated album).

 

CD2 opens with Waylon wanting his woman to walk the mark and toe the line – but despite his doomy threats as he sings "This Time" - you can’t help think the schmuck is setting himself up once again (Don Brooks on Harmonica). Produced by Willie Nelson, the no-nonsense back to business "This Time" album had been his best charting LP for nearly seven years – it hit No. 4. The title track was in fact put out by RCA in April 1974 ahead of the album and its warmth took it to No.1 – another in his huge tally of fourteen poll toppers. Willie Nelson also plays some lead guitar on "This Time" tunes supplemented by real pickers like Reggie Young and Fred Newell. The cover of "Louisiana Woman" (a J.J. Cale song) sounds lovely on Remaster even if the instruments like the Pedal Steel of Ralph Mooney sounds like its off in the distance by a (forgive me) a country mile. More walls of acoustic guitars and Pedal Steel to the left on the WN-penned "Pick Up The Tempo" – Waylon sounding like – well, Willie Nelson. Very good sound to the Acoustic and Harmonica driven "Slow Rollin' Low" – another poor-me tune set to a dancing beat – superlative Dobro moment from Ralph Mooney (WN also contributes Rhythm and Lead Guitar).

 

Willie joins Waylon for the jauntily odd "Heaven Or Hell" – a treated Trumpet not quite working on this one. Gorgeous Acoustic, Harmonica and Vocals on "It's Not Supposed To Be That Way" – a father pining for his estranged wife and child – regretting the distance imposed by bad decisions and the grind of separation. That same ache permeates every nuance of "Slow Movin' Outlaw" – a-once-quick-draw old-timer bemoaning the state of all around him (a Dee Moeller song, also plays Piano and Organ on the album). It ends on the pure Country of "If You Can Touch Her At All" – a Lee Miller-written smoocher that swirls and shuffles its sneaky way into your heart. Deep inside the album too was another fruitful collaboration – the "Mona" song on Side 2 of the LP being written by Miriam Eddy, the ex wife of Duane Eddy who would go on to change her name to JESSI COLTER. Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter because a commercial duet – a force to be reckoned with (see my BGO Reissue list below for two albums they did in 1971 and 1980).

 

You would think that album number four in such a recording rush might let the ball drop – think again. Jennings cleverly picked up again on Country Rock and mixing it with genuinely touching ballads – the "The Ramblin' Man" filled with both hipswayers and heartbreakers. Dig that fantastic Outlaw-Vibing guitar-shuffling cover version of The Allman Brother Band 1971 gem "Midnight Rider" – bound to be on some themed compilation soon. Gorgeous remastered audio on "The Hunger" – a woman aging fast and longing for a connection that will satisfy her fears and the reflections in too many mirrors. More ballad in "I Can’t Keep My Hands Off Of You" – but for me the album highlight is the guitar-swinging lilt in the brilliant "Memories Of You And I" – a prisoner with lines on his face that grow deeper. All the guitars – electric, pedal steel and acoustic – all collide into a sort of hugely produced Gram Parsons moment – all tune and emotions (the song was written by Lee Clayton). Fab...

 

I dare say most Waylon Jennings enthusiasts will need little persuasion here - they will press their battered purchase buttons and await the wife with a bill in one hand and a rolling pin in the other. Heartache hasn't sounded this good in five decades...

 

 

WAYLON JENNINGS CD compilations as of August 2023

On Beat Goes on Records (BGO) of the UK

In Album Release Date Order

 

1. JESSI COLTER and WAYLON JENNINGS

"A Country Star Is Born/Leather And Lace" (1971 and 1980 albums)

CD compilation offering 2LPs Remastered onto 1CD released 14 February 2020 on Beat Goes on BGOCD1300 (Barcode 5017261213006)

 

WAYLON JENNINGS

2. "Lonesome, On'ry & Mean/Honky Tonk Heroes/This Time/The Ramblin' Man" (2 x 1973 and 2 x 1974 albums)

CD compilation offering 4LPs and Six Bonus Tracks Remastered onto 2CDs, released 4 August 2023 on Beat Goes On Records GOCD1496 (Barcode 5017261214966)

 

3. WAYLON JENNINGS

"What Goes Around Comes Around/Music Man/Black On Black/Waylon And Company" (1979, 1980, 1982 and 1983 albums)

CD compilation offering 4LPs Remastered onto 2CDs released 8 October 2021 on Beat Goes on Records BGOCD1462 (Barcode 5017261214621)

 

WAYLON JENNINGS

4. "It's Only Rock & Roll/Never Could Toe The Mark/Turn The Page/Sweet Mother Texas" (1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986 albums)

CD compilation offering 4LPs Remastered onto 2CDs released August 2021 on Beat Goes On Records BGOCD1454 (Barcode 5017261214546)

CD BOX SETS - "OH MY GIDDY AUNT!" Best CD Box Sets Ever! Your All-Genres Guide to the Best CD Reissues and Remasters - A SOUNDS GOOD Music Book by Mark Barry...

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OH MY GIDDY AUNT!

BEST CD BOX SETS EVER!

Your All-Genres Guide To

Exceptional Reissue and Remasters 

Only £4.95 on Amazon 

(2023 Version)

OH MY GIDDY AUNT - Best CD Box Sets Ever! E-Book on AMAZON
* A HUGE 2,730-Plus E-pages of info on CD Box Sets from all genres

 * 243 In-Depth Entries featuring a wide range of artists
* Details, track lists etc from the discs themselves, no cut and paste crap
* Best Independent Reissue Labels highlighted... – Ace, Bear Family, Cherry Red, Demon, Edsel, Esoteric Recordings, Grapefruit, Hip-O Select, Light In The Attic, Repertoire, Rhino and Rhino Handmade, Salvo, Trojan and Panegyric
* Major Label Box Set Retrospectives from – EMI, Sony/BMG/Legacy, Universal and Warner Brothers/WEA
* Technical data (total playing times and more)
* Release Date, Catalogue No and Barcode to locate the correct issue
* CD Track lists and Details on Bonus material (if any)
* Formats included - CD, SACD [Super Audio CD], HDCD [High Density Compatible Digital], Japan SHM-CD and Japan Platinum SHM-CD  [Super High Materials]
* VINYL Discographies referencing CD Box sets (track numbers to sequence singles and albums from the discs – huge number of record labels covered
* UK and US catalogue numbers and release dates for original vinyl albums, 7” singles and EPs within each review
* Remaster/Tape Transfer Engineers highlighted
* Packaging descriptions, size of booklets, what’s contained within, who wrote the liner notes, repro artwork explained
* Reference to the Audio Quality of the CD - analysis of songs
* Guest Musicians highlighted – Cover Versions noted

Having worked for RECKLESS RECORDS in London for over 20 years as one of their principal Vinyl and CD buyers (one of the best secondhand record shops in the West End) and having been a Hall Of Fame Reviewer on Amazon six times - as you can imagine I have come across a huge number of reissues - some far more worthy than others.

To that end I've collated together these SOUNDS GOOD Music Books as guides to Exceptional CD Remasters offering up in-depth reviews on a wide range of titles. And it doesn't have to cost the earth to Sound Good either – you just need to know which CD is the right issue to buy. Many entries in this large and unique book can cost less than £20 while others are sometimes less. And even if some Major Label or Independent Label Box Sets have acquired a nasty price tag since deletion - because they're the best I've included them along with other artists/titles that deserve your attention…

Enjoy the reads - MARK BARRY (2023)

"Autonomy: The Productions of Martin Rushent" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Tracks from 1977 to 1985 featuring The Stranglers, Buzzcocks, Generation X, 999, The Rezillos, Rachel Sweet, Raybeats, Human League, The Members, The Associates, Then Jericho, Hard Corps, Altered Images and more (July 2023 UK Ace Records CD Compilation – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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This Review Along With 249 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

PROVE IT ALL NIGHT 

Music Of 1977 to 1979 

Your All-Genres Guide To 

Exceptional CD Reissues & Remasters

Over 2,000 E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

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

 

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Rating: ****

 

"...Get A Grip On Yourself..."

 

A strange mix of late Seventies UK Punk and New Wave morphing into early to mid Eighties British Electronica, Synth-Pop and just plain Popsters.

 

The Audio is genuinely top notch though - NICK ROBBINS Remasters that seem to somehow better the Remasters from major labels that went before – and the presentation is typical of an Ace Records of the UK quality release – a 20-page booklet with new liner notes from GARY CROWLEY that also smartly involves the artists (or those around them) for every single song.

 

But frankly that's where the good news ends – because after the initial flurry of heady British New Wave and Punk songs that still sound so unbelievably relevant to this day (2023) – the listen descends into ordinary Pop and tunes that have not weathered at all well. Everything about this CD should smack of winner and yet in truth I can listen to only seven or eight of these 19 choices and say they're any good - let alone brilliant. First the details...

 

UK released Friday, 28 July 2023 - "Autonomy: The Productions Of Martin Rushent" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDTOP 1636 (Barcode 029667108720) is a 19-Track CD compilation of Songs Produced by MARTIN RUSHENT that stretches from 1977 to 1985. It plays out as follows (78:38 minutes):

 

1. (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) – THE STRANGLERS (1977)

2. Autonomy – BUZZCOCKS (1978)

3. Kiss Me Deadly – GENERATION X (1978)

4. Homicide - 999 (1978)

5. Destination Venus – THE REZILLOS (1978)

6. Are You Receiving Me? - XTC (1978)

7. Hold On – IAN GOMM (1978)

8. Tonight – RACHEL SWEET (1980)

9. Guitar Beat – RAYBEATS (1981)

10. Hard Times – HUMAN LEAGUE (1981)

11. I Could Be Happy (Martin Rushent Remix) – ALTERED IMAGES (1981)

12. A Way You'll Never Be (12" Version) – LEISURE PROCESS (1982)

13. Working Girl - THE MEMBERS (1983)

14. Steamhammer Sam – INTERFERON (1983)

15. Beneath The Blue Sky – GO-GO's (1985)

16. Don't Touch Me – HAZEL O'CONNOR (1984)

17. Breakfast - THE ASSOCIATES (1985)

18. Je Suis Passée (7" Version) – HARD CORPS (1985)

19. The Big Sweep (Club Mix) – THEN JERICHO (1985)

 

Rushent passed in 2011 (aged 63) and the 20-page booklet does his Production chops and memory a proper solid – GARY CROWLEY setting the scene with a 2-page essay on his achievements and techniques. But the real meat comes from people like Jean Jacques-Burnel (The Stranglers), Steve Diggie (Buzzcocks), Alan Winstanley (999), Andy Partridge (XTC) and more – all giving personal recollections and enlightening details.

 

And as I said earlier, there is really great Audio courtesy of the mucho experienced Ace Audio regular NICK ROBBINS. But even with a ten-out-ten for effort, most music lovers will have all the songs on the first half of the CD and probably not want the second. I just wish "Autonomy: The Productions Of Martin Rushent" had all been in the service of better songs, because by the time I was half way through (past The Human League), I was losing the will to live no matter how nice it looks or sounds.

 

Fans will have to own "Autonomy: The Productions Of Martin Rushent" - but for anyone else, I'd advise a listen first...

"Love & Affection" by JOAN ARMATRADING - Album and Single Tracks from November 1972 to June 1992 – Guest Musicians Include Ray Cooper and Davey Johnstone of Elton John's Band, Graham Lyle of Gallagher & Lyle, Bryn Haworth of Fleur De Lys, Jake Jewell of Jake & The Family Jewels, Jerry Donahue of Fairport Convention, Georgie Fame, John 'Rabbit' Bundrick of Free, Tim Hinkley of The Bo Street Runners, Jody Grind and Snafu, Kenney Jones of Faces and The Who, Mel Collins of King Crimson and Kokomo with Henry Spinetti of The Herd and Chris Stainton's Tundra, Phil Palmer and more (September 1996 UK A&M Records 2CD Anthology with Roger Wake Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry....

 

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**** 

 

"...Clear The Deck...Let Me Touch Your Soul..."

 

What sets this twofer apart from so many compilations covering the career of British singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading - is its bold jumping from period to period that literally takes no chronological prisoners.

 

1996's "Love & Affection" stretches from her November 1972 UK debut album "Whatever's For Us" on Cube Records and then deep dives into fifteen further studio albums, Mini LPs and Singles all the way up to her June 1992 set "Square The Circle" on A&M Records. In fact Herb Albert's world-famous label A&M Records has being her spiritual home for decades (her self-titled album from 1976 contained the huge song "Love & Affection" - a eureka moment which titles this comp).

 

So musically you get 1992 one moment, then 1986, itself followed by 1977. And yet it works. Couple that with some gorgeous not-overdone Remasters by Roger Wake and this forgotten and frankly dirt-cheap (in 2023) 2CD 39-Track Anthology starts to look like one of those bargains you need in your life. And it is. Time to show some emotion, details Maestro please...

 

UK released September 1996 - "Love & Affection" by JOAN ARMATRADING on A&M Records 540 405-2 (Barcode 731454040525) is a 2CD 39-Track Career Anthology (to 1995) that breaks down as follows:

 

CD1 (79:22 minutes):

1. Down To Zero

2. True Love

3. Talking To The Wall

4. Show Some Emotion

5. I'm Lucky

6. One More Chance

7. Did I Make You Up

8. All A Woman Needs

9. Square The Circle

10. Somebody Who Loves You

11. It Could Have Been Better

12. Alice

13. No Love

14. Tall In The Saddle

15. Turn Out The Light

16. The Shouting Stage

17. One Night

18. Save Me

NOTES for CD1

Tracks 1, 10, 14 and 18 from her third studio album "Joan Armatrading", August 1976

Tracks 2 and 9 from the album "Square The Circle", June 1992

Tracks 3 and 17 from the album "Secret Secrets", February 1985

Tracks 4 and from her fourth UK studio album "Show Some Emotion", September 1977

Tracks 5 and 13 are from "Walk Under Ladders", May 1981

Track 6 from the album "Sleight Of Hand", May 1986

Tracks 7, 8 and 16 from the album "The Shouting Stage", July 1988

Tracks 11 and 12 from her UK debut album "Whatever's For Us", November 1972

Track 15 is from the album "Me Myself I", May 1980

 

CD2 (77:58 minutes):

1. My Family

2. City Girl

3. Warm Love

4. The Power Of Dreams

5. Love By You

6. The Weakness In Me

7. More Than One Kind Of Love

8. Love And Affection

9. Rosie

10. Bottom To The Top

11. Drop The Pilot

12. Me Myself I

13. Cool Blue Stole My Heart

14. Water With The Wine

15. Flight Of The Wild Geese

16. Dry Land

17. Always

18. Promise Land

19. Can't Get Over (How I Broke Your Heart)

20. All The Way From America

21. Willow

NOTES on CD2:

Tracks 1 and 2 from her UK debut album "Whatever's For Us", November 1972

Tracks 3 and 21 from her fourth UK studio album "Show Some Emotion", September 1977

Tracks 4, 7, 17 and 18 are from the album "Hearts And Flowers", June 1990

Track 5 from the album "Secret Secrets", May 1986

Track 6 is from "Walk Under Ladders", May 1981

Tracks 8 and 14 from her third studio album "Joan Armatrading", August 1976

Track 9 is from the 4-Track Mini-LP "How Cruel", December 1979

Tracks 10 from the album "To The Limit", September 1978

Track 11 from the album "The Key", March 1983

Tracks 12 and 20 are from the album "Me Myself I", May 1980

Track 13 is from the Live Album " Steppin' Out", August 1979

Track 15 is the Non-LP A-side to a June 1978 UK 45-single on A&M Records AMS 7365 (Theme Music to the film "Flight Of The Wild Geese")

Track 16 is from her second studio album "Back To The Night", April 1975

Tracks 19 from the album "Square The Circle", June 1992

 

ROGER WAKE did the Remasters (as he has for other A&M artists – Joe Jackson and The Strawbs jump to mind) and the sound is uniformly lovely and clear. The Seventies stuff is fabulous with much of the 80ts and 90s not needing too much to Remaster. But as I said earlier, the song-by-song feel is excellent so when you get to the later material like "Square The Circle" (Track 9 on CD1), her music in 1992 just sounds like a more updated classy reading of her songs of old. The 12-page booklet with liner notes by noted journalist CHRIS WHITE does her career proud describing Joan Armatrading as one of Rock's unsung superstars.

 

Across fifteen to sixteen studio albums, EPs and Singles, as you can imagine the (largely uncredited) guest musicians list is huge – they include Ray Cooper and Davey Johnstone of Elton John's Band, Graham Lyle of Gallagher & Lyle, Bryn Haworth of Fleur De Lys, Jake Jewell of Jake & The Family Jewels, Jerry Donahue of Fairport Convention, Georgie Fame, John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick of Free, Tim Hinkley of The Bo Street Runners, Jody Grind and Snafu, Kenney Jones of Faces and The Who, Mel Collins of King Crimson and Kokomo with Henry Spinetti of The Herd and Chris Stainton’s Tundra, Guitarist Phil Palmer and loads more (too many to mention).

 

But what a compilation like this allows listeners and fans alike is those deep dive discoveries - tracks like the Soulful take on "Cold Blue Stole My Heart" from the forgotten "Stepping Out" live LP (Richard Hirsh of Wet Willie doing a stunner on Guitar) - or the lovely Waterboys-sounding acoustic guitars of "Promise Land" and "All The Way From America" – the compilation neatly mixing in 1990 with 1980 as if they made for each other. CD1 opens with "Down to Zero" from the 1976 breakthrough album "Joan Armatrading" and it's hardly surprising to find that six of its 10 tracks are represented across both discs.

 

I would admit that the big synth sound of "I'm Lucky" from the "Walk Under Ladders" album might grate some ears in 2023 – but it allows the bombastic "One More Change" to sit comfortably after it as a follow through. Far better is the pick-me-up Soulful Dire Straits-type guitar flicking of "Did I Make You Up" where our Joan sounds like Beverley Knight meeting Tracy Chapman on some warm night dance-floor for a shimmy. How gorgeous is "Somebody Who Loves You" with its 'I-want-to-see-you-fan-the-fire' lyrics underpinned by Mandolin from Bryn Haworth (such a great sessionman). Sadness permeates "It Could Have Been Better" whereas a strange defiant joy fills "No Love" – surely one of her best songs and a bit of a 1981 masterpiece (that floating guitar and the song build – great – I used to play this to death back in the turntable days of yore).

 

I would agree that not everything here has stood the test of time and it's disappointing that their never seems to be enough from the rather excellent "To The Limit" LP from 1978 (so a four-star rating then) - but it would be a hard-heart indeed that wasn't impressed or even moved by three-quarters of what's on here - and that's 39 tracks only up to 1992. 

 

Joan Armatrading has always been a class act and 1996's "Love & Affection" brings that home to our cabbage patches with aplomb. Joan's showed some emotion to us and I for one would like to return the favour (as long as I don't have to walk under any ladders). Buy this, discover and enjoy...

"Chanter's Tune" by NA FILÍ [Gaelic for The Poets] – November 1977 UK LP on Transatlantic Records featuring Tomás Ó Canainn, Tom Barry and Matt Cranitch (August 2023 UK Beat Goes Records (BGO) CD Reissue – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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This Review And 225 Others Is Available In My AMAZON E-Book 

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RATING: ****

 

"...The Music Of The Piper..."

 

England's Beat Goes on Records (BGO to us in the know) have been going at Irish, English and Scottish Traditional Folk Music (and huge swathes of Country too) for much of the Naughties – and often with blinding results.

 

As well as obvious touch-points like Steeleye Span, The Dubliners, Finbar and Eddie Furey, Dave Swarbrick (of Fairport) and The Incredible String Band - they have reissued deep dive stuff like Sweeney's Men, The McCalmans, Hamish Imlach, Dave Cartwright, Mr. Fox, The Young Tradition, Mike Cooper, Bob and Carolanne Pegg (with Nick Strutt), David McWilliams and The Johnstons (featuring Paul Brady) to name but a few (I have reviewed most all of them) – not exactly artist names that trip off the Sainsbury's Top 50 chart tongue.

 

But there has been a part of me that wants BGO to go at the likes of The Bothy Band or Planxty or even the early Clannad and Chieftains albums. Well maybe we can get near them and their sound because blow my Uilleann Pipe up the wrong trouser leg, but they have only dug down deep and gone for The Poets – or NA FILÍ to you and I (roughly pronounced - Naw Philly). It's first time on CD too.

 

So, once more unto the jigs and reels my finger-in-the-ear lowbrow people of the wastelands (well North of Skegness anyway)...

 

UK released 4 August 2023 (delayed from July) - "Chanter's Tune" by NA FILÍ on Beat Goes On Records BGOCD1497 (Barcode 5017261214973) is a straightforward Remaster and Reissue of a November 1977 Traditional Irish Folk LP onto CD. It plays out follows (40:29 minutes):

 

1. The Maid At The Spinning Wheel [Side 1]

2. Ceol An Phíobaire (The Music Of The Piper) /Michael Murphy's Slide

3. Mo Mhuirnín Ban (My Fair-Haired Darling)

4. Give Us A Drink Of Water / Hunting The Hare

5. Na Connerys (The Connerys)

6. Chanter's Tune / An Samhradh Crua (The Hard Summer) / The Green Fields Of Rossbeigh / Murphy's Reel Medley

7. Inis Dhún Ramha (Inis Doon Rawa) / Paidin Ó Raifeartaigh [Side 2]

8. Maidin Ró-Mhoch (Early One Morning)

9. The Trip To Athlone / Pat McGillarney

10. Sweet Williamstown

11. Cait Ní Dhuibhir (Kate O'Dwyer) / The Flannel Jacket / John Dwyer's Reel

12. The Top Of Maol / Dan Coakley's Polka / The Ballydesmond Polka

Tracks 1 to 12 are their fifth studio album "Chanter's Tune" – released November 1977 in the UK on Transatlantic TRA 353.

 

NA FILÍ (Gaelic for The Poets) are:

TOMAS Ó CANAINN – Uilleann Pipes and Vocals

TOM BARRY – Whistles and Flute

MATT CRANITCH - Fiddle

 

Producer VICTOR GAMM had roots in Folk and Folk Rock stretching back to the Jethro Tull 1968 debut album "This Was" on Island, the Tom Paxton 1971 album on Reprise Records called "How Come The Sun", the second Stackridge album "Friendliness" from 1972 on MCA Records, the Folk-Prog sound of Magna Carta on their 1973 LP for Vertigo "Lord Of The Ages" and onwards to Mick Greenwood (much of Fotheringay were on his 1971 debut) and his third album in 1974 - "Midnight Dreamer" on Warner Brothers. I say all this because this is a gorgeous recording – his work here is clean and clear but not dampened down – beautifully present. When the trio go into the four parts of the title track that ends Side 1 – it’s near seven-minutes of piping, fiddling and whistling is practically audiophile as far as Traditional Irish Music goes.

 

There is a pleasingly in-depth 16-page booklet by noted writer and Folk Enthusiast JOHN O'REGAN where his history lesson on the three lads includes their early years in Fifties and Sixties Southern Ireland where the Fleadh and the Guinness blended and blurred into one. They disbanded in 1979 but are remembered with deep affection (his liner notes are exemplary, researched and imparted with heart and savvy). O'Regan also says that this reissue restores the album to its former glory and dropping a weary lughole on the stunning Remaster by ANDREW THOMPSON from original Transatlantic master tapes indeed confirms this. "Chanter's Tune" is a gorgeous sounding CD with a clarity and warmth that is bound to thrill those who have held on to this rare late 70s vinyl artifact for fear of never getting a clean copy again. Well fear no more, because BGO's resident Audio Engineer genius has pulled off a goodun. The card slipcase too of course lends it an air of class. To the mostly instrumental music...

 

This most Traditional of Irish Music LPs opens with 2:15 minutes called "The Maid At The Spinning Wheel" – a lovely but short Pipes and Whistles jaunt. Tomás Ó Canainn takes us into Gaelic Story territory with his distinct lilt on "Ceol An Phíobaire (The Music Of The Piper) / Michael Murphy's Slide" – the first part sung about money and piping whilst the jog plays it out. "Mo Mhuirnín Ban (My Fair-Haired Darling)" is a beautiful 2:15 minutes Penny Whistle instrumental where you can literally hear Tom Barry drawing breath – just him and the melody. That's quickly followed by a Fiddle and Whistle doubling up for "Give Us A Drink Of Water / Hunting The Hare" which is soon joined by Tomás Ó Canainn with his Uilleann Pipes drone (another instrumental).

 

Plaintive would describe the "Na Connerys (The Connerys)" – a gorgeous double Uilleann Pipes melody that is layered with Whistle and Flute – the kind of instrumental that would filled Braveheart with even more soul. Tomás Ó Canainn sings for the second time on Side 2's combo of song and reel - "Inis Dhún Ramha (Inis Doon Rawa) / Paidin Ó Raifeartaigh" featuring all instruments and a sweet jaunt to its happy ending. A tonal dark fiddle note plays in "Maidin Ró-Mhoch (Early One Morning)" and its lone instrument unaccompanied sadness stays that way throughout – beautiful and haunting as its subject matter no doubt was.

 

The 'chanter' (as the liner notes inform us) is part of the Uilleann Pipes instrument that wavers and alters its sound and tone. 

 

Well this "Chanter's Tune" is a sweetheart of a reissue. Top marks to Beat Goes On of England (BGO), Music Historian John O'Regan and Engineer Andrew Thompson for seeing it presented beautifully and sounding sexier than a buxom maid at a spinning wheel with a glint in her eye and a big yarn on her knee (you go girl)...