"The Very Best Of Jackson Browne" by JACKSON BROWNE - 32-Track 2CD JB-Produced Compilation of LP Tracks from his 1972 debut album "Jackson Browne" to 2002's "The Naked Ride Home" – Guests Include David Crosby, Graham Nash of CSNY, Lowell George, Bill Payne, Fred Tackett of Little Feat, Glenn Frey and Don Henley of Eagles, Jesse Ed Davis, David Lindley, Danny Kortchmar, Doug Haywood, Craig Doerge, Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, Jai Winding, Scott Thurston, David Paich of Toto, Dan Fogelberg, Elton John, Terry Reid, J.D. Souther, Bonnie Raitt, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and Stan Lynch of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers, Roy Bittan of The Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and more (March 2004 UK Elektra/Rhino/WSM JB-Produced 32-Track 2CD Compilation of LP Tracks from 1972 to 2002 with Doug Sax and Robert Hadley Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Very-Best-Jackson-Browne/dp/B0001GOH98?crid=33V8ND1SAWMY8&keywords=081227809126&qid=1707572297&sprefix=081227809126%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=50fe24568c71efa457ceb1371a26f6f3&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…Sky Blue And Black…"

"I wasn't sure there was a name for the life I sought...I don't know how I believed some of the things I thought...". 

Jackson Browne's songs (and to some degree his life) are one big confessional - themes to longing, loss and blagging second chances - melodies and words that for many of us olden-types shimmer with a hurt all too painfully recognisable. 

It's a rare artist remains this relevant and our tasty little twofer being reviewed here is already 20 years old in March 2024 (the lyrics quoted above are from the 2002 song that ends CD2 called "The Night Inside Me"). Lazy-assed title aside - you get solid track choices, muscular Remastered sound, a booklet full of those words and rhymes JB makes look so easy - what's not to Gaga. Let's saturate those details... 

UK released March 2004 - "The Very Best Of Jackson Browne" by JACKSON BROWNE on Elektra/Rhino 8122 78091-2 (Barcode 081227809126) is a 32-Track 2CD JB-Produced Remastered Compilation (no Unreleased) of LP Tracks from his 1972 debut album "Jackson Browne" to 2002's "The Naked Ride Home". It plays out as follows:

CD1 (77:28 minutes):
1. Doctor My Eyes
2. Jamaica Say You Will
3. Rock Me On The Water
4. Take It Easy
5. These Days
6. Redneck Friend
7. For Everyman
8. For A Dancer
9. Fountain Of Sorrow
10. Late For The Sky
11. Before The Deluge
12. Your Bright Baby Blues
13. The Pretender
14. Here Come Those Tears Again
15. The Load-Out
16. Stay
NOTES ON CD1:
Tracks 1 to 3 from his debut album "Jackson Browne" [mistakenly aka "Saturate Before Using" because of wording on the front cover artwork] (January 1972)
Tracks 4 to 7 from his second studio album "For Everyman" (October 1973)
Tracks 8 to 11 from his third studio album "Late For The Sky (September 1974)
Tracks 12 to 14 from his fourth studio album "The Pretender" (November 1976)
Tracks 15 and 16 from his fifth release and first live album "Running On Empty" (December 1977)

CD2 (78:14 minutes):
1. Running On Empty
2. You Love The Thunder
3. Boulevard
4. Somebody's Baby
5. Tender Is The Night
6. Lawyers In Love
7. In The Shape Of A Heart
8. Lawless Avenues
9. Lives In The Balance
10. I Am A Patriot
11. Sky Blue And Back
12. I'm Alive
13. The Barricades Of Heaven
14. Looking East
15. The Naked Ride Home
16. The Night Inside Me
NOTES ON CD2:
Tracks 1 and 2 from his fifth release and first live album "Running On Empty" (December 1977)
Track 3 from his sixth album "Hold Out" (June 1980)
Track 4 from the Motion Picture Soundtrack to "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" (August 1982)
Tracks 5 and 6 from his seventh album "Lawyers In Love" (August 1983)
Tracks 7 to 9 are from his eight album "Lives In The Balance" (February 1986)
Track 10 from the his ninth album "World In Motion" (June 1989)
Tracks 11 and 12 from his tenth album "I'm Alive" (October 1993)
Tracks 13 and 14 from his eleventh album "Looking East" (February 1996)
Tracks 15 and 16 from his twelth album "The Naked Ride Home" (Sept 2002)

Looking at total playing times of 77:28 and 78:14 minutes – you cannot accuse this twofer of not being value for money. You add in truly excellent DOUG SAX and ROBERT HADLEY Remasters from original tapes on material that has had precious little of it (especially the Seventies and Eighties stuff) and a Musician Guest List that is staggering (more of that later) and you must say that despite its stupefyingly dull moniker ("The Very Best Of…" for Gawd sake) – this is a compilation winner. And more often than not, it is on loads of auction sites for under a fiver – cheap as a hairpain in a pound shop. The 28-page booklet has a few lead-in paragraphs on JB by one-time Springsteen biographer DAVE MARSH (Bruce gave the speech as JB was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) and gives all lyrics and musician credits for every song while then rear brings up the reissue credits. All very substantial actually even if it is lacking on any photo material. 

And as mentioned earlier, along with his core band and regular players across 30-years - David Lindley, Danny Kortchmar, Doug Haywood, Craig Doerge, Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, Jai Winding, Scott Thurston, Kevin McCormack and Mark Goldenberg – there are those big hitter guests. Included are David Crosby and Graham Nash of CSNY, Lowell George, Bill Payne, Fred Tackett of Little Feat, Glenn Frey and Don Henley of Eagles, guitarists Jesse Ed Davis and Rick Vito, Organist Michael Utley, Drummer Jeff Porcaro of Toto, Singers Dan Fogelberg, Elton John, Terry Reid, J.D. Souther with John Hall (of Orleans). Other flash-name regulars include Guitars, Keyboards and Drums from Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and Stan Lynch of Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers, Piano from Roy Bittan of The Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, Backing Vocals from Rosemary Butler, Bonnie Raitt, Lori Williams, Valerie Carter and Vonda Sheppard, as well as many other world-class collaborators (each track has a detailed list).

The singer-songwriter music may be melancholic, but it is incredibly moving, lyrically savvy in ways that are almost at times uncomfortable, and there is just a general decency (for the want of a better word) about everything that Jackson Browne records. His big Seventies LP moments - "Late For The Sky" (1974) and "The Pretender" (1976) get their fair shakes on CD1 – beauties like "For A Dancer" and "Your Bright Baby Blues" shimmer on this set. In absolute honesty and despite its supposed popularity in somehow having caught the wasted drug-barren hinterland zeitgeist of 1977 and 1978 America, I never did like much of the on-the-road and world-weary live concept album "Running On Empty". Released December 1977, it dominated much of 1978 (peaked at No. 3 on the Stateside Rock LP charts) and was a critics fave too, but truthfully, I only liked the title track for which Browne got a Grammy Nomination (benefits hugely from the muscle of the Remaster – an oomph it never seemed to have on orginal vinyl). The cover of the Maurice Williams 60ts hit "Stay" makes me want to puke like genuinely evil such as "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" or "The Birdie Song". 

Going backwards, his 1971 version of "Take It Easy" (a co-write with Eagle Glenn Frey that they made famous on their 1972 debut LP), the underratted "For Everyman" second album cuts (we get four) and "Before The Deluge" from the seriously beautiful and accomplished "Late For The Sky" LP (see my review for the 2014 Inside Recordings CD Remaster of it with JB’s involevment) are all early 70ts gems that still stand up after 50 years. Sure, the 80ts stuff has too much guitar bombast and JB seems uneasy with it (I liked "Boulevard" back in the day, but it feels dated now) while "Somebody's Baby" from the Ridgemont High Soundtrack is nice to have on a compilation even if it feels like sub-Huey Lewis & The News – JB trying for (God forbid) a slap-bass hit. Better is the roar of the approaching night – souls looking for another somebody - "Tender Is The Night" always a fave of mine. And his politics and outrage at mean-government America (never far from the surface) surfaces in the strangled cries of "Lawyers In Love". 

The "Lives In The Balance" and "World In Motion" albums played out the Eighties with sad keyboard songs about longing for love and catechism sisters being drowned in economics when all they really wanted to do is go Dancing In The Dark with a handsome beau (or two) on those "Lawless Avenues" (both sides of the coast). His uses of the Pan Pipes and Panama Rhythms in the lyrically brilliant "Lives In The Balance" so works – a charged song where the blacked ink of the media equates to bodies in the dirt in some country far away. But, once into the Nineties and Twenties songs like the gorgeous "Sky Blue And Black", the upbeat positivity despite crushed dreams in "I'm Alive ", the calming guitar-and-keyboard loveliness of "The Barricades Of Heaven" (trying to find his voice in L.A.) and "The Naked Ride Home" hammer home why fans love his melodies – hooky and touching – like Don Henley or The Boss at their best. Immigrant desperation and anger sufface in "Looking East" – a trio of great guitar players riffing up its God-sized rage (Mark Goldenstein, Scott Thurston and Waddy Watchell with Benmont Tench of The Heartbreakers providing Hammond Organ while Vonda Shepard duest on vocals with JB). In fact, those steeped and immersed in Seventies Jackson Browne may be taken aback by how much they dig the final three tracks – an artist still vibrant and kicking. 

Shame "The Very Best Of" doesn’t have his fantastic "Solo Acoustic Vol.2" live version of "My Stunning Mystery Companion" complete with girlfriend preamble crowd chat from 2008 – but that is something else to seek out after this.

Like so many of my childhood and teenage heroes, Jackson Browne and his touching musical turns have been in my life for over fifty-two years now and show no sign of abating as the grey hairs march relentlessly on. Running On Plenty if you ask me and much of its better stuff is here. Driving down five lanes and no-one notices the defiant look in her eyes or her nakedness – two bodies in a car - but one of those heart beats alone. Buy this and find out why…

"OK Computer" by RADIOHEAD – 2009 vs. 2017 2CD Reissues Comparisons - June 1997 UK Third Studio Album on Parlophone Records featuring Thom Yorke, Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway (March 2009 UK/EUROPE EMI/Parlophone Records 2CD Collector's Edition Reissue with The Album on CD1 while CD2 Contains Tracks from Three CD Singles and a BBC Radio 1 Session from 1997 – No Remastering – June 2017 UK XL Recordings 20th Anniversary 2CD Remaster with Three New Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/OK-COMPUTER-OKNOTOK-1997-2017/dp/B071DTQH43?crid=3KT9N17U50JRE&keywords=634904086824&qid=1707483199&sprefix=634904086824%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=f9e74493416802ed5afa2f04c276a2a3&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…Scrolling Up And Down The Neon Sign…"

Pretentious – Brilliant – Unique – Ludicrously Overrated. Radiohead do my brain in. 

When I worked at Reckless Records in both Islington and Soho (legendary used record shops that have been in business more than 40-years) - there was barely a few days went by without the unholy trio of "Pablo Honey" or "The Bends" or "OK Computer" going into shuffle play only to witness an entire shop of browsers groove and head nudge to the Art Rock noises of Thom Yorke & Co.

But I have always thought – and despite polls telling us that "OK Computer" is the greatest album ever made (which I believe to be absolute bollox) – that their second platter "The Bends" is far better. I also dug CD2 on the infuriating 2009 2CD Collectors Edition of "OK Computer" sometimes more than the album (call me zealot, arrange a beheading, public flogging etc). Then they did the June 2017 OKNOTOK 1997 2017 '20th Anniversary' Reissue – more bloody differences - more CD2s possibly better than CD1. Some history is needed here first... 

When Radiohead ended their contract with EMI – the label still owned rights to the previous three albums – so EMI naturally did what many believe was a 2009 cash-grab in the RHEAD CD3 two-disc reissue. Radiohead get their rights back years later (they are named after a Talking Heads song) and decide to do a proper band-sanctioned 20th Anniversary reissue of "OK Computer" in June 2017. This time they edit the song number on CD2 down from fifteen to eleven, add three outtakes at the beginning (three new, eight old is the new break-down), have top audio engineer BOB LUDWIG remaster the whole kaboodle (not done on the 2009 version) and add the wording "OKNOTOK 1997 2017" beneath the title on the front cover so you have a visual differentiation. So CD1 is OK and CD2 is cleverly NOTOK. 

Their new label, XL Recordings, also reissued the Double-Album in 2017 on VINYL – a very popular item indeed (there is a 3LP variant too). But in a staggeringly absent-minded move - the 20th Anniversary 2017 issue lost its 24-page booklet which left only a four-panel foldout gatefold card sleeve with no lyrics to an album that feels too dense to understand without them.

Booklet missing aside - as you can see from the listings below - CD2 of the 2017 version is a different listening beast to the CD2 of the 2009 issue. So, which is best? I own both frankly, because I feel there is advantages to each. Before I endanger my life any further with rabid head fans, to the details, OK or NOT…

2009 ISSUE:
UK/EUROPE released Friday, 23 March 2009 - "OK Computer" by RADIOHEAD on EMI/Parlophone Records RHEADCD 3 – 50999 6 93623 2 3 (Barcode 5099969362323) is a 2CD Collectors Edition Reissue that plays out as follows:

CD1 (53:29 minutes):
1. Airbag
2. Paranoid Android
3. Subterranean Homesick Alien
4. Exit Music (For A Film)
5. Let Down
6. Karma Police
7. Electioneering
8. Fitter Happier
8. Climbing Up The Walls
9. No Surprises
10. Lucky
11. The Tourist
Tracks 1 to 11 are their third studio album "OK Computer" – released 17 June 1997 in the UK on CD on Parlophone CDNODATA 02 – 7243 8 55229 2 5 (released 21 May 1997 in Japan and 1 July 1997 in the USA). It peaked at No.1 in the UK and No. 20 in the USA.

CD2 (60:42 minutes):
Paranoid Android (CD Single)
1. Polyethylene (Parts 1 & 2)
2. Pearly
3. A Reminder
4. Melatonin
Karma Police (CD Single)
5. Meeting In The Aisle
6. Lull
7. Climbing Up The Walls (Zero 7 Mix)
8. Climbing Up The Walls (Filla Brazillia Mix)
No Surprises (CD Single)
9. Pala Alto
10. How I Made My Millions
11. Airbag (Live In Berlin)
12. Lucky (Live In Florence)
BBC Radio One Evening Session 28.05.07
13. Climbing Up The Walls
14. Exit Music (For A Film)
15. No Surprises

2017 ISSUE:
UK/EUROPE released Friday, 23 June 2017 - "OK Computer OKNOTOK 1997 2017" by RADIOHEAD on XL Recordings XLCD868 (Barcode 634904086824) is a 2CD 20th Anniversary Remastered Edition Reissue with Three New Outtakes on CD2 and a Remaster of all Material that plays out as follows:

CD1 OK (53:30 minutes):
Same Track List as CD1 above

CD2 NOTOK (39:12 minutes):
1. I Promise
2. Man Of War [features Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Robert Ziegler Conductor]
3. Lift
4. Lull
5. Meeting In The Aisle
6. Melatonin
7. A Reminder
8. Polyethylene (Parts 1 & 2)
9. Pearly
10. Alto
11. How I Made My Millions

Which edition is better? There is no doubt that CD2 of the 20th Anniversary Edition Reissue works so much better than the 2009 issue – especially the way it feels like a sneakily brilliant companion album – ten coherent band songs - then the piano loneliness of "How I Made My Millions" ends the listen. But I still miss me those two Climbing Up The Walls mixes – maybe not so much the BBC stuff which feels ever so slightly dead for some reason (I can understand why Radiohead wanted to lose these, maybe they felt they were badly played or recorded even with great album cuts covered like "Exit Music (For A Film)" and "No Surprises"). 

The three new songs are slow and ponderous but feel magnificent nonetheless, of which "I Promise" and "Man Of War" must be the cream of the crop. The 2017 Ludwig Remaster gives subtle oomph to "Paranoid Android", the spacey "Let Down" and the otherworldly "Karma Police" wants to pulverise your stereo. You can feel its power when "Airbag" starts to go ape – the same when "The Tourist" shuffles the album out. I own both issues (pictured above) because I'm loath to lose anything off either!

The 2017 Reissue of "OK Computer" is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Rachel Owen (Thom Yorke's life-and-marital partner for more than two decades) who passed in 2016 after a brave battle with cancer, aged only 48. A lovely gesture.

Yes, for sure, the missing booklet or perhaps some new annotation would have lifted this up to the stratosphere as this groundbreaking album fully deserved. But as it is – the 2017 '20th Anniversary' 2CD variant of "OK Computer" just leaves the music to do the talking and that would be the one I'd go for coming into it now. 

It's a more honest yet even vaguer listen – how very Radiohead…

"Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story 1959-1965" by SAM COOKE and VARIOUS ARTISTS – Sixty-Seven-Track 2CD Long Book Compilation featuring Sour Stirrers (including Sam Cooke), R.H. Harris and His Gospel Paraders, The Womack Brothers/The Valentinos including Bobby, Curtis, Cecil, Harry, Friendly Sr. and Friendly Jr. Womack, Mel Carter, The Simms Twins, Johnnie Taylor, Johnnie Morisette, L.C. Cooke and Billy Preston - Featuring Singers, Musicians and Writers J.W. Alexander, Fred Smith, Jimmie Outler, Rene Hall, Bumps Blackwell, Alvin 'Red' Taylor, Ernest Booker, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, Cliff White, Lou Rawls, Patrice Holloway and more (September 1994 US ABKCO/SAR Records 2CD Long Book Compilation in a Card Slipcase with an 86-Page Booklet, Previously Unreleased Material and Teri Landi Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sar-Records-Story-Sam-Cooke/dp/B000003BD4?crid=2X4N0MLYS66HO&keywords=018771223122&qid=1707138287&sprefix=018771223122%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=da284f507efbc8e3f25e03dd47b554c7&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…Hear My Cry…"

Every now and then I take down "Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story 1959-1965" from my overcrowded Rhythm and Blues, Gospel and Soul shelves, plop the track-heavy CDs into my trusty Marantz combo – and marvel. 

Although I would admit, CD1 (especially) is top heavy with mentions of the great man in the sky and therefore might drive some listeners to drink. And for such a beautifully outfitted tribute/legacy set where obvious care and heart went into its presentation - "Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story 1959-1965" doesn't elicit rabid must-have feelings among collectors. This primarily Gospel, hybrid Rhythm and Blues and Early Soul twofer can be bought on certain sites for under seven bucks – which when you consider the audio and musical glory contained within seems like a bit of God-given deal to me.

Cooke was running a three-tier career for the period covered by this Book Set – his output with Keen Records in the mid to late Fifties where "You Send Me" had gone to No.1 (this set contains a rare Demo of it for the first time) - a 1960 signing to RCA Records towards huge Pop and Soul stardom ("Soothe Me" and "Meet Me At The Twisting Place") and this – the independently-owned SAR Records – his own record label which was a groundbreaking thing for any coloured artist of stature at that heavily segregated time. 

All the heroes of the SAR Record label are here – The Soul Stirrers Vocal Group first, of which Sam Cooke was an integral part (others singers Richard Gibbs – Paul Foster – Jimmie Outler – Le Roy Crume – J.J. Farrelly – S.R. Crain), R.H. Harris and His Gospel Paraders next (Harris was one of the original vocalists with the Stirrers) and The Womack Brothers / The Valentinos (The Womack Brothers became The Valentinos) including Bobby, Curtis, Cecil, Harry, Friendly Sr. and Friendly Jr. Womack. Then you get classy singers like Mel Carter, The Simms Twins (Bobbie and Kenny), Johnnie Taylor (ex-Soul Stirrers himself), Johnnie Morisette, L.C. Cooke (Sam's younger brother) and future Beatles-pal during the 'Abbey Road' and 'Let It Be' sessions Billy Preston (plays keyboards too). Other featured Singers, Musicians and Writers included legends like J.W. Alexander, Fred Smith, Rene Hall, Bumps Blackwell, saxophonists Alvin 'Red' Taylor and Plas Johnson, Dr. John (on Keyboards), Guitarists Johnny 'Guitar' Watson and Cliff White, Drummers Earl Palmer and Charlie Blackwell with Vocalists Lou Rawls, Patrice Holloway and loads more (all cited in the very detailed booklet). 

The compilation is also roughly broken up into the secular material on CD1 with Sam going Pop, R&B and early Soul on CD2 – CD2 also bringing in the vocal prowess of Johnnie Taylor, Johnnie Morisette and Bobby Womack – all of whom had pipes – just not as smooth as the main man. And as synchronistic timing would have it – Friday, 9 February 2024 (this week) sees a first-time US-only 4LP Vinyl Set issued for "Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story 1959-1965" on ABKCO Records 018771217619 – a limited edition almost thirty years after the digital event. Better late than never. 

In the meantime, there is a huge amount of detail to wade through on this 2CD original, so let's have at it…

US released 27 September 1994 - "Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story 1959-1965" by SAM COOKE and VARIOUS ARTISTS on ABKCO/SAR Records 2231-2 (Barcode 018771223122) is a 67-Track 2CD Long Book Compilation in a Card Slipcase with an 86-Page Booklet, Remasters and Unreleased Material that plays out as follows (all catalogue numbers are US 45-singles and LPs unless otherwise stated):

CD1 (69:42 minutes):
1. Wade in The Water (Studio Chatter) - SOUL STIRRERS - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
2. Wade In The Water – SOUL STIRRERS (April 1960, SAR Records S 103, B-side)
3. I'm A Pilgrim – SOUL STIRRERS (September 1960, SAR Records S 108, A-side, see also Track 18 for B-side)
4. Praying Ground – SOUL STIRRERS (March 1963, SAR Records S 140, A-side)
5. Somebody (Studio Chatter) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
6. Somebody – R.H. HARRIS & HIS GOSPEL PARADERS (October 1962, SAR Records S-135, A-side, see also 7)
7. Sometime - R.H. HARRIS & HIS GOSPEL PARADERS (October 1962, SAR Records S-135, B-side)
8. Amazing Grace – SOUL STIRRERS (from the 1963 US LP "Encore! With The Soul Stirrers" on SAR Records LPM-504 in Mono)
9. Pass Me Not – R.H. HARRIS & HIS GOSPEL PARADERS (March 1962, SAR Records SAR-127, A-side)
10. Oh Mary, Don't You Weep (Studio Chatter) - SOUL STIRRERS - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
11. Oh Mary, Don't You Weep – SOUL STIRRERS (March 1964, SAR Records SAR 150, A-side, for B-side see Track 21)
12. Since I Met The Savior – SOUL STIRRERS (from the 1963 US LP "Encore! With The Soul Stirrers" on SAR Records LPM-504 in Mono – no 45)
13. God Is Standing By – SOUL STIRRERS (January 1962, SAR Records SAR 124, B-side, for A-side see Track 26)
14. Lead Me To Calvary (Rehearsal) – SOUL STIRRERS – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
15. Listen To The Angels Sing – SOUL STIRRERS (January 1961, SAR Records SAR-110, A-side)
16. Don't Leave Me Alone – SOUL STIRRERS (from the 1961 US LP "Jesus Be A Fence Around Me" on SAR Records SAR-LPM-501 in Mono)
17. Stand By Me Father – SOUL STIRRERS (September 1959 Debut 45, SAR Records SAR-101, A-side)
18. Jesus Be A Fence Around Me – SOUL STIRRERS (September 1960, written by Sam Cooke, SAR Records SAR-108, B-side to "I'm A Pilgrim", see also Track 2 for A-side)
19. Lead Me Jesus – SOUL STIRRERS (October 1961, SAR Records SAR-120, A-side)
20. Free At Last – SOUL STIRRERS (July 1963, SAR Records SAR-145, B-side of "His Love")
21. Looking Back (Studio Chatter)
22. Looking Back – SOUL STIRRERS (March 1964, SAR Records SAR 150, B-side of "Oh Mary, Don't You Weep", for A-side see Track 11)
23. Born Again – R.H. HARRIS & HIS GOSPEL PARADERS – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
24. Wait On Jesus – R.H. HARRIS & HIS GOSPEL PARADERS (August 1963, SAR Records SAR-146, B-side of "Even Me")
25. Time Brings About A Change – SOUL STIRRERS (from the 1963 US LP "Encore! With The Soul Stirrers" on SAR Records LPM-504 in Mono – no 45)
26. Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone – SOUL STIRRERS (January 1962, SAR Records SAR 124, A-side, for B-side see Track 13)
27. Yield Not To Temptation (Studio Chatter)
28. Yield Not To Temptation – THE WOMACK BROTHERS (July 1961, SAR Recordings SAR 118, B-side to "Somebody's Wrong")
29. Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray – THE WOMACK BROTHERS (December 1961, SAR Records SAR 123, A-side)
30. Somewhere There's A God – THE WOMACK BROTHERS (December 1961, SAR Records SAR 123, B-side)
31. That's Heaven To Me – SAM COOKE (from the 1961 US LP "Presenting Gospel Pearls" on SAR Records SAR-LPM-503 in Mono)
NOTES ON CD1:
All Studio Chatter features SAM COOKE who is also Producer on all tracks

Tracks 1, 5, 10, 14 and 23 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Tracks 2, 3, 14 and 26 feature PAUL FOSTER on Lead Vocals
Tracks 4, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18 to 22 and 25 feature JIMMIE OUTLER on Lead Vocals
Track 17 features JOHNNIE TAYLOR on Lead Vocals
Tracks 28 and 30 feature CURTIS WOMACK on Lead Vocals
Track 29 features BOBBY WOMACK on Lead Vocals
Track 31 features SAM COOKE on Lead Vocals
Tracks 8, 12, 16, 25 and 31 are LP-Only Tracks 
Tracks 11, 22, 24, 28, 29 and 30 are 45-Single-Only Releases (as well as being singles - many tracks here presented were also featured on Mono US LPs - see list below CD2 to see which titles aren't included on these 2CDs - there's quite a few)

CD2 (77:50 minutes):
1. You Send Me (Demo) – SAM COOKE – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Recorded 1957 at Specialty Studios)
2. Just For You – SAM COOKE (November 1961, SAR Records SAR-122, A-side – for B-side see Track 4)
3. Somewhere There's A Girl – SAM COOKE – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Recorded 28 June 1961 at Universal Recording Chicago)
4. (You Were) Made For Me – SAM COOKE (November 1961, SAR Records SAR-122, B-side – for A-side see Track 2)
5. When A Boy Falls In Love – MEL CARTER (June 1963, Derby D-1003, A-side)
6. Soothe Me – THE SIMMS TWINS (June 1961, SAR Records SAR-117, A-side)
7. That's Where It's At (Studio Chatter) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
8. That's Where It's At – THE SIMMS TWINS (March 1963, SAR Records SAR-138, A-side)
9. Everybody Wants To Fall In Love – THE VALENTINOS (October 1964, SAR Records SAR-155, A-side)
10. Keep On Loving You – JOHNNIE TAYLOR – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (Recorded 7 December 1964, Unknown Location, Johnnie Taylor song and Production)
11. I'll Always Be In Love With You – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (October 1963, Derby D-1006, B-side of "Baby, We've Got Love" – for A-side, see Track 13)
12. Baby, We've Got Love (Studio Chatter)
13. Baby, We've Got Love – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (October 1963, Derby D-1006, A-side – for B-side, see Track 11)
14. Baby, Lots Of Luck – THE VALENTINOS (July 1963, SAR Records SAR-144, B-side of "She's So Good To Me")
15. Put Me Down Easy – L.C. COOKE (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Alternate Version of January 1964 US 45 on SAR Records SAR 148, A-side)
16. Rome (Wasn't Built In A Day) – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (April 1962, SAR Records SAR-131, A-side)
17. Greazee Part I & II – BILLY PRESTON (March 1963, Derby 1002, A&B-sides)
18. I Gopher You – THE SIMMS TWINS (October 1962, SAR Records SAR-136, A-side – for B-side see Track 28)
19. I Gopher You (Studio Chatter)  THE SIMMS TWINS (as per Track 18)
20. You're Always On My Mind – JOHNNIE MORISETTE (September 1960, SAR Records SAR-107, B-side of "Dorthy")
21. I Need Lots Of Love – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (May 1964, Derby Records 1010, B-side of "Getting Married Soon")
22. Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong – JOHNNIE MORISETTE (March 1963, SAR Records SAR 139, A-side – an Albert King cover version)
23. Black Night – JOHNNIE MORISETTE (October 1963, SAR Records SAR 147, B-side of "I Don't Need Anybody But You")
24. Damper – JOHNNIE MORISETTE (April 1961, SAR Records SAR 113, B-side of "Don't Cry Baby")
25. You Can Run (But You Can't Hide) – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (January 1965, SAR Records SAR 156, B-side of "Oh How I Love You")
26. Meet Me At The Twisting Place (Studio Chatter) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
27. Meet Me At The Twisting Place – JOHNNIE MORISETTE (January 1962, SAR Records SAR-126, A-side)
28. Good Good Lovin' – THE SIMMS TWINS (October 1962, SAR Records SAR-136, B-side of "I Gopher You"– for A-side see Track 18)
29. The Wobble – L.C. COOKE [credited as L.C.] (April 1963, SAR Records SAR 141, A-side, written by Sam Cooke)
30. Lookin' For A Love (Studio Chatter) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
31. Lookin' For A Love -THE VALENTINOS [Lead Vocals by Bobby Womack] (June 1962, SAR Records SAR-132, A-side)
32. I've Got Love For You – THE VALENTINOS [Lead Vocals by Bobby Womack] – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
33. I've Got A Girl (Studio Chatter) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
34. I've Got A Girl – THE VALENTINOS [Lead Vocals by Bobby Womack] – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
35. Tired Of Living In The Country – THE VALENTINOS [Lead Vocals by Curtis Womack] – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
36. It's All Over Now – THE VALENTINOS [Lead Vocals by Bobby Womack] (May 1964, SAR Records SAR-152, A-side)
NOTES on CD2:
Tracks 1, 3, 7, 10, 12, 15, 19, 26, 30, 32, 33, 34 and 35 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29, 35  written by Sam Cooke
Track 3 written by Sam Cooke and Roscoe Robinson 
Track 5 written by Sam Cooke and Clinton Levert, Jr.
Track 8 written by Sam Cooke and J.W. Alexander
Track 16 written by Sam Cooke with Betty and Beverly Prudhomme
Track 34 written by Sam Cooke and Bobby Womack
Track 9 written by Bobby Womack and J.W. Alexander
Track 10 written by Johnnie Taylor
Track 14 written by John Greek and has Curtis Womack on Lead Vocals
Track 17 written by J.W Alexander, Fred Smith and Billy Preston
Track 20 written by J.W. Alexander
Track 22 is an Albert King cover version; Track 28 is a James Brown cover
Track 25 written by Johnnie Taylor
Track 31 written by J.W. Alexander and Zelda Samuels
Track 32 recorded 24 March 1962 at United Recording, Hollywood – written by Bobby Womack
Track 36 written by Bobby and Shirley Womack

MISSING LP Tracks (15 in total): 
From the 1961 US Mono LP "Jesus Be A Fence Around Me" by The Soul Stirrers on SAR Records SAR-LPM-501 – five of the twelve are not here - "Toiling On", "He's Been A Shelter For Me", "I'm Thankful", "I Love The Lord" and "He Cares".

1961 US Mono LP "Presenting Gospel Pearls" by Various Artists on SAR Records SAR-LPM-503 – five of twelve are not here - "Deep River", "I Thank God", "Heaven Is My Home", "Steal Away" and "Troublin' Mind".

1963 US Mono LP "Encore! With The Soul Stirrers" on SAR Records SAR-LPM-504 – five of ten are not here - "His Love", "No Need To Worry", "Something Here Inside", "Joy In My Soul" and "Where Jesus Is".

As you can see from the 'missing' notes above - "SAR Records Story 1959-1965" is far from being a warts n' all twofer - but you do get rare B-sides making their digital debut alongside a seriously tasty spattering of unreleased. And the fabulous TERI LANDI Remasters and Tape Preparations sound glorious - take for instance the lethal CD2 trio of Billy Preston's cool as "Green Onions" instrumental "Greazee Part I & II", the so-smooth Soul of "I Gopher You" by The Simms Twins and the gritty guitar-shuffling Blues of Johnnie Morisette shredding his throat on a cover of Albert King's "Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong" (itself followed by a brilliant "Black Night") - the audio is full, clean and wonderfully alive. Even on CD1 when you're dealing with four or five Acapella voices and minimal rhythm accompaniment - the dreaded hiss doesn't really appear. It's all clean but not dampered-down. 

The card slipcase looks good on opening but actually irritates a bit because it soon implodes on its card self once the hard-card pouch is taken out (as you can see from the photos provided my well used copy is showing worse for implosion wear). But the removable 84-page booklet is gorgeous if not a tad difficult to hold open. The period photos come on strong - Sam with Aretha Franklin - with his wife Barbara Campbell - with Bumps Blackwell - Allen Klein - gospel group beginnings with the Highway QCs (had a very young Sam Cooke) - the Soul Stirrers of course and The Pilgrim Travelers that had a great line-up including J.W. Alexander, Ernest Booker, Jesse Whitaker and Lou Rawls. All the big names associated with SAR get a page and gorgeous publicity photos - Johnnie Taylor - Billy Preston - Johnnie Morisette - L.C. Cooke - The Simms Twins - the mighty Bobby Womack etc. The text is highlighted in places to show who is being discussed (Johnny "Guitar" Watson for instance on Page 29) while the musician and reissue credits at the rear are extensive. The listen - I'll admit that I go for the more R 'n' B and Soul-Pop sides of CD2 every time - stuff like L.C. Cooke doing "The Wobble" providing me with my now-you're-doin'-it needs (Mama says Soul).  

In the liner notes (smart enough to allow those still living to have their say) – Bobby Womack talks of Cooke’s insistence on (almost) perfection. He would not accept a take or a phrase that was out of kilter and dominated (in a good way) in the control booth. You can hear this alongside the friendly rivalry and respect paid the man in the thrilling studio chatter segments – Cooke was essentially selling himself through other artists on SAR Records and he was not going to settle for rough and ready because his crew was eyeing the door or a nearby bar/jump house. As you play track-after-track – especially when you get to CD2 and his Pop career is surging – the arrangements, the players and the Production values all reek of class and commitment. 

CD2 opens with a rough demo of "You Send Me", accompanied by a strummed Martin guitar and his foot tapping – made in 1957 – history in the making. But that is whomped by his own "Just For You" – a 24 July 1959 Pop/Soul recording made at Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood. Fans are then treated to a real gem – an unreleased oohing-and-aahing Soulful smoocher called "Somewhere There's A Girl" recorded June 1961 at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago and in fine audio shape (what a find). Admittedly the echoed as-sure-as-there-are-stars-above sappiness of "You Were Made For Me". Things change with the very Stylistics voice of Mel Carter as he goes full-on Cooke with "When A Boy Falls In Love" – all plucked strings and perfect rhythms. Better is another Sam Cooke cover from The Simms Twins – SAR Records SAR 117 recorded 5 June 1961 – Bobbie and Kenny Simms rise to lovely piano fills – their efforts rewarded with a rightful No.4 R&B chart position (No. 42 on Pop). 

Sam then praises The Simms Twins for great feel as we get studio chatter pre-empting their lovely "That's Where It's At" – another shuffler from the pen of Cooke and J.W. Alexander. The fantastic and distinctive lead vocals of Bobby Womack come a-sailing in when The Valentinos start a run of now-listen Soul tunes on CD2 with "Everybody Wants To Fall In Love". The brass arrangements give the sway an added punch. The unreleased Johnnie Taylor track "Keep On Loving You" is good but slightly let down by a Production that is way rougher than what has gone before (lady backing vocals doing him proud). So very Sam Cooke – Taylor does a similar-vocal cover in his interpretation of "I'll Always Be In Love With You" – good but the original is better. The brass and rhythm punch-in for "Baby, We've Got Love" – Taylor again giving it pretty lips (kiss me back) – a Sam Cooke song and Production. Unfortunately, you can hear why "Tired Of Living In The Country" was unreleased - it's adeqeute but not much else. the set is saved by Womack doing "It's All Over Now" - a tune so many would cover including The Rolling Stones and Uber admirers Rod Stewart and Faces. 

"SAR Records Story 1959-1965" romps home with a best-ever-sounding "Lookin' For A Love" and "I've Got Love For You" following in similar upbeat joyous Soul. For sure - there will be those who only want Cooke's Soulful sides ("The RCA Albums Collection" 8CD set is reviewed elsewhere) - but it would be a crime to miss all this good stuff that satellites around Sam Cooke. 

Gunned down in his early prime via a senseless tit-for-tat, Cooke's funeral in December 1964 was attended by 5,000 mourners in a church that held maybe 1,500 - such was the love and impact SC left behind. He didn't get to see a change gonna come, but personally, I'm with Rod Stewart on Sam Cooke as being the greatest vocalist ever - so I love this twofer that celebrates his spirit. If you see "Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story 1959-1965" at a good price (there is a more compact reissue that sells cheaply too) - then go for it - because his recorded legacy will send you...

"Asides Besides" by TALK TALK – Thirty-Eight-Track 2CD Compilation featuring 45-Singles, Remixes, Extended Versions, Demos and Non-LP B-sides issued between February 1982 and September 1988 on EMI and Parlophone Records (April 1998 UK EMI Records 2CD Compilation with Peter Mew, Denis Blackham and Phil Brown Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Asides-Besides-Talk/dp/B00000883W?crid=1BSPR6KH1IY9M&keywords=724385480720&qid=1706982596&sprefix=724385480720%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=1c84e538466f0d3876545bab2e91d756&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…John Cope…"

Although "Asides Besides" is a I-will-expire-without-it purchase for your dyed-in-the-wool double-talk believer (of which there are many and rightly so) – I would admit that this 2CD extracurricular extremities fest for England's Talk Talk will not be for everyone. But I love it to distraction.

EMI 845 8072 is one of those twofers that will always take pride of place on my bulging repertoire shelves. I'd like to argue that you consider diving in too because there is never enough of this fab Art Rock band as far as I'm concerned. They became magnificent and are sorely missed to this day (2024). To the logistics/details by our Synth-Pop wonders…

UK released April 1998 - "Asides Besides" by TALK TALK on EMI 845 8072 (Barcode 724385480720) is a Thirty-Eight Track 2CD Compilation featuring UK and US 45-Single Mixes, Remixes, Extended Versions, Demos and Non-LP B-sides between February 1982 and September 1988 on EMI and Parlophone Records and it plays out as follows:

CD1 The Longer Versions (76:59 minutes):
1. Talk Talk (Extended Version) – October 1982 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5352
2. Today (Extended Version) – June 1982 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5314
3. My Foolish Friend (Extended Version) – March 1983 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5573
4. It's My Life (Extended Version) – January 1983 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5443
5. Such A Shame (Extended Mix) – March 1983 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5433
6. Such A Shame (Dub Mix) – July 1984 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5480
7. Dum Dum Girl (12" Mix) - July 1984 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5480, A-side
8. Without You (12" Mix) - July 1984 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5480, B-side of "Dum Dum Girl"
9. Life's What You Make It (Extended Mix) – February 1986 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMIX 5540 – Remix by Tim Friese-Greene – band chosen mix
10. Living In Another World (Extended Remix) – March 1986 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5551
11. Pictures Of Bernadette (Dance Mix) – May 1986 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12R 6131, B-side of "Give It Up"
12. Happiness Is Easy (12" Mix) – October 1986 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12R 6144, B-side of "I Don't Believe In You"

CD2 The Extra Tracks (66:02 minutes):
1. Talk Talk (Demo Version) – March 1984 UK 7" Single Double-Pack on EMI Records EMID 5433
2. Mirror Man (Demo Version) - March 1984 UK 7" Single Double-Pack on EMI Records EMID 5433
3. Candy (Demo Version) - March 1984 UK 7" Single Double-Pack on EMI Records EMID 5433
4. Strike Up The Band – February 1982 Debut UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5265, Non-LP B-side of "Mirror Man"
5. ? – April 1982 Second UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5284, Non-LP B-side of "Talk Talk"
6. My Foolish Friend – March 1983 UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5373, A-side
7. Call In The Night Boy (Piano Version) – March 1983 UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5373, Non-LP B-side
8. Why Is It So Hard? – Debut Appearance of a 7" Single Mix of a song written for the 1984 Michael Apted film "First Born" – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD
9. Again A Game…Again – March 1984 UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5433, Non-LP B-side of "Such A Shame"
10. Without You – July 1984 UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5480, Non-LP B-side of "Dum Dum Girl"
11. Dum Dum Girl (US Mix) - July 1984 UK 12" Single on EMI Records 12EMI 5480, Non-LP Second B-side to "Dum Dum Girl (12" Mix)"
12. It's Getting Late In The Evening – January 1986 UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5540, Non-LP B-side of "Life's What You Make It" – also on the B-side of the twelve-inch single
13. For What It's Worth – March 1986 UK 7" Single on EMI Records EMI 5551, Non-LP B-side of "Living In Another World"
14. Pictures Of Bernadette – May 1986 UK 7" Single on Parlophone Records R 6131, Non-LP B-side of "Give It Up"
15. Eden (Edit) – September 1988 UK 12" Single on Parlophone Records 12 R 6189, Non-LP B-side of "I Believe In You" – also a Bonus Track on the CD-single Parlophone CDR 6189 – Edit runs to 4:11 minutes
16. John Cope - September 1988 UK 12" Single on Parlophone Records 12 R 6189, Non-LP B-side of "I Believe In You" – also a Bonus Track on the CD-single Parlophone CDR 6189

TALK TALK were:

MARK HOLLIS - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards 

TIM FRIESE-GREENE - Keyboards, Wind Instruments

TIM HARRIS - Drums and Percussion

The 20-page booklet doesn't have liner notes per say, but it does feature those all-important James Marsh picture sleeves – his gorgeous paintings-artwork synonymous with the band. Beside each entry is a basic discography (which I've expanded on above) and the usual reissue credits. The discs are themed – The Longer Versions on CD1 and The B-sides as The Extra Tracks on CD2 – both making for a surprisingly satisfying listen because they do feel like two sides of a single-coin. CD2 also boasts an exclusive on Track 8 – the digital-debut appearance of "Why Is It So Hard? " in 7" Single Mix form - a song written for the 1984 Michael Apted film "First Born". Fans will know that there is a 12" mix of this song on the vinyl compilation called "It's My Mix", but that is AWOL here – the band clearly opting for the more to-the-point single variant.  

The AUDIO is care-of three great names in Remastering – DENIS BLACKHAM who handled the four album Remasters for Talk Talk (1982's "It's My Party" to 1988's "Spirit Of Eden") and PETER MEW with PHIL BROWN - no strangers to EMI or Abbey Road Studios when it comes to Rock transfers (Hollies, Kevin Ayers, Deep Purple, Robin Trower etc). Talk Talk's material was always well recorded, but on "Asides Besides" you get that subtle oomph. To hear one of my fave-rave B-sides of all time "John Cope" in this quality is fantastic – my twelve-inch having been battered for decades now. All good really – to the music…

I would imagine it is only diehard Talkies who would endure the 6:30 minutes of the Dub Mix for "Such A Shame" – it ain’t for me – but the 5:54-minute piano-funk synth-pop of the extended "Without You" is wickedly good – another punchy Tim Friese-Greene production. By the time we get to Track 9 we are into the magical "The Colour Of Eden" album from 1986 where the band became something otherworldly. Everything about that LP and its splinters do my collector head in – fantastical stuff. There is another mix of "Life's What You Make It" from another twelve-inch (12EMI 5540) remixed by Denis Weinreich that runs to almost eight-and-half-minutes – but the band have chosen the more guitar/piano funky cut on the American twelve (12EMIX 5540) remixed by their own Tim Friese-Greene that sexes its way across your living room for 6:58 minutes on CD1 (there are more versions of the song when it was reissued in 1990 to support the "Natural History" Best-Of album, but they are not dealt with by this compilation). 

Not to be outdone in brilliance, next up is the radically and brilliantly re-worked "Living In Another World" that slips tasty Harmonica and Synth fills alongside echoed vocal bits – and I love all its madly 80ts 8:57 minutes. Children giggling and playing open the Dance Mix of "Pictures Of Bernadette" after which it settles into a guitar-Indie groove where the boys allow the axes to distort and contort to a backdrop of drums and percussion. Then that huge organ comes roaring in – Hollis again letting it rip with that other-place voice of his before we return to mad Smiths-like electric and acoustic guitar fills. The Dance Mix of "Pictures Of Bernadette" is brilliant and a genius inclusion in all its 8:05 minute glory. And CD1 ends on another huge fan-fave - the Twelve Mix of "Happiness Is Easy" – the 7:02 minute Remix turning it into a more Acoustic-and-Bass Chic-Funky spacious beast (all this and the magnificent "I Don't Believe In You" on the A-side – what a 12 single-buy that was back in the day).

You might think that opening CD2 with three demos in row (turned on a seven-inch double-pack) that got their EMI contract would mean an interesting listen rather than an essential one – but this is Talk Talk – and they are far better than you would assume. Recorded June 1981, the synth-pop vibe and sound is there but somehow the "Mirror Man" version captures something even more angst that the released mix. And there is a soulfulness to "Candy" – Hollis sounding every bit like the ground-trembling sets of pipes he was and would become. Fantastic stuff and you can so hear why the band would want punters to be re-reminded of these early-years accomplishments. 

Things start to B-side the Seaside hot up with "?" and "My Foolish Friend" - two great Non-LP tracks with "My Foolish Friend" sounding like UK 80ts Synth-Pop at its hooky best. Fans will salivate at a clean Remastered version of the gorgeous "Call In The Night Boy (Piano Version)" - so Japan, so David Sylvian, so Peter Gabriel while the compilation offers up something new to CD - the 7" version of the film song "Why Is It So Hard?" - a tune that could easily have been an album inclusion (great audio to as those keyboards swoon and pop). The "Such A Shame" B-side "Again A Game...Again" could be the little brother of "Why Is It So Hard?" - another Synth-Pop Funkathon that sounds huge here. I'm no boy stealing pennies - Hollis sings on the slyly sinister "Dum Dum Girl" - presented to here in its US 7" Mix which I must admit doesn't feel 'that' different. Heading into the homeward strait with the deeply cool "It's Getting Late In The Evening" - a B-side let-it-all-hang-out indication of their musical direction as they hurtled towards disbandment in 1991 (1988's "Spirit Of Eden" and 1991's final "Laughing Stock") - weird, spacial and wonderfully evocative. Swirling beautiful comes in the shape of "For What It's Worth" (tiger butterfly artwork gets me every time) while guitars fuzz-funk up "Pictures Of Bernadette" - another fab discovery. 

"Asides Besides" ends with the Edit of "Eden" where jagged guitar-notes introduce Hollis' trademark warble, sparse drum whacks and huge keyboards (mesmerizing stuff) only to be whomped by my go-to-poison - the out-there-in-the-stars "John Cope" - the kind of cool few bands ever achieve (apparently Hollis used it as an alias at times). And it was a B-side!

(Mark David) Hollis would make that slightly disappointing self-titled solo LP in 1998 on Polydor Records before he disappeared out of the music business entirely only to lose him in 2017 - a genius gone too soon. "Asides Besides" always makes me think of him and the fans who obsess over the band the way Smiths or Cure fans do. God bless 'em. Be no foolish friend and get this twofer in your rig - soonest...

"The Best of Cult Fiction" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 55 Of The Finest Cult TV & Movie Themes - Including James Bond 007, The Ipcress File, Captain Scarlet, Midnight Cowboy, The Saint, The Avengers, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Danger Man, A Fistful Of Dollars, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, The Magnificent Seven, Pink Panther, Dr. Who, The Champions, M.A.S.H., Van Der Valk, Lovejoy, The Sweeney, Taxi Driver, Blake's 7, Starsky & Hutch, Tales Of The Unexpected, Hill Street Blues, Minder, Budgie, Taxi, Animal Magic, Vision On, Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill and many more – Most In Stereo – Barry Gray, BBC Radiophonic Workshop, John Barry, Henri Mancini, Ennio Morricone, Bernard Hermann, Laurie Johnson, Ron Grainer, Tony Hatch, KPM Music Library and more (February 2004 UK Virgin 2CD 55-Track Compilation of Sixties, Seventies and Eighties Remasters)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Cult-Fiction-Various-Artists/dp/B0001DD3RI?crid=2DAH49CNFB7Y9&keywords=724357670128&qid=1706619113&sprefix=724357670128%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=ffa452667d7f27e45029a484841e45d1&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)…"

Admittedly the gatefold slip-of-paper that acts as an insert is laughable – print so tiny it practically screams magnifying glass. No knowledgeable appreciation liner notes by a maniacal Film and TV buff who needs to get out more – no photos – no posters – no cast stills - no memorabilia that would evoke such great memories and make this twofer so rock. Even the rear inlay on the inside is completely blank for Gawd sake – zero effort. But – and as they say in a Sumo bathhouse - that's a big butt – there is the fun listen and the alarmingly great audio.

These Virgin catchall compilations can be blinding one minute and so-so the next or a raggle-taggle combo of both (this the same). But here it's like someone went out of their way to find the best sounding Remasters for every track. Or it could just be that when "The Best Of Cult Fiction" was issued in the spring of 2004 – all that old 'Lounge Lizard Secret Agent' stuff had already been remastered by EMI and Universal – and in either Mono or Stereo – the results were all sparkly and kick-ass.

Whatever you look at it, in the spring of 2024 (twenty years after the reissue event) – this little goofball is a cool buy and a reminder of music that has engrained itself into our subconscious, much of which we heard weekly and secretly loved – yet never thought of (actually) buying. Papa Loves Mambo indeed. Why I almost dusted down my Jetpack and polished up the Aston Martin (almost). 

So, once more, me Olive Cocktail Hearties and Danger Man Smarties unto the cool-theme-song breach. Details Mr. Blofeld please (and easy on the pirahna)…

UK released 23 February 2004 - "The Best Of Cult Fiction" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Virgin EMI New State VTDCD 997 – 7243 5 76701 2 8 (Barcode 724357670128) is a 2CD Remastered 55-Track Compilation of Sixties, Seventies and Eighties TV Themes (CD1) and Film Soundtracks and Songs (CD2) that plays out as follows:

CD1 Cult TV Themes (75:32 minutes):
1. Doctor Who – BBC RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP featuring Ron Grainer and Delia Derbyshire (1963 Recording, 2000 Remaster)
2. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Theme – HUGO MONTENEGRO (1966)
3. Joe 90 (Title Theme) – THE BARRY GRAY ORCHESTRA (1968)
4. Captain Scarlet – THE BARRY GRAY ORCHESTRA with GARY MILLER (1967)
5. The Champions – TONY HATCH ORCHESTRA (1969)
6. Danger Man Theme ["High Wire"] – BOB LEAPER ORCHESTRA (1964)
7. Return Of The Saint – THE SAINT ORCHESTRA (1978)
8. New Avengers Theme – LAURIE JOHNSON And The LONDON STUDIO ORCHESTRA (1976)
9. The Two Ronnies (Theme from The Detectives) (1976 KPM Library Music)
10. Pink Panther Theme – HENRY MANCINI (1963)
11. Vision On Chase Scene ["Accroche Toi Caroline"] (1967 De Wolfe Library Music)
12. Animal Magic – LAURIE JOHNSON (1970)
13. Black Beauty ["Galloping Home"] – SOUTH BANK ORCHESTRA (1972)
14. World Of Sport – KPM Library Music (1968)
15. Superstars – KPM Library Music (1974)
16. Van Der Valk Theme ["Eye Level"] – SIMON PARK ORCHESTRA (1971)
17. Tales Of The Unexpected – RON GRAINER (1979)
18. Crossroads – TONY HATCH ORCHESTRA (1965)
19. Lovejoy – DENIS KING (1986)
20. Bergerac Theme – GEORGE FENTON (1981)
21. The Sweeney – SIMON WALLACE and SIMON BINT (1975)
22. The Professionals – LAURIE JOHNSON and the LONDON STUDIO ORCHESTRA (1977)
23. Minder Theme ("I Could Be So Good For You") – DENNIS WATERMAN (1979)
24. Auf Wiedersehen Pet Theme (That's Livin' Alright) – JOE FAGIN of Stealers Wheel (1983)
25. Grange Hill Theme – ALAN HAWKSHAW (1975 Music, 1978 TV Show)
26. Roobarb and Custard – ALAN HAWKSWORTH (1974)
27. Blake's 7 – THE DUDLEY SIMPSON ORCHESTRA (1978)
28. Budgie Theme ("The Loner") – SOUTH BANK ORCHESTRA (1971)
29. Taxi Theme ("Angela") – BOB JAMES (1978)
30. Hill Street Blues Theme – MIKE POST featuring LARRY CARLTON on Guitar (1981)
31. Starsky & Hutch Theme ("Gotcha") – TOM SCOTT (1977)
32. The Six Million Dollar Man Theme – JOHN GREGORY and His ORCHESTRA (1976)

CD2 Cult MOVIE Themes (72:26 minutes):
1. Green Hornet (from the movie "Kill Bill") – AL HIRT (1966)
2. 007 (James Bond Theme from "Dr. No") – JOHN BARRY (1963)
3. Ain't That A Kick In The Head (from "Out Of Sight") – DEAN MARTIN (1969)
4. Papa Loves Mambo (from "Ocean's Eleven") - PERRY COMO (1954)
5. Theme From The Magnificent Seven (from "The Magnificent Seven") – ELMER BERNSTEIN (1960)
6. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (from "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly") – HUGH MONTENEGRO written by Ennio Morricone (1968)
7. A Fistful Of Dollars (from "A Fistful Of Dollars") – ENNIO MORRICONE (1964)
8. The Ipcress File (from "The Ipcress File") – JOHN BARRY (1968)
9. Theme From Taxi Driver (from "Taxi Driver") - BERNARD HERRMANN (1976)

10. Theme (from "The Last Tango In Paris") - GATO BARBIERI (1972)

11. Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) (from "Kill Bill") - NANCY SINATRA (1966, Sonny Bono song)

12. We Have All The Time In The World (from "On Her Majesty's Secret Service") - LOUIS ARMSTRONG (1969)

13. Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) (from "Jackie Brown") - THE DELFONICS (1969) 

14. Pusherman (from "Superfly") - CURTIS MAYFIELD (1972)

15. Jungle Boogie (from "Pulp Fiction") - KOOL & THE GANG (1973)

16. Across 110th Street (from "Jackie Brown") - BOBBY WOMACK (1973)

17. The Harder They Come (from "The Harder They Come") - JIMMY CLIFF (1972)

18. Stuck In The Middle (from "Reservoir Dogs") - STEALERS WHEEL (1972)

19. Oye Como Va (from "Carlito's Way") - SANTANA (1970)

20. Little Green Bag (from "Reservoir Dogs") - GEORGE BAKER (1962)

21. Hooked On A Feeling (from "Reservoir Dogs") - BLUE SWEDE (1973)

22. Everybody's Talkin' (from "Midnight Cowboy") - NILSSON (1969)

23. Suicide Is Painless (from "M.A.S.H.") - JOHNNY MANDEL (1970)

CD1 offers up many memorable TV moments - nostalgia tears for scribbles during "Vision On" and Gerry Anderson's "Captain Scarlett" getting all sophisticated supermarionation. But you have forgotten Alexandria Bastedo making us us boys weak at the knees in "The Champions" or the Brass oom-pa-pa of the "Van Der Valk" theme "Eye Level" that charted big in 1973. And there can never be enough John Barry, Tony Hatch, Ron Grainer, Laurie Johnson and the like who gave us so many short-sharp-blasts of brilliance - its a bit of a Bobby Dazzler. There are few men of my age who wouldn't get goosebumps at the sound of "The New Avengers" theme or grin at "The Pink Panther" slink or the fifty-year relationship we've had with football's "World Of Sports". But I reserve my true love for Larry Carlton's guitar playing in "The Hill Street Blues" Theme - sublime and cool - like Steely Dan good.  

Latin Saxophonist Gato Barbieri won a Grammy for his 1972 instrumental to "Last Tango In Paris" with Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider rolling around in their nudie suits - but more impressive for me is the lethal one-two of "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" and "We Have All The Time In The World" - Nancy Sinatra (no stranger to Bond soundtracks) and Louis Armstrong shimmering with beauty and raw emotion. Sonny Bono penned "Bang Bang..." which Quentin used to such great effect in "Kill Bill" - while once again John Barry classes up everything for Bond in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". Tarrantino has also tapped smoochy Soul as a winner in his movies and the Philly-swoon of The Delfonics classic "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" provided a moment of warmth is his otherwise darkly witty "Jackie Brown". Drugs are never far from Movie or TV proceedings - so we get Curtis Mayfield giving us some 'Superfly' coke and weed distribution in his fabulously funky and social-commenting "Pusherman" - sounding just fantastically clear and punchy for its five-minutes. 

By the time we reach Track 15 and "Jungle Boogie" by Kool & The Gang - things are harder - the get down Funk taking no prisoners as Kool grunts his way to a feel-it-y'all masterclass (another "Pulp Fiction" winner). Speaking of class, who can forget Pam Grier taking that slow-moving airport walkway as the credits rolled for "Jackie Brown" - looking like a real-world woman trying to survive in a dirty man's world as Bobby Womack's "Across 110th Street" plays - lyrics that hide nothing. Time to go to the islands and smell the sea air (and other fragrances) as Jimmy Cliff gets Reggae and Gangsta with "The Harder They Come" - such a tune (I have reviewed the superb Universal 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' of that soundtrack - a fully-loaded gem). Much like Ace's "How Come" or AWB's "Pick Up The Pieces" (both 1974) - Stealers Wheel and their 1972 single masterpiece "Stuck In The Middle" never seems to date - memorably used in "Reservoir Dogs" though I doubt either Gerry Rafferty or Joe Fagin imagined it would accompany such a display. Speaking of effortless cool, "Oye Como Va" will be weaving its 1970 Santana's "Abraxas" LP magic for decades more to come - stunning guitar work, keyboards and Latin-Rock rhythms.

"The Best Of Cult Fiction" romps home with the bop-bop winner that everyone had forgotten - "Little Green Bag" by George Baker - a joyous little belter from 1962 that sounds so damn good - even after a staggering sixty-two years. The hugga-chacka chant of "Hooked On A Feeling" by Blue Swede may be fun but doesn't do it for me I'm afraid. But I'm always high on believin' in Nilsson - his gorgeous "Everybody's Talkin'" that played out "Midnight Cowboy" indelibly burnt into my brain (probably one of my 45-Single A-side favourites - a Fred Neil song). CD2 ends with "Suicide Is Painless" - the theme music to the much-loved "M.A.S.H." movie and TV series that made Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, Loretta 'Hot Lips' Swit and characters Radar, Klinger, Colonel Potter and all the gang household names. Fifty-five tunes for my sixty-five years - job done. 

"Look at him sway with it...get so gay with it..." Perry sang all those decades ago about his belief in the restorative powers of the hip-swaying Mambo. And ever since then - Mama has been looking for Papa - but Papa is nowhere in sight - that's because he's down at the fleapit thrilling to illicit gyrations or on his couch getting all 'shut it' with his inner Private Eye. 

Great fun, fab audio and "The Best Of Cult Fiction" is cheap too - go for it...