"Them Changes" by BUDDY MILES (2003 Universal/Miracle Records 'Original Funk LP Series' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…I'm Hung Up On Dreams I Never See…"

Working in a secondhand record shop in Central London you come across Soul and Funk LP rarities that have acquired an almost legendary status across the years - and "Them Changes" is one of them. US originals regularly cross the counter for £20+ while British copies are even harder to find. I mention this because Buddy Miles' third album is one of those semi-unknown nuggets that's worth the wonga and 'so' deserves a bigger audience on CD...

In fact checking on his catalogue for this review - I find that only 2 of his 6 albums on Mercury are available on CD anywhere in the world - a very pricey and now deleted Hip-O Select issue of "Expressway To Your Skull" (his US debut LP from 1968 produced by Jimi Hendrix) and this. Fans of Funk-Soul will also notice that of the 15 CD reissues in this 2003 series - most are now deleted and have garnished ludicrous price tags (ranging from £40 to as high as £90) - except this - which is still available at a paltry fiver.

1. Them Changes 

2. I Still Love You, Anyway

3. Heart's Delight

4. Dreams

5. Down By The River 

6. Memphis Train 

7. Paul B. Allen, Omaha, Nebraska 

8. Your Feeling Is Mine

The vinyl LP was originally issued June 1970 in the USA on Mercury SR-61280 and October 1970 on Mercury 6338 016 in the UK (see Discography below). 

This May 2003 CD on Universal/Miracle Records 063 693-2 (Barcode 044006369327) is a straightforward 8-track reissue of that 1970 LP (33:46 minutes) issued under the banner of their "ORIGINAL FUNK LP SERIES” on CD (out of Europe). The card digipak reproduces the American gatefold sleeve artwork (inside and out) and provides an 8-page booklet too. 
Page 2 gives you a readable repro of the album credits in full and there's also a very knowledgeable and concise essay on the album by noted Soul writer DEAN RUDLAND - a name known to many collectors of reissues.

ROBIN McBRIDE and BUDDY MILES produced seven of its eight tracks - the exception being "Memphis Train" - which is produced by STEVE CROPPER of Booker T. & The M.G.'s. The album was mixed by top engineer BRUCE SWEDIEN who later worked with a number of Brunswick label artists (The Chi-Lites etc) and features on Michael Jackson's "Off The Wall" and "Thriller". Other notable musicians are CHARLIE KARP and JIM McCARTY on Lead Guitar, ANDRE LEWIS on Keyboards and LEE ALLEN on Trumpet. Miles was of course the drummer with American Rock-Fusion band THE ELECTRIC FLAG and part-time participant of Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys. As well as drumming he provides lead vocals on every track.

Three songs are BM originals "Them Changes", "Heart's Delight" and a co-write with Andre Lewis on "Paul B. Allen, Omaha, Nebraska" while the lovely "I Still Love You, Anyway" is written by band guitarist Charlie Karp. His cover versions are masterfully chosen and arguably the highlights of the album - a fantastically funky reinterpretation of "Dreams" by The Allman Brothers (lyrics above), "Memphis Train" by Rufus Thomas, "Your Feeling Is Mine" by Otis Redding and a truly brilliant and soulful version of "Down By The River" from Neil Young that never ceases to bring customers to the counter asking "Who is this!"

Like The Undisputed Truth CD in this series "Face To Face With The Truth" (see separate review) - it doesn't say who remastered the tapes or where it was done - but the sound is clear and funky (if not a little hissy in places) - and 'pre-production' appears to have something to do with 'Miracle Records' via Universal UMG out of Europe.

I love this album and recommend this CD version of it wholeheartedly.

If you want to get a lay of the land - try the opening 20 seconds of "Down By The River" - that should get you Buddy-hooked immediately...

A Buddy Miles LP Discography (1968 to 1972):

1. Expressway To Your Skull (January 1969 (1968 USA) UK LP on Mercury 20137 SMCL) - USA Hip-O Select CD only, Gatefold Card Repro Sleeve, No'd to 5000.

2. Electric Church (October 1969 UK LP on Mercury 20163 SMCL)

3. Them Changes (October 1970 UK LP on Mercury 6338 016) - REVIEWED ABOVE

4. We Got To Live Together (January 1971 UK LP on Mercury 6338 028)

5. A Message To The People (June 1971 UK LP on Mercury 6338 048)

6. Live (February 1972 UK 2LP set on Mercury 6641 033)

[NOTE: 1 and 2 credited to BUDDY MILES EXPRESS, the others to BUDDY MILES. As of July 2012 - 2, 4, 5 and 6 are NOT ON CD]

PS: The 15 Titles in the "Original FUNK LP Series" of CD Reissues/Remasters:

1. A Tear To A Smile - ROY AYERS UBIQUITY

(1975 US LP on Polydor, CD reissue is 065 620-2)

2. Propositions - BAR-KAYS

(1982 USA LP on Mercury, CD reissue is 822 885-2)

3. Summertime Groove - BOHANNON

(1978 USA LP on Mercury, CD reissue is 077 014-2)

4. Ugly Ego - CAMEO

(1978 USA LP On Chocolate City, CD reissue is 077 251-2)

5. Con Funk Shun 7 - CON FUNK SHUN

(1981 USA LP on Mercury, CD reissue is 063 699-2)

6. Nice And Soulful - CAROLINE CRAWFORD

(1979 USA LP on Mercury, CD reissue is 067 517-2)

7. The Gap Band - THE GAP BAND

(1979 USA LP on Mercury, CD reissue is 063 698-2)

8. Something Special - KOOL and THE GANG

(1981 LP on De-Lite, CD reissue is 063 695-2)

9. In Heat - LOVE UNLIMITED

(1974 LP on 20th Century, CD reissue is 063 625-2)

10. Just Outside Of Town - MANDRILL

(1973 LP on Polydor, CD reissue is 065 619-2)

11. Them Changes - BUDDY MILES [Drummer with The Electric Flag]

(1970 LP on Mercury, CD reissue is 063 693-2)

12. One Way featuring Al Hudson - ONE WAY featuring AL HUDSON

(1979 LP on MCA, CD reissue is 113 201-2)

13. What Am I Gonna Do - GLORIA SCOTT [Barry White production]

(1974 USA LP on Casablanca, CD reissue is 063 694-2)

14. Moving South - SOUTHSIDE MOVEMENT

(1975 USA LP on 20th Century, CD reissue is 063 691-2)

15. Face To Face With The Truth - THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH

(1972 LP on Gordy & Tamla Motown, CD reissue is 067 100-2) [see REVIEW]

“Gimme Shelter” by MERRY CLAYTON (2010 Repertoire CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…I Don't Know Just What You're After…But I Do Know What You Need…"

Talk about an unknown that shouldn't be...

In order to understand the genuine class act you're dealing with here - a potted-history of Merry Clayton's past vocal glories will set the scene. She contributed to Neil Young's "The Old Laughing Lady" and "I've Loved Her So Long" on his self-titled debut album in 1968, sings on Joe Cocker's "Feelin' Alright" from his "With A Little Help From My Friends" debut album from 1969 and is on Allen Toussaint's magical "From A Whisper To A Scream" (1970). Just as impressively Merry sings on "Way Over Yonder", "Where You Lead" and "Smackwater Jack" on Carole King's magisterial "Tapestry" album (1971). Then there are sessions for B.B. King, Jesse Davis, Neil Diamond, Charles Wright, Jimmy Witherspoon, Billy Preston, Lee Michaels, Linda Ronstadt, Leon Russell, Ruth Copeland, Chi Coltrane, David T. Walker, Etta James, Rare Earth, The Who and even Ringo Starr. 

But her most famous outing has to be her duet vocals with Mick Jagger on "Gimme Shelter" - one of the standout album tracks from "Let It Bleed" - the Rolling Stones masterpiece from 1969 (it was the first album produced by Jimmy Miller who suggested Merry for the vocals). She even turns up on Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" in 1974 and "Cornflake Girl" by Tori Amos in 1994…and is prominently featured in the award-winning 2013 movie about backing singers “20 Feet From Stardom”. 

So it's hardly surprising that MERRY CLAYTON singed to Lou Adler's Ode Records in the late Sixties and quickly pushed out two solo albums - "Merry Clayton" from 1971 - and this - "Gimme Shelter" - her debut from 1970. 

1. Country Road

2. Tell All The People

3. Bridge Over Troubled Water

4. I’ve Got Life

5. Gimme Shelter

6. Here Come Those Heartaches Again [Side 2]

7. Forget It I Got It

8. You’ve Been Acting Strange

9. I Ain’t Gonna Worry My Life Away

10. Good Girls 

11. Glad Tidings 

Released on Ode Records SP-77001 in the USA and on A&M Records AMLS 995 in the UK in late 1970 - the original vinyl album featured a world-class session band (Victor Feldman on Vibes, Joe Sample of The Crusaders on keyboards to name but two) and was top-heavy with contemporary cover versions of the time (but in a good way). It doesn't say who's remastered this 2010 Repertoire reissue CD on REP 5176 (Barcode 4009910517628) but the sticker on the card digipak claims that it's been beautifully done - and they'd be right (38:23 minutes). The sound quality is fantastic - lending the Soul-meets-Gospel feel of the songs a huge sonic punch. Very little hiss - you can hear piano, drums, sweet bass and guitar strings rattling - loads of presence - it's a top job done. The 12-page inlay has affectionate and knowledgeable liner notes by noted UK writer CHRIS WELCH.  

Musically this is uplifting Soul with organs, brass, girly backing singers and impassioned lead vocals - a sort of Atlantic Aretha Franklin one moment then United Artists Tina Turner the next. And right from her opening cover of James Taylor's "Country Road" - the album hits you with one classy tune after another. Number 2 is another upbeat reinterpretation - a great variant of The Doors "Tell All The People". But both are aced by a slowed-down and deeply soulful version of Simon and Garfunkel's beautiful anthem "Bridge Over Troubled Waters".  Written by Galt McCormack "I've Got Life" started out in the "Hair" musical and was made famous by Nina Simone on her 1968 "Nuff 'Said" album. Side 1 ends with her own superb guitar-and-brass take on "Gimme Shelter" with its "just a shot away..." lyrics (it was issued as the 1st of 2 singles off the album in the USA on Ode Records ODE-66003 with "Good Girls" as its flipside). 

Side Two opens with pure magic - a cover of the James Cleveland song "Here Comes Those Heartaches Again" done originally by Kim Weston on her 1970 album "Big Brass Four Poster" (on James Brown's People label). It doesn't say who added the strings but the sung suddenly elevates into sublime Jimmy Webb territory - a little like "5:30 Plane" by The Supremes on their 1972 Motown LP "The Supremes Produced And Arranged By Jimmy Webb" (see review for the Hip-O Select Supremes box set "This Is The Story..."). That gorgeous orchestration appears again on the album's lone original "I Ain't Gonna Worry My Life Away" - a blistering Etta James type torch ballad that Merry co-wrote with Billy Preston (lyrics from it title this review). The other superb Preston contribution here is "You've Been Acting Strange" - his own version surfaced on his September 1970 Apple Records album "Encouraging Words" (also reviewed). There's a Jimmy Miller (Rolling Stones Producer) and Gary Wright (of Spooky Tooth) song too called "Forget It, I Got It" which is so slinky and very cool. It was used as the B-side to "Country Road" issued as a 45 in the USA on Ode Records ODE-66007 (the 2nd and last single off the album). Things are brassed-up again with Billy Page's "Good Girls" and rounded off with a crowd-in-the studio version of "Glad Tidings" - a Van Morrison cover from his 1970 "Moondance" album that doesn't quite work for me. Others like it though as an upbeat finisher. Concluding - with so few clunkers and so many great song choices - this an absolute gem of an album from back in the day

Born on Christmas Day near New Orleans in 1948 - her parents were so overjoyed at their special arrival - they named her Merry. And you can't help but think that Mr. and Mrs. Clayton were right on the money. She's even been belatedly recognized for her talent and is prominently featured in the superb 2013 movie about backing singers called "20 Feet From Stardom" (fabulous movie/documentary). Get this gorgeous, uplifting and criminally forgotten goody in your life as soon as you can.  

And I'm sure he'd approve - but if this CD were a car - it'd be recommended like a pair of rubber lips on Mick Jagger's gear stick...