"Just For Love" by QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE [feat Dino Valenti, John Cipollina and Nicky Hopkins] (December 1992 Beat Goes On CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...It's Alright With Me..."

Recorded in and around the beautiful at-one-with-nature Opaelua Lodge in Hawaii in May and June of 1970 - Quicksilver Messenger Service's 4th album certainly looked the part with its tasty Capitol Records gatefold cover and colour collage of the boys on the inner gatefold giving in some live aloha homage to the Goddess Pele.

I’ve always thought "Just For Love" to be bloody genius - but with the album’s space-filling meandering instrumentals that seemed to be in search of a song amidst the drugs and grass skirts – and those ever-so-slightly irritating echoed vocals by someone clearly just about holding it together - not everyone was so 'peaced out' when it was released. I've always thought "Just For Love" a product of the times – something that must be taken on face value (the Sixties still hanging on in a haze of mind altering substances). But me - I adore that sloppy feel - like QMS has suddenly morphed into a melodic Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young having way too much fun in the studio and not caring about the placing of the microphones (juts play and feel it boys). Here is the world's most reasonable non-druggy review...

UK released December 1992 (reissued many times since including the latest December 2008) - "Just For Love" by QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE on Beat Goes On BGOCD 141 (Barcode 5017261201416) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 9-track 1970 US LP and plays out as follows (39:31 minutes):

1. Wolf Run (Part 1)

2. Just For Love (Part 1)

3. Cobra

4. The Hat

5. Freeway Flyer [Side 2]

6. Gone Again

7. Fresh Air

8. Just For Love (Part 2)

9. Wolf Run (Part 2)

Tracks 1 to 9 are their fourth album "Just For Love" - released August 1970 in the USA on Capitol SMAS-498 and November 1970 in the UK on Capitol EA-ST 498. Produced by JOHN SELBY - it peaked at No. 27 in the USA (didn't chart UK)

For "Just For Love" QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE was:

DINO VALENTI - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Congas and Flute

GARY DUNCAN - Lead Electric and Acoustic Guitars and Maracas

JOHN CIPOLLINA - Lead Electric and Slide Guitar

DAVID FREIBERG - Bass Guitar, Guitar and Vocals

GREGORY ELMORE - Drums and Percussion

NICKY HOPKINS (Guest) - Piano

The 8-page inlay doesn't feature liners notes (bummer that) but it does reproduce that beautifully laid out Capitol Records gatefold cover art of 1970. The colour-collage is spread across the centre-pages whilst the 'world's most magical brat' and 'world's most rhythmic mystic' annotation is reproduced on the other pages (Dan Healy is the 'wired wizard' Engineer etc). Truth be told – BGO could do with upgrading the presentation of this reissue – I for one think the music deserves such a treat (big booklet, card slipcase etc).

It doesn't say which engineer Remastered the album at Sound Engineering Technology in Cambridge in 1992 (sounds like Duncan Cowell?) – but they did a stomping good job. Always a sloppy recording and perhaps not to everyone's taste – it's this very element that I love most about "Just For Love" and that's been kept in tact sweetly by this tasty transfer.

The re-introduction of the volatile Valenti into the ranks along with the guitar magic of Cipollina (would later form Copperhead) trading off against Gary Duncan while England's Nicky Hopkins adds the whole sound stage a classiness on his old piano - added up to a powerhouse unit.

A Flute and Tabla open Part 1 of the short instrumental "Wolf Run" – a sort of precursor to the who-gives-a-monkeys stuff to come. Then Part 1 of the title track "Just For Love" features Valenti who seems to wander up to and away from the microphone as he warbles on about being "touched softly" and being "free as the wind" (yeah baby). Huge drums introduce the wickedly good slightly country-ish "Cobra" which sounds like Gram Parsons is about to rock out – guitars flicking as a funky piano anchors proceedings. The ten-minute Side1 finisher "The Hat" is the kind of Stephen Stills-Band-Van Morrison acoustic-guitar sloppy work out that I adore. It's loose and feels improvised for sure and of course it overstays its welcome in places - but actually I quite like that and the band's chemistry is incredible as Gary Duncan proves his 'world's most funky saint' moniker in the liner notes while Valenti moans the vocals and Nicky Hopkins earns his stunning piano-playing sessionman reputation.

"...Let's try one more..." comes the count in for the band on the rollicking Side 2 opener "Freeway Flyer" where QMS sound like a drugged out Band letting rip on lyrics like 'dangerous stranger' rhyming with 'Psychedelic stranger'. Freiberg and Elmore keep the Bass and Drums rhythm section tight yet loose as Cipollina wigs out of Electric Guitar (I'm reminded of that in-house-jam feel guitarists Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer got to their "Kiln House" LP for Fleetwood Mac also in 1970). That's followed by the lovely and very Hawaiian-peaceful seven minutes of "Gone Again" - the strummed guitar - the echoed vocals - the distant piano plinking as he sings "...my mind gets lonely...my crazy heart starts to gambling..." - I've always thought this one of this inexplicably gorgeous blissed out songs that feels right on a Sunday morning coming down ("...letting go feels so groovy now..."). There’s an almost Beach Boys quality to the band’s harmony vocal work on the ‘have another hit’ of "Fresh Air" – and dig the stunning piano work from Nicky Hopkins and Valenti’s impassioned ‘take me home with you’ vocals. It ends on two short snippets – Valenti singing of masquerades and the end of charades in the wildly echoed Part 2 of "Just For Love" while Part 2 of "Wolf Run" sounds cool and all hippyish if not a little pointless.

There are many (and will be many) who think much of "Just For Love" is a band faffing about and producing genius amidst the knob with perhaps too much emphasis on the whimsy. But I for one dig it the most.

"...Whatever you're doing...it's alright with me..." - Dino Valenti sings as the mighty ten-minutes of "The Hat" starts to fade out. Amen to that man...

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"I Looked Up" by THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND (2014 Beat Goes On CD - Andrew Thompson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...This Moment..."

When the INCREDIBLE STRING BAND put out the vinyl double-album 'U' in October 1970 complete with a pantomime show to accompany its half-genius and wholly indulgent sprawl - many fans thought they'd lost it - and critics of course had a total field day. And perhaps the single album "I Looked Up" that preceded 'U' only months earlier (which also tested people's patience) lit the fuse for that backlash. Whatever way you look at it - four and half decades later - and along comes Beat Goes On of the UK with a spiffing new CD remaster and quality presentation. They're hoping of course you'll reassess the whole hairyman affair in 2014...and if you're a fan - you should. Here are real ale details...

UK released September 2014 - "I Looked Up" by THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1166 (Barcode 5017261211668) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 1970 LP - comes in an outer card slipcase - and breaks down as follows (41:27 minutes):

1. Black Jack Davy (Mike Heron)

2. The Letter (Mike Heron)

3. Pictures In A Mirror (Robin Williamson)

4. This Moment (Mike Heron)

5. When You Find Out Who You Are (Robin Williamson)

6. Fair As You (Mike Heron song)

Tracks 1 to 6 are the stereo vinyl album "I Looked Up" - released April 1970 in the UK on Elektra 2469 002 and Elektra EKS 74061 in the USA

Consisting of multi-instrumentalists ROBIN WILLIAMSON and MIKE HERON (Guitar, Mandolin, Sitar, Flute, Piano, Bass, Various English and European String Instruments and Vocals) - the band also had ROSE SIMPSON on Bass and LICORICE McKECHNIE on Duet Vocals and Guitar. The 16-page booklet features two photos of the ISB and detailed liner notes by noted writer JOHN TOBLER that go into a long history of the groups stay at Elektra. But the big news is a lovely new remaster by ANDREW THOMPSON that brings out the music in a really great way. Many of these tracks are essentially acoustic guitars, mandolins and high vocals - the remaster has hiss on some tracks - but the clarity is fab.

Musically if I were to single out two extremes (bad and good) - it would be the near unlistenable nonsense of "Pictures In A Mirror" which goes on for eleven minutes and is painful to listen to. A contrast is the lovely six minutes of "This Moment" - even if it has the "oh no" vocal refrain towards the end. And the remaster is amazing on "When You Find Out Who You Are" as it goes into those delicate vocal duets between Robin and Licorice. But perhaps best of all is the old world madrigal folk of "Fair As You" with its Flute, Gimbri and layered vocals. It has hiss on it for sure but it's not been dampened down in the transfer at the expense of the prominent acoustic guitar and flute (deftly done).

The Incredible String Band would go on to the altogether better "Liquid Acrobat As Regards The Air" album when they signed to Island in 1971. To sum up - it's a bit Bovril - you either love it or loathe it. But if you're a fan - you need this superb remaster in your collection...

'U' by THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND (2014 Beat Goes On 2CD Reissue - Andrew Thompson Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Ancient Associates And Fellow Wanderers..." 

How do you describe let alone approach 'U' by THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND? Grow a beard, dance around the mulberry bushes looking for fairies, join a Sitar class or just down a couple of pinks with your fiddle-loving mates in a real-ale pub and wickedly laugh at the sheer loony-bin joyous knob of it all.

Following on from the even nuttier "I Looked Up" released only months earlier in the spring of 1970 - this October 1970 double-album of Folk Rock Pantomime has always divided fans between those who secretly love it and those who want to pretend they bought it when they were stoned. Well along comes Beat Goes On of the UK in 2014 - and they want your credit card to reappraise this beast on a beautifully newly remastered 2CD edition. And I for one am digging the Astral Plain and sonic Silver Doves man...

UK released September 2014 - 'U' by THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1164 (Barcode 5017261211644) is a 2CD set that splits the original UK vinyl double-album onto 2CDs (Side 1 & 2 on Disc 1, Sides 3 & 4 on Disc 2). It comes in BGO's now customary card slipcase with a well-annotated 24-Page booklet.

Disc 1 (53:58 minutes):

1. El Wool Suite

2. The Juggler's Song

3. Time 

4. Bad Sadie Lee

5. Queen Of Love

6. Partial Belated Overture

7. Light In Time Of Darkness/Glad To See You

8. Walking Along With You

9. (a) Hirem's Pawnitof (b) Fairie's Hornpipe

10. Bridge Theme

Disc 2 (53:07 minutes):

1. Bridge Song

2. Astral Plane Them

3. Invocation

4. Robot Blues

5. Puppet Song

6. Cutting The Strings

7. I Know You

8. Rainbow

Discs 1 and 2 are the double-album 'U' - released October 1970 in the UK on Elektra Records 2665 001 and January 1971 in the USA on Elektra 7E 2002. It peaked at No. 34 in the UK LP charts - didn't chart USA. 

Consisting of multi-instrumentalists ROBIN WILLIAMSON and MIKE HERON (Guitar, Mandolin, Sitar, Flute, Piano, Bass, Various English and European String Instruments and Vocals) - the band also had ROSE SIMPSON on Bass and LICORICE McKECHNIE on Duet Vocals and Guitar. Guest JANET SHANKMAN sang Lead Vocals on "Bad Sadie Lee" and played Harpsichord on "Queen Of Love", GREG HEAT gave a Voice Sitar to "Invocation" and PETER GRANT played Banjo On "Bad Sadie Lee".

The 24-page booklet features photos of their infamous stage show packed with puppets, theatre mime and mind-expanding visuals, lyrics, recording info and detailed liner notes by noted writer JOHN O'REGAN. But the big news is a lovely new remaster by ANDREW THOMPSON. Many of these tracks are essentially acoustic guitars, mandolins and high vocals - the remaster has hiss on some tracks but great clarity too.

It opens with the 8-minute instrumental "El Wool Suite" lulling you into a false of hippy security with its gorgeous Sitar vibes - but that's quickly kyboshed by the silly English Folk of "The Juggler's Song" - a Madrigal too far for most. "Time" has lovely acoustic and mandolin while "Bad Sadie Lee" is deliberately comical - Wild West Vaudeville where someone's about to say `varmit" any minute. The production quality on "Queen Of Love" is superb (if you can handle Williamson's discordant voice). Speaking of childlike lady voices - Licorice gives it some welly on the lovely Side 3 opener "Bridge Song". But like Yoko Ono's larynx voice - its a love it or loathe it situation. But to me "Bridge Song" has always had some gorgeous chord-changes - there's a beautiful tune in there somewhere trying desperately to get out.

The audio quality continues on "The Puppet Song" (warm and clear) - the same on the delicate "I Know You" - even if it's a tad hissy. It may go nowhere but the extraordinary Acoustic Guitar workout that is "Astral Plane Theme" has always sounded amazing to me. "Invocation" has hippy lyrics that would make witches blush (lyrics above) and yet is strangely cool too. And then the musical stage show ends on the epic near 16-minute "Rainbow" - a chop-and-change mix of Folk, Rock, Pop and Flute Baroque. It's self-indulgent for sure but those Vocal and Piano play offs at seven minutes have greatness and vision in them.

The Incredible String Band would go on to the altogether better "Liquid Acrobat As Regards The Air" album when they signed to Island in 1971. To sum up - the unwieldy and slightly fay 'U' won't be everyone's cup of Darjeeling for sure - but for others it's a "sweet song of love" from a more innocent time...

PS: see also my review for their undoubted masterpiece "Wee Tam & The Big Huge" - a double-album from 1968 reissued by BGO in 2015 on a new 2CD Remaster...

"Come Together/'Nuff Said" by IKE & TINA TURNER (2010 Beat Goes On CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

The Album "Come Together" was released in 1970

"…Too Much Woman For A Henpecked Man…" 

Between June 1969 and February 1973 - Ike & Tina Turner released 10 albums worth of material – a staggeringly prolific amount. But outside of R'n'B and Soul circles - barely anyone noticed. Finally - when "Nutbush City Limits" did give them a bona-fide worldwide smash in November 1973 - it cruelly turned out to be a virtual one-hit wonder. Tina then found the courage to leave that musical prison and famously abusive relationship in 1974 and blossomed into a global superstar who is revered to this day over 40 years later (with more than a little help from musical friends in the industry). 

Since those heady 1970's days of recording and touring slog – their 'funky-as-a-gnat's-tweeter' albums have all but disappeared – resolutely ignored really. Hopefully this superb release will change all that. There is so much on here to savour - and in brand new sparkling sound quality too. Here are the details…

Released August 2010 in the UK - Beat Goes On BGOCD 942 (Barcode 5017261209429) breaks down as follows (68:09 minutes):

1. It Ain’t Right (Lovin’ To Be Lovin’)

2. Too Much Woman (For A Henpecked Man)

3. Unlucky Creature 

4. Young And Dumb 

5. Honky Tonk Women 

6. Come Together 

7. Why Can’t We Be Happy 

8. Contact High 

9. Keep On Walkin’ (Don’t Look Back)

10. I Want To Take You Higher

11. Evil Man 

12. Doin’ It

Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Come Together", released May 1970 in the USA on Liberty LST-7637 and September 1970 in the UK on Liberty LBS 83350

13. I Love What You Do To Me

14. Baby (What You Want Me To Do) 

15. Sweet Flustrations

16. What You Don’t See (Is Better Yet)

17. ‘Nuff Said

18. Tell The Truth 

19. Pick Me Up (Take Me Where Your Home Is)

20. Moving Into Hip Style - A Trip Child

21. I Love You Baby 

22. Can’t You Hear Me Callin’ 

23. ‘Nuff Said (Part II)

Tracks 13 to 23 are the album "'Nuff Said", released November 1971 in the USA on United Artists UAS-5530 and March 1972 in the UK on United Artists UAG 29256

This CD comes in an outer card wrap that lends each of the Beat Goes On reissues a classy look and feel. The 12-page booklet has liner notes by DAVID WELLS and features black and white photos of the duo as well as a history of the two albums. But it’s the sound that impresses most. Remastered by ANDREW THOMPSON at Sound Mastering in London – the audio is really clear and full of detail. Each cut now has a power that gives the predominately funk tunes a real wallop as they exit your speakers. 

The first single off the "Come Together" album in the UK was the title track released on Liberty LBF 15303 in March 1970 – a fairly workmanlike cover of The Beatles "Abbey Road" opener. Far better - and featured on cool CD compilations in the last few years - was the B-side "Honky Tonk Women" – a cover of The Rolling Stones gem. 

In the hands of Ike’s guitar funk and Tina’s rasping vocals – it's a very cool dancefloor filler. There then followed a second single in June 1970 on Liberty LBF 15367 where both sides absolutely rocked. 

"I Want To Take You Higher" on the A is a funky cover of the Sly & The Family Stone tune from the 1969 "Stand!" LP. But even better is the drugs and abuse song on the flip - "Contact High" (written by Ike from experience) spares no punches about cocaine and its effect on people – caustically commenting on the sheer amount of narcotics involved in the music business at the time (lyrics above). The spoken words of the naughty "Doin' It" end the album on a high note – it would also become a B-side in November 1971 on United Artists. 

The "'Nuff Said" album relied a lot on brassy arrangements which gave the tunes an almost Blood, Sweat & Tears feel to them with Ike’s trademark choppy guitar licks holding up the rhythm section. One such example is the excellent "What You Don’t See (Is Better Yet)". The title track is a driving instrumental that sounds like a studio jam - Ike ripping through guitar flicks as the keyboards and brass punch in and out. "Tell The Truth" gets back to funky business - catchy as a rash in a Bangkok knocking shop - it's a highlight on here and is presented in pumping great sound too. "Part II" of the title track ends the record - bringing the rocking instrumental down to a slow grooving finish – very nice. 

To sum up - I’ve enjoyed these albums a lot. And while not all of the tracks are undiluted Soul/Funk genius, when Ike & Tina hit that groove – man were they good. Recommended like a gin-soaked Honky Tonk Woman…   

PS: 

Beat Goes On has also issued "Workin' Together" (1971) and "Let Me Touch Your Mind" (1974) on a single CD in August 2011

Raven of Australia reissued "Nutbush City Limits" (1973) and "Feel Good" (1972) on a single CD in 2006 

Blue Moon reissued "The Hunter" (1970) and "Outta Season" (1969) on a single CD also in 2006

PPS: This review and many others like it are part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Books Series. Click the link below to get the Soul, Funk and Fusion e-book on any Amazon site...

"Ball/Metamorphosis" by IRON BUTTERFLY (2015 Beat Goes On CD – Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

Contains the album "Metamorphosis" released in 1970

"...Stone Believer..." 

Always hard to categorize – IRON BUTTERFLY divide lovers of both the 60s and 70s – some saying they were a one-hit-album wonder (1968's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" which sold 4 millions copies on release and has amassed a further 16 million since) that never fully capitalised on that 2nd album lightning-in-a-bottle magic. But this clever and amazing-sounding 2015 Beat Goes On CD Reissue seems determined to reassess that – and in the case of the criminally forgotten "Metamorphosis" LP from 1970 – BGO wins the argument hands down. Let's get to the heavy but brightly coloured wings...

UK released July 2015 – "Ball/Metamorphosis" by IRON BUTTERFLY reissues their 3rd and 5th albums onto 1CD on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1193 (Barcode 5017261211934) and breaks down as follows (75:53 minutes):

1. In The Time Of Our Lives

2. Soul Experience

3. Lonely Boy

4. Real Fright

5. In The Crowds

6. It Must Be Love [Side 2]

7. Her Favorite Style

8. Filled With Fear

9. Belda-Beast

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 3rd album "Ball" – released February 1969 in the USA on Atco SD 33-280 and in the UK on Atlantic 228 011 (Stereo)

10. Free Flight

11. New Day

12. Shady Lady

13. Best Years Of Our Life

14. Slower Than Guns

15. Stone Believer

16. Soldier In Our Town

17. Easy Rider (Let The Wind Pay The Way)

18. Butterfly Bleu

Tracks 10 to 18 are their 5th album "Metamorphosis" credited to IRON BUTTERFLY with Pinera & Rhino. It was released August 1970 in the USA on Atco SD 33-339 and April 1971 in the UK on Atco 2401 003. The British LP reversed the playing order for both Sides – "Soldier In Our Town" to "Butterfly Bleu" made up the 3 tracks of Side 1 (16, 17 and 18 on this CD) - while "Free Flight" to "Stone Believer" made up the 5 tracks of Side 2 (10 to 15 on this CD).

The outer card slipcase lends the whole thing a classy feel while the 16-page booklet features liner notes by noted writer NEIL DANIELS including a history of the group and interviews with Panera about new plans for 2014 (a tour, a new album after 40 years). There are album credits, some publicity photos and black and white shots of the boys on "Born To Be Wild" motorbikes (no lyrics unfortunately). Licensed from WEA - the remasters have been handled in 2015 by ANDREW THOMPSON and are amazing – stunning clarity and power on both records – especially the mightier of the two "Metamorphosis".

The "Ball" LP hit the Stateside Top 5 in February of 1969 – going one notch higher than its sensational predecessor "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" which reached No. 4 in July 1968. Although primarily an album's band - Atco launched the catchy "Soul Experience" b/w "In The Crowds" as an American 45 in February 1969 on Atco 6647 but it managed only a 75 chart placing. It was followed in May 1969 with the album opener "In The Time Of Our Lives" b/w "It Must Be Love" on Atco 6676 and it faired worse – climbing to only 96. In fact when you listen to the decidedly un-commercial doom-laden riffage of "In The Time Of Our Lives" – it's amazing anyone thought it would make a viable single when the more chipper and frankly groovy "Real Fright" with its Funky Bass intro (like The Doors on Speed) would have been a wiser choice. "In The Crowds" has a King Crimson Prog opening before it quickly morphs into an upbeat Rock song (the audio remaster on this is superlative). The Side 2 opener "It Must be Love" has Ingles' voice similar to Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull - and combined with Erik Brann’s heavy guitar playing and Ingle’s ever-present keyboards – at times it sounds like Jethro Tull meets The Doors (in a good way). "Her Favorite Style" is probably the most dated tune on here sounding like a highly polished madrigal – better is the slightly out-there freakish rhythms in "Filled With Fear" while the floating keyboards of "Belda-Beast" is almost Pink Floyd. Overall the album is good rather than being great...

If "Ball" was good - "Metamorphosis" was a massive jump forward (even if it only charted at 16 instead of Ball’s higher placing at 3). It showed a real song-writing maturity and is so often overlooked (like much of their catalogue) for 1968’s chart slayer "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". It opens with the rather pointless 50-seconds of "Free Flight" - an instrumental noodle that promises something but never really delivers. But it segues into the Steppenwolf Boogie Rock of "New Day" where Iron Butterfly achieves a Funkiness that’s still cool to this day (amazing it wasn’t issued as a 45). The equally hooky "Shady Lady" did turn up as the B-side to the non-album 45 of "Silly Sally" (A-side) on Atco 6818 in February 1971 (sadly not included here). The remaster on both cuts is superb – Richard Podolor’s Production values shining through (he worked with Three Dog Night and Steppenwolf). “Best Years Of Our Lives” is probably the best Rock track on the album – great guitars and clever rhythms that defy categorization even now. It's followed by an unexpected moment of prettiness – the acoustic "Slower Than Guns" which features a gorgeous vocal and beautifully arranged 12-string guitars (it’s a properly accomplished track and evocative too). Both "Stone Believer" and especially "Soldier In Our Town" sound like Three Dog Night writing their own songs and winning (and again really great transfers). The single "Easy Rider (Let The Wind Pay The Way)" was a modest chart hit in October 1970 on Atco 6782 by scraping 66 on the American charts (the excellent "Soldier In Our Town" was its B-side) where the band sounded like a slide-guitar Steppenwolf paired up with the son of Grand Funk Railroad. The album ends on the epic guitar and keyboard sleaze of "Butterfly Bleu" which chugs its way into 14 minutes. Sounding a little Zeppelin I and II in places in its chord chops and changes (there's a trippy centrepiece) – the amazing guitar work of Mike Pinera and Larry "El Rhino" Reinhardt hold centre-stage throughout (voice box used to amazing affect) while an impressive vocal by Ingle anchors the whole thing (weird voices and all). It’s genuinely wicked stuff and is superbly clear on the remaster...even when that wild bit in the middle threatens to get out of hand...

I had fully intended to hate this reissue with a vengeance but I've been thoroughly won over (especially by "Metamorphosis" which I'll admit I haven't played in decades). But not so - there's shockingly good stuff on here - a far better listen than I remembered. And with that stunning Audio on 'both' albums - this Beat Goes On CD Reissue for IRON BUTTERFLY is a must have for fans the world over...

This Box Set is featured along with many others in my SOUNDS GOOD Music Books Series available to purchase/lend on all Amazon sites. Go to the following link... 

"Country Home/Ace Of Sunlight" by BRONCO (2010 Beat Goes On CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Turn Your Bumpers West..." 

Despite their stellar line-ups and quality songs - England's BRONCO came and went without too many people noticing. So it's nice to see this superb sounding remaster on BGO celebrate their short but illustrious career.

UK released October 2010 - Beat Goes On BGOCD 946 (Barcode 5017261209467) breaks down as follows (72:57 minutes):

1. Civil Of You Stranger

2. Love

3. Misfit On Your Stair

4. Bumpers West

5. Home

6. Well Anyhow

7. Tim (So Long Between)

Tracks 1 to 7 are their debut album "Country Home" released November 1970 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9124. The famous double-album label sampler compilation "Bumpers" on Island Records in late 1970 took its name partially from Track 4.

8. Amber Moon

9. Time Slips Away

10. Some Uncertainty

11. Woman

12. New Day Avenue

13. Discernable

14. Sudden Street

15. Joys And Fears

Tracks 8 to 15 are their 2nd LP "Ace Of Sunlight" released July 1971 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9161

The outer card-wrap pictures both albums while the 12-page booklet has excellent liner notes by MICHAEL HEATLEY that includes rare photos of the band, a history and interviews. The remaster is fabulous - great clear sound by ANDREW THOMPSON - lovely detail and power where it's needed - a top job done.

Sounding not unlike a more rocky version of Matthews Southern Comfort - the group featuring guitar hero and lead vocalist JESS RODEN, ROBBIE BLUNT and KEVYN GAMMOND on guitars (Blunt went on to be Robert Plant's principal sideman) with JOHN PASTERNAK on Bass and PETE RIOBINSON on Drums. Robinson was the original drummer with Band Of Joy way back in 1966 while Mick Ralphs (who joined the group for the 2nd LP) would of course became the main man on the sticks with BAD COMPANY.

In fact when you listen to the rambling and hard-riffing "Well Anyhow" it's hard not to hear those Free and Bad Company comparisons. But the songs were often softer than that - least not of all "Bumpers West" who lyrics titled that beloved 2LP sampler set "Bumpers" at the end of 1970 (lyrics from it title this review). Roden often wrote the softer songs like "Love" and "Home" while "Time (So Long Between)" which ends the 1st album is a neither here nor there hybrid of Rock and Folk.

So why didn't they click with the public? What's clearly missing is that killer single - that one song that would get them noticed. There was a moment perhaps when it might have happened in the fabulous builder "Time Slips Away" on Ace Of Sunlight" (written by Robbie Blunt). The track turned up on the "Meet On The Ledge - Island Folk/Rock" 3CD Box Set in 2009 and I've raved about it before (see separate review). With an edit maybe it might have gotten them radio play. The album opens with the lovely "Amber Moon" co-written by Roden with Suzy Worth while "Some Uncertainty", "Woman" and ""Discernible" all feature Clifford T. Ward in the song-writing credits. "New Day Avenue" is lovely too. The only real downer about this re-issue is that a very rare single "Lazy Now" b/w "A Matter Of Perspective" on Island WIP 6096 (issued in 1970) is not included - shame that. There is the very definite feeling of a band progressing leaps and bounds by the time they hit that 2nd album (they even supported Zeppelin at The Wembley Empire in 1971). With Roden departed, the others re-grouped and made one more album "Smoking Mixture" on Polydor in 1972 before finally disbanding.

There's a lot on here to like - and given this superlative sound quality - time to not let this rare one slip away...