"Better Days Are Coming: The A&M Years 1969-1971" by JIMMY CLIFF (2005 Hip-O Select 4CD Book Set Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry

“…Don’t You Get Downhearted…Don’t You Cry…”

Featuring his 1970 LP "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" by JIMMY CLIFF

Reggae superstar JIMMY CLIFF was released on A&M Records in the USA and Island Records in the UK - so this October 2005 4CD hardback book set by Hip-O Select of the USA on B0005362-02 (Barcode 602498322994) crosses over releases in ‘both’ countries and requires some detailed explanation because of it. Here's a breakdown of what’s what:

Disc 1 (36:47 minutes):

1. Time Will Tell 

2. Many Rivers To Cross

3. Viet Nam

4. Use What I Got 

5. Hard Road To Travel

6. Wonderful World, Beautiful People

7. Sufferin’ In The Land

8. Hello Sunshine

9. My Ancestors 

10. That’s The Way Life Goes

11. Come Into My Life

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" released in January 1970 on A&M Records SP-4251 in the USA

Track 12 is “Waterfall" - the non-album B-side of the 7" single "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" released in November 1969 on A&M AM 1146 in the USA 

Disc 2 (36:48 minutes):

1. Wild World 

2. The Song We Used To Sing

3. Aim And Ambition

4. Better Days Are Coming

5. Hey Mr. Yesterday

6. Be Aware

7. You Can Get It If You Really Want 

8. Pride And Passion

9. Honey Hush

10. Give And Take

11. Let Your Yeah Be Yeah

12. I’ve Got A Feeling (And I Can’t Stop)

Tracks 1 to 12 are an unreleased and untitled USA-only album compiled in Island's London studios by Bob Porter - it was slated for release in September 1970 and even allocated a USA A&M Records LP catalogue number - SP-4286

Disc 3 (40:30 minutes):

1. Take A Look At Yourself 

2. Please Tell Me Why

3. Rap

4. Opportunity Knocks Only Once

5. My Friend’s Wife

6. Another Cycle

7. Sitting In Limbo 

8. Oh, How I Miss You

9. Inside Out, Upside Down

10. Our Thing Is Over 

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Another Cycle" released in 1971 on Island ILPS 9159 in the UK only

Disc 4 (47:27 minutes):

1. Those Good Good Old Days

2. Sooner Or Later

3. When You’re Young

4. Struggling Man (Original Version)

5. Let’s Seize The Time

6. Goodbye Yesterday

7. The Bigger They Come The Harder They Fall

8. I Can’t Live Without You 

Tracks 1 to 8 are an unreleased and untitled USA-only album compiled in Island's London studios by John Burns - it was slated for release in December 1971 in the USA and was allocated an A&M LP catalogue number - SP-4334

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Going Back West

10. Struggling Man (Horn Version)

11. Can’t Stop Worrying, Can’t Stop Living You

12. Come On People 

Tracks 9 to 12 are 4 songs are from the "Struggling Man" album released in June 1974 on Island SW-9343 in the USA

His UK albums on Island Records either entirely or partially covered by this set are:

1. ”Hard Road To Travel" (1968 on Island ILP 962, Mono)

Tracks: Reward, Let's Dance, Can't Get Enough Of It, I've Got A Feeling (And I Can't Stop), All I Know About You, Give And Take, Pride And Passion, Searchin' For My Baby, Hard Road To Travel, A Whiter Shade Of Pale, Call On Me, Aim And Ambition 

 (Unfortunately tracks 1, 2, 3 and 5, 8, 10 are not on this set, but you can sequence the remaining 6 using tracks 12, 10 and 8 on Disc 2, 5 on Disc 1 and 3 on Disc 2)

2. ”Another Cycle" (1971 on Island ILPS 9159) (as per Disc 3 on this set)

3. ”The Harder They Come O.S.T." (1972 on Island ILPS 9202 - track list is identical to the USA version - available separately as a 2CD DELUXE EDITION)

4. ”Struggling Man" (1973 on Island ILPS 9235 - identical track list to the USA version)

Tracks: Struggling Man, When You Are Young, Better Days Are Coming, Sooner Or later, Those Good Good Old Days, Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving You, Let's Seize The Time, Come On People, I Can't Live Without You, Going Back West

(Sequence is tracks 4 and 3 from disc 4, 4 from disc 3 - and 2, 1, 11, 5, 12, 8 and 9 from disc 4)

The packaging is exceptional - a long hardback book with embossed sleeve in what feels like recycled card and paper, pictured and themed CDs, superb US and UK discographies, detailed liner notes - it's beautiful to hold and look at. But the real goods as ever lie in the sound...

GAVIN LURSSEN has remastered the original master tapes at the Mastering Lab and the sound/audio is gorgeous. One of the complaints about reggae CD reissues is that they always sound muffled and compressed compared to the whack of their original vinyl counterparts - and as a lover of old records - that's actually true. One of the reasons for this is that some small independent reggae labels had to reuse tapes for economy, so the originals don't exist - and their reissues use a copy of a copy. But this is A&M/Island Records - so the tapes are still in tact and as evidenced here - in tip-top shape. Lurssen has restored life into these songs and brought out the lovely musicianship on them, excessive hiss levels are kept to a minimum without loss of feel and track after track is a joy to listen to. The clarity of the bass, piano, drums and backing vocals on "Please Tell Me Why" is just one of many examples - an absolute revelation. 

The downside is of course is the ludicrously short playing times of each disc - and the omissions. Hip-O could easily have been doubled up on each CD and the tally of 46 tracks increased to include all of the "Goodbye Yesterday - The Legendary Lost Album" CD of only 9 tracks which you have to buy separately - and included the 6 missing tracks from the "Hard Road To Travel" UK LP. And then there's the 2CD Hip-O Select DELUXE EDITION of "The Harder They Come" which you also need to get a complete picture of Jimmy Cliff at that time (another CD gem too). A musical upside worth noting however is that there are many tracks on this set that cross over into Sixties and Seventies soul - "I've Got A Feeling (And I Can't Stop)" could easily pass as a 1968 Motown dancer - punchy and brill - while "Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving You" could easily have been an Al Green hit in 1972. Cool!

To sum up - sure it's expensive and it could have been sequenced to feature more of what we want - but "Better Days Are Coming" is still a peach - a thing of beauty to behold and more importantly to listen too. Frankly - cross as many rivers as you can to get this set into your life…

“Have Mercy – His Complete Chess Recordings 1969 To 1974” by CHUCK BERRY. A Review of the 2010 Hip-O Select 4CD Box set.

"…She Worked Night And Day To Keep Us Six Kids Alive…"

"Have Mercy..." is the 3rd and final volume of Chuck Berry's Chess recordings. Released in the USA via their website in January 2010 (general release March 2010), Hip-O Select/Geffen B0013790-02 houses 71 tracks across 4CDs, 23 of which are previously unreleased (plus one further track which is previously unreleased in the USA - Track 4, Disc 3). Its packaging consists of a slightly oversized 4-way foldout digipak that is itself tied with a string on a lapel on the front - aping the layout of the two preceding sets (see PS below). It's a non-numbered worldwide limited edition of 6000 copies and Discs 1 to 4 run to 69:23, 71:37, 69:45 and 65:10 minutes respectively.

FRED ROTHWELL and ANDY McKAIE have compiled the set with Rothwell handling the 24-page booklet (he is author of the book “Long Distance Information – Chuck Berry’s Recorded Legacy”). Pictured beneath the see-through trays and on the final flap are the following 5 albums from that period…

1. “Back Home” (November 1970 on Chess LPS-1550 in the USA, February 1972 on Chess 6310 113 in the UK)
2. “San Francisco Dues” (September 1971 on Chess CH-50008 in the USA, March 1972 on Chess 6310 115 in the UK)
3. “The London Chuck Berry Sessions” (June 1972 on Chess CH-60020 in the USA, July 1972 on Chess 6310 122 in the UK)
4. “Chuck Berry/Bio” [aka “Bio”] (September 1973 on Chess CH-50043 in the USA, October 1973 on Chess 6499 650 in the UK)
5. “Chuck Berry” [released as “Chuck Berry ‘75” in the UK] (February 1975 on Chess CH-60032 in the USA, March 1975 on Chess 9109 101 in the UK)

The three volumes of “Golden Decade” doubles are not referenced at all in the booklet neither is the “St. Louis To Frisco To Memphis” album from 1972 with The Steve Miller Band live on one side because that was released through Mercury Records. The studio side of “The London Chuck Berry Sessions” (Side 1) features Derek Griffiths of The Artwoods and Dog Soldier on Guitar, Rick Grech of Traffic and Family on Bass with Ian McLagan and Kenny Jones of the Faces on Piano and Drums respectively. Side 2 of that album was recorded live in Coventry in England and features the Average White Band as Berry’s backing group. Elliott Randall of Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ In The Years” guitar-solo fame plays Pedal Steel guitar on “I’m Just A Name” and “Too Late” on Disc 4, while Jazz Fusion favourite and multi-instrumentalist Phil Upchurch plays Bass on Tracks 1 to 8 on Disc 1.
A rarity for US collectors is the UK-only 7” single live version of “South Of The Border” (Chess 6145 027), which features Jimmy Campbell of Vertigo Spiral Label fame on Guitar (its the previously unreleased in the USA track).

The A & B sides of the US 7” single Chess 2090 (“Tulane” and “Have Mercy Judge”) start things off strongly on Disc 1 and you immediately hear the quality song-writing and the cool sound upgrade. The 1st-generation master tapes have been remastered by ace-engineer ERICK LABSON (has over 850 credits to his name including the majority of the Chess catalogue) and his work here is again exemplary – the sound is great. There’s hiss on a few tunes for sure and the unreleased live stuff is untreated so it sounds very rough – but there’s a fab little instrumental called “Woodpecker” tucked away on Side 2 of “Bio” that I’ve been trying to get a good CD copy of for years – and here it is at last – and (if you’ll forgive the pun) it’s ring, ringing like a bell. So too when the British band back up Berry on the T-Bone Walker cover of “Mean Old World” (off “The London Chuck Berry Sessions”) – you can really feel and hear that as well – thrilling stuff.

More than a few of the 23 previously unreleased tracks are shockingly good – “Untitled Instrumental” features the fab piano playing of Ellis “Lafayette” Leake with great harmonica fills from Robert Baldori, while the 9-minute instrumental “Turn On The Houselights” sees Chuck play a blinding lead guitar. It’s not all good of course - from the “Chuck Berry” LP sessions in 1975 (all of Disc 4) both outtakes “Jambalaya” and “The Song Of My Love” are truly awful, while the abomination that is “My Ding A Ling” on Disc 3 is on here in its full album length version of eleven minutes and the 7” single edit too and even has an added previously unreleased studio version. But it is to this day quite possibly the worst song ever made – and cringing to listen to (I dare say his bank balance rather enjoyed it though). But overall – the outtakes are excellent – and along with the largely unheard remastered album tracks – it all makes for a rather spiffing listen.

Niggles and speculation – like the other two sets, the packaging is ok rather than great and had Bear Family of Germany gotten their hands on this project, we would have had a 9 disc box (instead of 12) with a 180-page 12” x 12” hardback book for about the same cost – and it would have been complete with visuals that would have taken 2 years to compile rather than two days to dash off. A fantasy reissue I know, but worth making the comparison…

Having said that - as it stands “Have Mercy” is far better than I thought it would be – his Rock’n’ Roll mojo and lyrical brilliance still intact in the Seventies (the 6-minute poem “My Pad” is deep and prophetic as are the lyrics from “Bio” which titles this review). And if you were to make up a single disc representing the best of what’s on this mini box set – then I guarantee you’d shock certain people as to how good it is.

So there you have it - fabulous in places, a let down in others – 2010’s “Have Mercy” does at least see Chuck Berry’s Seventies’ legacy be given some proper respect at last.

Recommended.

PS: His initial output for the famous label was released in 2008 as "Johnny B. Goode - The Complete 50's Recordings" - then followed in 2009 by the 2nd set - “You Never Can Tell – The Complete Chess Recordings 1960 to 1966” (see separate review for “Tell”).

PPS: see also the tag “Erick Labson Remasters” for a list of goodies remastered by him

“The Emitt Rhodes Recordings (1969 – 1973)” by EMITT RHODES. A REVIEW of the USA 2009 Hip-O Select 2CD Set Now Given a 2010 UK Release.

"I Was Dying Inside...I Was Hoping You'd Come Along..."

In truth, there was a time when you couldn't give away Emitt Rhodes albums here in the UK, but something of a rediscovery of his music has taken place in the last two decades that has brought his LPs out of the bargain bins and into the eBay lists.

Hailing from Hawthorne (a suburb in Los Angeles), Rhodes first came to prominence with the US sixties group "The Merry-Go-Round" who made one album for A&M in 1967, their self-titled debut "The Merry-Go-Round". Around the album they issued a wad of singles, but neither bothered the charts. These releases are quite sought after now. And prior to this rather lovely reissue, the only half decent set of his music on CD was a rare 1998 compilation from Edsel of the UK called "Daisy-Fresh". Well not anymore...

Released initially in the USA in May 2009 as a 2CD set, Hip-O Select B0012926-02 is a worldwide limited edition of 5000 which contains 4 full albums and one rare non-album 7" single. It breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (66:13 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 13 are the album "The American Dream" recorded in 1969 but released after his debut album (14 to 25 below) in April 1971 in the USA on A&M SP-4254 and on A&M AMLS 64254 in the UK
Tracks 14 to 25 are the album "Emitt Rhodes" first issued December 1970 in the USA on ABC/Dunhill DS 50089 and then on Probe Records SPBA 6256 in the UK in February 1971

Disc 2 (70:06 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Mirror" issued on ABC/Dunhill DSX 50111 in the USA in November 1971 and on Probe Records SPBA 6262 in the UK in December 1971
Tracks 11 to 22 are the album "Farewell To Paradise" issued September 1972 on Probe Records SPBA 6266 in the UK and on ABC/Dunhill DSX 50122 in the USA.

Track 23 is "Tame The Lion", a non-album A-side. In the UK it was on Probe Records PRO 565 and in the USA on A&M 4315, both issued in 1972. "Golden Child Of God" - an album track off "Mirror" - is its B-side in both countries.

The 3-way fold out card digipak houses a 16-page booklet with an appreciation of the man and his music by SCOTT SCHNIDER. There's also a pictorial album-by-album breakdown with relevant production and instrument credits. It's remastered by PETE DOELL at Universal Mastering and sounds fantastic - and given that most of these tracks are self-recorded by Rhodes himself - it's amazing how good they sound. Equally impressive is his musicianship on every track - so proficient, so talented.

Vocally Rhodes is a cross between Nilsson on "Nilsson Schmilsson", Todd Rundgren on "Something/Anything?" and Ron Mael of Sparks on "Kimono My House". But there is also the Beach Boys and Dennis Wilson vibe too. With all these cool influences bounding around, his songs and their arrangements have aroused a lot of interest in those who like their Seventies tunes melodic and layered. His first album is probably his most popular and fans will be glad to see it represented here in its entirety. Also - and impressively - most of the songs on here are entirely written, played, arranged and produced by Emitt Rhodes (how every Prince).

Another nice touch is that the 1st issue of "The American Dream" album had the track "Saturday Night" on it - which was replaced with "You're A Very Lovely Woman" when it was reissued later in a different sleeve - Hip-O has included both tracks so you can sequence either version.

While I like his debut - for me his song writing improved immeasurably on "Mirror". I especially love "Better Side Of Life" and "Really Wanted You" (lyrics above) - very Dennis Wilson - and in a really good way.

To sum up - and as other reviewers have pointed out - this is a superb reissue and luckily for us it's been given a January 2010 UK release for just under twelve quid (rare for Hip-O sets).

It's not all fab of course, but when he was good - he was sit-up-and-take-notice good. Recommended.