"Twelve Dreams Of. Dr. Sardonicus" by SPIRIT (1996 and 2009 Epic/Legacy 'Expanded Edition' CD - Vic Anesini Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Turns Me On Man..." 

Sometimes you wonder why a genuine masterpiece album isn't raved about from on high? Overlooked, passed by and forgotten - and it shouldn’t be...

In June 2016 - Los Angeles band SPIRIT are making the news for their alleged plagiarism court case with Led Zeppelin over the opening acoustic guitar refrain for "Stairway To Heaven" which Spirit survivors feel the Zepsters lifted from their song "Taurus" off their June 1968 self-titled album - "Spirit". Personally I'd rather have punters focus on the good Doctor Sardonicus - their sophisticated 3rd platter from late 1970. So here are the dreamlike details...

UK released November 1996 (reissued October 2009) - "Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus" by SPIRIT on Epic/Legacy 485173 2 (Barcode 5099748517326) features the 12-track 1970 album Remastered onto CD with Four Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (54:20 minutes):

1. Prelude - Nothin' To Hide
2. Nature's Way
3. Animal Zoo
4. Love Has Found A Way
5. Why Can't I Be Free
6. Mr. Skin
7. Space Child [Side 2]
8. When I Touch You
9. Street Worm
10. Life Has Just Begun
11. Morning Will Come
12. Soldier
Tracks 1 to 12 are their 3rd studio album "Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus" - released November 1970 in the USA on Epic E 30267 and February 1971 in the UK on Epic S EPC 64191. Produced by DAVID BRIGGS - the album peaked at No. 63 on the USA Pop LP charts (didn't chart in the UK).

Tracks 1, 2, 5, 10, 11 and 12 written by RANDY CALIFORNIA (Lead Guitars & Vocals) - Tracks 3, 6, 8 and 9 written by JAY FERGUSON (Lead Vocals & Percussion) - Track 7 written by JOHN LOCKE (Keyboards) - Track 4 co-written between JAY FERGUSON and JOHN LOCKE. The other band members were MARK ANDES on Bass and Vocals with ED CASSIDY on Drums and Percussion.

BONUS TRACKS:
13. Rougher Road - Previously Unreleased, Recorded 1970, Randy California song
14. Animal Zoo (Mono Single Mix) - July 1970 USA 7" single on Epic 5-10648, A-side
15. Morning Will Come - Previously Unreleased, Recorded 1970, Randy California song
16. Red Light Roll On - July 1970 USA 7" single on Epic 5-10648, Non-Album B-side to "Animal Zoo"
NOTES: Tracks 1 to 12 are STEREO - Tracks 13 to 16 in MONO

The 12-page booklet features new liner notes by Randy California that gives a track-by-track description of the song and its creation - there are several black and white promo photos of the group - Biogs on each original member of the band (the five listed above) - discussion of the famous 'distorted faces' artwork/photograph and the usual reissue credits with the whole effort dedicated to the original LP producer DAVID BRIGGS who did so much to get the sounds they wanted on different tracks. Produced for CD by BOB IRWIN - VIC ANESINI carried out the Remaster at Sony Studios in New York. He's a name I've sung the praises of before. Anesini has handled very prestigious SONY catalogue – Elvis Presley, Simon & Garfunkel, The Byrds, Nilsson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carole King, Janis Joplin, Laura Nyro, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Santana, Paul Simon, Mountain and The Jayhawks to name but a few. I seek out his work because it’s the best to my ears. His work here is fabulous. I had the 1990 Mobile Fidelity CD for years and audio-wise they're as good as each other with the Epic/Legacy issue being a helluva lot cheaper and easier to acquire. Let's get to the Californian music...

"Prelude - Nothin' To Hide" is a wickedly good opener showcasing the Bluesy slide guitar of Randy California arising out of an Acoustic beginning. Its 3:43 minutes is full of clever chords, vocal layering and that unexpected slide break (funky) - it's lyrics about being "married to the same bride" sounding racy without knowing why. The acoustic balladry of "Nature's Way" comes as a melodic calmer after all the preceding speaker-to-speaker riffage. "Nature's Way" is a short but gorgeous song and one I return to again and again. It's followed by the album's lead off single "Animal Zoo" - the 7" Mono Single Mix of which is a Bonus Track. You can hear why Epic picked it's upbeat rhythms as an album taster - that hooky beat, the Bass break and Keyboard interlude making it more musically interesting that most anything else on the scene at the time. And as they sing "...much too fat...and a little too long..." during the sound-effect fade out in their best Todd Rundgren mad hatter voices - it had a 'Spirit' sound.

"Love Has Found A Way" floats in with speeded up guitar sounds floating over clever melodic vocal lines - sort of Frank Zappa with a melody at its vibe core. The one-minute and acoustic "Why Can't I Be Free" feels like a beautiful plea for peace of mind as it swirls around in a haze of marijuana. But then we get Side 1's other masterpiece - the brill "Mr. Skin" - it's fantastic choppy beat benefitting from Brass Arrangements done by David Blumberg. Epic in Britain gave it a belated 7" single release in February 1973 with "Nature's Way" on the B-side (Epic S EPC 7082).

Side 2 opens with probably my fave instrumental by them – the trippy brilliance of “Space Child” – a piano floater with superb sound scapes and ideas. I don’t know if anyone else has noticed this but my Mobile Fidelity CD played the track to 3:44 minutes while it’s always been 3:25 minutes on this Epic CD? We then get wickedly good speaker-to-speaker guitar in the driving "When I Touch You" - a Jay Ferguson song that already has Jo Jo Gunne in it - the band he would form after Spirit with Mark Andes and his brother Matthew. "Street Worm" could easily be "Stand Up" or "Benefit" Jethro Tull - a very catchy Guitar/Piano duo back up Ferguson's wailing about 'not making any deal' with the man. Things go seriously melodic with the beautifully produced "Life Has Just Begun" - an acoustic builder where all their voices are featured to great effect (wonderful remaster). The album goes into its only Rock 'n' Roll boogie in the shape of "Morning Will Come" (lyrics from it title this review) cleverly offset by the faded-in Elton John-type piano of "Soldier" - a serious song giving huge power by the pipe organ Producer David Briggs recorded for the finisher. It rounds off an album that just grows and grows with each listen...

I had expected the Bonus Tracks to be throwaway - but if anything the Previously Unreleased Byrds-sounding "Rougher Road" is a bit of a gem. The single mix of "Animal Zoo" has a visceral punch in Mono - not so sure about the Alternate Mono Mix of "Morning Will Come" which I think loses its power compared to the finished Stereo LP cut. The 'tapes rolling - this is Take No. 1' dialogue at the beginning of the non-album B-side "Red Light Roll On" only adds to its excellence (shame there appears to be no Stereo variant of this wicked groover).

Mid 2016 and there's a variant of SPIRIT is still kicking around today - but many will cast their hearts back 46 years to this period album - "Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus". 

Strange, melodic, rocking, trippy, socially contemporary and so much more - the sum of all its crazy and disparate parts working together as a one very cool and cohesive whole. 

As we used to say in the schoolyard when we were being terminally hip - I dig it 'man'...

"The RCA Albums Collection" by NILSSON (2013 RCA/Legacy 17CD Box Set - Vic Anesini Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Echoes Of My Mind…." 

This Box Set contains the album "Nilsson Sings Newman" issued in 1970

Wow! 17CDs containing 14 full albums (Mono and Stereo variants of the first two LPs on CD for the first time), a whopping 66 Previously Unreleased Tracks, an equal amount of other Rarities from now deleted LP and CD compilations, Foreign Language Versions, Exclusive Single Mixes, Radio Spots and a 1968 Live BBC Recordings Session - and all of it remastered to gorgeous new clarity by Tape Supremo VIC ANESINI (Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, Elvis Presley, Paul Simon, Jayhawks, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carole King, Janis Joplin etc). There isn’t even enough room to picture all the content on the back cover of the small clamshell box!

You could in truth argue that NILSSON doesn’t actually warrant this kind of lavish treatment – but after ‘hearing’ and seeing this gorgeous little box set – you’ll be rooting for Brooklyn’s Harry Edward instead of poo-pooing his later (and admittedly) patchy output. There’s so much to love and enjoy on here…there really is…

In order to give an idea of the level of thought that’s gone into this all encompassing Retrospective – the first two albums “Pandemonium Shadow Show” and “Aerial Ballet” were issued in both Mono and Stereo and RCA Legacy have included ‘both’ on Discs 1 and 2. But looking at the liner notes carefully you notice that the first slew of RCA singles are listed under the ‘Mono’ entry for each album and ‘not’ the Stereo - because that’s how they were released back in the day – in Mono. Nice touch. In order to do this fab box set proper justice – I’ve provided a full discography. So let’s get to the (many) Nilsson Schmilsson details…

Released July 2013 – “The RCA Albums Collection” on RCA/Legacy 88697915502 (Barcode 886979155022) is a 17CD Box Set and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 – “Pandemonium Shadow Show” – 66:33 minutes:

1. Ten Little Indians

2. 1941

3. Cuddly Toy

4. She Sang Hymns Out Of Tune

5. You Can’t Do That

6. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend

7. She’s Leaving Home [Side 2]

8. There Will Never Be

9. Without Her

10. Freckles

11. It’s Been So Long

12. River Deep - Mountain High

Tracks 1 to 12 are the STEREO version of his debut album - released October 1967 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-3874 and March 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 7928.

Tracks 13 to 24 are the MONO version – released October 1967 in the USA on RCA Victor LPM-3874 and March 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor RD 7928

Disc 2 – “Aerial Ballet” – 59:33 minutes:

1. Daddy’s Song

2. Good Old Desk

3. Don’t Leave Me

4. Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song

5. Little Cowboy (1:23 minutes)

6. Together

7. Everybody’s Talkin’ [Side 2]

8. I Said Goodbye To Me

9. Little Cowboy (00:51 minutes)

10. Mr. Tinker

11. One

12. The Wailing Of The Willow

13. Bath

Tracks 1 to 13 are the STEREO version of his 2nd album - released June 1968 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-3956 and August 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 7973

Tracks 14 to 26 are the MONO version – released July 1968 in the USA on RCA Victor LPM-3956 and August 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor RD 7973

Track 27 is a Bonus – “Aerial Ballet Radio Spot” from July 1968 and is Previously Unreleased

Disc 3 – “Harry” – 49:55 minutes:

1. The Puppy Song

2. Nobody Cares About The Railroads Anymore

3. Open Your Window

4. Mother Nature’s Son

5. Fairfax Rag

6. City Life

7. Mournin’ Glory Story [Side 2]

8. Maybe

9. Marchin’ Down Broadway

10. I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City

11. Rainmaker

12. Mr. Bojangles

13. Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear

Tracks 1 to 13 are his 3rd album (in Stereo)– released July 1969 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4197 and September 1969 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8046

BONUS TRACKS:

14. I Will Take You There (Single Mix) – (16 and 14 are the A&B-sides of a USA-only 7” single on RCA Victor 47-9675)

15. Waiting (From the Motion Picture “Jenny”, also a March 1970 USA 7” single on RCA Victor 74-0310, B-side of “I’ll Be Home”)

16. Rainmaker (Single Mix) – see 14

17. Mournin’ Glory Story (Single Mix) (credited as “Mourning Glory”, a November 1968 UK 7” single on RCA Victor RCA 1765, Previously Unreleased on CD)

18. Garbage Can Alley (Alternate Version) – Recorded July 1968, Previously Unreleased

19. Harry Radio Spot – Recorded 1969, Previously Unreleased

20. Voice Of Vista Radio Spots – Recorded June 1969, Previously Unreleased

Disc 4 – “Nilsson Sings Newman” – 60:23 minutes:

1. Vine St.

2. Love Story

3. Yellow Man

4. Caroline

5. Cowboy

6. The Beehive State [Side 2]

7. I’ll Be Home

8. Living Without You

9. Dayton, Ohio 1903

10. So Long Dad

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 4th album – released March 1970 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4289 and in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8166

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Snow

12. Love Story (Alternate Version)

13. Cowboy (Alternate Version)

14. I’ll Be Home (Alternate Version)

15. Living Without You (Alternate Version)

Tracks 11 to 15 first issued on “Nilsson Sings Newman” CD reissue on Buddah 74465 99703 2 in 2000)

Disc 5 – “The Point!” (Animated TV/Film Soundtrack) – 43:25 minutes:

1. Everything’s Got ‘Em

2. The Town

3. Me And My Arrow

4. The Game

5. Poli High

6. The Trial And Banishment

7. Think About Your Troubles

8. The Pointed man (Narration) [Side 2]

9. Life Line

10. The Birds (Narration)

11. P.O.V. Waltz

12. The Clearing In The Woods (Narration)

13. Are You Sleeping

14. Oblio’s Return (Narration)

Tracks 1 to 14 are his 5th album – released January 1971 in the USA on RCA Victor LSPX-1003 and April 1971 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8166

BONUS TRACKS:

15. Think About Your Troubles (Alternate Version)

16. Life Line (Alternate Version)

17. Down To The Valley (Alternate Mix)

18. I’ll Never Leave You

19. The Point! Travel Brochure Radio Spot With Bill Martin – recorded March 1971, Previously Unreleased

Tracks 15 to 18 first appeared on “The Point!” CD reissue on BMH Heritage in 2002

Disc 6 – “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” – 54:23 minutes:

1. Introduction

2. 1941

3. Daddy’s Song

4. Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song

5. Good Old desk

6. Everybody’s Talkin’

7. Bath

8. River Deep – Mountain High [Side 2]

9. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend

10. Don’t Leave Me

11. Without Her

12. Together

13. One

14. Closing

Tracks 1 to 14 are his 6th album (remixes/new versions of tracks from the first two albums) – released June 1971 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4543 and in the UK on RCA SF 8326

BONUS TRACKS:

15. You Can’t Do That (Remix) - first issued on the expanded CD “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” on Buddah Records in 2000

16. It’s Been So Long (Italian Version) – Previously Unreleased

17. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend (Italian Version) - Previously Unreleased

18. Without Her (Italian Version) - Previously Unreleased

19. Cuddly Toy (Italian Version) (on Italian EP RCA Italiana 45UP 62)

20. You Can’t Do That (Italian Version) - Previously Unreleased

21. BBC Saturday Club Introduction by Brian Matthew - Previously Unreleased

22. 1941 (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

23. Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

24. Nilsson Talks With Brian Matthews (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

25. Together (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club - Previously Unreleased)

26. Good Old Desk (recorded live 5 Nov 1968 on BBC’s Saturday Club

27. Aerial Pandemonium Ballet Radio Spot (recorded July 1971, Previously Unreleased)

Disc 7 – “Nilsson Schmilsson” – 54:45 minutes:

1. Gotta Get Up

2. Driving Along

3. Early In The Morning

4. The Moonbeam Song

5. Down

6. Without You [Side 2]

7. Coconut

8. Let The Good Times Roll

9. Jump Into The Fire

10. I’ll Never Leave You

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 7th album – released November 1971 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4515 and January 1972 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8242

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Si No Estas Tu (Spanish Version of “Without You”) – 1971 Spanish 7” single on RCA Victor 3-10693

12. How can I Be Sure Of You

13. The Moonbeam Song (Demo)

14. Lamaze

15. Old Forgotten Soldier (Demo)

16. Gotta Get Up (Alternate Version)

17. Nilsson Schmilsson Radio Spots

Tracks 12 to 17 first issued on the “Nilsson Schmilsson” BMG Heritage CD Reissue in 2004

Disc 8 – “Son Of Schmilsson” – 57:32 minutes:

1. Take 54

2. Remember (Christmas)

3. Joy

4. Turn On Your Radio

5. You’re Breakin’ My Heart

6. Spaceman [Side 2]

7. The Lottery Song

8. At My Front Door

9. Ambush

10. I’d Rather Be Dead

11. The Most Beautiful World In The World

Tracks 1 to 11 are his 8th album – released July 1972 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4717 and in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8297

BONUS TRACKS:

12. What’s Your Sign?

13. Take 54 (Alternate)

14. Campo De Encino

15. Daybreak (Single Version) – April 1974 USA 7” single on RCA Victor APBO-0246, A-side)

16. It Had To Be You/I’d Rather Be Dead

17. Son Of Schmilsson Radio Spot – Previously Unreleased

Tracks 12, 13, 14 and 16 first issued on the “Son Of Schmilsson” RCA Legacy CD reissue in 2006

Disc 9 – “A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night” – 54:29 minutes:

1. Lazy Moon

2. For Me And My Gal

3. It Had To Be You

4. Always

5. Makin’ Whoopee!

6. You Made Me Love You

7. Lullaby In Ragtime [Side 2]

8. I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now

9. What’ll I Do

10. Nevertheless (I’m In Love With You)

11. This Is All I Ask

12. As Time Goes By

Tracks 1 to 12 are his 9th album – released June 1973 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0097 and July 1973 in the UK on RCA Victor SF 8371

BONUS TRACKS:

13. I’m Always Chasing Rainbows

14. Make Believe

15. Trust In Me

16. It’s Only A Paper Moon

17. Thanks For The Memory

18. Over The Rainbow

Tracks 13 to 18 first issued on the outtakes LP “A Touch More Schmilsson In The Night” on RCA in 1988

Disc 10 – “Pussy Cats” (with JOHN LENNON) – 62:42 minutes:

1. Many Rivers To Cross

2. Subterranean Homesick Blues

3. Don’t Forget Me

4. All My Life

5. Old Forgotten Soldier

6. Save The Last Dance For Me [Side 2]

7. Munch Mungo/Mt. Elga

8. Loop De Loop

9. Black Sails

10. Rock Around The Clock

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 11th album co-credited to NILSSON and JOHN LENNON – released August 1974 in the USA on RCA Victor CPL1-0570 and September 1974 in the UK on the same catalogue number. Note the album that preceded this was a compilation set called “Son Of Dracula” and was on Rapple Records – part of the Beatles Apple label – and isn’t included in this set

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Down By The Sea

12. The Flying Saucer Song

13. Turn Out The Light

14. Save The Last Dance For Me (Alternate) – tracks 11 to 14 first issued on “Pussy Cats” CD on Buddah Records in 1999

15. Don’t Forget Me (Demo – Previously Unreleased

16. Black Sails (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

17. Pussy Cats Radio Spots with Eddie Lawrence – Previously Unreleased

Disc 11 – “Duit On Mon Dei” – 36:39 minutes:

1. Jesus Christ You’re Tall

2. It’s A Jungle Out There

3. Down By The Sea

4. Kojak Columbo

5. Easier For Me

6. Turn Out The Light

7. Salmon Falls [Side 2]

8. Puget Sound

9. What’s Your Sign?

10. Home

11. Good For God

Tracks 1 to 11 are his 12th album – released March 1975 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-0817 and in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1008

BONUS TRACK:

12. Goin’ Down (Alternate) – Previously Unreleased

Disc 12 – “Sandman” – 39:47 minutes:

1. I’ll Take A Tango

2. Something True

3. Pretty Soon There’ll Be Nothing Left For Everybody

4. The Ivy Covered Walls

5. Here’s Why I Did Not Go To Work Today

6. The Flying Saucer Song [Side 2]

7. How To Write A Song

8. Jesus Christ You’re Tall

9. Will She Miss Me?

Tracks 1 to 9 are his 13th album – released January 1976 in the USA on RCA Victor APL1-1031; Tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 arranged by THE BAND

BONUS TRACK:

10. A Tree Out In The Yard (Central Park) – Previously Unreleased

Disc 13 – “…That’s The Way It Is” – 33:41 minutes:

1. That is All

2. Just One Look/Baby I’m Yours

3. Moonshine Bandit

4. I Need You

5. A Thousand Miles Away

6. Sail Away [Side 2]

7. She Sits Down On Me

8. Daylight Has Caught Me

9. Zombie Jamboree (Back To Back)

10. That Is All

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 14th album – released July 1976 on RCA Victor APL1-1119 and in the UK on RCA Victor RS 1062

BONUS TRACK:

11. …That’s The Way It Is Radio Spot – Recorded 197, Previously Unreleased

Disc 14 – “Knnillssonn” – 60:03 minutes:

1. All I Think About Is You

2. I Never Thought I’d Get This Lonely

3. Who Done It?

4. Lean On Me

5. Goin’ Down

6. Old Bones [Side 2]

7. Sweet Surrender

8. Blanket For A Sail

9. Laughin’ Man

10. Perfect Day

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 15th album – released July 1977 in the USA on RCA Victor AFL1-2276 and in the UK on RCA PL 12276

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Ain’t It Kinda Wonderful (first issued on “The World’s Greatest Love – Original Soundtrack” LP in 1978 on RCA Red Seal ABL1-2709)

12. Sweet Lorraine (with DR. JOHN, Previously Unreleased)

13. Shuffle Off The Buffalo – Previously Unreleased

14. Ballin’ The Jack (with DR. JOHN, Previously Unreleased)

15. All I Think About Is You (Demo) – Previously Unreleased

16. Knnillssonn Radio Spot – Previously Unreleased

Disc 15 – “Nilsson Sessions 1967-1968” – 45:50 minutes:

1. 1941 (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

2. World (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

3. Signs (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

4. Cuddly Toy (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

5. This Could Be The Might (Demo – first issued on “Perfect Day” Promo CD compilation in 2006)

6. As I Wander Lonely (first issued on “Personal Best” CD anthology in 1995)

7. The Family – Previously Unreleased

8. Miss Butter’s Lament (as per 6)

9. Mr. Tinker (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

10. Leggenda (1968 Italian RCA single on N 1658)

11. Sister Marie (Previously Unreleased Stereo Mix)

12. She Wandered Through The Garden Fence – Previously Unreleased

13. One (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

14. I Said Goodbye To Me (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

15. Searchin’ (Lieber/Stoller cover – Previously Unreleased)

16. She’s Just Laughing At Me – Previously Unreleased

17. Together (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

18. Bath (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

Disc 16 – “Nilsson Sessions 1968-1971” – 57:27 minutes:

1. You Are Here – Previously Unreleased

2. The Cast And Crew

3. Garbage Can Ballet

4. I Will Take You There (tracks 2, 3 and 4 from the album “Skidoo – Original Soundtrack”, 1968 LP on RCA LSO-1152)

5. Girlfriend (first issued on “Personal Best” CD anthology in 1995)

6. Wasting My Time (Alternate Mix – Previously Unreleased)

7. Rainmaker (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

8. Open Your Window (Alternate Take – Previously Unreleased)

9. Postcard – Previously Unreleased

10. Think About Your Troubles (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

11. Marry Me A Little – Previously Unreleased

12. Ballin' The Jack – Previously Unreleased

13. Gotta Get Up (Demo – Previously Unreleased)

14. Down To The Valley (Single Mix) – non-album version released May 1970 in the USA on RCA Victor 74-0362, A

15. Buy My Album – B-side to 14

16. Joy (Alternate Version) – first issued on the expanded CD to “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” on RCA in 2000

17. Blackbird (Beatles cover version – Previously Unreleased)

18. Paradise – Previously Unreleased

19. Lucille (Little Richard cover version – Previously Unreleased)

20. Early In The Morning (Alternate Version) (as per 16)

Disc 17 – “Nilsson Sessions 1971-1974” – 53:05 minutes:

1. Walk Right Back - first issued on the expanded CD “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” on Buddah Records in 2000

2. Jump Into The Fire (Alternate Version – Previously Unreleased)

3. Isolation – (John Lennon song - first issued on the expanded CD “Aerial Pandemonium Ballet” on Buddah Records in 2000)

4. Without You (Demo)

5. Driving Along (Demo)

6. Gotta Get Up (Demo)

7. Coconut (Demo)

8. Old Forgotten Soldier (Alternate Demo)

9. Down (Demo)

10. The Moonbeam Song (Alternate Demo) – tracks 4 to 10 first issued on the expanded “Nilsson Schmilsson” CD on RCA Camden in 2000

11. Jump Into The Fire (Single version) – released March 1972 in the USA on RCA Victor 74-0673, A-side

12. Per Chi (Italian Version of “Without You”) – Italian single on RCA Victor 74-0673

13. Joy (Guitar Demo)

14. Joy (Piano Demo)  - tracks 13 and 14 first issued on “Son Of Schmilsson” RCA Camden CD reissue in 2000

15. You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want To Do It) (Alternate Version)

16. Lullaby In Ragtime (Alternate Version)

17. Always (Alternate Version)

18. It Had To Be You (Alternate Version) – tracks 15 to 18 were first issued on “A Touch More Schmilsson In The Night” RCA LP in 1988

19. I Want You To Sit On My Face – Previously Unreleased

20. A Souvenir – Also Sprach Schmilsson Schmixon – Previously Unreleased

Put together by reissue champs ROB SANTOS and ANDREW SANDOVAL (have handled The Band and The Kinks to name but a few) - the chunky 48-page booklet is a bit of an informational brute – jammed full of endless details, photos, rare picture sleeves and a brief album-by-album breakdown of Nilsson on RCA by Sandoval. Whenever an album was a gatefold sleeve in the USA – the 5” card Repro Sleeves ape that and are very clearly rendered (they don’t have inners or posters – but most of that info is in the booklet anyway). But the best news is most definitely the SOUND – properly fab remasters by VIC ANESINI who has received unanimous praise for his handling of many prestigious catalogues. When you hear for instance the Stereo take of “One”, “Maybe” or “Coconut” – the audio is beautiful. Move onto the smoochy early Seventies LPs with full orchestras and your HI Fi room is full of warmth and musical quality.

Nilsson’s career feels like a tale of two halves – up to “A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night” in 1973 – the albums are solidly entertaining – even brilliant. But the second half of the Seventies is hard to stomach – patchy tunes, too many ill-fitting cover versions and whimsy that stopped being fun years back (drugs and parties).

The audio punch of “Pandemonium Shadow Show” and “Aerial Ballet” is shocking – even now. Stuff like “Without Her” and “1941” are both lyrically and musically brilliant. Again that lovely delicacy comes into play with “Don’t Leave Me” and the truly classis “Midnight Cowboy” finisher “Everybody’s Talkin”’. I still can’t hear it without thinking about Rizzo on the bus into Miami at the end of “Midnight Cowboy” – a cover of a Fred Neil gem – it’s probably my all time favourite song (lyrics above).

“Harry” feels like the album he was trying to get on Disc 1 and 2. And even though “I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City” is a near identikit of “Everybody’s Talkin’” style – its still very much Nilsson song. And while he’d dabbled with Beatles covers “You Don’t Have To” and “She’s Leaving Home” on those records – his cover of “Mother’s Natures Son” on “Harry” is truly gorgeous – one of the great unsung heroes of his albums. His interest in Randy Newman’s already brilliant songwriting surfaced on “Harry” when he covered “Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear” (the last track) - so the whole album “Nilsson Sings Newman” doesn’t come as a surprise - but it is a joy. Because most of Newman’s songs were virtual unknowns at the time – the whole record feels like a really great ‘Nilsson’ album rather than the other way round. Badfinger’s “Without You” made him a superstar and to this day – the song has a power not to be messed with. I love everything about the standards album too – genius choices – and if you’ve not heard it in remastered CD form – then you’re in for a treat.

The three compilations of Rarities use outtake Artwork photos from three key albums – Disc 1 “1967-1968” from the “Pandemonium Shadow Show” – Disc 2 “1968-1971” from “Harry” while Disc 3 “1971-1974” has “A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night”. I’d half expected the “Sessions” disc to be padded out filler (and some it is) – but there’s amazing stuff on here too. Most of the Alternate Takes find him looser – more natural – and their audio quality is top notch too (“Wasting My Time”). Whether you ever want to hear him singing the cast of “Skidoo” again is debatable (mentions Robert Downey’s dad?) but his brill previously unreleased cover of the White Album’s “Blackbird” is great and I wish the tapes ran longer than its two and a half minutes. “Paradise” was recorded January 1971 and is genuinely moving with a cleverly staged muscle-up-the-emotion double vocal. “Marry Me A Little” is a typically tasty Nilsson slant on a Stephen Sondheim classic but the solo “Ballin’ The Jack” is even better. His Italian version of “Without You” called “Per Chi” still has the same tortured passion of the English language version.

Presently reduced to below forty quid – this beautifully presented box set is a winner on all fronts. Invest a few bob in this flawed but lovely romantic troubadour…

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 260 entries and 2450 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap). 

"Climbing!" by MOUNTAIN (2003 Columbia/Legacy 'Expanded CD' – Bob Irwin/Vic Anesini Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Mississippi Queen..." 

"...His crime was a passion..." - Felix Pappalardi sings on "The Laird" and that kind of sums up this most American of Rock bands for me – loud, proud and ear-splitten-louden-boomer. They couldn't give a rat's ass who out there in radio-land thinks its aural hedonism turned up to 13 on a scale of 12. MOUNTAIN rocked and this cool little CD reissue of their second platter "Climbing!" from 1970 shows why these New York boys with Mississippi in their veins are remembered with such affection and loyalty. And in Leslie West they had an ace axeman - geometrically over-sized for sure but charismatic and great fun too. Here is 'The Great Fatsby' and Rocking Friends...

UK and USA released April 2003 – "Climbing!" by MOUNTAIN on Columbia/Legacy 510719 2 (Barcode 5099751071921) is an 'Expanded CD Remaster' and plays out as follows (36:56 minutes):

1. Mississippi Queen

2. Theme From An Imaginary Western

3. Never In My Life

4. Silver Paper

5. For Yasgur's Farm [Side 2]

6. To My Friend

7. The Laird

8. Sittin' On A Rainbow

9. Boys In The Band

Tracks 1 to 9 are their second album "Climbing!" – released March 1970 in the USA on Windfall 4501 and May 1970 in the UK on Bell Records SBLL 133 (both in Stereo only). Bassist and Studio Wizard Felix Pappalardi Produced – the album rose to No. 17 in the US LP charts (didn’t chart in the UK). All songs are band originals except "Theme From An Imaginary Western" which is a Jack Bruce cover version.

BONUS TRACK

10. For Yasgur's Farm [Live] – recorded prior to 1972

MOUNTAIN was:

LESLIE WEST – Guitars and Vocals

FELIX PAPPALARDI – Bass on all Tracks except 6 and 7, Keyboards on Track 1, 2 and 9 and Rhythm Guitar on Track 7

CORKY LAING – Drums and Percussion

STEVE KNIGHT – Keyboards (Mellotron on Tracks 2 and 9, Organ on Tracks 2 to 5)

The 12-page booklet has new liner notes from CORKY LAING and LESLIE WEST (dated November 2002) - and as well as band photos (supplied by the group) features reminiscences on the making of their 'loud' 2nd album with the line-up most feel had that classic hard-rocking Mountain sound, their former band Energy, songwriting/lyric collaborations between Laing and West and more. The CD reflects the original Windfall Records label logo and there's even a Leslie West photo beneath the see-through tray. But the big news is the new BOB IRWIN/VIC ANESINI Remaster from original tapes done at Sony Music Studios in New York. The last time "Climbing!" saw CD reissue was in 1993 as part of Sony's 'Rewind' Series – it was a good stab at the record but this variant is a whole lot better and features a live track as a bonus. As the line on the rear cover famously announced 'This Record Was Meant To Be Played Loud' - you quickly find out that none of the band's players are joking. This mother rocks – vibrato, fuzzy, grunge guitar noises emanate from Leslie West's speaker stacks and threaten to cause a public disturbance with your docile Laura Ashley stereo. The album was never an Audiophile event – so expect some hiss on cuts like the slowish "The Laird" and the gorgeous "To My Friend" – but also expect presence and 'in-the-moment' feel. After my battered copy on Windfall – this CD sounds revelatory to me...

It opens on a rasper – the brilliant snotty Boogie Rock of "Mississippi Queen" – co-written by West, Laing, Pappalardi and Ohio songwriter David Rea. Huge riffage accompanies soloing guitars as Leslie West roars on about a Cajun gal from Vicksburg in Louisiana who isn't exactly unfamiliar with the ways of the world. At 2:32 minutes it was an obvious single and popular too. Released March 1970 with the album - Windfall 45-532 climbed to a respectable No. 21 in the US singles charts with the album cut "The Laird" on the flipside. After two failed sevens from the first album "Mountain" in September 1969 – it became Mountain's first real 45-impression on the charts and remains a huge fan fave to this day. Blighty tried the same combo of tracks on Bell BLL 1113 in May 1970 - but it sold naught and was deleted quickly. "Theme From An Imaginary Western" is a cover of a track from Jack Bruce's debut solo LP after Cream - 1969's "Song For A Tailor" on Polydor (UK)/Atco Records (USA). Bruce co-wrote the tune with Avant Garde British artist Pete Brown (Harvest Records). Mountain take the song's Soulful-Rock feel and layer it with more guitars and organs so that it sounds very Cream in ways – or even Derek & The Dominoes.

Both Laing and West agree that "Never In My Life" is probably the best track on the album – a great riff played at almost "Fireball" speed (they slowed it down in concert because it adds more muscle to it). It's a fantastic piece of American 'Rawk' and odd that Windfall Records went instead to the less catchy "For Yasgur's Farm" for the next single (Windfall 45-533) – a tune that isn't nearly as immediate as "Never..." They paired it with the fabulous Leslie West solo instrumental "To My Friend" - an Acoustic tour de force that shows off West's considerable playing chops and is almost Indian Sitar in some passages. But despite both sides being strong in their own right – "Yasgur's..." didn't follow "Mississippi Queen" into the charts (no British release either). "Silver Paper" is basic rock and similar in vibe to "Theme From An Imaginary Western" in its assembly. Far more interesting is "The Laird" that is co-written with Gail Collins (did the artwork, wrote lyrics) that has touches of the more melodic acoustic side of Uriah Heep and Led Zeppelin (circa 3) – sweet little tune that I couldn't stop playing at the time. How cool is it to hear it with such clarity - even if it is hissy. Massive Corky Laing drums open the driving-down-the-highway riffage of "Sittin' On A Rainbow" – a very Mountain good time rocker that stills sounds beer-belly-rowdy after 45 years on camomile tea. It ends on the piano melody of "Boys In The Band" - pretty hissy it has to be said and probably my least favourite song on the album (the vocal is all over the mix)...

The live version of "For Yasgur's Farm" runs to 4:19 minutes and is plucked from the band's own archive (bit hazy on exact dates). In truth I'd say it's good rather than being great (much like the song itself) and you can't help thinking that at four seconds short of 37-minutes – this entire CD reissue could have done with a few more choice bonus cuts in the live vein to bolster up matters...

Still - what you do get with "Climbing!" is fabarooney – a ballsy American Rock Band in the same vein as Cactus and Grand Funk Railroad – groups that somehow never seemed to gain the recognition they deserved beyond fanatical fan circles. In some ways Mountain's loose 'rawk' feel and gutbucket style recordings remind me of that fabulous sloppiness FREE used to get - effortlessly cool too. And isn't that the best compliment. So lodge your grappling hook and throw out your musical rope...because it's time to abseil bare-bottomed down the barroom underpants of this particularly boozy digital rock face. And I mean in that in the nicest possible way...

"The Collection" by SIMON & GARFUNKEL [Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel] (2007 Columbia 5CD/1DVD Mini Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

[features the 1970 Number 1 album "Bridge Over Troubled Water"]

"...Your Time Has Come To Shine..."

Released November 2007 - "The Collection" by SIMON & GARFUNKEL on Columbia/Legacy 88697134662 is an inconspicuous 5CD/1DVD mini box set. But not so well advertised is the fact that it uses the stunning VIC ANESINI remasters of "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective from August 2001. So under its rather dull-looking S&G silhouette hood - you get a whole lot of sonic quality for not a lot of your hard earned. Here are the groovy feelings and remastered bookends...

Disc 1 "Wednesday Morning, 3 AM" (40:36 minutes):

1. You Can Tell The World

2. Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream

3. Bleecker Street

4. Sparrow

5. Benedictus

6. The Sound Of Silence

7. He Was My Brother

8. Peggy-O

9. Go Tell It On The Mountain

10. The Sun Is Burning

11. The Times They Are A-Changin'

12. Wednesday Morning, 3A.M.

Tracks 1 to 12 are their debut vinyl album "Wednesday Morning, 3 AM" - released 19 October 1964 in the USA on Columbia CL 2249 (Mono) and CS 9049 (Stereo) - the Stereo Mix is used. "Bleecker Street", "Sparrow", "He Was My Brother" and "Wednesday Morning, 3A.M." are Paul Simon songs - the rest are cover versions.

13. Bleecker Street (Demo)

14. He Was My Brother (Alternate Take 1)

15. The Sun Is Burning (Alternate Take 12)

Tracks 13 to 15 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001)

Disc 2 "Sounds Of Silence" (41:44 minutes):

1. The Sound Of Silence

2. Leaves That Are Green

3. Blessed

4. Kathy's Song

5. Somewhere They Can't Find Me

6. Anji

7. Richard Cory

8. A Most Peculiar Man

9. April Come She Will

10. We've Got A Groovy Thing Goin'

11. I Am A Rock

Tracks 1 to 11 are their 2nd album "Sounds Of Silence" - released 17 January 1966 in the USA on Columbia CL 2469 (Mono) and CS 9469 (Stereo) - the Stereo mix is used. All songs by Paul Simon except "Anji" which is a cover version of a song by UK Folk artist Davy Graham

12. Blues Run The Game

13. Barbriallen (Demo)

14. Rose Of Aberdeen (Demo)

15. Roving Gambler (Demo)

Tracks 12 to 15 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001). "Blues Run The Game" is a Jackson C. Frank song and it opens his 1966 self-titled album "Jackson C. Frank" on Columbia Records in the UK (produced by Paul Simon). This studio outtake is S&G's version of it. The other 3 tracks are Traditionals.

Disc 3 "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme" (34:13 minutes):

1. Scarborough Fair / Canticle

2. Patterns

3. Cloudy

4. Homeward Bound

5. The Bright Green Pleasure Machine

6. The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

7. The Dangling Conversation

8. Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall

9. A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission)

10. For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her

11. A Poem On The Underground Wall

12. 7 O'Clock News / Silent Night

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 3rd album "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme" - released 10 October 1966 on Columbia CL 2563 (Mono) and CS 9363 (Stereo) - the Stereo mix is used. All tracks written by Paul Simon except "Scarborough Fair / Canticle" which is co-written with Art Garfunkel and "Silent Night" which is a Traditional Hymn.

13 Patterns (Demo)

14 A Poem On The Underground Wall (Demo)

Tracks 13 and 14 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001)

Disc 4 "Bookends" (34:30 minutes):

1. Bookends Theme [Instrumental Version]

2. Save The Life Of My Child

3. America

4. Overs

5. Voices Of Old People [no music, just elderly people talking]

6. Old Friends

7. Bookends Theme [with Lyrics]

8. Fakin' It

9. Punky's Dilemma

10. Mrs. Robinson (From the Motion Picture Soundtrack "The Graduate")

11. A Hazy Shade Of Winter

12. At The Zoo

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 4th studio album "Bookends" - released 3 April 1968 in the USA on Columbia KCS 9529 (Stereo). Al songs by Paul Simon

13. You Don't Where Your Interest Lies

14. Old Friends (Demo)

Tracks 13 and 14 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001)

Disc 5 "Bridge Over Trouble Water" (44:04 minutes):

1. Bridge Over Troubled Water

2. El Condor Pasa (If I Could)

3. Cecilia

4. Keep The Customer Satisfied

5. So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright

6. The Boxer

7. Baby Driver

8. The Only Living Boy In New York

9. Why Don't You Write Me

10. Bye Bye Love

11. Song For The Asking

Tracks 1 to 11 are their 5th and final studio album "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - released 26 January 1970 in the USA on Columbia KCS 9914 (Stereo). All songs are by Paul Simon except "Bye Bye Love" which is an Everly Brothers cover version

12. Feuilles-O (Demo)

13. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Demo Take 6)

Tracks 13 and 14 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001)

Disc 6 "The Concert In Central Park" (86 minute PAL DVD, All Regions)

1. Mrs. Robinson

2. Homeward Bound

3. America

4. Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard

5. Scarborough Fair

6. April Come She Will

7. Wake Up Little Susie

8. Still Crazy After All These Years

9. American Tune

10. Late In The Evening

11. Slip Slidin' Away

12. A Heart In New York

13. The Late Great Johnny Ace

14. Kodachrome/Maybelline

15. Bridge Over Troubled Water

16. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover

17. The Boxer

18. Old Friends

19. Bookends

20. The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

21. The Sound Of Silence

22. Late In The Evening

The pull-off lid reveals 5 Card Repro sleeves for the albums standing up inside and a 6th disc - a DVD as documented above. The CDs take their remasters from the August 2001 "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective remastered by VIC ANESINI. Compilers of the original 1997 “Old Friends” box set and the subsequent 2001 set explained how it took Columbia up to 3 years to locate the best possible STEREO source tapes - and the sonic results Anesini produced are simply stunning (he mastered both boxes). Beautiful clarity and real presence...

The booklet for this budget box keeps it simple - 12 pages of track details, basic recording/release info peppered with some period photos of the American duo. The lovely 5 x 5" Card Repro Sleeves are very well done (front and rear artwork fully represented) and inside each is a charcoal-grey inner sleeve to protect the disc (all the CDs have the same greyish colour scheme and don't reflect the original `360 Sound' Columbia record labels). The DVD uses the artwork of the 1982 double-album "The Concert In Central Park" - and as it contains live Simon & Garfunkel hits alongside many great Paul Simon solo tunes  - makes for a superb addition to the music.

12 of their American hit singles between 1965 and 1970 are here in Stereo form - "The Sound Of Silence", "Homeward Bound", "I Am A Rock", "The Dangling Conversation", "A Hazy Shade Of Winter, "At The Zoo", "Fakin' It", "Scarborough Fair / Canticle", "Mrs. Robinson", "The Boxer", "Bridge Over Trouble Water" and "El Condor Paso". But it's the album nuggets that get you too - the folk warmth of "Kathy's Song", the hip wit of "Punky's Dilemma" ("...talking to a raisin that occasionally plays L.A...."), the irrepressible hippy happiness of "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" and the Vietnam war swallowing up peace in the brilliant combination of the "7 O'Clock News" with the hymn "Silent Night". And even now the sheer melodies in "The Only Living Boy In New York" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" still move you (lyrics from Bridge title this review). Some of the bonuses are just as beautiful too - especially their version of the Jackson C. Frank gem - "Blues Run The Game" (what a find).

"...Your Time Has Come To Shine..." - The Collection by SIMON & GARFUNKEL (2007 Columbia 5CD/1DVD Box Set)

Released November 2007 - "The Collection" by SIMON & GARFUNKEL on Columbia/Legacy 88697134662 is an inconspicuous 5CD/1DVD mini box set. But not so well advertised is the fact that it uses the stunning VIC ANESINI remasters of "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective from August 2001. So under its rather dull-looking S&G silhouette hood - you get a whole lot of sonic quality for not a lot of your hard earned. Here are the groovy feelings and remastered bookends...

Disc 1 "Wednesday Morning, 3 AM" (40:36 minutes):

1. You Can Tell The World

2. Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream

3. Bleecker Street

4. Sparrow

5. Benedictus

6. The Sound Of Silence

7. He Was My Brother

8. Peggy-O

9. Go Tell It On The Mountain

10. The Sun Is Burning

11. The Times They Are A-Changin'

12. Wednesday Morning, 3A.M.

Tracks 1 to 12 are their debut vinyl album "Wednesday Morning, 3 AM" - released 19 October 1964 in the USA on Columbia CL 2249 (Mono) and CS 9049 (Stereo) - the Stereo Mix is used. "Bleecker Street", "Sparrow", "He Was My Brother" and "Wednesday Morning, 3A.M." are Paul Simon songs - the rest are cover versions.

13. Bleecker Street (Demo)

14. He Was My Brother (Alternate Take 1)

15. The Sun Is Burning (Alternate Take 12)

Tracks 13 to 15 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001)

Disc 2 "Sounds Of Silence" (41:44 minutes):

1. The Sound Of Silence

2. Leaves That Are Green

3. Blessed

4. Kathy's Song

5. Somewhere They Can't Find Me

6. Anji

7. Richard Cory

8. A Most Peculiar Man

9. April Come She Will

10. We've Got A Groovy Thing Goin'

11. I Am A Rock

Tracks 1 to 11 are their 2nd album "Sounds Of Silence" - released 17 January 1966 in the USA on Columbia CL 2469 (Mono) and CS 9469 (Stereo) - the Stereo mix is used. All songs by Paul Simon except "Anji" which is a cover version of a song by UK Folk artist Davy Graham

12. Blues Run The Game

13. Barbriallen (Demo)

14. Rose Of Aberdeen (Demo)

15. Roving Gambler (Demo)

Tracks 12 to 15 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001). "Blues Run The Game" is a Jackson C. Frank song and it opens his 1966 self-titled album "Jackson C. Frank" on Columbia Records in the UK (produced by Paul Simon). This studio outtake is S&G's version of it. The other 3 tracks are Traditionals.

Disc 3 "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme" (34:13 minutes):

1. Scarborough Fair / Canticle

2. Patterns

3. Cloudy

4. Homeward Bound

5. The Bright Green Pleasure Machine

6. The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

7. The Dangling Conversation

8. Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall

9. A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission)

10. For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her

11. A Poem On The Underground Wall

12. 7 O'Clock News / Silent Night

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 3rd album "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme" - released 10 October 1966 on Columbia CL 2563 (Mono) and CS 9363 (Stereo) - the Stereo mix is used. All tracks written by Paul Simon except "Scarborough Fair / Canticle" which is co-written with Art Garfunkel and "Silent Night" which is a Traditional Hymn.

13 Patterns (Demo)

14 A Poem On The Underground Wall (Demo)

Tracks 13 and 14 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001)

Disc 4 "Bookends" (34:30 minutes):

1. Bookends Theme [Instrumental Version]

2. Save The Life Of My Child

3. America

4. Overs

5. Voices Of Old People [no music, just elderly people talking]

6. Old Friends

7. Bookends Theme [with Lyrics]

8. Fakin' It

9. Punky's Dilemma

10. Mrs. Robinson (From the Motion Picture Soundtrack "The Graduate")

11. A Hazy Shade Of Winter

12. At The Zoo

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 4th studio album "Bookends" - released 3 April 1968 in the USA on Columbia KCS 9529 (Stereo). Al songs by Paul Simon

13. You Don't Where Your Interest Lies

14. Old Friends (Demo)

Tracks 13 and 14 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001)

Disc 5 "Bridge Over Trouble Water" (44:04 minutes):

1. Bridge Over Troubled Water

2. El Condor Pasa (If I Could)

3. Cecilia

4. Keep The Customer Satisfied

5. So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright

6. The Boxer

7. Baby Driver

8. The Only Living Boy In New York

9. Why Don't You Write Me

10. Bye Bye Love

11. Song For The Asking

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 5th and final studio album "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - released 26 January 1970 in the USA on Columbia KCS 9914 (Stereo). All songs are by Paul Simon except "Bye Bye Love" which is an Everly Brothers cover version

12. Feuilles-O (Demo)

13. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Demo Take 6)

Tracks 13 and 14 are BONUSES from the "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective (August 2001)

Disc 6 "The Concert In Central Park" (86 minute PAL DVD, All Regions)

1. Mrs. Robinson

2. Homeward Bound

3. America

4. Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard

5. Scarborough Fair

6. April Come She Will

7. Wake Up Little Susie

8. Still Crazy After All These Years

9. American Tune

10. Late In The Evening

11. Slip Slidin' Away

12. A Heart In New York

13. The Late Great Johnny Ace

14. Kodachrome/Maybelline

15. Bridge Over Troubled Water

16. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover

17. The Boxer

18. Old Friends

19. Bookends

20. The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

21. The Sound Of Silence

22. Late In The Evening

The pull-off lid reveals 5 Card Repro sleeves for the albums standing up inside and a 6th disc - a DVD as documented above. The CDs take their remasters from the August 2001 "The Complete Studio Recordings (1964-1970)" 5CD retrospective remastered by VIC ANESINI. Compilers of the original 1997 “Old Friends” box set and the subsequent 2001 set explained how it took Columbia up to 3 years to locate the best possible STEREO source tapes - and the sonic results Anesini produced are simply stunning (he mastered both boxes). Beautiful clarity and real presence...

The booklet for this budget box keeps it simple - 12 pages of track details, basic recording/release info peppered with some period photos of the American duo. The lovely 5 x 5" Card Repro Sleeves are very well done (front and rear artwork fully represented) and inside each is a charcoal-grey inner sleeve to protect the disc (all the CDs have the same greyish colour scheme and don't reflect the original `360 Sound' Columbia record labels). The DVD uses the artwork of the 1982 double-album "The Concert In Central Park" - and as it contains live Simon & Garfunkel hits alongside many great Paul Simon solo tunes  - makes for a superb addition to the music.

12 of their American hit singles between 1965 and 1970 are here in Stereo form - "The Sound Of Silence", "Homeward Bound", "I Am A Rock", "The Dangling Conversation", "A Hazy Shade Of Winter, "At The Zoo", "Fakin' It", "Scarborough Fair / Canticle", "Mrs. Robinson", "The Boxer", "Bridge Over Trouble Water" and "El Condor Paso". But it's the album nuggets that get you too - the folk warmth of "Kathy's Song", the hip wit of "Punky's Dilemma" ("...talking to a raisin that occasionally plays L.A...."), the irrepressible hippy happiness of "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" and the Vietnam war swallowing up peace in the brilliant combination of the "7 O'Clock News" with the hymn "Silent Night". And even now the sheer melodies in "The Only Living Boy In New York" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" still move you (lyrics from Bridge title this review). Some of the bonuses are just as beautiful too - especially their version of the Jackson C. Frank gem - "Blues Run The Game" (what a find).

So there you have it. Although it's not the most awesome thing from the outside - "The Collection" has the audio and visual goods on the inside - and it’s cheap as chips price makes it a stunning deal into the bargain. A Columbia Legacy indeed...