"The Last Puff" by SPOOKY TOOTH featuring MIKE HARRISON (2016 Universal/Island 'Expanded Edition' CD - Paschal Byrne and Ben Wiseman Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Wrong Time, Wrong Place..." 

Like Mott The Hoople and The Pretty Things - England's SPOOKY TOOTH have never really received the accolades they deserve. Between 1968 and 1974 they produced seven studio albums (six on Island - one on Goodear) as well as a posthumous Island Records 'Best Of' in 1976 - yet I defy even knowledgeable Rock types to name just two of those original LPs.

None of their Rock-Blues albums ever bothered the British LP charts (not even the 'Best Of') and though founder member and songwriter Gary Wright did some commercial welly in the mid Seventies (especially in the USA with his "Dream Weaver" LP) - Luther Grosvenor and Mike Harrison had solo careers also but few noticed. The band is not in Martin C. Strong's stunning 'Great Rock Discography' Books (and almost everyone is in there) and now the final facial slap...

These seven new CD Reissues and Remasters on UMC's Universal/Island resplendent with truly superb Audio and a wad of bonus tracks (only two are the bare album - see list below) have already quietly slipped under the radar only two months after release in September and October 2016. Time to rectify this horrid anomaly on the part of an uncaring and post Christmas flabby public - here are the eerie dental details...

UK released 7 October 2016 - "The Last Puff" by SPOOKY TOOTH featuring MIKE HARRISON on Universal/Island 570 547-5 (Barcode 602557054750) offers the 1970 Island Records album newly Remastered with Six Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (60:59 minutes):

1. I Am The Walrus

2. The Wrong Time

3. Something To Say

4. Nobody There At All [Side 2]

5. Down River

6. Son Of Your Father

7. The Last Puff

Tracks 1 to 7 are their fourth studio album "The Last Puff" - released July 1970 in the UK on Island ILPS 9117 and August 1970 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4266. Thinking he was going to go solo - Island Records credited the album to SPOOKY TOOTH featuring MIKE HARRISON - the only LP credited as such in their canon of work. Produced by CHRIS BLACKWELL and CHRIS STAINTON - the LP peaked at No. 84 in the USA but didn't chart in the UK.

BONUS TRACKS:

8. Son Of Your Father (Single Version) - 26 Jun 1969 UK 7" single on Island WIP 6060, A-side

9. I Am The Walrus (Single Version)

10. Hangman Hang My Shell On A Tree (Single Version)

Tracks 9 and 10 were the A&B-sides of 1970 7" singles in Euro Regions (Norway and Netherlands) on Island 6014 023.

The LP cut for "I Am The Walrus" is 6:26 minutes in Stereo - the 7" Single Edit is approximately 5:22 minutes in Mono.

France had an issue of "I Am The Walrus" too with the same catalogue number but used the full LP cut and not the edit.

The LP cut for "Hangman Hang My Shell On A Tree" is 5:15 minutes in Stereo - the 7" Single Version is extended to 5:40 minutes in Mono.

11. Nobody There At All - July 1970 'Promo Only' UK 7" single on Island WIP 6084 (white labels exist)

12. The Wrong Time (First Mix) - Album Outtake recorded 8 May 1970

13. The Weight

Track 13 is a cover version of The Band classic - it replaced the track "Too Much Of Nothing" on the American reissue of their 1968 debut LP "It's All About". Released June 1971 on A&M Records SP 4300 - the LP was renamed "Tobacco Road" and given a different sleeve (pictured on Page 11 of the booklet).

SPOOKY TOOTH was (Tracks 1 to 7):

MIKE HARRISON - Vocals (also on 8, 10 and 13)

LUTHER GROSVENOR - Guitar (also on 8, 10 and 13)

HENRY McCULLOCH - Guitar

CHRIS STAINTON - Bass Guitar, Piano, Organ and Guitar

ALAN SPENNER - Bass Guitar (also on 8)

MIKE KELLIE - Drums (also on 8, 10 and 13)

Bonus Tracks:

GARY WRIGHT - Vocals, Piano and Organ on "Son Of Your Father", "Hangman Hang My Shell On A Tree" and "The Weight"

GREG RIDLEY - Bass Guitar on "Hangman Hang My Shell On A Tree" and "The Weight"

The 12-page booklet is really well done - researched, coordinated and produced by MARK POWELL of England's much-revered reissue label Esoteric Recordings (have done wads of quality reissues from the Sixties and Seventies). There are several photos of rare Euro 7" singles for "I Am The Walrus" and "Son Of Your Father" - snaps of Harrison - trade adverts and liner notes from Powell detailing the band's history on Island Records (including stuff about The V.I.P's and Art) and not just the "The Last Puff" album. The CD is coloured Pink like the original Island Records album label and there's a close-up photo of the album artwork beneath the see-through CD tray. But the big news is new PASCHAL BYRNE and BEN WISEMAN Remasters from original tapes - wonderful kicking sound - even on the Mono Single Mixes...

Stainton, Spenner and Kellie were all part of Joe Cocker's Grease Band. The LP opens with a storming cover version of The Beatles "I Am The Walrus" - 6:26 minutes of Heavy Rock interpretation that works. Someone thought it would make a single so they edited it down to a just-about-manageable 5:22 minutes and issued it in several European countries. Combined with a German Tour - the track made them stars in Europe even if Blighty wasn't really listening. Before departing the band - Gary Wright left them "The Wrong Time" - a brill piece of Rocking Blues riffage which also appears here in a 'First Mix' form from May 1970 as a very cool Bonus Track. I love this guitar-soloing song. Mike Harrison sounds Humble Pie's Steve Marriott throughout grinding his larynx about lady shenanigans and being a poor boy in the 'wrong place' at the 'wrong time' (we never do find out who the lady backing singers are). Before Joe Cocker did his own version on the 1972 LP "Something To Say" on Cube Records (a co-write with his Roadie pal Peter Nichols) - Spooky Tooth were the first to have a go at the song "Something To Say" and I have to say after the high of "The Wrong Time" - the 'get back on the road' ballad is given a very heavy-handed rendition. I've never liked it - and even though the girly chorus and funked up end portion are good - it feels plodding and Harrison's vocals struggling.

Side 2 opens with a Mike Post song called "Nobody There At All" - a tune that first turned up on an obscure American album by Bobby Doyle from 1968 called "The Bobby Doyle Introduction" (Warner Brothers WS 1744) - an LP produced by and featuring lots of Mike Post input. In the hands of Spooky Tooth it feels like The Band on "Songs From Big Pink" or Joe Cocker's second LP on Regal Zonophone "Joe Cocker!" from early 1970 (gorgeous remaster too). "Down River" opened Side 2 of David Ackle's self-titled debut LP in 1968 on Elektra Records (EKS 74022) - another 'why didn't you write Rosie' piano melodrama tune that feels more Elton John than rocking Spooky Tooth. Speaking of which - "Son Of Your Father" turned up on Elton's 3rd studio album "Tumbleweed Connection" but not until October 1970 - months after Spooky got to have a go at it. Their four-minute funked-up guitar-driven rendition made it an ideal single choice and it's not surprising that it made it into several Euro territories with "I've Got Enough Heartache" from the 2nd LP as its B-side. The album ends on another fave of mine - a Piano and Guitar instrumental - a stroller from The Grease Band's Chris Stainton that feels as peace-pipe-mellow as the Indians having a "Last Puff' on the front cover (stunning Keyboard work). The classy extras of Edits and Extended 45s and cool outtake only add to the stew giving the Reissue much more depth (I’d give the album only three stars as a stand alone)...

"The Last Puff" by SPOOKY TOOTH is hardly a masterpiece but it has moments I've been returning to for four and a half decades and in my book - that rocks. Like the recent Free CD Remasters (also September 2016) that came with storming Andy Pearce and Matt Wortham Remasters - I'm going to have to own the lot of these Paschal Byrne and Ben Wiseman efforts.

Well done to everyone involved for giving ST the late dental polish they've deserved for so long...

2016 Reissue Titles for SPOOKY TOOTH in the Universal/Island CD Remaster Series:

1. It's All About (1968 Debut) - 30 Sep 2016 CD release on Universal/Island 570 547-1 (Barcode 602557054712) with 10 Bonus Tracks

2. Spooky Two (1969 2nd LP) - 7 Oct 2016 CD release on Universal/Island 570 547-3 (Barcode 602557054736) with 9 Bonus Tracks

3. Ceremony: An Electronic Mass (1969 3rd LP with Pierre Henry)

- 7 Oct 2016 CD release on Universal/Island 570 547-0 (Barcode 602557054705) with 6 Bonus Tracks

4. The Last Poof (1970 4th LP) - 7 Oct 2016 CD release on Universal/Island 570 547-5 (Barcode 602557054750) with 6 Bonus Tracks

5. You Broke My Heart...So I Busted Your Jaw (1973 5th LP) - 30 Sep 2016 CD release on Universal/Island 570 547-8 (Barcode 602557054781)

6. Witness (1973 6th LP) - 30 Sep 2016 CD release on Universal/Island 570 547-7 (Barcode 602557054774) with 1 Bonus Track

7. The Mirror (1974 7th LP) - 30 Sep 2016 CD release on Universal/Island 570 547-6 (Barcode 602557054767)

"Far Canal" by JODY GRIND (2016 Esoteric Recordings 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue - Mark Powell Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Sweating Blue Blood..."

Taking their name from Horace Silver's 1967 Jazz album on Blue Note called "The Jody Grind" - England's short-lived but mighty JODY GRIND managed only two Progressive Rock albums on the largely Folk Indie label Transatlantic Records. Their October 1969 debut "One Step On" received favourable press and elicited a devout fan following (especially in Europe) - while their second and last album "Far Canal" from September 1970 massively improved on its predecessor. But neither did any real business sales-wise (check out that dreadful Mechano lettering artwork). Still - that hasn’t stopped good labels like Akarma in Italy and Strange Days in Japan reissuing Jody Grind’s recorded legacy on CD – which brings us to these new and superlative 2016 Remasters out of the UK...

England’s Esoteric Recordings (part of Cherry Red) have been building up a huge rep with collectors for a few years now for both quality in Audio and Presentation – and these two CD Reissues for this long forgotten British Prog Rock Trio will only add to that growing list of Reissue accolades.

The first album "One Step On" is really good (also reissued November 2016 with Bonus Material) - a Hammond-Organ and Guitar-Driven Band let loose in the studio with Jethro Tull's arranger David Palmer helping out on Horns and Brass. But the second LP (with a rejiggered line-up) is a bit of an unsung masterpiece for me. 1970's "Far Canal" Progs - it Rocks - it Folks - it Jazzs - it even does Santana-type Latin Rock with a Drum Solo on one of its many fabulous instrumentals ("O Paradiso"). In fact on checking in the new Record Collector Rare Record Price Guide of 2018 - it's easy to hear why both of these albums have a stonking £175 price tag allocated to each.

There's a shed load of details to get through - so here are the peaky grinders...

UK released 26 November 2016 - "Far Canal" by JODY GRIND on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2568 (Barcode 5013929466845) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Reissue and Remaster with One Bonus Track and plays out as follows (49:13 minutes):

1. We've Had It

2. Bath Sister

3. Jump Bed Jed

4. O Paradiso

5. Plastic Shit [Side 2]

6. Vegetable Oblivion

7. Red Worms & Lice

8. Ballad For Bridget

Tracks 1 to 8 are their second and last studio album "Far Canal" - released September 1970 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 221. Produced by HUGH MURPHY - the album was not issued in the USA and didn't chart in the UK. "We've Had It", "Jump Bed Jed", "Vegetable Oblivion" by Bernie Holland - "Bath Sister", "O Paradiso" and "Ballad For Bridget" by Tim Hinkley - "Plastic Shit" and "Red Worms & Lice" co-written by Tim Hinkley and Bernie Holland. "Paint It Black" is a Rolling Stones cover version.

BONUS TRACK:

Paint It Black (Mono Single Version)

JODY GRIND was:

TIM HINKLEY - Hammond Organ, Piano, Electric Piano, Vibraphone and Lead Vocals

BERNIE HOLLAND - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bass and Vocals

PETE GAVIN - Drums and Percussion

The 16-page booklet has informative and well-researched liner notes from Esoteric’s own MARK POWELL – who also compiled, co-ordinated and remastered the original tapes. The Audio is fantastic – beefy without being too trebled for the sake of it – very clear and impressive work.

Formed in November 1968 by Keyboardist Tim Hinkley with Guitarist Ivan Zagni and Drummer Martin Harryman. Harryman left to work with Elkie Brooks in Dada (over on Atlantic Records) to be replaced with Drummer Barry Wilson. But after their first album - both Zagni and Wilson exited too to be replaced with Holland and Gavin for album number 2.

Their sound grew in sophistication for the second album – a record that's heavy on Instrumentals of different musical styles – each brilliant in their own way. "Far Canal" even includes an out-and-out lyric rocker in the live track "Plastic Shit" - an environmental protest tune sung in front of an audience earlier in 1970 - the only 'live' output ever officially available by the band. "O Paradiso" may as well be Santana meets Malo - an eight-minute instrumental track with a fantastic groove and a drum solo from Pete Gavin that would impress John Bonham. The opener "We've Had It" fits in with Nat Joseph's largely Folky roster on Transatlantic Records but soon turns into Prog Folk and in a good way. Off we go in another direction - after the utterly brilliant riffage of "Red Worms & Lice" where Jody Grind come on like they're the duelling guitars of Wishbone Ash finding their inner Humble Pie - you get the utterly disconcerting pleasantness of "Ballad For Bridget" – a Tim Hinkley piano-driven Jazz instrumental that's almost easy listening in its mellowness.

The bonus track has a history all of its own. Their debut album has a 4-part 20-minute long Suite on Side 1 called "One Step On" (title of the LP also) of which the five-minute rocking "Paint It Black" portion is Part 4. Someone turned it into a 7" single in both Germany and Portugal - giving it a Mono Single Mix. The German single from 1970 on Metronome M 25 201 had "Little Message" from the first LP as its B-side and came in a wicked picture sleeve (Tim Hinkley giving some Keith Emerson on his Hammond) but the booklet unfortunately doesn't picture it – while the Portuguese 45 on Zip Zip Records 30 011 had a Single mix of "Rock n' Roll Man" from the first album on its flipside – that mix now being one of two Bonus Tracks on the “One Step On” CD Reissue (Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2567 – Barcode 5013929466746).

Following the collapse of Paul Korda's Dada after only one LP - Hinkley joined Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer for the first Vinegar Joe LP – later starring in Mike Patto's offshoot band Boxer too. He subsequently played on stage with Chapman & Whitney's Streetwalkers (ex Family), Dr. Feelgood, Bad Company, Snafu, Thin Lizzy and has done session work on solo LPs for The Who's Roger Daltrey and Vinegar Joe's Elkie Brooks. Bernie Holland split his time between Prog Rock bands like Back Door and Fusion Artist Stomu Yamashta and UK Folkies like The Humblebums, Stealers Wheel, Harvey Andrews and Joan Armatrading. In-demand session Drummer Pete Gavin did stints with Poet And The One Man Band, Heads, Hands & Feet and Vinegar Joe and has played on solo LPs for Albert Lee, Don Everly, Isaac Guillory, Linda Lewis, Steve York and many more. Formidable musicians in a once formidable group....

British Prog Rock Trio JODY GRIND are a footnote in Rock's History now – but I can so understand why their two albums garnish such fever in collector’s circle – especially the brilliant "Far Canal". Well done to all involved for getting their legacy out there and in such good shape too...

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"Leon Russell" by LEON RUSSELL (1995 The Right Stuff CD Reissue - Steve Hoffman Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...He Sang A Dixie Lullaby..." 

Oklahoma's Claude Russell Bridges (Leon Russell to you and I) had already built up enough insider clout as a jobbing musician (stints with Phil Spector, The Byrds, Delaney and Bramlett, Ron Davies and Joe Cocker's first two LPs on Regal Zonophone) to form Shelter Records in 1970 with Producer Phil Cordell and use that platform to launch his own self-titled debut LP.

This beautifully-transferred 1995 CD Remaster from America's 'The Right Stuff' label is a cheap but audiophile-sounding Reissue of that mighty beginning. And with Leon Russell's sad loss in November 2016 aged 74 – I think it's high time we revisited this blindingly good debut and tip our collective fedoras to the original Big Top Hat songwriter beloved of so many in and out of the music business. Here are the Delta Ladies...

US released 4 July 1995 - "Leon Russell" by LEON RUSSELL on The Right Stuff T2-34028 (Barcode 724383402823) is a straightforward CD Reissue and Remaster of the original 12-track version of his 1970 debut LP and plays out as follows (38:55 minutes):

1. A Song For You
2. Dixie Lullaby
3. I Put A Spell On You
4. Shoot Out On The Plantation
5. Hummingbird
6. Delta Lady [Side 2]
7. Prince Of Peace
8. Give Peace A Chance
9. Pisces Apple Lady
11. Roll Away The Stone

BONUS TRACK:
12. Masters Of War (Old Masters)
All songs are Leon Russell originals except "Old Masters" which is "Masters Of War" by Bob Dylan. "Dixie Lullaby" is a co-write with Christ Stainton of The Grease Band and Boxer, "Prince Of Peace" and "Roll Away The Stone" are co-writes with Greg Dempsey and "Give Peace A Chance" is a co-write with Bonnie Bramlett.

First thing you notice is that the rear sleeve credits "Masters Of War (Old Masters)" as a 'Bonus Track' - which is both right and wrong and needs some explanation. Recorded across five sessions stretching between September 1969 and January 1970 - original pressings of the "Leon Russell" LP hit US shops 23 March 1970 on Shelter SHE 1001. American First-Issue 'Monarch Pressings' and British A&M issues (June 1970 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 935) had 12-tracks - 5 on Side 1 and 7 on Side 2. But later reissues on Shelter SHE 8901 (probably pressed around Autumn 1970) had only 11 tracks - withdrawing the 1:20 minutes of Bob Dylan's "Old Masters" originally slotted in-between "Prince Of Peace" and "Give Peace A Chance" as Track 3 on Side 2. The album stayed as an 11-track version thereafter. It's said that because Russell did the short Dylan cover in the style of the American Star-Spangled Banner - it caused offence in certain quarters and was given the axe. Hence TRS can technically call it a Bonus Track.

The 8-leaf foldout inlay with liner notes from TODD EVERETT gives us a good overview of his career and the formation of the album (the LPs artwork isn't here as its single sleeve wasn't much to look at in the first place) - but it's the sound that's the star here. Originally produced by PHIL CORDELL and GLYN JOHNS – this STEVE HOFFMAN Remaster uses the original Shelter Master Mixes and has done this largely forgotten beginning a proper solid. The sound is gorgeous…warm and clear and none too pushed…lovely…

Even though there are no official musician credits on the LP (Russell dedicated the music on the rear sleeve to members of The Beatles, The Stones and many others) time has unfolded a huge uncredited array of stellar performers including Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Delaney Bramlett on Guitars – Steve Winwood and Chris Stainton on Keyboards – Jim Horn on Saxophone – Klaus Voorman, Alan Spenner and Bill Wyman on Bass – Buddy Harman, Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, BJ Wilson and Jim Gordon on Drums with Joe Cocker, Mick Jagger, Bonnie Bramlett and Merry Clayton on Vocals. Although no one seems to know who plays on what track – it’s a line-up most debut artists would gladly lose a limb for.

The LP first hit the US charts 11 April 1970 eventually rising to No. 60 with a stay of 18 weeks. His connections with Joe Cocker's Grease Band and the live extravaganza of "Mad Dogs And Englishmen" had served Russell well. Cocker took the then unrecorded Leon Russell "Delta Lady" composition and made a UK No. 10 hit out of it in September 1969 (Regal Zonophone RZ 3024) - even making something of a splash Stateside on the singles chart at a lesser No. 69. Leon does his own version here - and cool it is too – funking it up even more. The other two winners on the album picked up by other bands and singers in their droves are "A Song For You" and "Hummingbird". It’s said that as many as 100 artists have covered "A Song For You" in every genre - Donny Hathaway, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin in Soul with The Carpenters, Willie Nelson and Simply Red to name but a few in Easy Listening, Country and Rock. Blues giant B.B. King had a Rock-Blues hit with "Hummingbird" taken from his superb 1970 LP "Indiana Mississippi Seeds” on which Russell plays with Carole King and Joe Walsh (see separate review) and the covers of the song go right up to Bonnie Prince Billy in 2012.

A co-write with Christ Stainton of The Grease Band - "Dixie Lullaby" opens with a Dylan-like Harmonica intro before the band gets all Little Feat Dixie Chicken funky on this tune about penniless Willie down on Beale Street smiling as he sings his tunes. There's messing around at the beginning of the reluctant bachelor song "I Put A Spell On You" with studio stops and starts - but when the song does kick in - you can feel that good-ole-boy Lynyrd Skynyrd vibe as the band takes off - Derek & The Dominoes type lead guitar backed up by righteous tambourine slapping ladies and a furious piano speed from Russell  ("...come quickly mama...") Apparently based on a true story of two men (Junior and the Drummer) fighting over a woman - "Shoot Out On The Plantation" is a "Watching The River Flow" rocker. His much-covered "Hummingbird" starts out as Funky Acoustic ditty but quickly settles into a lovely melody - his lady soothing - gets him where he lives - the audio on this baby is fabulous.

Over on Side 2 "Prince Of Peace" (not the Lennon song) is given a 'huge' Production - the boogieing guitars leaping out of your speakers accompanied by those complimentary backing singers - a sound that's akin to the Derek & The Dominoes "Layla" double (also from 1970). The 1:21 minutes of "Old Masters" is Bob Dylan's "Masters Of War" done on a lone piano to the melody of the Star Spangled Banner is a genuine unnerving oddity as he sings "...I can see through your mask..." You can so hear the fab rasp of Bonnie Bramlett on "Give Peace A Chance" which feels like a Hair rave up as loads of voices get all holy-roller, piano-banging, hand-clapping righteous about 'peace'. The gorgeous audio transfer continues on a crystal clear "Hurtsome Body" - a massive guitar rocker with a sound akin to Bobby Whitlock's debut LP. "Pisces Apple Lady" would be covered by England's Tucky Buzzard on their self-titled second LP "Tucky Buzzard" in June 1971 on Capitol Records - a jerk-funky little bopper about English gals that would equally have been at home on Little Feat's "Sailin' Shoes". It ends on the rollicking piano-boogie of "Roll Away The Stone" which bears a striking resemblance to the Mott The Hoople hit of same-name three years later in 1973 (naughty Ian).

Russell would follow his Shelter Records American debut LP with "Leon Russell And The Shelter People" in May 1971, "Carney" in July 1972 and the triple "Leon Live" in July 1973 - all of which charted well (Right Stuff have also reissued "Shelter People" and "Carney" with Steve Hoffman Remasters). But there's just something a bit special about this celebratory and raucous beginning. 

"...That Louisiana man's gonna get you yet with his Dixie lullaby..." – Leon Russell sang on the jaunty "Dixie Lullaby". Let him in and get to you...

"Live At Leeds: Deluxe Edition" by THE WHO (2001 Polydor 2CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 100s Of Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT 1970... - Exceptional CD Remasters  

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"...When A Young Man Walks By..."

Even after 20 years of handling vinyl rarities in Reckless - and 40 years trawling records racks as an overgrown manchild who should know better by now - you never quite get over handling an intact copy of The Who's fabulous "Live At Leeds" LP in its original British vinyl form. It's simply a thing of beauty and unbridled Rock lust.

Released May 1970 on Track 2406 001 - it had only six tracks - none of which were listed on the rear and came housed in a flimsy flippy-floppy buff brown gatefold card sleeve with the title stamped on it like a crate of bananas bound for the docks. But when you opened this official Track Records release (deliberately made to look like a 'bootleg' as an antidote to the opulence of the "Tommy” double-album from May 1969) - it housed two pocket pouches – the LP on the right and on the left - 12 of the coolest inserts you'd ever seen inside a glassine see-through greaseproof bag. One of these ephemera inserts was the foldout 'Maximum R&B At The Marquee' poster of Pete Townshend and his 1964 guitar giving it some scrunched-up flying welly - while another had a from-behind-shot of PT in front of the huge Woodstock audience in 1969 holding up his guitar like it was a holy offering of some kind. You then noticed the white label of the LP that told you in script that they were doing covers of Eddie Cochran's "Summertime Blues" and the Johnny Kidd & The Pirates 60ts belter "Shakin' All Over" (both of which made absolute sense in your head) and on Side 2 when you flipped it over that there was a 15-minute version of "My Generation"!

It was enough to make any young buck tremble – weak at the knees even at the mere thought of it. And decades later - when you returned to "Live At Leeds" yet again - in need of a proper riffage wigout in the comfort of your suburban Audio Mancave - Hell you'd even forgive the staples on the edges that rusted and discoloured the sleeve as the years past. As I say – The Who’s "Live At Leeds" has always been a thing of wonderment and fantasmagoricalness...

Which brings us to this glorious and well thought-out September 2001 33-Track 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' Reissue - itself substituting the February 1995 'Expanded Edition' single CD version of 14-tracks. Although some argue it's still 'not complete' – this version purports to offer the first release of the full 14 February 1970 concert at Leeds University – tagging on the whole of the double-album "Tommy" on Disc 2 in a best-ever live performance of something they'd played over 130 times on an extensive US tour. Throw in the careful digital restoration (supervised by Townshend) and semi-removal of the famous 'master tape crackles' and you can't help but feel that a good thing has only been made better – and how. Here are the maximum details...

UK released 1 October 2001 (24 September 2001 in the USA) - "Live At Leeds: Deluxe Edition" by THE WHO on Polydor 112 618-2 (Barcode 008811261825) is a 2CD Reissue with 18 Previously Unreleased Tracks that features the first release of the complete 14 February 1970 Leeds University concert (including the 1969 "Tommy" Double Album intact) and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (73:33 minutes):

1. Heaven And Hell

2. I Can't Explain

3. Fortune Teller

4. Tattoo

5. Young Man Blues *

6. Substitute *

7. Happy Jack

8. I'm A Boy

9. A Quick One, While He's Away

10. Summertime Blues *

11. Shakin' All Over *

12. My Generation *

13. Magic Bus *

Disc 2 (53:33 minutes):

1. Overture

2. It's A Boy

3. 1921

4. Amazing Journey

5. Sparks

6. Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker)

7. Christmas

8. The Acid Queen

9. Pinball Wizard

10. Do You Think It's Alright?

11. Fiddle About

12. Tommy Can You Hear Me?

13. There's A Doctor

14. Go To The Mirror

15. Smash The Mirror

16. Miracle Cure

17. Sally Simpson

18. I'm Free

19. Tomorrow's Holiday Camp

20. We're Not Gonna Take It

NOTES:

"Live At Leeds" was released 3 May 1970 in the UK on Tracks Records 2406 001 and 16 May 1970 in the USA on Decca DL 79175 (peaked at No. 3 and No. 4 on the UK and US album charts). The six songs marked * on Disc 1 are the original 1970 LP - to sequence it from CD 1 use the following track numbers:

Side 1: Young Man's Blues (5)/Substitute (6)/Summertime Blues (10)/Shakin' All Over (11)

Side 2: My Generation (12)/Magic Bus (13)

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 on Disc 1 and Tracks 4 and 5 from Disc 2 were first released as part of the February 1995 14-song single CD reissue of “Live At Leeds” on Polydor 527 169-2. Fans will note that Disc 1 here has only 13-tracks instead of 14 – that’s because the double of "Amazing Journey/Sparks" from the 1995 disc has been moved for this 2001 reissue as two separate songs to Disc 2 to facilitate a correct running order of "Tommy". All 18 other tracks on Disc 2 are Previously Unreleased.

Those famous 12 inserts are spread across the six flaps within the chunky foldout digipak (including under the see-through CD trays) with the 'Maximum R&B' Poster for their Tuesday residency at the Marquee in 90 Wardour Street gracing page 27 of the 28-page booklet. Before that is a track-by-track appraisal in new liner notes from CHRIS CHARLESWORTH – a superb breakdown of the original packaging by Who enthusiast RICHARD EVANS and the whole caboodle has been overseen by long-time Who archivist and Reissue man JON ASTLEY. There are many Black and White period photos of the individual band members in full-on live mode as well as typed lyrics to “My Generation”. Obsessives like me will know that uber-rare 1st pressing originals of the British LP had the title stamped in black lettering up in the right corner - second pressings came in Blue and Red type. This 2001 'Deluxe Edition' 2CD set opts for the blue lettering embossed into the front sleeve with an attached greaseproof title sheet stuck onto the rear (if you don’t get the outer plastic slipcase).

But the big news is yet another sonic go-round that adds rather fudges. The Remixes and Remasters have been supervised by PETE TOWNSHEND and carried out by Engineer ANDY MacPHERSON and JON ASTLEY at Close To The Edge Studios – and the results are as close to perfect as you can get for such a notoriously crude recording. All the power of the band seems to have been realised here without too much compression or compromise. It’s a cliché I know – but this reissue does truly rock – the sheer sonic excitement of the band during “Magic Bus” is breathtaking and won’t cost you one hundred English pounds...

It opens with a cover of Mose Allison's Jazz Swing song "Young Man Blues" turned into a Who Rocker and you're immediately clobbered by the clarity of both Townshend's guitar and the confident strut of Daltrey's vocals - huge and attacking in all the right ways. It's followed by Townshend's witty 'three hit singles from our past' banter before they launch into a two-minute version of "Substitute" where Mooney's huge drums have no crocodile tears and genuinely threaten your speakers with malevolent intent. 14 June 1970 saw Track Records UK edit down "Summertime Blues" into single form and along with a studio version of Entwistle's "Heaven And Hell" on the B-side release the band's 14th seven-inch single on Track 2094 002 (the US copy on Decca 32708 had "Here For More" as its flipside). That side ends with a Rocking and yet Funky rendition of "Shakin' All Over" - quivers down the backbone indeed.

But for me it's Side 2 with the extended the 15-minute "My Generation" and the near eight-minute "Magic Bus" that puts the LP into legend. Including bits from "Tommy" like an improvised "See Me Feel Me" and a Bass Solo - "My Generation" stills feel dangerous and anthemic - even at such a huge ambling length. The riffage of "Magic Bus" is explosive stuff and when the band finally does kick in - you know why people in the audience never forgot the experience of The Who in full flight. Of the extras I love "Tattoo" from "The Who Sell Out" LP - that perfect combo of melody and crashing pomp - while Entwistle's "Heaven And Hell" lets Pete riff away as if it was own song - a powerful set opener. But best of all is the witty mishmash that is "A Quick One, While He's Away" - a six-part musical Who tour-de-force about an unsuspecting girl guide and a not-so-innocent Ivor The Engine Driver with amazing vocals traded at the beginning and throughout. The booklet advises that after extensive research - the largely unreleased "Tommy" on CD2 is the best played version yet found and when you hear them tear through "The Acid Queen", "Pinball Wizard" and "I'm Free" - you're in no doubt that's no idle boast designed to beef up already overblown liner notes – it's actually true. Amazing stuff...

In May 2017 "Live At Leeds" by THE WHO will be 47 years young. And I have to say that this 2001 Deluxe Edition of it does that in-yer-face legend proud...

"A Song For Me/Anyway..." by FAMILY (2009 Beat Goes On 2CD Reissue with Bonus Tracks - Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Strange Looking Band Were We..."

By the time Leicester's FAMILY had reached album number 3 "A Song For Me" (recorded late 1969, released January 1970) - they'd lost two original band members and replaced them with two new leading lights. Rick Grech had jumped ship for the short-lived Clapton-Winwood-Bruce project BLIND FAITH - replaced by Bass and Violin player John Weider (ex Eric Burdon and The Animals) - while original Saxophonist Jim King moved over to the equally short-lived RING OF TRUTH only to be replaced by Keyboard whizz John 'Poli' Palmer (ex Eclection). Grech does get a songwriting co-credit though for "Wheels" on the "A Song For Me" LP.

Commercially Family had done well with their first two albums - "Music In A Doll’s House" from July 1968 charted at No. 35 while their 2nd album "Family Entertainment" from March 1969 broke the Top Ten and hit No. 6. Despite their not-for-everyone music - Family retained their Prog leanings mixed with Rock Tunes and for many fans it was this 3rd album line-up that dominated the Seventies with album-after-album of originality and musical adventure. It helped too that they were fronted at all times by the truly extraordinary pipes of Roger Chapman - a man who like Tom Waits - gargled gravel for breakfast and gurgled engine oil for lunch (think a more strangulated version of Joe Cocker meets a Helium-induced Tiny Tim).

Which brings us to this rather brill twofer CD Reissue from England's Beat Goes On done in conjunction with the band in 2009. It gathers together two huge fan faves - their 3rd and fourth vinyl platters both from the decade's debut year – 1970. And it’s not just the liner notes that feature band contributions – this reissue throws in two rare Single Sides and seven Previously Unreleased Versions as Bonus Tracks. Here are the Mortars and Explosive Projectiles...

UK released February 2009 - "A Song For Me/Anyway..." by FAMILY on Beat Goes On BGOCD 854 (Barcode 5017261208545) offers 2 albums from 1970 Remastered onto 2CDs with nine Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 "A Song For Me" (66:57 minutes):
1. Drowned In Wine
2. Some Poor Soul
3. Love Is A Sleeper
4. Stop For The Traffic - Through The Heart Of Me
5. Wheels
6. Song For Sinking Lovers [Side 2]
7. Hey - Let It Rock
8. The Cat And The Rat
9. 93's OK J
10. A Song For Me
Tracks 1 to 10 are their 3rd studio album "A Song For Me" - released January 1970 in the UK on Reprise Records RSLP 9001 and February 1970 in the USA on Reprise RS 6384 with a different track line-up that used a UK single to open the LP. To sequence the US original LP from this CD use:
Side 1: No Mule's Fool/Drowned In Wine/Love Is A Sleeper/Some Poor Soul/Wheels
Side 2: Hey - Let It Rock/Stop For The Traffic - Through The Heart Of Me/Song For Sinking Lovers/93's OK J/A Song For Me

BONUS TRACKS:
11. No Mule's Fule
12. Good Friend Of Mine
Tracks 11 and 12 are the non-UK album A&B-sides to a UK 7" single released July 1970 on Reprise RS 29001.
Also issued as a 45 in the USA on Reprise 0881
13. Drowned In Wine (Live)
14. The Cat And The Rat (Live)
15. Wheels (Live)
16. A Song For Me (Live)
Tracks 13 to 16 are Alternate Takes done live in the studio

Disc 2 "Anyway..." (60:22 minutes):
1. Good News - Bad News
2. Willow Tree
3. Holding The Compass
4. Strange Band
5. Part Of The Land [Side 2]
6. Anyway
7. Normans
8. Lives And Ladies
Tracks 1 to 8 are their 4th album "Anyway..." - released November 1970 in the UK on Reprise Records RSX 9005. It was belatedly released late February 1973 in the USA on United Artists UAS 5527. Side 1 is live recorded at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon (Tracks 1 to 4) - whilst Side 2 is Studio recorded at Olympic Sound Studios (Tracks 5 to 8). The album peaked at No. 7 on the UK LP charts.

BONUS TRACKS:
9. Strange Band (Alternative Live Version)
10. Part Of The Land (Live)
11. Lives And Ladies (Live)

The card slipcase gives these BGO reissues a classy feel - but the wonderful artwork of both LPs is of course lost on the CD booklet. "A Song For Me" came in a gatefold sleeve with a rare lyrics insert and "Anway..." famously featured a stippled plastic outer with an envelope flip at the top and card insert inside (Leonardo Da Vinci's pencil drawing of "Mortars And Projectiles"). The lyrics for both LPs turn up in the last of the 28-page booklet after MICHAEL HEATLEY liner notes and in-depth recollections with the band and writer PETE FEENSTRA. But the big news is a 2009 Remaster by ANDREW THOMPSON. I had the Castle Communications CD reissue from 1993 for ages to have the music for "A Song For Me" - but this version is much better. And there's amazing clarity on the live side of "Anyway..." - even on the beautiful and quiet "Willow Tree". A nice job done...

FAMILY music is a Bovril thing - you either love it or loathe it. And from the opening 20-seconds of "Drowned In Wine" - you're under no illusions that this British Group likes it Prog syncopations. Personally I've always thought them capable of magic and the Acoustic Mellow of "Some Poor Soul” is typically unnerving in its sheer prettiness and musicality (the Remaster sounds gorgeous). We're back to Man-like guitar-boogie for "Love Is A Sleeper" - a fantastically put together rocker that brims with energy and imagination despite the overload of instruments. We get Brinsley Schwarz country-jaunty with "Stop For The Traffic - Through The Heart Of Me" while Side 1 ends on the brilliance of "Wheels" - those pinging Acoustic notes and flute flourishes filling your speakers with warmth and musical melody similar to Genesis' "Trespass" from that same year.

Weider's Violin playing and sheer musicality adds so much to Side 2's "Song For Sinking Lovers" with Chapman's vocals spine-tingling as ever. "Hey - Let It Rock" turns out to be a beautifully constructed Acoustic Guitar and Flute string-flicker and not a raging electric guitar storm as the title seems to indicate. A massive organ via Curved Air opens the rocking finisher "A Song For Me" - another great Family song with a funky feel and a screaming Chapman vocal as Guitar and Piano/Organ do battle (what a way to finish the LP). I like "No Mule's Fool" and "Good Friend Of Mine" but I must admit I can hear why they were relegated to 7" single status in the UK - there's better album cuts like "The Cat And The Rat". The bonus track credits of 'live' versions of four album cuts are studio run-throughs without the recording polish of the finished cuts. But of them "Wheels" and the full-on Zappa-type whig out on "A Song For Me" are the winners. Overall - and I can't stress this enough - I'd forgotten how much I loved this album - and the Remaster has made me weak at the knees all over again...

The album "Anyway..." certainly looked the part when it arrived at the end of 1970 - the beautiful artwork alone enough to make you want to buy the LP. But one side live and one side studio (mostly new songs) only seemed to irritate people (a shame because I think it's a bit of an unsung masterpiece). Quite apart from the musicality in "Good News - Bad News" - the remaster has made it rock like a monster while you can only describe "Willow Tree" as beautiful - delicate despite being in front of a crowd. The Byrds jangle of "Holding The Compass" should have been redone in the studio because I thought it would have made a cracking single in studio form. As it is – I love the Richard Thompson flicks on Whitney’s amplified Acoustic Guitar that give it such a cool feel – Chapman’s voice held back one moment – let rip the next (the audience explosion of appreciation at the end is real too). Side 2's studio opener "Part Of The Land" is brilliant - all jerky like Talking Heads - it jutts and butts in a Funky Ass way that works - like King Crimson channelling James Brown. "Anyway" is wonderful and only confirms what I feel about Side 1's goodies - what a record it would have been if it had all been studio bound. The deceptively sweet instrumental "Normans" makes use of the Weider violin again (great counter with Chapman's vocals towards the end) and the LP ends on the near seven minutes of the piano plaintive "Lives And Ladies" - more sophisticated Rock worthy of your readies.

I suppose FAMILY will always be an acquired taste - never as immediate as other bands - but I love this reissue - as stone five-star as it gets. Even though it's deleted - I urge you to seek it out...

Titles in the Beat Goes On CD Reissue Series covering Family, Roger Chapman and Streetwalkers:
1. FAMILY – A Song For Me/Anyway... (2009 2CD Set - BGOCD 854 - Barcode 5017261208545)
2. FAMILY – Fearless (+ Bonus Tracks)/Family Live (2009 2CD Set - BGOCD 855 – Barcode 5017261208552)
3. FAMILY – Bandstand/It's Only A Movie (2009 2CD Set – BGOCD 856 – Barcode 5017261208569)
4. ROGER CHAPMAN and THE SHORTLIST – Chappo/Live In Hamburg (2004 2LPs on 1CD – BGOCD 824 – Barcode 5017261208248)
5. STREETWALKERS [feat Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney of Family] – Downtown Flyers (2004 CD - BGOCD 542 – Barcode 5017261205421)
6. STREETWALKERS – Live (2004 CD - BGOCD606 – Barcode 5017261206060)
7. STREETWALKERS – Red Card/Vicious But Fair (2005 – 2LPs on 1CD – BGOCD669 – Barcode 5017261206695)

"Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround Part 1 & Percy: Deluxe Edition" by THE KINKS (2014 Sony/Legacy/BMG 2CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2014 'Deluxe Edition' 2CD REISSUE ***

"...I see that Union Man walking down the street...

He’s the man who decides if I live or I die...if I starve or I eat..."

For a band so intrinsically linked with the Sixties - as ever Ray Davies refused to be pigeonholed by its sentiment and started the new Seventies decade with a musical hand-grenade – something of a kick in the nadge for the hippy dream. Yet despite being a bit of a caustic brute (especially lyrically) – November 1970's album "Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Part 1" also contained huge popular hits like "Lola" and "Apeman" – provocatively charged sexpot songs that felt all grown up and mature and even gender-bender risky. The Kinks' "Lola..." has always been a great album and its arrival on DE has been much anticipated...

But after the thrilling CD reissue ride their 60ts catalogue received at the hands of Universal's double-disc 'Deluxe Editions' in 2011 - this August 2014 Sony/Legacy 2CD addition sounds better for sure but is actually incomplete. Although we get the "Percy" Soundtrack from 1971 on Disc 2 as a bonus along with many other outtakes on both CDs (some superb unreleased stuff amidst the 12 new cuts like "Anytime") - we lose two tracks that were on the previous 2004 issue - and it comes in a forgettable double jewel case instead of a foldout card digipak that would have matched the other spines in the series. Still - despite the packaging and content niggles - there's so much on here to love and want - there really is. Let's get physical...

UK released August 2014 - "Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround & Percy: Deluxe Edition" by THE KINKS on Sony Legacy/BMG 88843089592 (Barcode 0888430895928) is a 43-Track 2CD 'Deluxe Edition' Reissue and Remaster with 12 Previously Unreleased tracks that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (64:48 minutes):

1. The Contenders

2. Strangers

3. Denmark Street

4. Get Back In Line

5. Lola

6. Top Of The Pops

7. The Moneygoround

8. This Time Tomorrow [Side 2]

9. A Long Way From Home

10. Rats

11. Apeman

12. Powerman

13. Got To Be Free

Tracks 1 to 13 are the album "Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Part One" - released 27 November 1970 in the UK on Pye Records NSPL 18359 and 2 December 1970 in the USA on Reprise RS 6423 in Stereo. It peaked at No. 35 on the US LP charts.

BONUS TRACKS (All PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED):

14. Anytime

15. The Contenders (instrumental Demo)

16. The Good Life

17. Lola (Alternate Version)

18. This Time Tomorrow (Instrumental)

19. Apeman (Alternate Version, Stereo) - originally appeared on the April 1971 Japanese LP of "Lola..." on Reprise YS-2456-Y

20. Got To Be Free (Alternate Version) - originally broadcast in the UK 15 Oct 1970 on BBC 1 Television

Disc 2 (63:25 minutes):

1. God's Children

2. Lola (Instrumental)

3. The Way Love Used To Be

4. Completely

5. Running Round Town

6. Moments

7. Animals In The Zoo

8. Just Friends

9. Whip Lady

10. Dreams

11. Helga

12. Willesden Green

13. God's Children (End)

Tracks 1 to 13 are the Soundtrack LP "Percy" - released March 1971 in the UK on Pye Records NSPL 18365 in Stereo. No US LP - but "God's Children" and "The Way Love Used To Be" was released as an American 7" single on Reprise REP 1017 in July 1971.

BONUS TRACKS:

14. Dreams (Remix) - Previously Unreleased

15. Lola (Mono Single) - 12 June 1970 UK 7" single on Pye International 7N 17961 - 12 June 1970 US 7" single on Reprise 0930 with "cherry cola" lyric

16. Apeman (Mono Single) - 20 Nov 1970 UK 7" single on Pye International 7N 45016, A-side

17. Rats (Mono Single)  - 20 Nov 1970 UK 7" single on Pye International 7N 45016, B-side of "Apeman" - 16 Dec 1970 US 7" single on Reprise 0979

18. Powerman (Mono) - first issued May 1998 in the UK on the CD reissue of "Lola..." on Essential ESM CD 509

19. The Moneygoround (Alternate Version, Mono) - first issued August 2012 in the UK on the 5CD/1DVD Box Set "The Kinks At The BBC" on Sanctuary/UMC 279 721-8 as part of the DVD - Audio here for the first time - Previously Unreleased

20. Apeman (Alternate Version, Mono) - first issued December 1970 on a Denmark 7" single on Pye 7N 45016, A-side - Previously Unreleased

21. God's Children (Mono Film Mix) - Previously Unreleased

22. The Way Love Used To Be (Mono Film Mix) - first released May 1998 in the UK on the CD Reissue of "Percy" on Essential ESM CD 510

23. Gold's Children (End) (Mono Film Mix) - Previously Unreleased

The 24-page booklet is the usual feast of colour photos, picture sleeves, repro'd memorabilia and in-depth recording/release date factoids you've come to expect from these DE releases. The second half of the booklet features racy stills from the iffy movie "Percy" - a superb 15-strong picture array of rare 45 single-sleeves from around the world ("Lola, "Apeman", "God's Children" and "Animals In The Zoo") - while the final few pages feature the handwritten lyrics to the "Lola" LP that graced the inner gatefold of British and American albums on Pye and Reprise. Noted writer and author PETER DOGGETT gives a detailed analysis of the band's leap into the heavy rock decade and their dubious involvement in a dubious movie. It's beautifully laid out. Unfortunately the "Apeman" and "Powerman" Demos that were unreleased extras on the 2004 reissue CD are AWOL when there was clearly room on either disc for them - so docked a star for that and the boring jewel case presentation.

But there's better news for fans in the CD transfers. A team of three trusted names have tackled the new 2014 Remasters - ANDREW SANDOVAL, DAN HERSCH and ANDY PEARCE. Sandoval was involved with all of the Universal DE's for The Kinks and much praised for it - Dan Hersch has been Rhino's go-to guy for decades and Andy Pearce (along with Matt Wortham) has a growing rep for fabulously realistic transfers that just keeps getting better (Thin Lizzy, Wishbone Ash, Budgie, the 2016 Free reissues and the much-anticipated new versions of Deep Purple's catalogue in 2017). The moment you hear the 40-second Acoustic into to "The Contenders" or the sheer punch to the riffage of "Powerman" or the 'Yes It's No. 1!' "Top Of The Pops" and you can 'feel' the punch. Great stuff. Let's get to the music...

"...On the verge of a nervous breakdown...I went to see a solicitor..." Ray sings bitterly on "The Moneygoround" as he (like so many musicians of the day) wonder - there's all this fame so why is there so little cash to go with it? No one at the record label is answering the phone. That kind of probing angst imbibes songs like "This Time Tomorrow" and the 'where are you going' cries in "Strangers" - each tune filled with cool music unpinned by a weary pathos. The audio on the Stereo "Lola" and "Apeman" makes them huge - those brilliant and fun lyrics still raising a smile after 46 years. I'd forgotten just how New York Dolls the "Rats" track is (B-side to the "Apeman” 45 in most territories) – a hard-hitting little rocker where slick and aggressive city types are crowding our Ray's personal space. It ends on the brilliant and upbeat "Got To Be Free".

Fans will love the newest find - "Anytime" - a 3:30 minute amble that feels epic. Probably the very guitar-based feel excluded it from the LP - but there's no doubt in my mind that it's the premium find on here - brilliant and exciting. The Instrumental of "The Contenders" is truly fascinating stuff - half Gary Moore's Skid Row when the guitars dominate - half Chicken Shack when the piano gets a look in. Just when you think it's going to descend into filler - "The Good Life" chugs its Havana Cigar way across your speakers - a wickedly good rocker that makes you wonder why it wasn't used as a B-side. There's Take 11 dialogue before the Alternate Take of "Lola" and a slower intro - and again - it's impressive stuff even for such a familiar song. Fans are going to eat up an instrumental of their LP fave "This Time Tomorrow" - piano and rhythm acting as a backing track as you hum along to the words in your head. The car sounds at the beginning of the Stereo "Apeman" are still intact - but after being used to the Mono Single - the 'nuclear war' instruments and lyrics feel 'massive' - an amazing listen. But the most radically different take is "Got To Be Free" where Ray sounds like he's channelling his inner Alan Price as he plinks away on a childlike piano - shame it's not better recorded and fades out too fast...

CD2 gives us the "Percy" Soundtrack - a much-maligned beast that's far better than I remember it - with some shining moments like the obvious upbeat single "God's Children" and its lovely flipside "The Way Love Used To Be". With lyrics like "...I want to go back to the way the good Lord made me..." - Davies gives "God's Children" a hopeful feel complete with choruses and strings. I've always thought the funked-up guitar version of "Lola" to be cool even if the cheesy organ that follows the opening kind of ruins the vibe. I also dig the chugging Bluesy guitar-and-harmonica instrumental "Completely" - like The Kinks forgot who they were for a moment and went all Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac for one song. "Moments" is pretty too - remembering things the main characters have forgotten. You can hear why "Animals In The Zoo" was chosen as a leadoff single - funky acoustic to begin with - yet so Kinks in its rhythms as it boogies along in a very catchy way. Of the unreleased on Disc 2 "The Moneygoround" and the Alternate Mono of "Apeman" come off the best - an impressive end to an impressive release.

"...It might even turn into a steady job..." - our Ray roared on "Top Of The Pops" (number 11 with a bullet) about the life of a Rock Musician. And on the evidence of this 2CD reissue - thank God it did...