"Gentle Giant/Acquiring The Taste" by GENTLE GIANT (2012 Beat Goes On 2CD Remasters by Andrew Thompson) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...A Tall Tale..." 

Talk about keeping it in the family – Portsmouth brothers and multi-instrumentalists Derek, Ray and Phil Shulman teamed up with classically trained guitarist Gary Green, keyboard whizz Kerry Minnear and drummer Martin Smith in 1970 to form GENTLE GIANT. Abandoning their Sixties Simon Dupree & The Big Sound pop sensibilities entirely – they powered full tilt into the emerging sound of the day – Progressive Rock. Eleven albums later and England's Prog heroes were still there in 1980 – giving it loads of difficult syncopations and selling bugger all records.

This first double-disc reissue of their extensive back-catalogue put out by England’s reputable Beat Goes On label remasters the South Coast boy’s first two Prog outings at Vertigo in 1970 and 1971 – home of many'd the eye-catching gatefold sleeve. Not dissimilar in style to King Crimson and Yes but without perhaps the same (dare we say it) commerciality – Gentle Giant nonetheless built a steady and fiercely loyal following - and on the evidence presented here you can understand why that affection still endures today. Amazing playing virtuosity - clever classical interludes and layered harmony vocals sat on top of a trademark guitar sound not unlike Robert Fripp enjoying himself - it's all here - sounding and looking great too. Here are the tall tales and the bearded technicalities for their first two steps…

UK released November 2012 – "Gentle Giant/Acquiring The Taste" by GENTLE GIANT on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1095 (Barcode 5017261210951) offers their first two studio albums remastered onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 "Gentle Giant" (37:05 minutes):

1. Giant

2. Funny Ways

3. Alucard

4. Isn't It Quiet And Cold

5. Nothing At All [Side 2] 6. Why Not

7. The Queen

Tracks 1 to 7 are their debut album "Gentle Giant" - released November 1970 in the UK on Vertigo Records 6360 020 (it was not issued in the USA). Produced by TONY VISCONTI.

Disc 2 "Acquiring The Taste" (39:07 minutes):

1. Pantagruel's Nativity

2. Edge Of Twilight

3. The House, The Street, The Room

4. Acquiring The Taste

5. Wreck [Side 2]

6. The Moon s Down

7. Black Cat

8. Plain Truth

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 2nd studio album "Acquiring The Taste" - released July 1971 in the UK on Vertigo Records 6360 041 (not issued in the USA). Produced by TONY VISCONTI.

GENTLE GIANT was:

DEREK SHULMAN - Lead and Backing Vocals (some Bass), Alto Sax, Clavichord and Cowbell

RAY SHULMAN - Bass, Violin, Electric Violin, Viola, Spanish Guitar, 12-String Guitar, Organ Bass Pedals, Skulls, Tambourine Percussion and Backing Vocals

PHIL SHULMAN - Alto and Tenor Sax, Trumpet, Clarinet, Recorder, Piano, Claves, Maracas, Lead and Backing Vocals

KERRY MINNEAR - Electric Piano, Organ, Mellotron, Vibraphone, Moog, Piano, Celeste, Clavichord, Harpsichord, Tympani, Maracas, Bass, Cello, Lead and Backing Vocals and Tuned Percussion

GARY GREEN - Lead Guitar, 6 and 12-String Guitar, Wah-Wah Guitar, Donkey's Jawbone, Cat Calls and Vocals

MARTIN SMITH - Drums, Gongs,Tambourine and Percussion

Guests:

CLAIRE DENIZ - Cello on "Isn't It Quiet And Cold" on the "Gentle Giant" LP

PAUL COSH - Tenor Horn on "Giant" and played Trumpet and Organ on the "Acquiring The Taste" LP

TONY VISCONTI - Recorder, Bass Drum and Triangle on the "Acquiring The Taste" LP

The outer card slipcase gives the release a classy feel (now generic with all BGO releases) while the 16-page booklet is packed with original details (the Tony Visconti 'A Tale Tale' liner notes that graced the inner gatefold of the debut LP) and properly in-depth assessments of the albums and the band by noted writer DAVID WELLS (done in 2012). The final few pages give you the lyrics to both records - all of it centred by a black and white photo of the original six-piece band. ANDREW THOMPSON has carried out the new Remasters at Sound Performance in London and while the 1st LP is undoubtedly hissy in places - both records are full of presence and power - the second album "Acquiring The Taste" in particular shining like a new sixpence (there were mastering issues on the first run of these CDs but I've experienced none of that in 2016).

Defiant in their musical vision - you're struck at first by their playing - Gentle Giant was an accomplished band right from the off with musical adventure and boundary-breaking forcably built into their DNA. The debut album is ragged around the edges for sure – but it’s mighty in scope and daring. A doomy church organ hisses in for "Giant" and you're in ELP territory before Derek Shulman comes roaring in the vocals like the younger brother of Roger Chapman from Family. Things get really interesting with "Funny Ways" - a fantastic amalgam of beautiful cello, acoustic guitar, electric wah-wah and even a lone brass instrument all combining into a delicate choral rock track - Phil Shulman's lead vocal softer and more suited to the song. "Alucard" (Dracula spelt backwards and a label name used for GG reissues) is proper Prog - huge synth chords - phased vocals - brass jabs and lyrics about 'terror fills my soul' - nice. Side 2 opens with the Emily Bronte Baroque of "Isn't It Quiet And Cold" - whimsy vocals dancing daintily above a violin, harpsichord, cello and timpani plinking. Hardly surprising that the nine-minute "Nothing At All" was chosen as the representative track of the album on the 2005 Vertigo 3CD Box Set "Time Machine" (see separate review) - it's stunning - beautiful - surprising and the playing/arrangements are so damn accomplished like Yes meets Jethro Tull by way of Family (the Bass and that ever-present Acoustic Guitar

are particularly sweet and clear on the remaster). The guitar Prog of "Why Not" is superb too but the mock 'God Save' "The Queen" tests your patience a tad.

If the first album was an announcement and more-than-promising start - the largely improvised 2nd album delivered on that Prog entree. Like "Nothing At All" from the 1st LP - "Pantagruel's Nativity" was chosen as the representative of "Acquiring The Taste" for the "Time Machine" Vertigo Box Set - another near seven minutes of wickedly good mellotron and guitar. Inspired by the French Author Francois Rabelius and his tale of jousting giants 'Gargantua and Pantagruel' - it has fabulous audio especially on this chunky guitars and layered vocals. You're then thrown by the sheer prettiness of "Edge Of Twlight" as sounds flit from speaker to speaker - a pretty Prog ditty as I say but with menace provided by big kettle drums and phased voices. "The House The Street The Room" feels like Family meets Genesis somewhere between 1968's "Music In A Doll's House" and 1970's "Nursery Cryme". The short synth pavane of "Acquiring The Taste" precedes "Wreck" which has an almost catchy Uriah Heap chorus of 'hey yeah'. But for me the album is sealed by the final three - "The Moon Is Down", "Black Cat" and "Plain Truth" - all of which display more clever breaks than you can shake a stick at. At seven and half-minutes and opening with some wicked wah-wah guitar not unlike Hendrix having a doodle on his Strat - the longest of the three "Plain Truth" is very cool Prog indeed and leaves you impressed by an unsung hero of an LP (fans consider ATT a gem).

In the liner notes for "Acquiring The Taste" - GENTLE GIANT collectively stated that their music should be '...unique, adventurous and fascinating...' even '...at the risk of being very unpopular...' Job done boys...

"Highway" by FREE (2016 Universal/Island Remasters CD Reissue - Andy Pearce/Matt Wortham Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...I'm The Stealer...Gonna Steal Your Love..."

This is the kind of CD reissue that does my nut in - one step forward and two steps back. Some explanation is needed...

FREE fans will know that the February 2002 CD reissue campaign of all seven of their albums (six studio and one live) came with great Peter Mew remasters, decent bonus tracks and expanded booklets to match - and were mid-price at the time. But here we are in September 2016 with another reissue campaign of all seven albums accompanied by "The Free Story" compilation (a 2LP set onto 1CD) that strips away those brilliant bonuses entirely – and unwisely substitutes the hugely informative liner notes for band photos.

But – these 2016 reissues do offer us one genuinely worthy consolation prize - new 2016 ANDY PEARCE and an uncredited MATT WORTHAM set of Remasters that breath wonderful naturalistic vitality back into the albums. With the eight being offered on Amazon at a less than five pounds sixty-five pence per reissue – you can of course argue that the price is right and with their generic 'Island Remasters' see-through side panelling on the jewel case – they look good too. But what real fans are essentially getting is great new sound - but lesser discs (one step forward etc). Here are the neutered nadges...

UK released Friday, 9 September 2016 - "Highway" by FREE on Universal/Island Remasters 473 181-9 (Barcode 602547318190) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 9-track late 1970 UK LP and plays out as follows (36:02 minutes):

1. The Highway Song

2. The Stealer

3. On My Way

4. Be My Friend

5. Sunny Day [Side 2]

6. Ride On Pony

7. Love You So

8. Bodie

9. Soon I Will Be Gone

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 4th studio album "Highway" - released December 1970 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9138 and February 1971 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4278. Produced by FREE and engineered by Andy Johns - it peaked at No. 40 on the UK LP charts (didn't chart in the USA).

The six missing bonus tracks on the 2002 Island Remasters version are "My Brother Jake (7" Single Mix)",  "Only My Soul" (April 1971 non-album B-side to "My Brother Jake" released in the UK on Island WIP 6100), "Ride On A Pony (BBC Session)", "Be My Friend (BBC Session)", "Rain (Alternative Version)" and "The Stealer (7" Single Version Edit)". As you can see from this list of missing extras - your loss is considerable - every one of these bonus tracks adding huge punch to the overall vibe of the 2002 reissue.

The new booklet is 12-pages with a Tape-Box Photo of "The Stealer" on Page 2, other band photos and reissue credits on the centre colour spread (both guitarist Paul Kossoff and bassist Andy Fraser get a page each) - but there's no liner notes giving history, details etc. Beneath the see-through CD tray are pictures of the seven reissued albums with the eight being "The Free Story" double-album compilation from 1974 (for catalogue numbers see notes below). But a fabulous new master from ANDY PEARCE and an uncredited MATT WORTHAM – who did such great work on Pentangle, Frankie Miller, Thin Lizzy, Wishbone Ash, the 2012 Rory Gallagher CD remasters of his Polydor and Chrysalis catalogues and most recently the 2016 Budgie 3CD Box Set for their MCA Albums and the 'Deluxe Editions' for the Emerson, Lake And Palmer Island catalogue (see reviews for them all) - resoundingly compensates for all of that distasteful compromise. I've had the 2002 remaster and the Japanese 2008 SHM-CD reissue – both of which rock – but this version is better to my ears. There's suddenly staggering naturality and presence to the whole LP. Pearce and Wortham let things breathe (it's a trademark of theirs). Sure there's trace amounts of hiss and it's possibly louder than the other pressings – but its not loudness for loudness sake – not shrill so to speak – just in your face – huge power and presence - like an original tape should be. Buggering thing is I'll now need the lot if they all sound this good...

As an album December 1970's "Highway" has always been second fiddle to the mighty "Fire And Water" from earlier in the year (May 1970) with it's all conquering "All Right Now". But I'd argue it's the band's "Powerage" or "Communiqué" or "Goat's Head Soup" or "Tusk" - a record that followed monsters and therefore gets unfairly overlooked and slagged off. Granted a tune like the dreadfully weedy "Bodie" is not classic Free no matter how well the Acoustic Guitars now leap out of the mix. But check out the opener "The Highway Song" and suddenly that ramshackle British Rock thing The Stones and Mott The Hoople had in spades starts to fill your living room with trouser-filling swagger (look out ladies). The album cut of the truly fabulous "The Stealer" at 3:16 minutes is actually better than the slightly longer single mix at 3:23 minutes which has different guitar parts and a more accentuated Andy Fraser bass. Here the 2016 LP Version has amazing power - that fantastic 'she stood on the corner' riffage now has the gonads it’s always cried out for (surely Free at their best). Side 1 shows the mellow side of singer Paul Rodgers and songwriting bassist Andy Fraser when they end the A with two superb mid-tempo tunes "On My Way" and "Be My Friend" - massively underrated Free songs – beautiful remasters for both cuts too.

"Sunny Day" opens Side 2 in the same mellow mood - it's a song I honestly didn't think much of at first but now dig - especially as it's followed by the album's other nugget - the fab "Ride On A Pony" which should have been the follow-on single from "The Stealer". The remaster has given it oomph in every area. The Mellotron that featured on "Be My Friend" returns for the pretty and affecting "Love You So" - a very sweet FREE ballad. I never could abide "Bodie" but that mush is followed by an epic "Soon I Will Be Gone" which sounds utterly amazing on this Remaster.

Across the seven reissues we probably loose thirty to thirty-five genuinely cool bonus tracks and all that enlightening info in the booklets too - so buying their catalogue yet again may become a chore. But we do gain fabulous new audio - and for many that's probably going to be a deciding factor. Bugger but Universal wins again - because if they all sound this good - I'm gonna have to own the lot...

PS: FREE titles in the 9 Sept 2016 Island Remasters CD Reissue Series are:

1. Tons Of Sobs (March 1969 debut UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 181-5 (Barcode 602547318152)

2. Free (October 1969 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-1 (Barcode 602547318718)

3. Fire And Water (May 1970 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-4 (Barcode 602547318749)

4. Highway (December 1970 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 181-9 (Barcode 602547318190)

5. Free Live! (June 1971 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 187-6

6. Free At Last (June 1972 UK LP) - Island Remasters 473 183-9 (Barcode 602547318398)

7. Heartbreaker (January 1973 UK Final Studio LP) - Island Remasters 473 182-6 (Barcode 602547318268)

8. The Free Story (March 1974 UK 2LP Compilation) - Island Remasters 472 262-9

There is also a VINYL Box Set called "FREE - The Vinyl Collection" on Universal/Island 473 187-9 released 9 September 2016 with seven LPs (Barcode 0602547318794)

"Grand Funk" by GRAND FUNK RAILROAD [featuring Mark Farner] (2002 Capitol 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Inside Looking Out…"

With their debut “On Time” released only months earlier in August 1969 (a slow burner that eventually charted in October and rose to Number 27) – their second platter simply called "Grand Funk" followed only months later at the tail end of December 1969 – days away from the beginning of the new decade. Capitol Records saw their investment in Michigan’s finest deliver a Number 11 placing on the Rock LP charts – and hearing its heavier than lead-piping tunes in 2015 (a mere 45 years after the event) - it’s easy to hear why ”Grand Funk” with its garish 'red' cover was both lauded and derided in equal measure (much like the band itself really in certain quarters). But I’d argue if you want gutsy Hard Rockling American Rock ‘n’ Roll – then there’s a lot to love about GRAND FUNK RAILROAD. And featuring two rather excellent Bonus Tracks with sympathetic 24-bit Digital Remastering - this still-as-cheap-as-chips CD remaster is a fantastic way into this most American of Boogie bands. Here are the hard-hitting details…

Released November 2002 – "Grand Funk" by GRAND FUNK RAILROAD on Capitol 5393812 (Barcode 724353938123) is an ‘Expanded Edition’ and plays out as follows (59:46 minutes):

1. Got This Feeling On The Move

2. Please Don’t Worry

3. High Falootin’ Woman

4. Mr. Limousine Driver

5. In Need [Side 2]

6. Winter And My Soul

7. Paranoid

8. Inside Looking Out

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 2nd album "Grand Funk" – released January 1970 in the USA on Capitol SW 406 and February 1970 in the UK on Capitol E-ST 307

BONUS TRACKS (both Previously Unreleased):

9. Nothing is The Same (Demo)

10. Mr. Limousine Driver (Extended Version)

Track 9 (along with most of the album) was recorded on 20 October 1969 and is an early attempt at a song that would eventually surface on their 3rd LP “Closer To Home” in June of 1970. This early-take features a different arrangement and Don Brewer on vocals in the middle section.

Track 10 is a 2002 Remix with Alternate Guitar and an Extended Ending

The 12-page booklet is a rather visually pleasing affair – a centre-page spread of Ticket Stubs, Fillmore East Posters and Hand Flyers, uber rare Japanese 7” Single Picture Sleeves and even Studio Track Sheets. Beneath the see-through plastic tray is a picture of their 2nd-only British 45 for “Inside Looking Out” in its Capitol Records label bag. It was belatedly released in good old Blighty in January 1971 on Capitol CL 15668 with “Paranoid” as its B-side (I believe it played at 33 1/3 because of its lengthy playing time). The informative, witty and affectionate liner notes are by STEVE ROESER feature interviews with the band’s main men MARK FARNER (who wrote all the songs) and DON BREWER.

GRAND FUNK were:

MARK FARNER – Guitar, Piano, Harmonica & Vocals

DON BREWER – Drums And Vocals

MEL SCHACHER - Bass

The CD remaster on all of their early albums was always going to be tricky – notoriously recorded with no sense of audiophile – but every sense of 'how it feels'. This is down 'n' dirty American Rock with hiss levels that takes no prisoners. EVREN GOKNAR has 24-bit remastered from original tapes and while the hiss is still there – he’s given more muscle to the overall sound. These tracks come at you with renewed power – not dampened down – but allowed to breath. The all-over-the-place vocals are there – as are the guitar/drum combos – and keyboard interludes – but with more punch. It’s well done.

It opens with the “baby let the good times roll” of “Got This Thing On The Move” – a funky groover with a huge Bass Line and fuzzed-up guitar. Things slink into Free territory with “Please Don’t Worry” with Brewer’s cymbals and drum kit way up in the mix. Capitol put out the double-boogie-commercial “High Falootin’ Woman” as the flip of the equally catchy “Mr. Limousine Driver” on Capitol 2691 in November 1969 – weeks before the album’s late December release (it scraped the Top 100 at Number 97). The audio on both tracks is wickedly good even if the solo guitar separation on “Mr. Limousine Driver” is pretty harsh.

The near 8-minute “In Need” has always been a fave of mine sounding not unlike the Faces circa “Long Player” (dig that natty little Harmonica/Bass battle half way through followed by great grunge guitar). The Funksters get a bit Bluesy on “Winter And My Soul” – even if the vocals let the vocal down somewhat. Another near 8-minute chugger comes in the shape of “Paranoid” where our boys notice “men outside...come to take you away...” (and with the amount of drugs they were doing – that was probably true). It ends on the 10-minute monster “Inside Looking Out” which features the best vocal on the album.

The Bonus Material may seem lean at only two cuts – but they’re both worth owning. “Nothing is The Same” is an early version of a track that would eventually surface on album No. 2 “Close To Home” in June 1970. Audio and structure-wise it feels pretty much the same as the album material – guitars harshly in the left while the drums and vocals linger on the right and centre. The extended “Mr. Limousine Driver” adds on another minute at 5:29 duration and sounds incredible – much cleaner and just as driving with that great guitar boogie in the left channel. That same guitar goes into wild soloing towards the run out...

So there you have it. "Grand Funk" won’t be everyone’s cup of Darjeeling for damn sure but that’s the nature of 'awkward' bands. Derided by critics and beloved by fans in equal measure – Grand Funk Railroad were huge back in the day – and on the evidence of this cool little reissue – it’s easy to hear why…

"Confessions Of The Mind" 1970 LP inside 'Changin' Times: The Complete Hollies January 1969 to March 1973' by THE HOLLIES (2015 Parlophone 5CD Set with Peter Mew Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This 5CD set contains the 1970 LP "Confessions Of The Mind" 

"...Cast You Spell Over me One More Time..." 

Following on from the May 2011 six-disc clump of early HOLLIES that was "The Clarke, Hicks & Nash Years: The Complete Hollies April 1963 to October 1968" - we now get Volume 2 - "Changin' Times: The Complete Hollies - January 1969 - March 1973" - which weighs in at a paltry 5 discs.

But for my money - this second motherlode of HOLLIES melody is even more amazing that its much-praised predecessor. There's a veritable avalanche of detail to get through - so once more unto those Romany hills...

UK and USA released July 2015 - "Changin' Times: The Complete Hollies - January 1969 - March 1973" by THE HOLLIES on Parlophone 0825646336111 (Barcode 0825646336111) is a 5CD Set in a multiple-layer double-sized jewel case that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (66:53 minutes, 21 tracks):

1. Sorry Suzanne

2. Not That Way At All

Tracks 1 & 2 are the A&B-sides of a UK 7" single released 28 February 1969 on Parlophone R 5765

3. Blowin' In The Wind

4. I Shall Be Released

5. The Mighty Quinn

6. This Wheel’s On Fire

7. The Times They Are A-Changin'

8. Quit Your Lowdown Ways

9. I Want You

10. Just Like A Woman

11. When The Ship Comes In

12. My Back Pages

13. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight

14. All I Really Want To Do

Tracks 3 to 14 are the album "Hollies Sing Dylan" - released May 1969 in the UK on Parlophone PMC 7079 (Mono) and Parlophone PCS 7079 (Stereo) and as "Words And Music By Bob Dylan" in the USA on Epic BN 26447 (Stereo only) - the STEREO mix is used (same Tracks both LPs). The Tracks on this CD are listed in 'recording date' order – so to sequence either LP as released - use the following songs (all on Disc 1):

UK and USA 12-Track LP "Hollies Sing Dylan"/"Words And Music By Bob Dylan"

Side 1: 11, 13, 9, 6, 4 and 3

Side 2: 8, 10, 7, 14, 12 and 5

15. Do You Believe In Love

16. Please Sign Your Letters

17. Cos You Like To Love Me

18. Please Let Me Please

19. Goodbye Tomorrow

20. She Looked My Way

21. My Life Is Over With You (see Disc 2)

Disc 2 (61:29 minutes, 19 tracks):

1. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

Track 1 is the A-side to a UK 7" single released 19 September 1969 on Parlophone R 5806 (the album-cut "'Cos You Like To Love Me" was the B-side)

2. Soldier's Dilemma

3. Marigold/Gloria Swansong

4. You Love 'Cos You Like It

5. Why Didn't You Believe

6. Look At Life

7. Louisiana Man (from the November 1988 LP and CD compilation "Rarities" on EMI Records EMS 1311)

8. Don't Give Up Easily

9. Reflections Of A Long Time Past

Tracks 15 to 21 on Disc 1 and Tracks 2 to 6 and 8 and 9 on Disc 2 is the LP "Hollies Sing Hollies" - released November 1969 in the UK on Parlophone PCS 7092 and in the USA as "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" on Epic BN 26538 with a different track list (both Stereo only). The Tracks on this CD are listed in 'recording date' order – so to sequence the actual "Hollies Sing Hollies" UK 12-track LP or the US 11-track variant as released - use the following songs (5/2 = Track 5 on Disc 2 etc.):

UK 12-Track LP "Hollies Sing Hollies"

Side 1: 5/2, 8/2, 6/2, 16/1, 21/1 and 18/1

Side 2: 15/1, 2/2, 3/2, 4/2, 9/2 and 19/1

US 11-Track LP "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (different on Side 2 only)

Side 1: 5/2, 8/2, 6/2, 16/1, 21/1 and 18/1

Side 2: 15/1, 1/2, 4/2, 9/2 and 19/1

10. I Wanna Shout

11. Lady Please

12. Sign Of The Times (from the 1998 CD compilation "The Hollies At Abbey Road 1966-1970" on EMI 7243 4 93450 2 7)

13. Separated

14. Little Girl

15. Eleanors Castle - from the November 1988 LP and CD compilation "Rarities" on EMI Records EMS 1311

16. Confessions Of A Mind

17. Mad Professor Blyth

18. I Can't Tell The Bottom From The Top

Tracks 17 and 18 are the B and A-side of a UK 7" single released 10 April 1970 on Parlophone R 5837

19. Dandelion Wine

Track 19 on Disc 2 is the non-album B-side to "Gasoline Alley Bred" - released as a UK 7" single 18 September 1970 on Parlophone R 5862 (the A-side is Track 7 on Disc 3)

Disc 3 68:03 minutes, 18 tracks):

1. Survival Of The Fittest

2. Perfect Lady Housewife

3. Isn't It Nice

4. Too Young To Be Married

5. Frightened Lady

6. Man Without A Heart

7. Gasoline Alley Bred

Track 7 is the non-album A-side of a UK 7" single released 18 September 1970 on Parlophone R 5862 (the non-album B-side "Dandelion Wine" is Track 19 on Disc 2)

Tracks 10, 11, 13, 14 and 16 on Disc 2 with Tracks 1 to 6 on Disc 3 make up the album "Confessions Of The Mind" - released November 1970 in the UK as an 11-track LP on Parlophone PCS 7116 and as "Moving Finger" in the USA on Epic E 30255 (both Stereo only). The Tracks on this CD are listed in 'recording date' order – so to sequence the actual "Confessions Of The Mind" and "Moving Finger" LPs as released (for both countries) - use the following tracks (10/2 = Track 5 on Disc 2 - 2/3 = Track 2 on Disc 3 etc.):

UK LP "Confessions Of The Mind"

Side 1: 1/3, 6/3, 14/2, 3/3, 2/3 and 16/2

Side 2: 11/2, 5/3, 4/3, 13/2 and 10/2

US LP "Moving Finger" (different configuration on both sides)

Side 1: 1/3, 16/2, 11/2, 14/2, 4/3 and 6/3

Side 2: 3/3, 5/3, 3/2, 2/3 and 7/3

8. Hey Willy

9. Row The Boat Together

Tracks 8 and 9 are the non-album A&B-sides of a UK 7" single released 14 May 1971 on Parlophone R 5905

10. Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)

11. You Know The Score

12. Pull Down The Blind

13. Promised Land

14. What A Life I've Led

15. Cable Car

16. Hold On

17. To Do With Love

18. Look What You've Got

Disc 4 (67:45 minutes, 18 tracks):

1. Long Dark Road

2. A Little Thing Like Love

Tracks 10 to 18 on Disc 3 and Tracks 1 and 2 on Disc 4 make up the album "Distant Light" - released October 1971 in the UK on Parlophone PAS 10005 and in the USA on Epic KE 30958 (same track list both countries). The Tracks on this CD are listed in 'recording date' order - to sequence the actual "Distant Light" LP as released use the following tracks (10/3 = Track 10 on Disc 3 - 1/4 = Track 1 on Disc 4 etc.):

Side 1: 14/3, 18/3, 16/3, 12/3, 17/3 and 13/3

Side 2: 10/3, 11/3, 15/3, 2/4 and 1/4

3. Oh Granny (Allan Clarke Vocal Version) - from the 1993 UK CD compilation "Singles A's & B's" on EMI/Music For Pleasure CDMFP 5980

4. Oh Granny (Terry Sylvester Vocal Version)

5. The Baby

Tracks 5 and 4 are the non-album A&B-sides of a UK 7" single released 4 February 1972 on Polydor 2058 199

6. Touch

7. Romany (see Disc 5)

8. Papa Rain - a Previously Unreleased track from the 2007 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster of "Romany" on EMI 094639471225

9. Indian Girl - non-album B-side to the UK single of "Magic Woman Touch" released 10 November 1972 on Polydor 2058 289

10. Blue In The Morning

11. Jesus Was A Crossmaker

12. Down River

13. Magic Woman Touch (see Disc 5 - also A-side to UK 7" single released 10 November 1972 on Polydor 2058 289)

14. Magic Woman Touch (Acoustic Version) - one of the eight bonus tracks from the 2007 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster of "Romany" on EMI 094639471225

15. Lizzy And The Rainman

16. Delaware Taggett And The Outlaw Boys

17. Words Don't Come Easy

18. Courage Of Your Convictions (see Disc 5)

Disc 5 (56:59 minutes, 16 tracks):

1. Witchy Woman - a Previously Unreleased track (an Eagles cover) from the 2007 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster of "Romany" on EMI 094639471225

2. Slow Down

3. Won't You Feel Good That Morning

Tracks 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18 on Disc 4 and Tracks 2 and 3 on Disc 5 is the album "Romany" - released November 1972 in the UK on Polydor 2383 144 and Epic E 31992 in the USA (with a different track listing on Side 1). The Tracks on this CD are listed in 'recording date' order - to sequence either the UK or USA "Romany" LP as released - use the following tracks (6/4 = Track 6 on Disc 4 - 2/5 = Track 2 on Disc 5 etc.):

November 1972 UK 12-Track LP on Polydor 2383 144

Side 1: 3/5, 6/4, 17/4, 13/4, 15/4 and 12/4

Side 2: 2/5, 15/4, 11/4, 7/4, 10/4 and 18/4

November 1972 US 11-Track LP on Epic E 31992 (different track list on Side 1 only)

Side 1: 13/4, 6/4, 17/4, 7/4, 3/5 and 12/4

Side 2: 2/5, 15/4, 11/4, 7/4, 10/4 and 18/4

The eight Bonus Tracks on the 2007 'Expanded Edition' CD of "Romany" are 5/4, 14/4, 9/3, 4/5, 8/4, 1/5, 4/4 and 16/5

4. If It Wasn't For The Reason That I Love You - from the November 1988 LP and CD compilation "Rarities" on EMI Records EMS 1311

5. Don't Leave This Child Alone

6. They Don't Realise I'm Down

7. Transatlantic Westbound Jet

8. Nearer To You

9. Pick Up The Pieces (Terry Sylvester song)

10. Slow Down - Go Down

11. The Last Wind

12. A Better Place

13. Mr. Heartbreaker

14. Out On The Road

15. I Was Born A Man

Tracks 5 to 15 is the album "Out On The Road" - released June 1973 in Germany on Hansa Records 87119 IT

16. I Had A Dream - non-album B-side to the US 7" single of "Jesus Was A Carpenter" (Judee Sill cover) release May 1973 on Epic Records 5-10989 - June 1973 German 7" single (in picture sleeve) of "Jesus Was A Carpenter" on Hansa 12 728 AT

THE HOLLIES (January 1969 to December 1971):

Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, Bobby Elliott, Bernie Calvert and Terry Sylvester

THE HOLLIES (December 1971 to March 1973)

Tony Hicks, Bobby Elliott, Bernie Calvert, Terry Sylvester and Mikael Rickfors

The 24-page booklet features a witty and clever introduction called 'Elucidating Observations' by the band's long-standing drummer BOBBY ELLIOTT (reminiscences of Graham being rescued from the beer-swilling Hollies by David Crosby to join him on the CSNY odyssey) - a UK Discography for the singles and LP – pages of rare European, US and Japanese 7” single picture sleeves – album covers – and track by track recording details. It's well done - the colour centre pages photo sees the boys staring out of set of broken windows somewhere in Nuremberg - and for such a huge haul of music is priced cheaply too.

Across 92 tracks are the A&B-sides of eight British 7" singles, six full albums (five British on Parlophone and one European on Hansa), six LP and CD compilation exclusives, non-album European/USA single releases and the bonus tracks that came with the ‘Extended Version’ CD of “Romany”. The six albums are: "Hollies Sing Dylan" (May 1969), "Hollies Sing Hollies" (November 1969), "Confessions Of The Mind" (November 1970), "Distant Light" (October 1971), "Romany" (November 1972) and "Out On The Road" (Germany-Only, June 1973).

Like its predecessor 2011’s "The Clarke, Hicks & Nash Years: The Complete Hollies April 1963 to October 1968" - the CDS for this follow volume are sequenced in recording-date order - with the album tracks often spread across different discs. In order to sequence the original British LPs (and the one German-only release on Hansa) and all of those UK 7” singles – see the details I’ve provided above (details that aren’t in the booklet).

Even when you get past huge chart hits like "Sorry Suzanne" (No. 3), "He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother" (No. 3), "I Can’t Tell The Bottom From The Top" (No. 7) and less successful goodies like "Gasoline Alley Bred" (No. 14), "Hey Willy" (No. 22), "The Baby" (No. 26) and "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress" (No. 32) and the criminally forgotten "Magic Woman Touch" (didn't chart) – the album highlights number many. Their version of Dylan's magical "My Back Pages" sticks out as a bright light on a much-derided cluster of corny covers from the "Hollies Sing Dylan" LP (the less said about the banjo-strumming "When The Ship Comes In" the better). The "Hollies Sings Hollies" LP was a welcome return to form - the jangling acoustic guitars and doubled-vocals of Allan Clarke's "Goodbye Tomorrow" and "My Life Is Over With You" both have great harmonies in them - while Side 2 highlights include the 'you ain't having me on a leash' of "Soldiers Dilemma" and the epic double-track "Marigold/Gloria Swansong" compliments the piano and strings 'theme' feel to the instrumental "Reflections Of A Long Time Past" (a Bernie Calvert creation).

Their seemed to be immense maturity in their early Seventies stuff - the Production values going through the roof too. Tony Hicks provided the jaunty "Lady Please" and the 'teardrops' of "Little Girl" on 1970's "Confessions Of The Mind" - while Allan Clarke threw in the accomplished "Separated" (I've always loved that Acoustic/Tabla combo while he shouts words. Fans will love the wickedly good B-sides too you never get to hear like "Not That Way At All" - a song that could easily have been a winning A - and "'Cos You Like To Love Me" (presented here in Mono despite the Stereo logo on the CD). Their cover of Doug Kershaw's "Louisiana Man" (first appeared on the "Rarities" CD) is good rather than great – but I've always thought the 1972 "Romany" LP with "Magic Woman Touch" and their version of Judee Sill's lovely "Jesus Was A Crossmaker" is a bit of an overlooked harmony masterpiece (it can be sequenced from this set in both its 12-track UK guise or the different 11-track US variant - see Disc 5 above).

Further glory would follow for The Hollies on Polydor with Alan Clarke taking the song-writing ascendancy ("The Air That I Breathe") - while Graham Nash went on of course to conquer the West Coast of America and then the entire world with David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Neil Young and all of the CSNY off-shoots.

"…Cast your spell upon me one more time..." - THE HOLLIES sang on the wonderful "Magic Woman Touch". Great sound, top songs and quality presentation – like its predecessor - there's so much to enjoy on here. And even after five discs - a trunk load of admiration into the bargain…

"Alone Together" by DAVE MASON of Traffic [featuring Leon Russell, Rita Coolidge, Delaney & Bonnie and Eric Clapton] (2008 Rev-Ola CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Only You Know And I Know..."

The "Alone Together" LP by DAVE MASON from 1970

A founder member of Traffic (who'd worked with Kim Fowley and The Spencer Davis Group prior to that) – the man who penned their fabulous "Feelin’ Alright" hit was the first to jump ship due to that internal hairyman virus bands seem to suffer perennially from - 'musical differences'.

Ensconced in the USA with a huge cast of key players – Mason went at his first solo LP with the help of Traffic’s Drummer Jim Capaldi and cool contributions from the likes of Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, Chris Etheridge, Jim Keltner, Rita Coolidge, Claudia Lennear and the Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett band (to name but a few) – producing a humdinger in the process. And that’s where this superb 2008 Rev-Ola CD Reissue and Remaster comes in...

UK released 28 May 2008 (June 2008 in the USA) - "Alone Together" by DAVE MASON on Rev-Ola CD REV 251 (Barcode 5013929455122) is a straightforward CD Remaster of his 8-Track 1970 debut solo LP and plays out as follows (34:54 minutes):

1. Only You Know And I Know

2. Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving

3. Waitin' On You

4. Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave

5. World In Changes [Side 2]

6. Sad And Deep As You

7. Just A Song

8. Look At You, Look At Me

Tracks 1 to 8 are his debut solo LP "Alone Together" – released July 1970 in the USA on Blue Thumb BTS 19 and October 1970 in the UK on Harvest SHTC 251. Produced by DAVE MASON and TOMMY LIPUMA (engineered by Bruce Botnik of The Doors fame) - the US issue famously came in two forms – a triple gatefold sleeve with black vinyl and some copies came with die-cut 'kangaroo-pac' triple gatefold sleeve with a splatter–coloured Vinyl LP inside (both had BTS 19 as their catalogue numbers).

But the big news here is the 'Sound Recreation' Remaster by NORMAN BLAKE and JOE FOSTER done at Studio 3 in Glasgow. This CD sounds glorious - beautiful sound on every track...

Harvest Records took their sweet time in the UK - releasing "World In Changes" b/w "Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving" in April 1970 on Harvest HAR 5017. But as the album proper didn’t show until October 1970 in the UK - months of waiting killed any momentum. In-between that they'd issued another 7" single in the shape of the superb "Only You Know And I Know" b/w "Sad And Deep As You" in August 1970 on Harvest HAR 5024 – but again it tanked. Considering how good the four songs were – and how radio catchy too – it's amazing now to think that DJs didn't pick up on either. Mason also contributed to the George Harrison colossus "All Things Must Pass" which saw his work on the 3LP Box Set released late November 1970 - this should have given Dave Mason more profile to the October 1970 UK release of the "Alone Together" LP - but naught happened. In fact when I now replay killers like "Only You Know And I Know" and "Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave" - it's hard to understand why Joe Public in Blighty didn't pay any attention to their native son. "Only You Know And I Know" in particular is one of those songs that gets covered to buggery precisely because its so damn catchy - Rita Coolidge did it on her 1971 A&M Records LP "Nice Feelin'" - Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett tapped it in October 1971 as a 45 in the UK on Atco 2091 151 - then again on their March 1972 LP on CBS Records "D & B Together" - and as recently as 2002 American R&B lover Joan Osbourne did a stunning Funk version of it for her "How Sweet It Is" covers CD album.

The "...best friend I have is me..." lyrics of "Waitin' On You" threaten to derail a great little rock song and Eric Clapton famously puts in what many feel is his best ever 'guitar solo' on the near eight-minute Side 2 finisher "Look At You, Look At Me". Mason's brilliant "Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave" was a featured track on the Harvest Records 4CD expansion of the 1970 2LP label sampler "Picnic: A Breath Of Fresh Air" in 2007 - and check out the superb cover of "Can't Stop Worrying, Can't Stop Loving" by Steve Ellis of The Love Affair (and Ellis) on Disc 3 of the June 2015 "Time Has Changed Us" 3CD retrospective on RPM Records (see separate review). The hurting "Sad And Deep As You" is a piano ballad that is so pretty while "Just A Song" could almost be America or even acoustic Supertramp. I’m finding all I need in this great little album...

Since the advent of CD the album "Alone Together" has become something a darling with audiophile reissue companies like Mobile Fidelity and regularly shown up on Japanese SHM-CD versions with that famous 'head and top-hat' die-cut artwork - each falling over themselves to get out a CD variant out there that will easily trounce the dreadful quality of the original splatter-vinyl LPs. Many are deleted now and cost a hefty chunk of change – but the Rev-Ola reissue and remaster offers superb audio for a reasonable sum and makes accessible a truly great album you will want in your CD player. I'll tip my top hat to that...

PS: Rev-ola have also reissued and remastered his 2nd LP with Mama Cass Elliot called "Dave Mason and Cass Elliot" in 2008 on Rev-ola CD REV 255 (Barcode 5013929455528) – use the Barcode on Amazon to locate my review of this equally good Audio delight.

"Mountains" by STEAMHAMMER [feat Martin Pugh and Kieran White later of Armageddon] (2016 Esoteric Recordings CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...We Could Almost Touch The Sun..."

"Mountains"by STEAMHAMMER from November 1970

Two tours with Blues Legend Freddie King in 1968 and 1969 saw the nucleus of England's forgotten and overlooked STEAMHAMMER be given the grounding for two albums on CBS Records - their raucous Blues-Rock debut "Steamhammer" in early 1969 on CBS S 63611 (also known as "Reflections" because of the cover art) and "Steamhammer MKII" in late 1969 on CBS Records S 63694. But Steamhammer was better than just Blues-Rock and had melody makers at their core too. The first of those albums featured Acoustic Guitarist genius Martin Quittenton - who would be a quintessential part of Rodders band sound for five amazing Mercury Records LPs between 1969 and 1973 - "An Old Raincoat Won't Let You Down", "Gasoline Alley," Every Picture Tells A Story, "Never A Dull Moment" and Smiler" - as well as co-pen the monster hit "Maggie Mae" with Stewart in 1971.

But the British band's "Mountains" album from late 1970 saw original band member Martin Pugh return to the fold (he was on the first LP) as Lead Guitarist and along with founder member Kieran White (Vocalist and principal songwriter) - Steamhammer changed tack and went a bit more Prog Mellow with their third and what many feel is their best record. November 1970's "Mountains" was issued on the Charisma Records offshoot label B&C Records. Its gorgeous sticker-titled gatefold sleeve (the Chris Stepan artwork is now fully reproduced n the newly upgraded booklet) has been a notorious and sought-after vinyl rarity in the UK ever since - often exceeding its modest £50-ish price tag by three or four times that amount.

And that's where this superlative little 2016 CD Reissue and Remaster by England's Esoteric Recordings (part of Cherry Red) comes storming in - a very welcome and timely reminder of a band and a record that shouldn't have been so marginalised at the time and deserves mucho reappraisal now. Let's get to the details for Mark III...

UK released Friday, 29 July 2016 (August 2016 in the USA) - "Mountains" by STEAMHAMMER on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2549 (Barcode 5013929464940) is a straightforward CD Remaster of the 8-Track 1970 LP and plays out as follows (41:07 minutes):

1. I Wouldn't Have Thought (Gopher's Song)

2. Levenia

3. Henry Lane

4. Walking Down The Road

5. Mountains

6. Leader Of The Ring [Side 2]

7. Riding on The L&N [Live At The Lyceum, London]

8. Hold That Train [Live At The Lyceum, London]

Tracks 1 to 8 are their 3rd studio album "Mountains" - released November 1970 in the UK on B&C Records CAS 1024 (no US issue). Produced by FRITZ FRYER and Engineered by MARTIN BIRCH - it failed to chart in the UK. The last two tracks were recorded live at The Lyceum in London (no dates provided). Principal vocalist and songwriter Kieran White penned all the songs except "I Wouldn’t Have Thought (Gopher’s Song)" which was co-written with Martin Pugh. "Riding on The L&N" is a live cover of Lionel Hampton’s old R&B classic while the whole band contributed songwriting credits to the second live track recorded at London’s Lyceum venue - "Hold That Train".

STEAMHAMMER was:

KIERAN WHITE - Lead Vocals, Harmonica, 2nd Acoustic And Electric Guitars

MARTIN PUGH - Lead Acoustic, Electric and Bottleneck Guitars

STEVE DAY - Bass, Organ and Vocals

MICK BRADLEY - Drums and Percussion

Keith Nelson guested on "Henry Lane" playing Banjo

The 16-page booklet restores the album’s gatefold sleeve artwork throughout whilst offering newcomers superb MALCOLM DOME liner notes (presentation conceived and carried out by Mark and Vicky Powell of Esoteric). Dome interviews Guitarist Martin Pugh and Engineer Geoff Calver (who did the two live tracks) and gives a potted history of the band and its line-up changes and 4-album history. But the big news over the 2000 Repertoire CD reissues is a new 24-Bit Digital Remaster of the original B&C mastertapes by BEN WISEMAN at Broadlake Studios in Hertfordshire in 2016. This CD sounds great – full of presence and warmth – tracks like "Levenia" full of life.

Viewed from a distance - "Mountains" is a curious album with its six new studio-cuts sat uncomfortably alongside two live songs bookending Side 2 that feel like the band of old. Most of "Mountains" has very little to do with the Blues Rock influenced debut LP and a lot more in common with Man or even Help Yourself – excepting as I said those last two. Songs like "Henry Lane" and the near six-minutes of the title track "Mountains" are wonderfully melodic – the guitar warmer – the harmony vocals sweeter – and dare we say it – at times gentle and even beautiful (lyrics from it title this review).

"Levenia" feels like MAN circa "Bananas" where Kieran White is shadowed on the vocal line by Martin Pugh’s electric guitar at every turn and then later by deft Acoustic work. The bass opening that explodes into guitar on "Walking Down The Road" feels like Juicy Lucy or even Audience – but just when you think you know where its going – the later half of the song goes all bongo-and-drums Funky like Osibisa on a roll.

Listening to the acoustic prettiness of "Leader Of The Ring" – as mellow as America or Donovan or even Duncan Browne - it’s impossible to think of Steamhammer as the band Status Quo covered when they did their Hard Rock version of "Junior’s Wailing" on their August 1970 LP "Ma Kelly’s Greasy Spoon" (they’d also do a live version of it on their 1975 "Status Quo EP"). Yet the very next track does just that – rocks like a mother – Steamhammer’s ten-minute live version of "Riding On The L&N" where the sophistication is gone and they sound like The Groundhogs enjoyed a thumping bass and wah-wah guitar boogie wigout. The shorter 5:45 minutes of "Hold That Train" is actually better – a great guitar-boogie that feels like Man at their live best. Damn shame they didn’t see fit to record it properly for the album but maybe there was a life in the live version they couldn’t get in the studio.

You can’t help but think in hindsight that Steamhammer made a stylistic mistake with those last two live tracks filling up much of Side 2 (though others swear they’re the best things about the LP). I can’t help but think that if they’d stuck to their artistic guns and produced two more studio-cuts of the same melodic diversity and beauty of the preceding six – we would be looking at a bona fide Prog Rock masterpiece - with "Mountains" held in awe instead of a curio people stumble on.

A split-up Steamhammer would later join ranks in 1974 with Keith Relf from The Yardbirds to form the hard-rocking Armageddon for one highly revered self-titled album on A&M Records in 1975 (AMLH 64513 is also reissued by Esoteric Recordings on ECLEC 2150 in 2009).

In the meantime we’ve "Mountains" to savour - and 46 years after the event – a hill worth re-climbing…