Plain and Fancy

1969-71 Free – Live At The BBC (2006 double disc edition)

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

rep>>> Free - Free (1969 uk, classic second album, 2014 SHM-CD japan and 2001 remaster and xpanded)

Free returned to the studio in April 1969 to begin work on their second album and already there was trouble in the camp. Rodgers and Fraser had by now formed a pretty solid songwriting partnership although they were not exactly the best of buddies. This lead to Kossoff and Kirke feeling a little less than equal as both Rodgers and Fraser had very set ideas as to how they wanted the songs to sound. In fact things got so bad at one point that Rodgers and Fraser were going to leave the band and form a duo. Kirke and Kossoff actually auditioned Overend Watts from Mott The Hoople as Fraser’s replacement and Kossoff himself even auditioned for the vacant guitarist spots in both The Rolling Stones and Jethro Tull.

On to the album itself then. Well if “Tons of Sobs” was Free’s blues album then this self titled follow up was probably their folk album. Although Rodgers still insists it’s more of a soul album. The hard powerful blues that was all over the first album is still evident in places but is more controlled. If “Tons of Sobs” was a runaway horse then “Free” is a restrained gallop.

The album opens with ‘I’ll Be Creepin” which with it’s funky and prominent bass starts the album off in tremendous style. Just to prove the longevity of these songs Rodgers used this track to open his set on his most recent solo tour. ‘Songs Of Yesterday’ has the blues feel of the earlier album and some great Kossoff guitar, but then which of these tracks hasn’t. ‘Lying In The Sunshine’ is a similar type of song to ‘Over The Green Hills’ from the first album but with more of a soul feel. ‘Trouble On Double Time’ is the out and out blues rocker of the album and is the only track on which Kossoff and Kirke get a songwriting credit. It has a Stones like strut about it. ‘Mouthful Of Grass’ closed the first side on the original vinyl issue. Virtually an instrumental with just a choir of aaah’s it is a strangely hypnotic sort of song. It is also possibly one of the Free songs owned by the most people as it was used as the b-side to ‘All Right Now’. ‘Woman’ is classic Free at their best with a nice understated intro and a great early solo from Kossoff. It was particularly effective in a live setting and is as good as anything they ever recorded.

Highlight for many is the lengthy almost whispering laid back folky blues track ‘Free Me’. On the live disc which comes as part of the “Songs Of Yesterday” 5-CD box set Kirke introduces this song as “….. one of our favourites actually”. It is not difficult to tell why as all put in faultless performances. Kossoff in particular pulling of one of his trademark crying solo’s. At at time when everyone was trying to be the fastest guitarist alive it is ironic that Kossoff was beginning to attract attention by doing exactly the opposite. ‘Broad Daylight’ was a bit of a throwaway song that wouldn’t have been out of place on the first album and was the first single issued by the band. ‘I’ll be Creepin’ was later released as a single but neither charted. The closing track ‘Mourning Sad Morning’ is an absolutely stunning piece of music that once again highlights Rodgers superb voice. Sounding in places like a two hundred year old folk song the unique mixture of Rodgers’ voice, Kossoff’s guitar and the haunting flute of Traffic’s Chris Wood closes the album on a melancholy but beautiful note.

It is also worth mentioning the album cover as it is one that regularly appears in classic album art coffee table books. It was designed by Ron Raffielli and is a photograph of a naked woman shot from below. This effect was obtained by Raffieli standing in a hole and having the woman stride over him. The outline of her body was then filled with stars and set against a blue sky background. The centre spread of the album featured a picture of a young woman on a beach with building blocks! Each member of the band was photographed in one of the boxes. The box which displayed the photo of Paul Rodgers was being held by the girl up to her mouth and she is blowing sand of it. One of the other members of the band later commented “Typical, the one the girl had hold of had to have Rodgers in it ……”

“Free” peaked at #22 in the UK chart which was not bad at all considering there was no hit single and not exactly masses of publicity. All that would change though in 1970 with two more classic albums, a worldwide hit and a tremendous performance at the Isle Of Wight Festival. Superstardom was indeed due to come creeping around the door very soon indeed.

by Martin Leedham, November 21, 2010

Tracks

1. I'll Be Creepin' - 3:27

2. Songs Of Yesterday - 3:33

3. Living In The Sunshine - 3:51

4. Trouble On Double Time (Andy Fraser, Paul Kossoff, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke) - 3:23

5. Mouthful Of Grass - 3:36

6. Woman - 3:50

7. Free Me - 5:24

8. Broad Daylight - 3:15

9. Mourning Sad Morning - 5:04

10.Broad Daylight - 3:09

11.The Worm - 3:03

12.I'll Be Creepin' - 2:47

13.Sugar For Mr Morrison - 3:01

Bonus Tracks 2001 Island Remasters

14.Broad Daylight - 3:21

15.Songs Of Yesterday - 3:11

16.Mouthful Of Grass - 3:33

17.Woman - 4:00

18.Trouble On Double Time (Andy Fraser, Paul Kossoff, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke) -- 2:37

19.Mourning Sad Morning - 5:10

All songs by Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers except where indicated

Bonus Tracks 10-19

The Free

*Paul Rodgers - Vocals, Piano

*Paul Kossoff - Lead Guitar

*Andy Fraser - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals

*Simon Kirke - Drums

With

Chris Wood - Flute

1970 Free - Fire And Water (2008 double disc)

1970 Free - Highway (2002 remastered and expanded)

1971 Free - Free Live! (2002 remaster)

1972 Free - Free At Last (2002 remaster)

1973 Free - Heartbreaker (2002 remaster)

1973 Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown

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Tuesday, October 27, 2026

rep>>> Gordon Lightfoot - Lightfoot! • The Way I Feel (1966-67 canada, marvellous folk rock)

Gordon Lightfoot was born on November 17, 1938 in Orillia, Ontario, Canada. His parents recognized and encouraged his interest in music; his first appearance as Massey Hall in Toronto, now a revered standard in his tour schedule, was just before he turned 13, as the winner of a competition for boys with unchanged voices.

After a background in barbershop quartets, and as a member of a duo, Lightfoot struck out on his own in the early 60s. He had written perhaps 75 songs, when he was caught up in the country music scene and folk revival of the time; Bob Dylan's music and a song by Merle Travis, Dark As A Dungeon, combined with his sensitivity, inventiveness and beautiful voice, resulted in his unique songwriting and singing style. In less than two years, between late '61 and some time in 1963, his sound and his life changed forever.

Lightfoot was already 27 at the time of his solo debut, which might have accounted in part for the unusually fully developed maturity and confidence on this recording, in both his songwriting and vocals. Contains some of his best compositions, including "Early Mornin' Rain," "I'm Not Sayin'," "The Way I Feel," "Lovin' Me," and "Ribbon of Darkness." At this point Lightfoot was still including some covers in his repertoire, and he handles numbers by Phil Ochs ("Changes"), Ewan McColl ("The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"), and Hamilton Camp ("Pride of Man") well. The whole album is included on The United Artists Collection.

Lightfoot had used additional guitar and bass on his debut, but for his second LP he went for a fuller band sound, using a couple of the noted Nashville sessionmen (Charlie McCoy and Ken Buttrey) who had played on Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde. The result was a brighter and more accesible sound, with the country elements more to the fore. The songs weren't quite as impressive as his first batch, but they were still very good, highlighted by the epic "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" and an electrified remake of "The Way I Feel." The whole album is included on The United Artists Collection.

by Richie Unterberger.

Tracks
1. Rich Man's Spiritual - 2:44
2. Long River - 2:46
3. The Way I Feel - 3:43
4. For Lovin' Me - 2:25
5. The First Time Ever I saw Your Face (Ewan MacColl) - 3:10
6. Changes (Phil Ochs) - 2:30
7. Early Mornin' Rain - 3:04
8. Steel Rail Blues - 2:48
9. Sixteen Miles - 2:05
10.I'm Not Sayin' - 2:28
11.Pride Of Man (Hamilton Camp) - 2:41
12.Ribbon Of Darkness - 2:39
13.Oh, Linda - 3:09
14.Peaceful Waters - 2:01

15.Walls - 2:53

16.If You Got It - 2:31

17.Softly - 3:26

18.Crossroads - 2:58

19.A Minor Ballad - 3:15

20.Go Go Round - 2:40

21.Rosanna - 2:42

22.Home From The Forest - 3:04

23.I'll Be Alright - 2:27

24.Song For A Winter's Night - 3:01

25.Canadian Railroad Trilogy - 6:22

26.The Way I Feel - 3:02

All songs written by Gordon Lightfoot except where indicated.

Songs 1-14 from the 1966 Lightfoot!

Songs 15-26 from the 1967 The Way I Feel

Musicians
1966 Lightfoot!
*Gordon Lightfoot - Guitar, Piano, Vocals
*David Rea or Bruce Langhorne - Second Guitar (Tracks 2 and 14)
*Bill Lee - Bass
1967 The Way I Feel
*Gordon Lightfoot - Guitar, Piano, Vocals
*Kenneth A. Buttrey - Drums
*Red Shea - Guitar
*John Stockfish - Bass
*Charlie McCoy - Harmonica, Celeste, Bells

1970 Kathy Smith - Some Songs I've Saved (2007 edition)

rep>>> Kathy Smith - 2 (1971 us, wonderful jazzy folk psych, 2010 reissue)

Again, using this column to shine a bit of light on an album that’s been pinched between the cracks. While there are dozens of reissues pressing down each month, it seems that for each complete knockout, there are just as many superfluous retreads of dollar bin fodder best left to their original incarnations. So Necessary Repress finds me wandering through those records that elude local capture or beg too much on the secondary market. An apt example as any would certainly be the sophomore LP from L.A. folk artist Kathy Smith. Though she’s been a collector’s gem for quite some time, I came to Smith (as I imagine many might have) through Andy Votel’s lovely compilation Folk Is Not A Four Letter Word. Her song “It’s Taking So Long” from 2 gets prime placement on the comp and acts as an easy hook into Smith’s songwriting and style.

Like her equally scarce debut, Some Songs I’ve Saved, 2 was issued on Richie Havens’ pet label Stormy Forest, which aside from the ‘70s output of Havens himself, only issued the works of Smith, Havens associate Bob Brown, and Canadian folk singer Bruce Murdoch. It’s little wonder then that her albums suffered from a slight lack of promotion. The record breaks from her debut to push a slightly more eclectic mix of songs, though both have a bit of Havens’ stamp of mixed instrumentation and jazz touches – augmenting the album with flutes, slight funk nodes and psychedelic overtones. Her second album is Smith at her peak.

It would have seemed like she was poised for greater things with 2. She’d played to an audience of 600,000 at the Isle of Wight just the year prior and with the album’s expanded palliate it certainly had some potential. However, like other psych-folk gems from the likes of Linda Perhacs, Vashti Bunyan, and Susan Christie, it would prove to slip through the fingers of the buying public. Though unlike any of those it has yet to find a second life in reissue glory. It feels like a record with enough of a cult following to make the crossover. Plus, while its a great record no one needs to spend $100 + on a copy. Recommending this one for a repress, puttin’ the vibes out to the universe.

by Andy French

Tracks

1. Lady Of Lavender (Jimmie Spheeris) - 3:47

2. It's Taking So Long (C. Jackson Brown) - 4:57

3. Rock 'n' Roll Star (Pamela Polland) - 4:00

4. Willie (Jimmie Spheeris) - 3:55

5. Fly Off With The Wind - 4:32

6. Seven Virgins (Jimmie Spheeris) - 3:49

7. For Emile - 3:43

8. Travel In A Circle - 5:57

9. Blessed Be The People - 4:57

Lyrics and Music by Kathy Smith, except where noted

Personnel

*Kathy Smith - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals

*Don Alias - Drums, Percussion

*Warren Bernhardt - Keyboards

*Jan Hammer - Keyboards

*Gerald Jemmott - Bass

*Leslie Jones - Guitar

*Bill Lavorgna - Drums, Percussion

*Tony Levin - Bass

*Donald McDonald - Drums, Percussion

*Don Sarlin - Guitar

*Jimmie Spheeris - Vocals

*Jeremy Steig - Flute

*Daniel Ben Zebulon - Congas

Monday, October 26, 2026

rep>>> The Pirates - Shakin' With The Devil • The Best Of The Pirates (1977-79 uk, powerful tough boogie roots 'n' roll pub rock, 2011 double disc digi pak)

Legendary UK music scribe Mick Farren once defied anyone to name two guitarists who could out-cut Mick Green and his battered Fender Telecaster, having just witnessed his band The Pirates in full throttle at the height of punk. The trio, also comprising bassist/singer Johnny Spence and brick shithouse drummer Frank Farley, had brazenly reunited during tumultuous 1977 having first played together behind cutlass-brandishing Brit-rock’n’roller Johnny Kidd. That early 70s incarnation laid down the acknowledged template for any power trio line-up that followed, with Dr Feelgood’s Wilko Johnson unashamedly homaging Green’s jaw-dropping lead-rhythm combination.

Embraced by both musicians and punk crowds, The Pirates laid waste to the nation’s gig circuit. In between times, they managed to capture their live mix of punk-shot compositions such as All In It Together and their own rock’n’roll classics on three albums (Out Of Their Skulls, Skull Wars and Happy Birthday Rock’n’Roll), catalysed by renowned back-to-basics producer Vic Maille.

The trio split after record company disinterest and Green’s elevation to session royalty, before his sad death in 2010. This rampant double-disc set of album highlights, plus outtakes, jingles and incendiary live workouts, pays suitable tribute, with added annotation by veteran journalist Roy Carr.

by Kris Needs, 07 September 2011

When Mick Green died in January 2010 a month short of his 66th birthday after a long illness, British music lost one of its best known session musicians.

Green spent the 1980s and 1990s touring the world and recording with Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry and Van Morrison, but will always perhaps be best known as the guitarist in the early 60’s rock ‘n’ roll group Johnny Kidd and the Pirates.

By the time Green joined the Pirates in early 1962, shortly after Johnny Spence (bass guitar) and Frank Farley (drums), both of whom he had grown up with him in Wimbledon in South London, Kidd, another Londoner, had already had his biggest hit with a previous incarnation of the group and the 1960 number one hit, ‘Shakin’ All Over’.

The Green-Spence-Farley line-up of the Pirates, however, remains the definitive version of the band. Green’s fiery guitar work and ability to play the lead guitar and rhythm guitar simultaneously was an influence on both the Who’s Pete Townshend and Wilko Johnson, the guitarist with Dr Feelgood. They also became a very visual act, having an effect on both Alice Cooper and Adam and the Ants. Kidd, who wore an eye patch over his eye, would wave about a cutlass on stage, and he and his band, all of whom wore nineteenth century pirate costumes, would perform in front of a huge backdrop of a pirate galleon.

Green left Johnny Kidd and the Pirates in 1964 to join Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, while Spence and Farley stayed on with Kidd until in early 1966. In 1976, ten years after Kidd was tragically killed in a car accident later on in 1966 and shortly after forming another incarnation of his band, the New Pirates, Mick Green, Johnny Spence and Frank Farley reformed, calling themselves the Pirates.

The Pirates’ swaggering and raucous brand of rock ‘n’ roll made them an instant success on their native London live circuit and was embraced by the punk movement. The trio, who continued to wear pirate attire on stage, signed a deal with Warner Brothers with whom they released two albums, their half live, half studio-recorded debut ‘Out of Their Skulls’ (1977) and its follow-up, ‘Skull Wars’ (1978), before moving to independent label Cube Records to release their third album, ‘Happy Birthday Rock ‘n’ Roll’ (1979).

They broke up in 1982, but Green and Spence from 1999 continued to play together sporadically as the Pirates, eventually without Farley who retired from live work due to ill health in 2005, and recorded a last studio album, ‘Skullduggery’, together in 2006.

2011 has seen a release of two disc, fifty two track box set, ‘Shakin with the Devil-the Best of the Pirates 1977-1979’, which has come out on the reissue label Salvo Music, and, beautifully packaged, contains the first three studio albums and also rare and unreleased tracks.

by John Clarkson, 27/10/2011

Tracks

Disc 1

1. 'Out Of Their Skulls' LP radio promo spot - 0:34

2. Please Don't Touch (Frederick Heath, Guy Robinson) - 2:22

3. I Can Tell (Ellis McDaniels, Samuel Smith) - 2:28

4. Linda Lu (Intro) - 0:20

5. Peter Gunn (Henry Mancini) - 2:18

6. Lonesome Train (Glen Moore, Milton Subotsky) - 3:07

7. Shakin' All Over (Frederick Heath) - 2:33

8. Honey Hush (Willie Turner) - 2:09

9. Milk Cow Blues (Kokomo Arnold) - 3:31

10.Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee ("Stick" McGhee, J. Mayo Williams) - 2:58

11.Sweet Love On My Mind (Wayne Walker, Webb Pierce) - 3:21

12.Do The Dog (Rufus Thomas) - 2:40

13.Gibson Martin Fender (Mick Green) - 3:31

14.Don't Munchen It (Mick Green, Johnny Spencer) - 3:37

15.That's The Way You Are (Mick Green) - 2:44

16.You Don't Own Me (Alan Lancaster, Mick Green) - 2:48

17.'Skull Wars' LP radio promo spot - 0:34

18.Long Journey Home (Mick Green, Roy Carr) - 3:43

19.Dr Feelgood (Curtis Smith) - 1:58

20.All In It Together (Mick Green, Johnny Spencer) - 3:15

21.Johnny B Goode's Good (Mick Green) - 2:26

22.Johnny B Goode (Chuck Berry) - 4:05

23.I'm Talking About You (Chuck Berry) - 3:02

24.I'm In Love Again (Antoine "Fats" Domino, Dave Bartholomew) - 3:11

25.Voodoo (Mick Green) - 2:32

26.Four To The Bar (Mick Green, Johnny Spencer) - 2:51

27.Honey Hush (Willie Turner) - 2:26

28.Diggin' My Potatoes (Traditional) - 3:37

29.Shake Hands With The Devil (Johnny Spencer, Mick Green) - 3:28

Tracks 2-16 from "Out Of Their Skulls" 1977

Tracks 18-29 from "Skull Wars" 1978

Disc 2

1. Shakin' All Over (Frederick Heath) - 2:59

2. Saturday Night Shoot Out (Mick Green, Roy Carr) - 3:57

3. The Witch Queen of New Orleans (Lolly Vegas, Pat Vegas) - 3:08

4. Lonesome Train (Glen Moore, Milton Subotsky) - 3:01

5. All By Myself (Antoine "Fats" Domino, Dave Bartholomew) - 1:42

6. Sweet Love On My Mind (Wayne Walker, Webb Pierce) - 3:18

7. Gibson Martin Fender (Mick Green) - 3:39

8. Don't Munchen It (Mick Green, Johnny Spencer) - 3:34

9. Linda Lu (Ray Sharpe) - 3:38

10.Tear It Up (Dorsey Burnette, Johnny Burnette, Paul Burlison) - 3:33

11.You Can't Sit Down (Cornell Clark, Delicta Muldrow, Kal Mann) - 3:07

12.Hey Mary (Mick Green, Johnny Spencer) - 3:33

13.Golden Oldies (Mick Green) - 3:34

14.Alarmer (Mick Green, Johnny Spencer) - 2:57

15.Lady (Put The Light On Me) (Phil Wainman, John Kenneth Goodison) - 3:47

16.Happy Birthday Rock'n'Roll (Mick Green, Pete Cage) - 4:53

17.Going Back Home (Mick Green, Wilko Johnson) - 3:14

18.Lemonade (Mick Green) - 2:52

19.1:30, 2:30, 3:35 (Neville Crozier) -2:40

20.Hard Ride (Mick Green, Alan Lancaster) - 3:20

21.Mercy Pirate (Mick Green, Johnny Spencer) - 2:33

22.Hard Sell (Mick Green) - 4:33

23.All By Myself (Antoine "Fats" Domino, Dave Bartholomew) - 1:44

Tracks 1-10 from "Skull Wars" 1978

Tracks 11-23 from "Happy Birthday Rock 'N' Roll" 1979

The Pirates

*Mick Green - Guitar, Vocals

*Frank Farley - Drums, Vocals

*John Spencer Louts - Bass, Vocals

rep>>> Tripsichord - Tripsichord (1971 us, awesome acid psych folk blues rock, 2001 Akarma edition)

This notorious San Fransisco group is known to have toured in the late 60’s/early 70’s as “the fake Moby Grape” – a marketing scam created by the evil Matthew Katz, who himself was trying to capitalize on the legendary Grape’s short-lived success.

Tripsichord (also referred to as the Tripsichord Music Box) was actually a fine band, a real group too, who would go on to release a very good album in 1970. Prior to their sole album (a Janus label release), the group recorded material for Katz that ended up on the Fifth Pipe Dream compilation. These cuts are solid SF acid rock – heavy on intensity and dark aura, brooding harmony vocals and great guitar work.

Their only LP release is a midpoint between the psych sounds of early Quicksilver Messenger Service and Moby Grape’s shorter, more concise material – psych influenced rural rock/folk rock with plenty of stoned ruminations and lots of melodic guitar work – the classic SF sound. Regarding the Tripsichord album, Fuzz, Acid & Flower’s Clark Faville added, “their self-titled album (recorded in 1969) proves conclusively that they alone carried the torch during that year that was once shared by Quicksilver Messenger Service, Frumious Bandersnatch and Moby Grape. The Tripsichord album is essentially what the world was hoping Shady Grove would be! The record is an embarrassing wealth of riches both musically and in its dark and menacing lyrical imagery. The dual guitar interplay on this under-rated gem is as good as anything by the three groups mentioned and has stood the test of time well.” If the album has a weak spot, it’s “Short Order Steward,” a boring blues jam that’s nearly rescued by fine guitar soloing.

The remaining cuts are excellent. “Fly Baby” and “Black Door” are two of the better unknown SF psych cuts (Fly Baby features great tribal rhythms) while the album’s last cut, “Everlasting Joy,” lifts off with inspired guitar leads. Other gems are the relaxed country rock of “We Have Passed On” and the mystical musings of “Narrow Way.” If you’re interested in hearing this unsung band’s music, the Akarma reissue is probably the best bet. Besides including the album in its entirety, this disc also features the Fifth Pipe Dream tracks along with Tripsichord’s two 45s. A very classy reissue with lots of great music.

by Jason Nardelli

Tracks

1. On The Last Ride (Bill Carr, David Zandonatti) - 4:50

2. We Have Passed Away (Bill Carr) - 2:45

3. Black Door (Bill Carr) - 2:55

4. The New World - 4:36

5. Son Of The Morning - 5:30

6. Short Order Steward - 5:04

7. The New World - 3:46

8. Fly Baby (Bill Carr) - 6:22

9. Everlasting Joy (Bill Carr, David Zandonatti) - 4:16

10.You're The Woman - 3:00

11.It's Not Good - 3:00

12.Family Song - 8:00

13.Times And Seasons - 3:00

14.Sunday The Third - 4:00

All compositions by David Zandonatti except where indiacate

Bonus Tracks 10-14

Tripsichord

*David Zandonatti - Vocals, Bass

*Oliver McKinney - Keyboards, Vocals

*Frank Straight - Lead Guitar, Vocals

*Randy Gordon - Drums, Vocals

*Bill Carr - Guitar, Vocals

Sunday, October 25, 2026

rep>>> The Griffin - The World's Filled With Love (1968 us, fabulous colorful beat psychedelia)

Griffin was an obscure flower power pop psych band with their 1968 ABC label album, optimistically titled “The World’s Filled With Love.” And anyone with a sweet tooth for the first two Strawberry Alarm Clock long players, or the mystical but still pop-centrific later Monkees albums, or anyone who still believes the world is filled with bunnies and pink cotton candy clouds, will find Griffin ’s naïve but surprisingly trippy outlook on life pretty reassuring.

Griffin summoning up their inner Kahlil Gibrans when they sing “Know thyself is just a phrase, till some have passed through the haze. I’ve figured out the maze, in my other life.” As Ravi Shankar’s dad, I’m guessing, since they surround it with the same kind of floaty, mystical sitar and tabla head zones that George did on his passages to India , all bellydancing rhythms, snakey sitar lines and om-like chanting background vocals. I’ll take a thousand of these ambitious, “Within You Without You” electric sitar headswirlers over another bad bar band boogie track, and that’s in this life and any of my past lives.

Elsewhere, the excellent “Magic Carpet Ride” is not a cover of the Steppenwolf karaoke bar perennial, but a tremendous popsike original, with upbeat tempo, moody minor keys and groovy hip lounge bar vocals – definitely a close musical cousin to anything off the first Strawberry Alarm Clock albums. Not quite soft pop, since the frenetic fast-paced rhythm could power any Nuggets band’s next garage single, and not quite garage either, since the lush and trippy vocal harmonies sound positively Beatlesque – this one straddles the genres like some tougher flower power anthem, and features a super groovy electric piano solo that beats the Doors’ “Riders on the Storm” by three full years. They’re still straddling genres on the killer “I’m Movin’ On”, a great organ-led pop punker with the kind of wild freakout break that lifted the Count Five’s “Psychotic Reaction” to legendary garage punk status. But again, the melody’s more pop-savvy than your average Nuggets nugget, so this comes off sounding more like a harder, trippier Monkees – think “Circle Sky” from the soundtrack to Head .

So if Griffin ’s album straddles the grey area between soft pop and garage punk, it’s only natural. Because the world is filled with love and anger, youthful innocence and teenage aggression. And since every song on “The World’s Filled With Love” is connected to the next by some faint calliope organ music, maybe the world really is filled with pink cotton candy clouds too.

Worthpoint

Tracks
1. The World's Filled With Love (Vince Morton) - 0:25
2. Baby, Won't You Come With Me? (Bruce Bentley) - 2:03
3. Give All Your Loving To That Man (Bruce Bentley) - 2:32
4. Small Talk (Vince Morton) - 2:50
5. I'm Takin' The Freeway (Bruce Bentley) - 2:30
6. I'm Movin' On (Bruce Bentley) - 2:50
7. Magic Carpet Ride (Vince Morton) - 3:45
8. The World's Filled With Love (Vince Morton) - 0:25
9. I Could Never Leave You (Bruse Bentley, Jerry Brown, Vince Morton) - 1:50
10.In My Other Life (Jerry Brown) - 3:25
11.Who Wants A Girl Like You? (Vince Morton) - 2:15
12.Lovely Blossom (Vince Morton, Jerry Brown) - 3:27
13.Murder In The Cathedral (Vince Morton) - 2:32
14.The World's Filled With Love (Vince Morton) - 2:55

The Griffin
*Vince Morton - Keyboards
*Jerry Brown - Percussion And Drums
*Bruce Bentley - Guitars

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rep>>> Tudor Lodge - Tudor Lodge (1971 uk, wonderful hippie baroque folk rock harmonies, 2011 remaster with bonus track)

Tudor Lodge was originally formed in 1968, featuring John Stannard and Roger Strevens. The group started playing at the White Horse in Reading, England and later made appearances at other clubs on the folk circuit. In 1969 Lyndon Green replaced Roger. Lyndon had just returned to England after treading the hippy trail to Turkey and within a year they were joined by American singer and flautist, Ann Steuart. Tudor Lodge then toured the English folk circuit for over two years, teaming up with manager Karl Blore in March 1970, and releasing their first album in 1971: “Tudor Lodge” (Vertigo 6360043). Later that year, the group appeared at the prestigious Cambridge Folk Festival and also at Weeley Festival in Essex.

Annie left the group in 1972 and was briefly replaced by Linda Peters, who became better known through her work with husband Richard Thompson. That year saw Tudor Lodge touring Holland where they featured on Dutch Radio after which the group disbanded with their various careers diverging.

Tudor Lodge

The eponymous debut album by Tudor Lodge taps into both the perpetual collectibility of the early-'70s Vertigo label catalog and the mid-2000s' growing fascination with British folk-prog of the same era. The trio of Lyndon Green, John Stannard, and Ann Steuart, backed by a heavyweight band of folk and classical legends (the redoubtable rhythm section of Danny Thompson and Terry Cox included), Tudor Lodge were unashamedly pastoral -- their music is the sound of a summer's day in centuries past, where "grey-backed squirrels run to safety," ("Forest"), ladies "disappear into the sunset, shrouded in organdie and wine" ("Willow Tree"), and even bloody battlefields become a place for quiet contemplation ("Help Me Find Myself").

And, all the while, clarinets twinkle, violins sigh, and cellos call to one another across the verdant fields. Recorded in a mere two weeks in early 1971, Tudor Lodge is very much a child of its times -- hopeful, gentle, and so delicately melodic that, even with harmonies hurtling like asteroids across "I See a Man," there is a Spartan simplicity to the record that surely exacted a major toll on the latter-day likes of Belle & Sebastian -- a comparison that the almost raunchy guitar and psych-soaked wah-wah of "The Lady's Changing Home" only amplifies. In its original vinyl form, Tudor Lodge was released in a grandiose six-panel die-cut sleeve, decorated with the intricate penciled sketches of artist Phil Duffy. In common with Akarma's other Vertigo reissues, this fabulous packaging has been restored in its entirety. Like the music, it's breathtaking.

by Jo-Ann Greene

Tracks

1. It All Comes Back To Me (John Stannard) - 4:19

2. Would You Believe? (John Stannard) - 2:29

3. Recollection (Lyndon Green) - 3:18

4. Two Steps Back (Ann Steuart, Lyndon Green) - 2:53

5. Help Me Find Myself (John Stannard) - 4:19

6. Nobody's Listening (John Stannard) - 3:32

7. Willow Tree (Ann Steuart, John Stannard, Lyndon Green) - 3:21

8. Forest (Lyndon Green) - 3:36

9. I See A Man (John Stannard) - 3:01

10.The Lady's Changing Home (John Stannard, Lyndon Green) - 4:38

11.Madeline (Lyndon Green) - 4:05

12.Kew Gardens (Ralph McTell) - 2:26

13.The Good Times We Had (Noel Paul Stookey) - 3:01

Tudor Lodge

*Lyndon Green - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

*John Stannard - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

*Ann Steuart - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Flute

With

*Mike Morgan - Electric Guitar

*Graham Lyons - Bassoon, Clarinet

*G. Wareham - Oboe, Cor Anglais

*Douglas Moore - Horn

*Tony Coe - Alto Flute, Clarinet

*Sergei Bezkorvany - Violin

*David Marcou - Violin

*Fred Buxton - Viola

*Suzanne Perreault - Cello

*Danny Thompson - Bass

*Terry Cox - Drums

*Sonny Condell - African Drums

Saturday, October 24, 2026

rep>>> Eric Quincy Tate - Eric Quincy Tate (1971 us, exceptional swamp blues brass rock, 2006 remaster and expanded)

Eric Quincy Tate were not a person, they were a band -- a quartet of down-and-dirty swamp rockers, Naval reservists stationed in Quincy, MA, but based down South, playing regularly in Texas where they were discovered by Tony Joe White, who shared a similar taste for blues, R&B, and soul. White helped get them signed to Capricorn and produced their self-titled 1971 debut, which sank into collector cult status not too long after its release and remained there until Rhino Handmade reissued it in 2006. Upon that reissue, the record was revealed as a real lost gem, something that could hold its own with Tony Joe White's own classic Monument albums, of which it's very reminiscent.

Like Tony Joe, Eric Quincy Tate is pure swamp pop, mixing up soul, blues, country, and rock & roll into a dynamite concoction of thick, funky roots rock. EQT could really play, which makes the fact that they didn't play on their debut all the stranger. When EQT entered the studio, the quartet found the Dixie Flyers -- the name of engineer Stan Kesler's studio band at the Sounds of Memphis studio -- all set up, ready to play. Only vocalist/drummer Donnie McCormack and guitarist Tommy Carlisle, EQT's two songwriters, were allowed to play on the album, with the Memphis Horns added later as overdubs. According to Bill DeYoung's liner notes to the 2006 Handmade reissue, nobody remembers who made the decision to use the Dixie Flyers as the core band -- Tony Joe White and Jerry Wexler share producing credits with Tom Dowd, who worked on the final bit of the record -- and the decision to use studio pros is a bit odd, as the three demos, alternate takes, and unreleased cuts featured on the reissue showcase a gritty Southern rock & roll band, one that was looser and funkier than the one that finished record, but all the more appealing because of it.

The Eric Quincy Tate reissue is also graced with the presence of none other than Duane Allman, who happened to be in the studio as a guest of Wexler, so he played some impromptu slide on the demo for "Goin' Down," unveiled here for the first time. It's not just Allman who gives the demos a dirtier, bluesier feel: without the overdubs of the horns and the tight attack of the Dixie Flyers, this is lean, hard rhythmic rock instead of the punched-up soul of the finished album. Not that there's anything wrong with the original Eric Quincy Tate as an album -- far from it, really. McCormack and Carlisle were fine songwriters with an ear for blending soul, blues, and rock so there were no borders between the styles, and the Dixie Flyers helped give the music an assured momentum that made it more commercial in 1971, even if the album went nowhere on the charts. Despite its lack of success, Eric Quincy Tate has aged very well -- the songs sound like buried gems and the music itself is the kind of deeply rooted roots rock that sustains its appeal, even increases it, upon repeated plays.

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Eric Quincy Tate started out in the mid-'60s as a Gulf Coast six-piece, The Kings, before Uncle Sam put four of its members on the USS Essex. After finishing their service, the quartet was back gigging in Texas, where they made a strong impression on Tony Joe. White was instrumental in getting the group an audition with Capricorn Records, and demos recorded there caught the ear of legendary Atlantic producer Jerry Wexler. The self-titled debut from Eric Quincy Tate - a marvelous mix of blues, soul, rock, and straight ahead funk -- followed in January 1971.

For this new reissue, seven previously unreleased bonus cuts from the Capricorn sessions follow, including embryonic versions of three album tracks () - one of which, "Comin' Down," features a guest appearance from slide guitar master Duane Allman, a storming take on "Gimme Some Lovin"," and three additional Eric Quincy Tate originals.

Rhino

Tracks
1. Stonehead Blues (David Cantonwine, Donnie McCormick) - 2:19
2. I Want 'cha (Tommy Carlisle) - 2:47
3. Try A Little Harder (Tommy Carlisle) - 2:32
4. On The Loose (David Cantonwine, Donnie McCormick, Joe Rogers) - 3:02
5. Makes No Difference (Tommy Carlisle) - 3:47
6. When I'm Gone (Donnie McCormick, Tommy Carlisle) - 2:23
7. Comin' Down (Donnie McCormick, Tommy Carlisle) - 2:57
8. Hooker House (Donnie McCormick, Tommy Carlisle) - 3:01
9. The Bream Are Still Biting In Ferriday (Donnie McCormick, Tommy Carlisle) - 2:51
10.Ain't It A Bummer (Donnie McCormick) - 3:44
11.License To Love (Donnie McCormick, Tommy Carlisle) - 3:56
12.Stonehead Blues (Demo) (David Cantonwine, Donnie McCormick) - 1:54
13.Comin' Down (Demo) (Donnie McCormick, Tommy Carlisle) - 2:54
14.Ain't It A Bummer (Demo) (Donnie McCormick) - 3:17
15.Gimme Some Lovin' (Muff Winwood, Spencer Davis, Steve Winwood) - 3:34
16.Blowin' The Clouds Away (Alternate Version) (Donnie McCormick, Greg McWhorter, Ronnie Morgan, Tommy Carlisle) - 4:03
17.Get On The Road (Eric Quincy Tate) - 2:34
18.I Don't Know Much (Eric Quincy Tate) - 7:29

Eric Quincy Tate
*Donnie McCormick - Lead Vocals, Drums
*Tommy Carlisle - Guitar - Vocals
*David Cantonwine - Bass
*Joe Rogers - Keyboards - Vocals
With
*Duane Allman - Slide Guitar
*Jim Dickinson - Piano, Organ, Dobro
*The Memphis Horns - Brass
*Michael Utley - Electric Piano
*The Dixie Flyers - Session Work

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Friday, October 23, 2026

rep>>> West Coast Natural Gas - Two's A Pair (1966-68 us, amazing west coast psychedelia, 2012 edition)

Killer West Coast psychedelic monster that took many years to be completed!!! West Coast Natural Gas began life in 1965 in Seattle. In early 1967 they went to San Francisco to work for a local music manager named Matthew Katz.

Katz was the original manager for Jefferson Airplane, Moby Grape and later It’s a Beautiful Day. He talked West Coast Natural Gas into signing a contract with him but they didn’t realize at the time, being young and stupid. That basically they signed over everything to him. They went to the studio and recorded some original tunes: A Favor, Go Run and Play, The Jumping Frog, Hashish, Water or Wine, Beyond This Place, and Two’s A Pair.

In early 1968 the band broke up and went back to Seattle. Katz released a single – Go Run and Play / A Favor on his S.F. Sound label under the name West Coast Natural Gas. Later he released a compilation album - the first San Francisco Sound sampler - called “Fifth Pipe Dream”. The four songs mentioned before, Water or Wine, Hashish, Beyond This Place and Two’s A Pair were the ones recorded by WCNG and relabeled by Katz as Indian Puddin’ and Pipe.

This superb release includes all the above mentioned songs, plus others from acetates. As a big surprise another four never before heard songs recorded 1966 in a local Seattle Recording Studio before they went to San Francisco are included.

Tracks
1. Go Run And Play (Kris Larsen) - 2:33
2. A Favor (Steve Mack) - 3:41
3. A Favor Version 2 (Steve Mack) - 3:44
4. The Jumping Frog (Pat Craig) - 3:33
5. Two's A Pair (Steve Mack) - 4:15
6. Beyond This Place (Pat Craig) - 2:32
7. Hashish (Kris Larsen) - 3:03
8. Water Or Wine (Steve Mack) - 3:40
9. The West Coast Natural Gas White Levis Commercial 'Never Break' (Pat Craig) - 0:46
10.Radio Promo from the Galaxy Club ca. 1968 - 0:37
11.Mr. You're A Better Man Than I (Mike Hugg, Brian Hugg) - 2:56
12.Younger Girl (John Sebastian) - 2:11
13.You Make Me Feel So Good (Chris White) - 2:12
14.He Was A Friend Of Mine (Traditional, lyrics by Roger McGuinn) - 2:38

West Coast Natural Gas
*Pat Craig - Vocals, Piano, Organ, Autoharp, Guitar
*Kris Larsen - Vocals, Guitar
*Steve Mack - Vocals, Lead Guitar
*Dave Burke - Bass
*Jeff Labrache- Drums, Vocals

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Thursday, October 22, 2026

rep>>> Bosom Blues Band - The Overgone Sounds of the Bosom Blues Band (1968 us, fantastic blues rock psych, 2008 Arcania Vinyl issue)

An obscure late 60s band out of Richmond, VA that evolved from an R'n'B ensemble called the Soothsayers. In 1967 the Bosom Blues Band entered a local studio and recorded several demos and finally an album's worth of material, including the outstanding blues rocker 'Hippie Queen'.

The song was inspired by the true story about a girl named Joan from Richmond, VA who traveled to England in an attempt to meet The Beatles. She ended up sneaking onto the grounds of John Lennon's estate and knocked on the door of his house, which was answered by Lennon himself who invited her in. She ended up getting pictures taken of herself with the Fab Four, including one of George Harrison kissing her on the cheek. This made her a local legend and "hippie queen" throughout the Richmond area.

The following year the band auditioned for Vanguard Records, but the deal came to naught. And by 1969 the Bosom Blues band were no more, with their sole LP unheard until Arcania International included their song Hippie Queen on Aliens, Psychos and Wild Things, Vol. 3. Now the entire ouvre of this remarkable group is available once again -- in the format it was meant to be heard in, glorious vinyl.

Tracks
1. Leavin' Trunk (John Estes) - 4:45
2. Milk Cow's Calf Blues (Robert Johnson) - 3:25
3. Messin' With The Kid (Mel London) - 3:03
4. Divin' Duck (John Estes) - 2:48
5. You Don't Love Me Baby (Sam Maghett) - 3:25
6. Hippie Queen (Larry McCullogh) - 4:09
7. Knock On Wood (Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper) - 3:53
8. Walk Tall (Josef Zawinul, Esther Marrow, James Rein) - 8:48

Bosom Blues Band
*Larry McCullough - Vocals, Lead Guitar
*Allen Gay - Rhythm Guitar
*Harold Grigg - Bass
*Lynn Abbott - Drums

*Ed - Sax

1967-68 Johnny Rivers - Rewind • Realization

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Wednesday, October 21, 2026

rep>>> Johnny Rivers - Secret Agent Man • The Ultimate Johnny Rivers Anthology (1964-2006 us, magnificent roots 'n' roll, folkish psych beat, 2006 double disc set)

In January of 1964, Rivers opened the historic Whisky A Go-Go to a packed crowd of Hollywood stars and music fans, kicking off what would come to be known as the Go Go Generation. For the next year, a crowd of fans and celebrities flocked to the club to listen and dance to Rivers’ high energy live performances. Even the Beatles and Bob Dylan graced the club to see Rivers’ show.

Secret Agent Man: The Ultimate Johnny Rivers Anthology, begins with his first hit single, Chuck Berry’s “Memphis” from his debut album Johnny Rivers Live At The Whisky A Go- Go. The single was a smash hit, climbing its way to the top of the charts. Like his first album, Rivers recorded his second, Here We A Go-Go Again!, live at the club. This album also spawned a major national hit with another Chuck Berry song “Maybelline.” Rivers continued to have great success with gems such as “Mountain Of Love,” “Seventh Son,” and one of his best known songs, “Secret Agent Man,” originally the opening theme for the hit TV series Secret Agent starring Patrick McGoohan.

After six “live” albums, Rivers changed direction; he began using more of his own compositions and expanding his arrangements in the recording studio. The centerpiece of his aptly titled Changes album was “Poor Side Of Town,” a lush, soulful ballad, which topped the singles charts in 1966. Rivers was the first artist outside the Motown camp to have hits with the Motown classics “Baby, I Need Your Lovin’” and “The Tracks Of My Tears.” In 1967 Rivers produced his best selling album to date, Realization, which featured his classic hit “Summer Rain.”

In the 1970’s Rivers came back with several classics including “Help Me Rhonda” with Brian Wilson singing harmony (the success of which inspired Brian to go back in the studio with the Beach Boys) and the New Orleans-style piano classic, “Rockin’ Pneumonia - Boogie Woogie Flu.” In 1977 Rivers scored again with the beautiful Jack Tempchin penned ballad “Slow Dancin’.” Secret Agent Man: The Ultimate Johnny Rivers Anthology: 1964-2006 features the above mentioned tracks as well as songs recorded later, including Elvis Presley’s “That’s Alright Mama,” and the Carl Perkins songs “Honey Don’t” and “Matchbox,” recorded in 1991 at Sun Studios and latter two featuring Perkins on guitar. A beautiful version of the Beatles “I’ll Be Back” (from the 2004 Reinvention Highway Soul City release) and crowd-favorite “China” from the 2001 live album Back At The Whisky are also featured on the package.

Shout Factory, June 27, 2006

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Memphis (Chuck Berry) - 2:30

2. Maybelline (Chuck Berry) - 2:15

3. Mountain of Love (Harold Dorman) - 2:39

4. Midnight Special (Traditional) - 2:28

5. Seventh Son (Willie Dixon) - 2:45

6. Where Have All the Flowers Gone (Pete Seeger) - 3:15

7. Secret Agent Man (P.F. Sloan, Steve Barri) - 3:05

8. (I Washed My Hands In) Muddy Water (Joe Babcock) - 2:58

9. Poor Side of Town (Johnny Rivers, Lou Adler) - 3:28

10.Baby, I Need Your Lovin' (Brian Holland, Edward Holland, Jr., Lamont Dozier) - 3:07

11.The Tracks of My Tears (Smokey Robinson, Pete Moore, Marv Tarplin) - 2:56

12.Summer Rain (James Hendricks) - 3:36

13.Positively 4th Street (Bob Dylan) - 5:02

14.Muddy River (James Hendricks) - 3:27

15.Into the Mystic (Van Morrison) - 4:41

16.Sea Cruise (Huey Smith, John Vincent) - 2:50

17.Rockin' Pneumonia / Boogie Woogie Flu (Huey Smith, John Vincent) - 3:12

18.Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins) - 2:47

Disc 2

1. Help Me Rhonda (Brian Wilson, Mike Love) - 2:54

2. Swayin' to the Music (Slow Dancin') (Jack Tempchin) - 4:00

3. Curious Mind (Um, Um, Um, Um) (Curtis Mayfield) - 3:03

4. That's Alright Mama (Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup) - 2:51

5. Honey Don't (Carl Perkins) - 3:21

6. Big River (Johnny Cash) - 3:04

7. Matchbox (Carl Perkins) - 2:12

8. Down at the House of Blues (Johnny Rivers) - 4:40

9. Closer to You (Johnny Rivers, Jack Tempchin) - 4:55

10.Blue Suede Shoes [Tribute to Carl Perkins] (Carl Perkins) - 3:48

11.Last Train to Memphis (Johnny Rivers, Jack Tempchin) - 3:41

12.China (Live) (Michael Georgiades, Jeffrey Monday) - 5:49

13.Midnight Special (2004 Version) (Traditional) - 4:41

14.I'll Be Back (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 2:27

15.Going Back to Big Sur (Johnny Rivers) - 3:32

16.Feel a Whole Lot Better (Gene Clark) - 2:50

17.Rollin' Stone (Muddy Waters) - 3:04

18.Let It Rock (Chuck Berry) - 2:31

*Johnny Rivers - Vocals, Guitar

1971-73 Unicorn - Uphill All The Way (2009 Cherry Tree)

rep>>> Unicorn - Blue Pine Trees (1974 uk, beautiful country rock feat. David Gilmour, 2017 extra tracks remaster)

Blue Pine Trees was the sound of Unicorn at the peak of their musical and songwriting abilities. An album that puts you in mind of Lindisfarne before they got desperate, or the Beatles if Ashley Hutchings had produced them, this is British folk-rock at one of its most idiosyncratic extremes. On the one hand, Unicorn's roots in the sounds of the American west coast are unmistakable. But, on the other, they never forget their English roots and, mindful too of their familial links to Pink Floyd (Dave Gilmour produced the best of their albums), Blue Pine Trees soars with melancholy subtlety above all of its influences, to remind us just how unique Unicorn were.

Key cuts like "Electric Night," "Autumn Wine," and the spectral beauty of "Ooh! Mother" are subjective; like a great Al Stewart album, with the Flying Burrito Brothers behind him, Blue Pine Trees might lure you in with its overall sheen, but it can continue surprising your ears for weeks. And, according to the fan club, it's not even the best record they ever made!

by Dave Thompson

Tracks

1. Electric Night - 4:52

2. Sleep Song - 4:58

3. Autumn Wine (Kevin Smith, Roy St. John, Stephen Waters) - 3:04

4. Rat Race (Kevin Smith, Roy St. John, Stephen Waters) - 4:22

5. Just Wanna Hold You - 5:04

6. Holland - 3:26

7. Nightingale Crescent - 3:36

8. The Farmer - 3:32

9. In The Gym - 5:28

10.Blue Pine Trees - 3:46

11.Ooh Mother! - 3:52

12.Volcano - 2:45

13.The Ballad Of John And Julie - 4:52

14.Bog Trotter - 4:52

15.Ooh Mother - 2:45

16.I'll Believe In You - 3:35

17.Take It Easy - 2:42

All compositions by Ken Baker except where indicated

Bonus Tracks 11-17

The Unicorn
*Ken Baker - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
*Pat Martin - Bass, Mandolin, Vocals
*Peter Perrier - Drums, Percussion, Vocals
*Kevin Smith - Guitar, Slide Guitar
With

*David Gilmour - Electric Guitar (Tracks 1,2,3,5,8,16)

1967-76 Unicorn - Shed No Tear The Early Late Unicorn (2024 TLAK)

1970 Taste - What's Going On Isle Of Wight Festival (2015 extra tracks remaster)

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

rep>>> Taste - I'll Remember (1969-71 ireland, spectacular blues rock, early recordings and unreleased material, 2015 four dic box set remaster)

At long last Rory Gallagher’s first band, Taste, in both its incarnations, gets its due in the form of the 57 track, nearly five hour long four disc box set “I’ll Remember.” The first two discs contain the band’s two LPs, 1969s “Taste” and 1970s “On The Boards” each album being supplemented by bonus tracks. Disc three contains live tracks from Sweden and London recorded just before the band called it a day in 1970. Disc four contains recordings, studio and live, performed by Taste Mk. I, with Gallagher joined by bassist Eric Kitteringham and drummer Norman D’Amery, who were replaced by Richard McCracken and John Wilson. Kudos to compiler Daniel Gallagher did a great job of representing Taste, Mk. I and Mk. II.

“I’ll Remember” opens with “Blister On The Moon” a re-recording of half of the original lineup’s unofficially released Major Minor label 1967 single. The tune was joined by the rocking “Born On The Wrong Side Of Time” on the single and was likewise re-recorded for inclusion on “Taste” which was released in April, 1969. “Blister” is a great vehicle for Gallagher’s guitar and has a hook ideal for AM radio, yet somehow was never officially released on 45. In fact either of the tunes would have been a great a-side. “Taste” is filled with blues rock tunes, a mixture of originals, covers and arrangements of traditional material with Gallagher’s guitar dominant, such as his incredible slide work on “Leavin’ Blues.” Two traditional songs arranged by Gallagher, “Sugar Mama” and “Catfish” give him a chance to stretch things out with run times of seven minutes or more each. In addition to the album’s original nine tracks the disc contains six alternate versions as bonus tracks. The LP showcases blues rock at its very best.

Disc two is built around the band’s second and final LP “On The Boards.” Released on New Year’s Day, 1970, the album reflects the group’s musical growth. The opening track “What’s Going On” is a hot little rocker, clocking in at just under three minutes and most definitely a radio friend number that would have been an ideal selection for a single. With its second album Taste showed increased versatility with jazz influences apparent throughout, and Gallagher playing alto saxophone on two of the LP’s ten tracks including the breezy “It’s Happened Before, It’ll Happen Again” on which he begins playing guitar before switching to sax. However, it is still Rory’s guitar that dominates the album, especially on scorching numbers like “Morning Sun” and the slide guitar driven “Eat My Words.” The six minute title track showcases Taste’s versatility with Rory’s guitar quietly steering the band and the listener into the land of mellowness leading Gallagher to once again pick up the sax. The album’s ten tracks are joined by six bonus tracks, including the audio from four performances on the “Beat Club” television show.

Disc three opens with eight tracks recorded live at Konserthuset, Sweden in 1970. Dominated by Gallagher’s guitar the set includes extended takes of tunes from both of the band’s albums as well as four non-LP tracks including the slide workouts “Gamblin’ Blues” and “Sinner Boy” and the blues drenched “At The Bottom” and “She’s Nineteen Years Old.” The disc also features five tunes recorded by the BBC at the Paris Theatre in London beginning with an unbelievable take on “I’ll Remember” stretched out to double the length of the three minute studio version with Gallagher’s guitar leading the way from beginning to end. The 78 minutes on this disc are representative of Taste Mk. II’s incredible live sound.

“I’ll Remember” closes with a disc of recordings by Taste Mk. I. The first nine tracks on disc four, recorded in Belfast, are the oldest surviving studio recordings of the band. Among the tracks are the original takes of “Blister On The Moon” and “Born On The Wrong Side Of Time” which, as previously mentioned, were released and then immediately withdrawn as a single on the Major Minor label. The material is much more traditional blues oriented than that of Mk. II. Standout tracks include the guitar workouts “Norman Invasion” and “How Many More Years.” The final five tracks were recorded live at the Wobum Abbey Festival in 1968 and are evidence that Taste Mk. I could rock like hell live! The band was so fresh that following their performance of Gershwin’s “Summertime” Gallagher is heard saying “thank you” more than a dozen times! This is followed by a stunning take on “Blister On The Moon” featuring Rory at his heaviest. Also included is an obviously Muddy Waters influenced version of “I Got My Brand On You.” The set closes, quite appropriately, with a spirited medley of blues classics, “Rock Me Baby/Bye Bye Bird/Baby Please Don’t Go.”

The book style box set, designed by Phil Smee at Waldo’s Design and Dream Emporium, is rounded out by a 40 page full color booklet. Complete track annotations are joined by a Nigel Williamson essay and tons of gorgeous photos. Aside from the Isle Of Wight concert, issued separately, “I’ll Remember” is the last word on Rory Gallagher’s earliest work. The sound, mastered by Paschal Byrne at the Audio Archives in London, is impeccable, even the early live recordings.

The bottom line is that “I’ll Remember” was one of the very best reissue compilations of 2015 and is an absolute must for blues rock enthusiasts and serves as a wonderful document of Rory Gallagher’s first recordings. I cannot recommend this set highly enough. There is not a weak link among the collection’s 50-plus tracks. Make sure you grab a copy of this incredible box set before it goes out of print. It is absolutely essential!

by Kevin Rathert, 2016

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Blister On The Moon - 3:26

2. Leavin’ Blues (Huddie Ledbetter) - 4:15

3. Sugar Mama (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 7:14

4. Hail - 2:35

5. Born On The Wrong Side Of Time - 4:00

6. Dual Carriageway Pain - 3:13

7. Same Old Story - 3:32

8. Catfish (Traditional) - 8:04

9. I’m Moving On (Hank Snow) - 2:29

10.Blister On The Moon - 3:21

11.Leavin’ Blues (Huddie Ledbetter) - 4:31

12.Hail - 2:35

13.Dual Carriageway Pain - 3:13

14.Same Old Story - 3:26

15.Catfish (Traditional) - 6:55

All tracks by Rory Gallagher except as else written

Tracks 1-9 original "Taste" Lp released April 1969

Bonus Tracks 10-15 Alternate Versions

Disc 2

1. What’s Going On - 2:44

2. Railway And Gun - 3:33

3. It’s Happened Before, It’ll Happen Again - 6:32

4. If The Day Was Any Longer - 2:07

5. Morning Sun - 2:38

6. Eat My Words - 3:45

7. On The Boards - 6:01

8. If I Don’t Sing I’ll Cry - 2:38

9. See Here - 3:04

10.I’ll Remember - 3:01

11.Railway And Gun - 4:26

12.See Here - 3:13

13.It’s Happened Before, It’ll Hapen Again - 10:52

14.If The Day Was Any Longer - 2:35

15.Morning Sun - 3:31

16.It’s Happened Before, It’ll Happen Again - 9:48

Music and Lyrics by Rory Gallagher except where stated

Tracks 1-10 original "On The Boards" LP released January 1970

Bonus tracks 11-016

Disc 3

1. What’s Going On - 6:14

2. Sugar Mama (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 6:48

3. Gamblin’ Blues (Melvin Jackson) - 6:41

4. Sinner Boy - 6:23

5. At The Bottom - 3:19

6. She’s Nineteen Years Old (Muddy Waters) - 3:57

7. Morning Sun - 4:18

8. Catfish (Traditional) - 6:33

9. I’ll Remember - 6:14

10.Railway And Gun - 4:58

11.Sugar Mama (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 7:19

12.Eat My Words - 9:21

13.Catfish (Traditional) - 5:27

All songs by Rory Gallagher except where indicated

Tracks 1-8 Live In Konserthuset Stockholm, Sweden 1970

Tarcks 9-13 BBC Live In Concert Paris Theatre, London 1970

Disc 4

1. Wee Wee Baby (Joe Turner) - 2:45

2. How Many More Years (Chester Burnett) - 3:24

3. Take It Easy Baby (Traditional) - 7:08

4. Pardon Me Mister - 2:44

5. You’ve Got To Pay - 3:55

6. Norman Invasion - 3:01

7. Worried Man - 2:30

8. Blister On The Moon - 3:25

9. Born On The Wrong Side Of Time - 3:15

10.Summertime (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, DuBose Heyward) - 1:31

11.Blister On The Moon - 3:36

12.I Got My Brand On You - 7:23

13.Medley: Rock Me Baby / Bye Bye Bird / Baby Please Don’t Go / You Shook Me Baby (Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson, Joe Williams) - 10:59

All compostitions by Rory Gallagher except where noted

Tracks 1-9 the early Belfast sessions

Tracks 10-13 Live At Woburn Abbey Festival, UK 1968

The Taste

*Rory Gallagher - Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica, Alto Saxophone

*Eric Kitteringham - Bass

*Richard McCracken - Bass

*John Wilson - Drums

*Norman Damery - Drums

1969 Taste - Taste

1970 Taste - On The Boards (Japan SHM edition)

1971 Rory Gallagher (Japan Mini Lp replica)

1972 Rory Gallagher - Live In Europe (2018 remaster)

1973  Rory Gallagher  - Tattoo (2012 promo copy)
1974  Rory Gallagher  - Irish Tour (2018 remaster)
1975  Rory Gallagher  -  Against The Grain (2018 remaster)