Crosby Stills Nash And Young - Live (1974 us/canada/uk, amazing folk classic rock, 2013 four discs box set)

Five words pretty much say it all. Crosby. Stills. Nash. And Young. For the past 45 years, they’ve come to represent the epitome of the traveling troubadour, singer/songwriter ideal, the final remnants of sixties optimism, the last embers of hippie idealism, and a musical legacy that’s left its impact on every band and every artist that’s ever aspired to some kind of Americana achievement.

As if any further proof was needed, here it is: CSNY 1974, a stunning box set boasting three CDs and one DVD (a single CD distillation is also available as well; both are from Rhino). Included are 40 songs and eight videos culled from the quartet’s highly touted 1974 tour, a point in their combined careers that found them in their prime, at least as far as their regal reputation was concerned. The remarkable vibe emanating from that epic journey stays intact, on par with memories of the music, which in every sense remains just as passionate and powerful now. Indeed, the 40 years between past and present practically disappear. No dusty historical document this, but rather a fresh reminder of why this band remains the finest so-called “Super Group” in all of rock history.

Still, all nostalgia aside, it’s still the melodies that matter most, and here, amidst this assortment of familiar band standards, solo standouts and songs that have heretofore never officially seen the light of day, the listener is presented with the very best the quarter had to offer, both individually and collectively. Many are already well pressed in the musical firmament — “Love the One You’re With,” “Almost Cut My Hair,” “Wooden Ships,” “Teach Your Children,” and “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” (of course), but all are revived with a passion and purpose that reflects not only their initial intent, but also the fact that they felt they still had something to prove.

Likewise, the opportunity to finally own unreleased material made legendary in bootleg form — mostly Young’s but an ample stock from the others as well — makes this the Holy Grail for collectors as well as for everyday enthusiasts. [As the owner of more than a handful of recordings from the ’74 tour, I can personally attest to the truth which Dr. Zimmerman utters. —Bootleg Ed.]

Adding to that treasure trove of total delights is the eight song DVD recorded at the Capital Centre in Landover Maryland (the first such in-house video monitoring system utilized in the U.S.) and at Wembley Stadium in the U.K., a wealth of unseen footage that makes these archival performances appear so fresh and vivid it’s as if it was recorded only yesterday. It is, in a word, simply a marvel to witness in the here and now. Likewise, the massive 185 page booklet that accompanies this extravaganza is practically worth the price of admission on its own, chock full of concise commentary, detailed liner notes and stunning photos. The latter comes as no surprise, considering the images were captured by the group’s photographer and confidant, Joel Bernstein, who also — not coincidentally — co-produced this box with pal Graham Nash.

The word “essential” is bandied about quite a bit these days in reference to landmark recordings. Yet, here it applies in every sense. CSNY 74 is one for the ages.

By Lee Zimmerman

Tracks
Disc 1
1. Love the One You're With (Stephen Stills) - 6:05
2. Wooden Ships (David Crosby, Paul Kantner, Stephen Stills) - 6:36
3. Immigration Man (Graham Nash) - 3:47
4. Helpless (Neil Young) - 4:45
5. Carry Me (David Crosby) - 4:41
6. Johnny's Garden (Stephen Stills) - 5:20
7. Traces (Neil Young) - 3:17
8. Grave Concern (Graham Nash) - 3:11
9. On the Beach (Neil Young) - 7:40
10.Black Queen (Stephen Stills) - 8:25
11.Almost Cut My Hair (David Crosby) - 7:07

Disc 2
1. Change Partners (Stephen Stills) - 3:51
2. The Lee Shore (David Crosby) - 4:48
3. Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Neil Young) - 3:28
4. Our House (Graham Nash) - 3:38
5. Fieldworker (Graham Nash) - 3:07
6. Guinevere (David Crosby) - 6:14
7. Time After Time (David Crosby) - 3:48
8. Prison Song (Graham Nash) - 4:02
9. Long May You Run (Neil Young) - 4:13
10.Goodbye Dick (Neil Young) - 1:40
11.Mellow My Mind (Neil Young) - 2:33
12.Old Man (Neil Young) - 4:23
13.Word Game (Stephen Stills) - 6:16
14.Myth of Sisyphus (Stephen Stills, Kenny Passarelli) - 4:44
15.Blackbird (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 2:48
16.Love Art Blues (Neil Young) - 2:57
17.Hawaiian Sunrise (Neil Young) - 2:56
18.Teach Your Children (Graham Nash) - 3:16
19.Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (Stephen Stills) - 9:25

Disc 3
1. Déjà Vu (David Crosby) - 8:29
2. My Angel (Stephen Stills) - 4:35
3. Pre-Road Downs (Graham Nash) - 3:30
4. Don't Be Denied (Neil Young) - 6:40
5. Revolution Blues (Neil Young) - 4:21
6. Military Madness (Graham Nash) - 5:04
7. Long Time Gone (David Crosby) - 6:05
8. Pushed It Over the End (Neil Young) - 7:52
9. Chicago (Graham Nash) - 4:43
10.Ohio (Neil Young) - 6:00

DVD Audio
1. Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Neil Young) - 3:34
2. Almost Cut My Hair (David Crosby) - 7:44
3. Grave Concern (Graham Nash) - 3:24
4. Old Man (Neil Young) - 3:54  
5. Johnny's Garden (Stephen Stills) - 3:43
6. Our House (Graham Nash) - 3:47
7. Déjà Vu (David Crosby) - 8:00
8. Pushed It Over the End (Neil Young) - 7:57

Personnel
*David Crosby - Vocals, Guitars, Tambourine
*Stephen Stills - Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Bass
*Graham Nash - Vocals, Keyboards, Guitars, Harmonica
*Neil Young - Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Harmonica, Banjo Guitar
*Tim Drummond - Bass
*Russ Kunkel - Drums
*Joe Lala - Percussion

Related Acts
1968  Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, Steve Stills - The Super Sessions (2014 Hybrid Multichannel SACD 24/88)
1970  Stephen Stills - Stephen Stills (2008 japan SHM remaster)
1971-73  Manassas - Pieces (2009 release)
1972  Stephen Stills - Manassas (2006 HDCD)  
1973  Graham Nash - Wild Tales
1975-76/78  Stephen Stills - Stills / Illegal Stills / Thoroughfare Gap (2007 double disc issue)
1976  The Stills Young Band - Long May You Run

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Maxfield Parrish - It's a Cinch to Give Legs to Old Hard-Boiled Eggs (1972 us, beautiful country folk rock)

Maxfield Parrish’s only album was released in 1972, well after the band had split up. Members from the great California band Kaleidoscope produced and played on this underappreciated record which was originally recorded in early 1969. Had this album seen release in 1969, it would have been regarded today, as an early, innovative slab of country-rock.

It’s A Cinch strongly recalls the Byrds’ Notorious Byrd Brothers/Easy Rider era or even the New Riders early material (great stuff!!), with strong songwriting, superb musicianship and a few nifty psych/space rock moves. There are some great, catchy acoustic rock songs in “Julie Columbus” and “Cruel Deception.”  The weirder creations, “The Widow,” an 8 minute mantra, and “The Untransmuted Child” work really well too. In particular, “The Untransmuted Child” is excellent, sounding like a trippy mountain hymn with hillbilly vocals, organ, harmonica and hallucinary guitar sustain.

By Jason Nardelli

Tracks
1. The Lighthouse Is Falling - 3:13
2. It's Alright (I Love Her) - 2:58
3. Ellie McCall - 2:05
4. Cruel Deception - 4:11
5. Bottle Of Reds Blues (David McClellan, Perrin Muir) - 3:48
6. Julie Columbus - 2:28
7. Cross Over The World - 2:03
8. The Widow (Lennie Porrue) - 8:13
9. 'Round The Morning - 2:56
10.The Untransmuted Child - 6:26
11.Juanita - 3:58
12.Hershey - 2:55
13.Whoa Johnny - 3:24
14.Mother Of Pearl - 3:04
15.Dismal River - 7:44
All songs by Perrin Muir, David Biasotti except where indicated
Bonus Tracks 11-15 from The Palmer Canyon tape

The Maxfield Parrish
*Perrin Muir - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
*David Biasotti - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
*Randy Groenke - Banjo
*David McClellan - Mandolin
With
*Chester Crill - Organ, Piano, Harmonica
*Chris Darrow - Vocals, Bass
*David Lindley - Electric Guitar, Banjo
*Bernie Leadon - Acoustic Guitar
*John Ware - Drums, Piano
*John London - Bass

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Sandy Coast - A 'n' B Sides And More / The Golden Years Of Dutch Pop Music (1965-88 holland, fine blend of beat psych and classic rock, 2015 double disc digi pak edition)

Formed in 1961 in Voorburg as the Sandy Coast Skiffle Group, they had the following names: the Sandy Coast Five, Sandy Coast Rockers and, finally, Sandy Coast.  Thanks to the Hitwezen magazine-organised talent search, they were awarded a record contract with Negram in 1965.   Featured members: Hans Vermeulen (vocals, guitar, keyboards), his brother Jan (bass and guitar), Jos de Jager (bass, 1964-67), Henk Smitskamp (bass, ex-Livin' Blues, from 1970 till 1971, to Shocking Blue), Onno Bevoort (drums, in 1970 temporarily replaced by Will Morkus, in 1974 to Water), Ron Westerbeek (vocals, guitar, keyboards, ex-Daddy's Act, to Water), Charles Kersbergen (guitar, until 1965) and Marianne Nobles (vocals, ex-solo, 1972).   In 1974, Sandy Coast disbanded; Hans formed Rainbow Train together with his brother Jan

Sandy Coast in 1965 took his first single on: Being in love. In 1966 , the group with his fourth single, the first Top 40 hit- to address. We'll meet again, a cover of Vera Lynn 's classic, was not higher than number 39 and the next she's sorry mine did not go beyond one week at number 40. That same year, Sandy Coast his television debut in the NCRV - program Twien . In 1967 and '68 were the hits and more slowly if Sandy Coast its first album, ... And Their particular record. In the spring of 1968 followed their biggest hit so far I see your face again.

That same year the band went along with the current music trend and changed the style of beat to psychedelic rock . Hans Vermeulen had a cold when he saw the number inzong Capital punishment, but that did not prevent it a success, both artistically and commercially. The album From the workshop was well received by critics. In 1969 Sandy Coast signed a contract with the British Page One Records . There they took three singles and album Shipwreck on, but that they do not equaled the success of From the workshop. When the bosses at Page One - Larry Page and Dick James - had a fight, kept the record label to exist. Sandy Coast two years therefore could not record long record. In this short time changed the composition of the group. In 1970 replaced Will Morkus Bevoort here, but Bevoort same year came back. The band was expanded to a quintet for some time, with Jan Vermeulen switched to rhythm guitar and Henk Smitskamp of Livin 'Blues bassist was. A year later, however Smitskamp Shocking Blue and Jan Vermeulen went back to play bass.

Ultimately bought Willem van Kooten the block and was a contract with Polydor signed. In 1971 scored his biggest hit since Sandy Coast True love that's a wonder that the third took place in the Top 40. By becoming the group finally broke through in Flanders . It came from the album Sandy Coast Just hit that after that a friend brought forth. In 1972 came the singles Just two little creatures and the top 10-hit Summer Train. In 1973 the group had his last hit with preliminary Blackboard jungle lady, from the disappointing album Stonewall. One year after this disappointing album, the group apart. The brothers founded the group Vermeulen Rainbow Train and Bevoort Westerbeek and started the band Water . Hans Vermeulen in the year 1970 much more successful as a producer and composer for other groups and artists. He wrote and produced including the first number-one hit for Anita Meyer : The alternative way. 

In 1988 Sandy Coast came back together for an album. In this comeback lacked Bevoort, which was replaced by Ton op ‘t Hof. The group here was completed by keyboardist Hans Jansen and guitarist Hans Hollestelle. were old songs that had been played back on the album Rendezvous. After this album Sandy Coast still occasionally performed together. Hans Vermeulen continued to produce and had the early 90s success with singer Ruth Jacott. But he also faced personal and financial problems. He divorced his wife Hilde (known under the stage name Dianne Marchal) and already had built a tax of a half million guilders. Thanks to his manager Peer Evers and an arrangement with the social fund of Buma/Stemra he could pay off his debts in four years, after which he emigrated to the mid-nineties the Thai island of Ko Samui. There he married the singer Thai Ato. he now he has to Ko Samui built a studio and will occasionally return to the Netherlands for performances.

On May 11, 1999 Jan Vermeulen died at the age of 54 from colon cancer. He was buried on 17 May and Anita Meyer and Jan Rietman Rainbow Train performed at his funeral.

Tracks
Disc 1
1. Being In Love (Hans Vermeulen, Jan Vermeulen) - 2:12
2. I Want You For My Own (Hans Vermeulen, Jos de Jager) - 2:00
3. Subject Of My Thoughts (Jan Vermeulen) - 2:49
4. I'm A Fool - 2:34
5. That Girl Was Mine - 1:58
6. I Lost A Dream - 2:25
7. We'll Meet Again (R. Parker. H. Charles) - 2:25
8. Comin' Home - 2:16
9. Sorry She's Mine (Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane) - 2:45
10.Make Me Belong To You (Chip Taylor, Billy Vera) - 2:00
11.A Girl Like You (Ford) - 1:56
12.Sing Before Breakfast (Hans van Eijck) - 2:04
13.Milk And Tranquilisers (Samson Roamer) - 2:33
14.I'm Working My Way Back To You Babe (Sandy Linzer, Denny Randell) - 2:52
15.And Her Name Is... - 2:09
16.Anyway You Want Me - 2:14
17.I See Your Face Again - 1:57
18.Goodbye, Don't Cry - 2:31
19.Innocent Girl - 3:09
20.My Empty World (Hans Vermeulen, Jan Vermeulen) - 2:32
21.Pretty Clothes (Marian De Garriga) - 3:47
22.The Way I Feel About You (Marian De Garriga) - 3:20
23.Capital Punishment - 5:24
24.My Friend Abdullah (Hans Vermeulen, Jan Vermeulen) - 4:37
25.North Canadian Paradise - 4:03
26.Advice (Hans Vermeulen, Jan Vermeulen) - 3:20
27.Deep Down Down (Ron E. Westerbeek, Onno Bevoort) - 2:53
28.Back To The City - 2:50
All songs by Hans Vermeulen except where stated

Disc 2
1. Eleanor Rigby (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 3:16
2. In My Opinion - 2:08
3. True Love That's A Wonder - 3:08
4. If - 1:57
5. Just A Friend - 3:00
6. Sorry - 3:54
7. Just Two Little Creatures (Ron Westerbeek) - 3:22
8. What Kind Of Freedom (P. J. Vermeulen) - 3:08
9. Summertrain (Ron Westerbeek) - 3:23
10.A Place Near The Sea (P. J. Vermeulen) - 3:49
11.Blackboard Jungle Lady (Ron Westerbeek) - 3:15
12.Don't Get Me Wrong - 3:54
13.The Eyes Of Jenny - 4:25
14.It's My Time Now - 4:02
15.Hollywood (Hans Vermeulen, Ron Westerbeek) - 3:08
16.Yosemite Park (Ron Westerbeek, Hans Vermeulen) - 3:43
17.Rainy Days (Hans Vermeulen, Ron Westerbeek) - 3:42
18.Giles (Ron Westerbeek, E. M. Snijders) - 4:32
19.Sandy Coast with The Stylus Horns - Ophelia (J. R. Robertson) - 2:44
20.Blackboard Jungle Lady '88 () - 3:11
21.Medley: Subject Of My Thoughts / Summertrain / Just A Friend (Live) (Jan Vermeulen, Ron Westerbeek, Hans Vermeulen) - 5:08
All songs by Hans Vermeulen except where indicated
 
The Sandy Coast
*Hans Vermeulen - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
*Onno Bevoort - Drums (1961-70, 1970-74, 1980-82)
*Jan Vermeulen - Bass, Guitar (1964-74, 1980-82, 1988)
*Ron Westerbeek - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards (1968-74, 1980-82, 1988)
*Charles Kersbergen - Guitar (1965)
*Jos De Jager - Bass (1964-67)
*Henk Smitskamp - Bass (1970-71)
*Will Morkus - Drums (1970)
*Marianne Nobles - Vocals (1972)

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The Gods - To Samuel A Son (1969 uk, great psych rock, 2009 japan bonus track remaster)

Here’s a bit of a conundrum: whereas concept albums often shift melodies down in favor of big ideas, this one is all about songs – unlike THE GODS’ debut that saw them try to enter the already trodden waters. Beating FIRE’s similarly shaped "The Magic Shoemaker" time-wise, the second time around the band gave reins to Ken Hensley who, less constrained by the progressive paradigm of the day, came up not only with memorable tunes but also with the trademark sound he’d perfect in URIAH HEEP.

It’s unmistakably his composer style behind the vocal line of the title track, and the acoustic “He’s Growing”, while still rooted in psychedelia, could have easily find a place on any of the master’s solo records. But for all that, and a few lightweight numbers such as “Penny Dear” with its Caribbean undertow or the TRAFFIC-like “Autumn”, this is an ensemble work, as proven by a single cover of “Maria” from “West Side Story”, in the vein of but not as wild as THE NICE’s take on “America”. Lee Kerslake’s drums add tragic tones to the heavy vibe of “Groozy”, and John Glascock’s bass punctuates the otherwise dry bopping of “Lady Lady”, yet on the pop side of things, the singalong-inducing “Momma I Need”, electric piano purring under the caress of vocal harmonies, sounds like a hit that never was. The band never realized their potential, so obvious here, in the last chapter of THE GODS’ story, but its role as a springboard for all involved is undeniable.

by Dmitry M. Epstein

Tracks
1. To Samuel A Son (Ken Hensley) - 3:29
2. Eight O'Clock In The Morning (Lee Kerslake) - 3:16
3. He's Growing (Joe Konas, John Glascock) - 2:25
4. Sticking Wings On Flies (Joe Konas, Ken Hensley) - 2:39
5. Lady Lady (Ken Hensley) - 3:18
6. Penny Dear (Joe Konas) - 2:34
7. Long Time, Sad Time, Bad Time (Ken Hensley) - 3:12
8. Five To Three (Ken Hensley, Joe Konas) - 2:59
9. Autumn (Ken Hensley, Joe Konas) - 3:12
10.Yes I Cry (Joe Konas) - 2:40
11.Groozy (Sugarman, Robertson) - 3:38
12.Momma I Need (Ken Hensley, Joe Konas) - 3:54
13.Candlelight (Ken Hensley) - 2:31
14.Lovely Anita (Lee Kerslake) - 3:29
15.Maria (Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim) - 3:58
Bonus Track #15

The Gods
*John Glascock - Bass, Vocals
*Ken Hensley - Guitar, Percussion, Keyboards, Vocals
*Lee Kerslake - Drums
*Joe Konas - Guitar, Vocals

1968  Genesis (2009 Japan remaster) 

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The Gods - Genesis (1968 uk, splendid psych rock, 2009 japan extra tracks remaster)

After leaving Stevenage based R'n'B outfit The Jimmy Brown Sound in early 1965 keyboardist / guitarist / vocalist Ken Hensley formed The Gods with Mick Taylor (guitar), John Glasscock (bass / vocals) and Brian Glasscock (drums). However this line up only lasted until June 1967 when Taylor quit to join John Mayalls Bluesbreakers and then The Rolling Stones. Hensley then moved to Hampshire where, whilst living in a van(!), he met up with bassist Paul Newton and put together a new version of The Gods which featured Hensley, Newton, drummer Lee Kerslake and guitarist John Konas. However despite building up a good following on the South Coast collage circuit Newton left (he later became a founding member of Uriah Heep) and was replaced by Greg Lake. With a residency at Londons Marquee and a contract with EMI's Columbia label it looked like The Gods would at last release something but, as Hensley recalls, "Just as we were about to start recording we had a falling out with Greg. The main problem was that he was far too talented to be kept in the background.".

With Lake leaving in the summer of 1968 to form King Crimson (and later Emmerson Lake And Palmer) John Glasscock returned to the line up and the band released the album "Genesis" (SCX 6286), now an £ 85 collectors item, and the single "Baby Rich" / " Somewhere In The Steet" (DB 8486) all recorded on a four track studio. This was followed by the singles "Hey! Bulldog" / "Real Love Guaranteed" (DB 8544) and "Maria" (from "West Side Story") / "Long Time Sad Time Bad Time" (DB 8572) both released in 1969 though by the time the bands second LP "To Sammuel A Son" (SCX 6372) was released at the end of the year The Gods had long since ceased to exist. In fact they had become the band Toe Fat backing ex-Rebel Rouser Cliff Bennett and appeared on one self titled LP released on Parlophone.

Following this Ken Hensley became a founding member of Uriah Heep when again he teamed up with Paul Newton. He also released three solo LPs ("Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf", "Eager To Please" and "Free Spirit") as well as working with the likes of Blackfoot and Ozzy Osbourne. Kerslake, after a short spell with the National Head Band, also joined Uriah Heep whilst John Glasscock later worked with Chicken Shack, Carmen and Jethro Tull whilst Konos quit the playing side to run a music shop in Ontario, Canada. 

by Mark Brennan

Tracks
1. Towards The Skies (Joe Konas) - 3:25
2. Candles Getting Shorter - 4:28
3. You're My Life (Joe Konas, Lee Kerslake) - 3:20
4. Looking Glass - 4:14
5. Misleading Colours (Lee Kerslake, Joe Konas) - 3:40
6. Radio Show (Robertson, Sugarman) - 3:11
7. Plastic Horizon (Robertson, Sugarman) - 3:26
8. Farthing Man (Joe Konas) - 3:30
9. I Never Know - 5:41
10.Time And Eternity (Joe Konas, Lee Kerslake) - 2:43
11.Baby's Rich - 2:48
12.Somewhere In The Street (Ken Hensley)  - 2:50
13.Hey Bulldog (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 3:03
14.Real Love Guaranteed - 2:29
All songs by Joe Konas, Ken Hensley except where stated
Bonus Tracks 11-14

The Gods
*John Glascock - Bass, Vocals
*Ken Hensley - Guitar, Percussion, Keyboards, Vocals
*Lee Kerslake - Drums
*Joe Konas - Guitar, Vocals

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Frank Zappa - Meat Light The Uncle Meat Project Object (1968-69 us, freaky avant garde experimental prog rock, three discs 2016 release)

If you were paying close attention to the UMG-released Zappa titles, you may have noticed that Uncle Meat was one of the few pre-1982 albums that wasn't reissued  using the original master tapes for the first time (all the Ryko masters were altered by Zappa). Meat Light remedies that by finally releasing the Uncle Meat original  vinyl mix, remastered from the original master tapes for the very first time on CD. The results are stunning. The album literally sounds better than it ever has, with  a crisp clarity to all the instruments, even on the most dense tracks. This alone would justify purchase for most Zappa fanatics...but wait! There's more! 

Who knew there was ANOTHER Uncle Meat?!? Yes, disc two and part of disc three present "Uncle Meat: Original Sequence." Many of the tracks are exactly the same, but  with different sequencing and some completely unreleased material, all segued together with some additional contributions from the Apostolic Vlorch Injector  (responsible for the blasts of noise on Uncle Meat and We're Only in It for the Money). "Whiskey Wah" and "The Whip" are previously unreleased guitar solos. "King  Kong" doesn't end the set; it's the end of "Side 2" (of four), and it doesn't include the part that was recorded on a flatbed diesel at a Miami Pop Festival. "Cops and  Buns" was included on The Lost Episodes, but in an edited form. Some of the other spoken bits ("Our Bizarre Relationship," "If We'd Been Living in California...")  have just a little bit of extra material on them, providing a bit of further insight. "Mr. Green Genes" has a slightly different mix with some additional organ and  vocals. The "Original Sequence" closes with "Cruisin' for Burgers"...but that's not the end of Meat Light! "A Bunch of Stuff" seems to be a spoken intro to the film  Uncle Meat. Tracks like "Tango" and "More Beer" are just short cues. The single version of "Dog Breath" is a gas: no main vocals/lyrics -- just prominent (and  awesome!) backing vocals with extra guitar and saxophone mixed in. "The String Quartet" is a medley of Uncle Meat tunes that was often performed live by the Mothers,  but this sounds like a studio version. "Electric Aunt Jemima" is a different, more modern-sounding mix, while "Exercise 4" is an unused further elaboration of the  "Uncle Meat Variations." 

The alternate mix of "Mr. Green Genes" has a different vocal mix and cool keyboards added. "Echo Pie" takes Jimmy Carl Black's displeasure in  "If We'd Been Living in California" and kicks it up a notch or five. "1/4 Tone Unit" is a short, pretty chamber ensemble piece, "Sakuji's March" is a short percussion  piece, and "No. 4" is a scored piece with some amazing double piano followed by double marimba. The extended version of "Prelude to Uncle Meat" adds about a minute  and a half to the standard version, along with some interesting extra guitar at the end. "My Guitar (Proto 1)" is a ripping instrumental with FZ jamming on the "My  Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama" riff. Hearing the guitar from "Nine Types of Industrial Pollution" played at the original speed is extremely interesting. You can hear  Frank playing acoustic guitar over a faint, slowed-down drum track. It's rare to hear Zappa play acoustic guitar at all, and his playing here is quite different than  what he's normally known for. The live version of "Uncle Meat" sounds great. The instrumental version of "Dog Breath" is a bit more refined and not quite as raucous  as the single version...until the guitar solo! Meat Light closes with an alternate mix of "The Dog Breath Variations." This is a set fans have been waiting for for  years.The sound is a huge improvement over all previous Uncle Meat CDs and the additional material is all excellent. 

Uncle Meat is arguably Zappa's most avant-garde, most dense, most wide-ranging, and one of his most difficult albums for some. It's also one of his very best and  Meat Light really does justice to this masterpiece.

by Sean Westergaard

Tracks
Disc 1  Original 1969 Vinyl Mix
1. Uncle Meat: Main Title Theme - 1:56
2. The Voice Of Cheese - 0:26
3. Nine Types Of Industrial Pollution - 6:02
4. Zolar Czackl - 0:54
5. Dog Breath, In The Year Of The Plague - 3:59
6. The Legend Of The Golden Arches - 3:27
7. Louie Louie (At the Royal Albert Hall in London) - 2:18
8. The Dog Breath Variations - 1:50
9. Sleeping In A Jar - 0:50
10.Our Bizarre Relationship - 1:05
11.The Uncle Meat Variations - 4:46
12.Electric Aunt Jemima - 1:46
13.Prelude To King Kong - 3:39
14.God Bless America (Live at the Whisky A Go Go) - 1:10
15.A Pound For A Brown On The Bus - 1:29
16.Ian Underwood Whips It Out (Live on stage in Copenhagen) - 5:09
17.Mr. Green Genes - 3:13
18.We Can Shoot You - 2:03
19.“If We’d All Been Living In California...” - 1:14
20.The Air - 2:57
21.Project X - 4:49
22.Cruising For Burgers - 2:18
23.King Kong (as played by the Mothers in a studio) - 0:51
24.King Kong (its magnificence as interpreted by Dom DeWild) - 1:19
25.King Kong (as Motorhead explains it) - 1:45
26.King Kong (the Gardner Varieties) - 6:14
27.King Kong (as played by 3 deranged Good Humor Trucks) - 0:37
28.King Kong (live on a flat bed diesel in the middle of a race track at a Miami Pop Festival... the Underwood ramifications) - 7:24

Disc 2  Original Sequence
1. Dog Breath, In The Year Of The Plague - 2:55
2. The Legend Of The Golden Arches - 3:16
3. The Voice Of Cheese - 0:26
4. Whiskey Wah - 1:34
5. Nine Types Of Industrial Pollution - 6:03
6. Louie Louie (Live at the Royal Albert Hall in London) - 2:27
7. The Dog Breath Variations - 1:51
8. Shoot You Percussion Item - 1:28
9. The Whip - 5:03
10.The Uncle Meat Variations - 4:47
11.King Kong - 10:46
12.Project X Minus 5 - 1:47
13.A Pound For A Brown On The Bus - 1:29
14.Electric Aunt Jemima - 1:46
15.Prelude To King Kong - 3:39
16.God Bless America (Live at the Whiskey A Go Go) - 1:11
17.Sleeping In A Jar - 0:51
18.Cops And Buns - 5:56
19.Zolar Czakl - 0:47
19.Zolar Czakl - 0:47

Disc 3
1. We Can Not Shoot You - 1:16
2. Mr. Green Genes - 3:13
3. “PooYeahrg” - 0:32
4. Uncle Meat: Main Title Theme - 1:27
5. Our Bizarre Relationship - 1:10
6. “Later We Can Shoot You” - 0:15
7. “If We’d All Been Living In California…” - 1:19
8. ‘Ere Ian Whips It/JCB Spits It/Motorhead Rips It - 2:30
9. The Air - 2:58
10.Project X .5 - 2:38
11.Cruising For Burgers - 2:23
12.“A Bunch Of Stuff” - 1:40
13.Dog Breath (Single Version) - 2:55
14.Tango - 0:24
15.The String Quartet - 3:06
16.Electric Aunt Jemima (Mix Outtake) - 1:40
17.Exercise 4 Variant - 4:32
18.Zolar Czackl (Mix Outtake) - 0:45
19.“More Beer!” - 0:17
20.Green Genes Snoop - 1:13
21.Mr. Green Genes (Mix Outtake) - 3:11
22.Echo Pie - 2:16
23.1/4 Tone Unit - 1:06
24.Sakuji’s March - 0:35
25.No. 4 - 1:52
26.Prelude To King Kong (Extended Version) - 5:24
27.Blood Unit - 1:22
28.My Guitar (Proto I- Excerpt) - 2:12
29.Nine Types Of Industrial Pollution (Guitar track, normal speed) - 9:53
30.Uncle Meat (Live at Columbia University 1969) - 4:44
31.Dog Breath (Instrumental) - 2:50
32.The Dog Breath Variations (Mix Outtake) - 1:46

Personnel
*Frank Zappa — Guitar, Low Grade Vocals, Percussion
*Ray Collins — Swell Vocals
*Jimmy Carl Black — Drums, Droll Humor, Poverty
*Roy Estrada — Electric Bass, Cheeseburgers, Pachuco Falsetto
*Don (Dom De Wild) Preston — Electric Piano, Tarot Cards, Brown Rice
*Billy (The Oozer) Mundi — Drums
*Bunk (Sweatpants) Gardner — Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Sax, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Bassoon (All Of These Electric,/Or Nonelectric Depending)
*Ian Underwood — Electric Organ, Piano, Harpsichord, Celeste, Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Baritone Sax, Special Assistance, Copyist, Industrial Relations, Teen Appeal
*Artie (With The Green Mustache) Tripp — Drums, Timpani, Vibes, Marimba, Xylophone, Wood Blocks, Bells, Small Chimes, Cheerful Outlook, Specific Enquires
*Euclid James (Motorhead/Motorishi) Sherwood — Pop Star, Frenetic Tenor Sax Stylings, Tambourine, Choreography, Obstinance, Equipment Setter-Upper When He’s Not Hustling Local Groupies
*Ruth Komanoff Who Plays Marimba, Vibes With Artie On Many Of The Tracks,
*Nelcy Walker - The Soprano Voice

Related Act
1969  Sandy Hurvitz - Sandy's Album Is Here At Last! (2010 issue)
1970  Essra Mohawk - Primordial Lovers
1974  Essra Mohawk - Essra Mohawk (2010 bonus tracks edition)
1976  Essra Mohawk - Essra (2003 japan release)

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Roy Buchanan - Roy Buchanan / Second Album (1972-73 us, exceptional blues rock with country traces, 2002 remaster)

The recording and production on Roy Buchanan's first record for Polydor, is delightfully bare, sparse in ornamentation, and full of bum notes and aborted ideas that would be deleted on most commercial releases. It is a loose, highly improvised affair that amply demonstrates why the leader is one of the underappreciated giants of rootsy guitar. Straddling country, blues, and traditional rock & roll, Buchanan's playing is fiery and unpremeditated. His tone is delightfully raw and piercing, his solo ideas impetuous and uncluttered. On the instrumental tracks, such as his famous reading of "Sweet Dreams" or Buchanan's own "The Messiah Will Come Again," one can see why he was such an influence on Jeff Beck, another master of the instrument known for his genre-blending and ragged spontaneity. 

There is a slight Michael Bloomfield influence felt in Buchanan's blues playing, most evident in the first chorus of "John's Blues" and the quasi-Eastern ornamentations on "Pete's Blue." He plays with pitch, placing notes in unexpected places, constantly keeping the listener guessing. The country tracks, such as "I am a Lonesome Fugitive" and Hank Williams' "Hey, Good Lookin'," benefit greatly from Chuck Tilley's understated vocals. Despite Tilley's presence, the main focus on this record is Buchanan's wailing guitar, which punctuating the vocals with bluesy cries and country moans. 

The strongest track on Roy Buchanan is "The Messiah Will Come Again." This song opens with Buchanan's mumbled spoken word intro over quiet organ and then yields to spine-tingling, sorrow-laden Telecaster that cries and screams in existential torment before giving way in turn to percussive flurries that make less sense as melodic improvisation than as cries of passion. This is raw guitar playing and music making, not for the faint of heart. Fans of blues or country guitar, or those just curious why Jeff Beck would dedicate "'Cause We've Ended As Lovers" from Blow By Blow to Buchanan, would do themselves a favor by picking up this album. 

by Daniel Gioffre

This release contains Roy Buchanan's major-label debut LP Roy Buchanan (1972) and the follow-up, Second Album (1973). After the record company rejected a request from the artist to release a live set, Buchanan surreptiously issued the platter on his own under the guise of Buck & the Snake Stretchers (1971). Polydor essentially took the same core personnel, removed them from their more familiar concert club environs and put them into the comparatively sterile recording studio to cut much of the same material. Buchanan is supported by the aforementioned Snake Stretchers: Ned Davis (drums), Dick Heintze (keyboards), Teddy Irwin (rhythm guitar), Chuck Tilley (vocals/rhythm guitar), and Peter van Allen (bass). After honing the tunes night after night, there is little wonder when hearing the tight arrangements or the comfortable communication between Buchanan and company. 

Fittingly, the opening cover of Don Gibson's "Sweet Dreams" establishes both the performers' unfettered rapport, as well as the deft precision and unbridled emotion evident in Buchanan's playing. Stylistically, the tracks range from the rural-flavored "I Am a Lonesome Fugitive" or the Creole-infused "Cajun" to the hauntingly noir solos on "Messiah Will Come Again." Arguably, the highlights are the instrumentals "Pete's Blues" and, to a greater extent, the simply stunning epic "John's Blues." The latter may be the guitarist's greatest and most illustrative studio side. Less than six months and a few minor personnel changes later, Second Album was documented to similar results. The emphasis is once again on a variety of approaches to traditionals and originals alike. Erskine Hawkins' "After Hours" is given a formidable workout, while Buchanan's own "Five String Blues" is a seminal example of the artistry that he brings to his craft, as the guitar alternately cries and rejoices at his touch. "I Won't Tell You No Lie" is a funkier number, recalling a mid-tempo interpretation of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine." 

From here, the Snake Stretchers disbanded as new producers incorporated their own musicians and vocalists. Sadly, few (if any) of Buchanan's subsequent efforts would reveal the thoroughly solid ensemble work that Roy Buchanan and Second Album so flawlessly demonstrate. 

by Lindsay Planer

Tracks
Roy Buchanan 1972
1. Sweet Dreams (Don Gibson) - 3:34
2. I Am A Lonesome Fugitive (Casey Anderson, Liz Anderson) - 3:43
3. Cajun - 1:35
4. John's Blues - 5:04
5. Haunted House (Robert Geddins) - 2:45
6. Pete's Blue - 7:16
7. The Messiah Will Come Again - 5:55
8. Hey, Good Lookin' (Hank Williams) - 2:15
The Second Album 1973
9. Filthy Teddy - 3:11
10.After Hours (Erskine Hawkins, Avery Parrish) - 6:13
11.Five String Blues - 6:24
12.Thank You Lord - 2:26
13.Treat Her Right (Roy Head, Gene Kurtz) - 2:43
14.I Won't Tell You No Lies - 6:35
15.Tribute To Elmore James - 3:27
16.She Once Lived Here (Autry Inman) - 3:03
All compositions by Roy Buchanan except where noted

Musicians
*Roy Buchanan - Vocals, Guitars
*Ned Davis - Drums (Tracks 1-8, 16)
*Dick Heintze - Keyboards, Organ, Piano
*Chuck Tilley - Vocals (Track 1-8, 13)
*Pete Van Allen - Bass (Tracks 1-8)
*Teddy Irwin - Guitars
*Gerry Mercer - Drums (Tracks 9-15)
*Don Payne - Bass (Tracks 9-16)

1969-71  Roy Buchanan - The Prophet
1969-78  Roy Buchanan - Sweet Dreams The Anthology

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The Music Explosion - Little Bit O' Soul (1967 us, marvelous garage psych beat, 2002 remaster)

This is an improvement over the best previous Music Explosion compilation, One Way's Anthology, in that it not only contains all 21 of the songs from that release, but adds three non-LP B-sides not on that CD. Granted, all three of these B-sides are psychedelic instrumentals that most likely feature session players and not the Music Explosion. But those are rather cool tracks, in the manner of the trippy fuzz guitar-organ psychedelic songs heard on soundtracks to films exploiting the hippie movement. More importantly, perhaps, the package also includes respectful detailed liner notes, with quotes from several bandmembers.

All that borne in mind, you still can't get around the fact that the group didn't have anything too great to offer other than "Little Bit o' Soul." They did virtually no original material, and their songs were average, OK-to-unexciting pop garage rock with a bit of soul and bubblegum, though Jamie Lyons was an above-average singer for bands of this type, with a grittier and more soul-influenced style than the norm. Interestingly, the liner notes say "Stay by My Side," the folk-rock-influenced B-side of their first single and one of their best and harder-rocking cuts, was a band original, though it got credited to their producers. Incidentally, this doesn't quite round up every last track credited to the band in the 1960s, as it's missing a few 1968-1969 B-sides. Nor does it have any of the sides Lyons did for Laurie on his own, billed as a solo artist or with the Jamie Lyons Group.

by Richie Unterberger

Tracks 
1. Little Bit O' Soul (John Carter, Ken Lewis) - 2:21
2. I See The Light (Elliot Chirput) - 2:35
3. Everybody (Jeff Katz, Jerry Kasenetz, Elliot Chirput) - 2:29
4. Love, Love, Love, Love, Love (Terry Knight) - 2:47
5. Good Time Feeling (Jeff Katz, Jerry Kasenetz, Elliot Chirput) - 2:35
6. 96 Tears (Rudy Martinez) - 2:39
7. Can't Stop Now (Jeff Katz, Jerry Kasenetz, Elliot Chirput) - 2:51
8. Let Yourself Go (Jeff Katz, Jerry Kasenetz, Elliot Chirput) - 2:35
9. Patches Dawn (Elliot Chirput) - 2:40
10.One Potato Two (Elliot Chirput) - 3:08
11.What Did I Do To Deserve Such A Fate (J. Stabile, Elliot Chirput) - 2:25
12.(Hey) La, La, La (Jeff Katz, Jerry Kasenetz, Elliot Chirput) - 2:11
13.Little Black Egg (Charles Conlon) - 2:56
14.Stay By My Side (Jeff Katz, Jerry Kasenetz, Elliot Chirput) - 2:13
15.Sunshine Games (Eric Wolfson) - 2:03
16.We Gotta Go Home (B. Gentry, Ritchie Cordell) - 2:11
17.Hearts And Flowers (Jeff Katz, Jerry Kasenetz, Elliot Chirput) - 2:19
18.What You Want (Baby I Want You) (B. Clifford, D. Mani) - 2:09
19.Road Runner (Jeff Katz, Jerry Kasenetz) - 3:38
20.Where Are We Going (Mickey Lane) - 2:15
21.Yes Sir (Joey Levine, Arthur Resnick) - 2:15
22.Dazzling (Jeff Katz, Jerry Kasenetz) - 2:35
23.Jack In The Box (S. Trimachi, Ritchie Cordell) - 2:03
24.What's Your name (B. Gentry, Ritchie Cordell) - 2:20

The Music Explosion
*James "Jamie" Lyons - Lead Vocals, Tambourine, Maracas, Drums
*Donald (Tudor) Atkins - Lead Guitar
*Richard Nesta - Guitar
*Burton Stahl - Bass Guitar, Organ, Piano
*Robert Avery - Drums, Harmonica, Guitar
*Dane Donohue - Guitar
*Dale Powers - Guitar

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Omnibus - Omnibus (1970 us, magnificent organ drivin fuzzy psych rock, 2005 edition)

Produced by brothers Eric and Steven Nathanson, 1970's "Omnibus" served as a showcase for Wegrzyn. In addition to serving as lead vocalist, he was responsible for writing or co-writing all 12 numbers. Whether you were impressed depended on how you felt about the band's derivative sound. Propelled by Wegrzyn's achy voice and organ and horn-propelled material, the band's Doors-meets-Blood, Sweat and Tears catalog struck us as an acquired taste. While occasionally mildly entertaining ("Shake It Off" and the fuzz-guitar powered "Understand"), the majority of the set was simply rather bland. As far as we can tell, the album failed to provide credits for the band members.

Bad-Cat

Tracks
1. The Man Song (R. Wegrzyn) - 3:26
2. It's All In Your Heart (R. Wegrzyn) - 6:03
3. Shake It Off (R. Wegrzyn) - 3:58
4. Understand (R. Wegrzyn) - 3:52
5. Above Me (R. Wegrzyn) - 2:45
6. Den of Sin (R. Wegrzyn) - 2:10
7. Boogus Black And White (R. Wegrzyn) - 5:08
8. Spring (R. Wegrzyn, J. Polt) - 3:02
9. Winding Thru Your Heart (R. Wegrzyn) - 2:30
10.Harmony (R. Wegrzyn) - 2:32
11.Big Daddy Slave (R. Wegrzyn, A. Raimondi) - 2:37
12.Tired of Screamin' (R. Wegrzyn) - 2:46

The Omnibus
*J. Polt
*A. Raimondi
*R. Wegrzyn - Vocals, Organ

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After Tea - After Tea (1969 holland, flower power baroque beat psych)

After Tea from the picturesque town of Delft were formed in 1967 after a row in the group The Tee Set whose singer Peter Tetteroo had problems with the psychedelic leanings of his"backing group". Tetteroo chose the James Mean musicians as his new colleagues and the rest of the Tee Set became After Tea.The line up this time was Hans van Eyck (vocals, keyboards), Polle Eduard (vocals, bass, guitar), Martin Hage (drums) and the Englishman Ray Fenwick (vocals, guitar).

All members were composers, expert musicians and good vocalists and soon became well respected and were quickly signed to Decca. Together with producer Bert Schouten they worked hard on their first single, the first Dutch "flower power" record "Not Just a Flower in Your Hair" (complete with children's choir). On the b-side was "The Time is Nigh", with the same choir as a gimmick together with the Sousa march "Stars and Stripes Forever" at the end. The Beatles ended "All You Need is Love" in a similar way later on. The single was played a lot on radio and reached 11 in the Top 40. 

In the studio new numbers were tried out for the new album. The old Tee Set song "Long Ago" was redone in a new "easy" style and "Don't Waste Your Love On Me" was written with lyrics by Hitweek's magazine's Laurie Langenbach. In December 1967 the album "National Disaster" came out. The LP is packaged in a "Wanted Dead or Alive" sleeve and includes a large poster inside. The music is a mix of flower power ideology and fragile numbers such as "Gotta Get You In My Garden Girl" and "In The Land Of The Bubble Gum Tree" and more progressive songs like "Play That Record" , the new version of "Long Ago" and Ray Fenwick's title number "National Disaster". The album got a good public response and glowing reviews in Hitweek, Musiek Express and Teenbeat. The LP was released in the UK in June 1968 and received good reviews in NME and Melody Maker. 

In England Steve Winwood from the Spencer Davis Group was forming his own group, Traffic. Davis was looking for a replacement and when After Tea and Spencer Davis played together in Rotterdam, he asked Ray Fenwick if he would like to join his band as a replacement for Winwood. Ray had some doubts , but because his work permit as a musician had only months left to run and the possibility of him being asked to leave the country he accepted and left for England. He continued to write some songs for After Tea and played now and then on a few records.

 "We Will Be There After Tea" written by Hans and Ray became another hit in December 1967. The song with it's catchy lyrics was underpinned by a strong melody and later became a regular favourite for The Spencer Davis Group with Ray. After Tea went through a period of many changes, Polle was in and out of the band and experimented briefly with Frans Krassenburg (vocals) and Henk Smitkamp (bass) and Ferry Lever (guitar) as a long term replacement for Ray. 

In May 1968 they released "Snowflakes On Amsterdam" and then in September, their fourth single"Peregrine Thomas" a country influenced song which didn't break into the Top 40. It's follow up "Love In Jeopardy" didn't make it either. Thanks to their loyal fans, they kept touring and at the end of the sixties they made a picture disc for the jewellers Desiree which was packaged with an engagement ring and book. The songs on the disc were "Desiree" and "The Wedding Song". The last single for Decca was "A Little Bit Today" in August 1969. Here they chose a standard R+B style. At the parting with Decca the album "After Tea" came out filled with a and b sides of previous singles.

Tracks
1. A Perfect Way To Spend A Day (Hans van Eijck) - 3:20
2. Sound Of A Backstreet (Hans van Eijck) - 2:45
3. We Will Be There After Tea (Hans van Eijck, Ray Fenwick) - 3:02
4. Sweet Elaine (Hans van Eijck) - 3:44
5. Not Just A Flower In Your Hair (Hans van Eijck, Ray Fenwick) - 2:28
6. Peruquine Thomas (Hans van Eijck, Ray Fenwick) - 2:05
7. Snowflakes On Amsterdam (Hans van Eijck, Ray Fenwick) - 2:29
8. Sunny Side Of Mable Block (Polle Eduard) - 3:17
9. Water And White Marble (Polle Eduard) - 4:40
10.Lily Of The Valley (Polle Eduard) - 3:06
11.Love In Jeopardy (Tristan Keuris, Hans van Eijck) - 3:09
12.A Little Bit Today (A Little Bit Tomorrow) (Polle Eduard) - 3:49

The After Tea
*Hans van Eijck - Organ
*Martin Hage - Drums
*Polle Eduard - Bass, Vocals
*Ray Fenwick - Guitar
*Frans Krassenburg - Vocals
*Henk Smitkamp - Bass
*Ferry Lever - Guitar

1970  After Tea - Jointhouse Blues (2002 remaster)

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