Rainbow Ffolly - Spectromorphic Iridescence The Complete Ffolly (1967-68 uk, marvellous psychedelia with charming harmonies, 2019 three discs clamshell box)

Among the many bands to have albums released by EMI in 1968 none may have had a stranger back story than Rainbow Ffolly, whose “Sallie Fforth” hit record shops the first week of May. EMI, home to The Beatles, among others, was one of the most respected labels of the day, with “The Beatles” better known as the “White Album” being perhaps the best known LP issued on the label that year. January, 2019, more than fifty years after its original release sees “Sallies Fforth” reissued on Cherry Red’s Grapefruit Records imprint as part of its three disc box set “Spectromorphic Iridescence” containing the complete works of Rainbow Fflolly.

First formed under the moniker Force Four, by 1967 brothers John and Richard Dunsterville, on lead and rhythm guitar respectively, along with bassist Roger Newell and drummer Stewart Osborn had rechristened themselves Rainbow Ffolly, as John Dunsterville was reading a book on names with impact that suggested using colours and misspellings. Rainbow included all colours and the double F in Folly meant fun, and so in April or May of that year the quartet entered Jackson Recording Studio run by brothers Malcolm and John Jackson and laid down their first two tracks, “Come On Go” and “Sun Sing.” The former was a rather restrained number featuring John Dunsterville’s Chet Atkins style guitar work, while the latter was a harder,edged psychedelic number. The Jackson Brothers were sufficiently impressed to request the band return in a week or so with a dozen songs of different styles, which the Jacksons would record and see if they could get a recording deal for the band, and do this cost free. With John Dunsterville being a prolific writer capable of penning that many new tunes within the time restraint it seemed a no brainer that Rainbow Ffolly accept the offer.

Thinking these would be demo recordings of song ideas Dunsterville did not craft the songs, in fact he said “he spent no time on them whatsoever, they just happened.” The band returned to the studio and by the end of 1967 the LP was recorded. The Jacksons decided to link the songs with the aid of various jingles and sound effects to form their “sound package.” Without the knowledge of the band the Jacksons shopped the LP and the first label they offered the recordings to, EMI, took them up on the offer, but on the condition that the album be taken as was, with no re-recording. The group was frustrated by what they considered sketches being released, not fully realized paintings, but having no contract at all, everything being done on a handshake with band members having never heard of “artistic control” the release of “Sallies Fforth” came in the first week of May, 1968. The best the band could do was take control of the album artwork which was filled with inside jokes like codes for birthdays, eye colour and instrument played of members without including their names. To add insult to injury, the album itself garnered rather good reviews while the artwork was panned by all the major publications of the day such as New Music Express, Melody Maker and Record Mirror.

However, when taken in proper context, “Sallies Fforth” stands as an accurate documentation of the works of a band of eccentric musicians who were much more closely related to The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band than true psychedelic bands of the day on EMI such as Tomorrow and Pink Floyd. In fairness to the band, it is in this light that the musical output of Rainbow Ffolly must be, and is examined in this review. “Spectromorphic Iridescence” is the final word on the band, containing the mono and stereo mixes of “Sallies Fforth” as well as the band’s lone single, early demos and outtakes from the Jackson Studio sessions, unreleased recordings done for broadcast on Radio One, radio jingles recorded for a hospital, the 2016 reunion LP “Follow Up!” recorded by John Dunsterville, Alan Stewart and Stewart Osborn, and all ancillary recordings related to the reunion album. But, let us begin at the beginning.

Disc one opens with the thirteen tracks comprising “Sallie Fforth” in its stereo mix. “She’s Alright” is an acid pop type number with vocals reminiscent of The Beatles, a theme that was employed nicely on several tracks by the band. Following its humorous intro including a female speaking in French the band enters with jangling guitars and the light hearted tune includes a nice guitar solo and luscious vocal harmonies. “I’m So Happy” reflects the band’s love of British musical hall tradition, employing gentle country style guitar and within its cabaret influenced lyrics are a reference to “Itchycoo Park” a hit by The Small Faces. “Montgolfier ‘67” is based around medieval lute music, celebrated the 185th anniversary of the Montgolfier brothers first public demonstration of their hot air balloon and features a folk rock intro and more gorgeous vocal harmonies mixed with the band’s unique brand of humor, this time including references to giraffes. With “Drive My Car” the band took a Beatles title and wrote something completely different around it. The track is heavier while retaining gorgeous vocal harmonies and the ever present element of humor. The track was also released as the a-side of the band’s sole single, hitting record shops about a month after “Sallies Fforth.” “Goodbye” is a winsome McCartneyesque ballad with gentle guitar intro and vocals reminiscent of Ruby & The Romantics hit single “Our Day Will Come.” “Hey You” opens with sound effects of a thundershower and ping pong match before settling into a fuzz laden guitar track with a legitimately psychedelic edge. “Sun Sing” is another psychedelic rocker with lots of fuzz and a tasty guitar solo. “Sun And Sand” is a bit of acid pop in the style of South African singer Miriam Makeba and with its Beatlesque vocals is a good indication of the talent the band possessed and the potential of their music. “Labour Exchange” is a tongue in cheek number referencing unemployment offices, with its heavy bass and drums hinting at the rock sensibilities of the band and includes another nice guitar solo. “They’m” reflects the band’s love of good time music a la The Lovin’ Spoonful. “No” arose from the guitar/bass battle between John Dunsterville and Alan Thomas and has flashes of heaviness with horns added for texture even as the beat roars. “Sighing Game” is a gentle pop rocker with nicely echoed vocals and gorgeous harmonies. 

The album closer “Come On Go” begins with a humorous reference to acne treatment before settling into a country style melody with John Dunsterville displaying the influence Chet Atkins played in his guitar work. The bonus tracks begin with the single version of “Drive My Car” and its non-LP b-side “Go Girl” which features primitive phasing with John Dunsterville singing into a hair dryer hose, evidence of the group’s creativity, which coupled with beautiful vocal harmonies, results in a very nice pop tune A demo version of “Sun Sing” features a lovely guitar intro and is a mixture of The Beatles and The Bonzos, featuring humor and heaviness with John Dunsterville supplying another tasty guitar solo. A demo take of “Come And Go” features jangling 12-string guitar supplemented by delightful percussion in the form of tambourine with an organ interlude complementing more gorgeous vocals which taken together are further indications of what Rainbow Fflolly was capable of and leaves one wondering what “Sallies Fforth” would have sounded like had the band been given an opportunity to flesh out the recordings released on the album. The disc closes with a cover of the Beatles’ classic “The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill” with Rainbow Fflolly’s version featuring a recorder intro, piano interlude, impressive changing beats and more of the band’s vocal harmonies and humor. An impressive closer for the disc reminding the listener of the possibilities contained in the performances of Rainbow Ffollly…

Disc two contains the mono version of “Sallies Fforth” as well as no less than twenty five bonus tracks, thirteen of which are radio jingles done for a hospital located near the home base of the band which opened just prior to the release of Rainbow Ffolly’s album. The radio jingles are short takes reworking famous tunes, the most creative and humorous of the lot being a redo of Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” which in the hands of the band morphs into “What A Wonderful Ward” and is definitely good for a smile. The real highlights of the disc are seven home demos recorded throughout 1968 and five tunes recorded for the Dave Cash Show and Radio One Club in December, 1968, but were never aired and have remained unreleased until this box set. Ten of the twelve cuts are covers but serve as examples of what Rainbow Ffolly was capable of and what fans experienced seeing the band live. First up is an incendiary cover of Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love” with screaming lead guitar, booming bass and pounding drums. This track takes away any doubts one might have as to whether Rainbow Ffolly was capable of rocking. A take on The Beatles’ classic Sgt. Pepper track “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” is filled with trippy guitar and gorgeous vocal harmonies. In typical fashion the band could not help but mention other Beatles titles during the outro. A soulful pop rendition of “Gimme Some Kind Of Sign” a huge hit for Brook Benton appears as “Gimme Little Sign” with a spoken intro followed by another prime example of the lead and harmony vocals delivered so effortlessly by the band. “I Can’t Let Maggie Go” made popular by The Honeybus, gives the band a chance to show how nicely they could handle a ballad, and includes yet more incredible vocal harmonies. “Sabrosa” finds John Dunsterville in Chet Atkins mode once again as the band delivers a wonderful rendition of this energetic instrumental and features some delicate guitar picking. 

Pete Seeger’s “Bells Of Rhymney” a hit for The Byrds, another of the band’s major influences, is filled with jangling guitars and lovely vocal harmonies. The final home demo “Bonita” is another instrumental that the band runs through handling the lovely melody effortlessly and makes this listener wish Rainbow Ffolly had been afforded the opportunity to record more instrumentals as they seem to fit the band so well. The tunes recorded for radio broadcast begin with a cover of The Move’s “I Can Hear The Grass Grow” which the band handles with ease, showcasing John Dunsterville laying down some heavy rock guitar and the group reprising their vocal harmony abilities. The band’s cover of Eddie Cochran’s “Something Else” is short and sweet, the guitar and vocals again shining. Johnny Nash’s “Hold Me Tight” suits the band perfectly as they again disply the ease with which they could handle ballads, including this reggae style number. A partial take of the band original “I’m So Happy” is a crisp pop number. “She’s Alright” features jangling lead guitar and swirling vocals over the top of a heavier sounding rhythm section, a fine bit of pop rock. It’s truly a shame that record buyers were never afforded the chance to hear these radio recordings as they could have helped prolong the band’s life.

 Disc three centers around the reunion album “”Ffollow Up!” released in 2016 by John Dunsterville, Roger Newell and Stewart Osborn, as Richard Dunsterville had relocated to the US and was not available for the recording. The tracks on the album span several decades, “My Love Has Gone” was written in 1965 but was not included on “Sallies Fforth” and features bassist Alan Thomas, having been dedicated to tape while the band was still known as the Force Four. “Noah” was recorded for a second album that didn’t happen, “Cars” was from 1975 when Roger and John were working with keyboardist Rick Wakeman and “Shy Angels” was written in 1976 for the English Rock Ensemble a year after they had parted ways with Wakeman. “Bathers Of The Lost Ark” includes a laugh lifted from “Sallies Fforth.” Furthermore, the artwork for “Ffollow Up” was mostly drawn by John Dunsterville 1969. The style and sound of the band is completely different on the album, as the whimsical element was replaced by serious tunes that display the talent of Rainbow Ffolly hinted at on their 1968 LP. .

“Ffollow Up!” opens with “Single Cell Amoeba” a short, one minute, sound effects number with a nod to“Sallies Fforth.” A 2014 band original “Postcard” is a story about the need to rush to the aid of a distant love if she calls for help, told with a driving beat, bouncing bass line and tasty lead guitar with wah wah added for accentuation. A heavy guitar solo segues into an Eastern influenced sound, the tasty rocker containing few of the signature sound effects found on “Sallies Fforth.” “My Love Has Gone” narrowly missed inclusion on the band’s debut LP, having been written in 1965. The mid-tempo number is dominated by jangling 12-string guitar and vocal harmonies with stinging lead guitar stabbing in and out of the mix, the tune’s heavy bass line and fiery solo soaring over the top before the tempo slows again with the return of jangling 12-string, flute and vocal harmony outro. “White Swan” a 2016 composition by Dunsterville and Newell uses a bowed electric dulcimer to create nostalgic images aided by flute as it tells the story of lost love in a dramatically changing world. “Cars” is a road song describing John Dunsterville and Newell endlessly traveling the world with Rick Wakeman. The song has a sound bringing The Who to mind with its strumming guitar, bounding bass and driving drums which eventually give way to steel and strumming acoustic guitars and gentle percussion flavored with a jazzy guitar interlude. “Sky Angels” features an expansive sound with choral effects and lead guitar sat to stun over solid bass and drums. 

The vocals are absolutely ethereal and this magnum opus’ fuzz guitar fills the air, complemented by horns guiding the way to an Eastern influenced outro. “Noah” uses the classic Rainbow Ffolly sound in telling the tale of God trying to convince Noah to build an ark. Waterfall and thunderstorm sound effects are perfect as the song gently glides in all its majesty. “Slow Down Zone” is a Simon and Garfunkel type number and lives up to its title with no forcing of any instruments, just the gentle beauty of woodwinds and acoustic guitars with the lead guitar restrained as it bounces from channel to channel. “Countdown” is a psychedelic rocker with its heavy bass driving the tempo over a lead guitar that holds back as it chugs and the drums keep perfect time while the song reminds people to think before they act, with a gorgeous guitar solo playing the song out. “Shoes” is a jazzy blues tune mixing horns and drums with relaxed vocals and a perfectly measured lead guitar. “Is It Over” is another “lost love” song with forlorn vocals joined by a breezy guitar solo and relaxed keyboards. 

The first of five non-LP tunes “Wot Do They Know” is an uptempo number with driving lead guitar and snarling vocals. The songs’ chorus gives way to an all out guitar and keyboard attack a la Mott The Hoople as the sound rises to a crescendo, before relenting. “Crazy Woman” is a country type tune with gentle guitar, percussion and vocals, a most pleasantly short, minute and a half, ditty. “All We Have Left” opens with growling guitar and machine gun drums, but the vocals are gorgeous as ever on this tasty rocker that is deceptively heavy with its driving drums and gorgeous lead guitar to the fore. “Parcel Of Pigs” is a delightful ditty with restrained guitar and vocals which gives a nod to early Rainbow Ffolly opening with a voice counting in German. “Nonesuch Sweetness” is an uptempo tune, its climbing guitar having a jazzy feel and delivering a tasty solo. The beat is driving but not overplayed, with a keyboard interlude perfectly timed. 

The disc closes with the last two tunes from “Ffollow Up!” the first “Tour De Force” is an autobiographical story about band manager John Sparrowhawk who sadly the band have lost touch with. It is a country folk flavored acoustic tune, with vocals and a feel reminiscent of “Sallies Fforth.” The track’s mid-tempo beat rises as fiery guitars fill the air, but the tune returns to its relaxed tempo with its folkish outro. “Bather Of The Lost Ark” closes “Follows Up!!” with a return to the irreverent humor of “Sallies Fforth” having been written in 1967, an absolutely perfect ending to an incredibly well realized reunion album. “Ffollow Up!” is evidence sure of the talent within Rainbow Ffolly and proof positive of what the band could have delivered if only given the chance by EMI and the Jackson Brothers. Though it may have come some fifty years later it certainly deserved wider distribution and with only 500 LP’s printed it already fetches $50-$100 per copy, while “Sallies Fforth” will set collectors back $400 or more for original Parlaphone pressings in very good plus condition and near mint or mint minus copies going for considerably more. The hefty price and collectable interest in the band’s original album lead one to wonder what would have happened had the band been able to polish the album up and release it as they envisioned, but that is a matter of pure speculation left to the mind’s of collectors of rare 1960’s recordings that can never be truly answered.

“Spectromorphic Iridescence” and its seventy four tracks come in a tortoise shell box with each disc housed in a mini-LP sleeve with the original artwork. The twenty page full color booklet comes with an essay by David Wells, who compiled and annotated the collection, and is filled with photos of the band and its recordings as well as related memorabilia. Rainbow Ffolly has never sounded better, thanks to the mastering job of Simon Murphy for Another Planet Music. The set will be of great interest to fans and collectors of obscure 1960’s recordings, psychedelic and otherwise, but will also be a wonderful discovery for those not familiar with the 2016 LP “Ffollow Up!” a fine bit of British rock and roll in its own right which has hitherto been nigh on impossible to procure. Many thanks to the folks at Cherry Red Records, UK, for offering this wonderful collection and at a most reasonable cost as icing on the cake.

by Kevin Rathert, 2019

Tracks

Disc 1

1. She's Alright - 3:43

2. I'm So Happy - 2:34

3. Montgolfier '67 - 2:37

4. Drive My Car - 2:15

5. Goodbye - 3:42

6. Hey You - 2:20

7. Sun Sing - 4:00

8. Sun And Sand (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell, Stewart Osborn) - 3:33

9. Labour Exchange - 2:26

10.They'm - 1:55

11.No (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell) - 3:11

12.Sighing Game (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell) - 2:49

13.Come On Go - 3:03

14.Drive My Car - 2:18

15.Go Girl - 2:39

16.Sun Sing - 3:31

17.Come On Go - 2:09

18.The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 3:25

All compositions by Jonathan Dunsterville except where noted

Tracks 13 The album Sallies Fforth, Parlophone PCS 7050, released May 1968

Tracks 14-15 Single, Parlophone R5701, released May 1968

Tracks 16-17 Previously unreleased studio demos, recorded circa May 1967

Track 18 Previously unreleased studio demo, recorded circa December 1968

Disc 2

1. She's Alright - 3:44

2. I'm So Happy - 2:34

3. Montgolfier '67 - 2:38

4. Drive My Car - 2:16

5. Goodbye - 3:44

6. Hey You - 2:22

7. Sun Sing - 4:05

8. Sun And Sand (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell, Stewart Osborn) - 3:33

9. Labour Exchange - 2:26

10.They'm - 1:56

11.No (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell) - 3:13

12.Sighing Game (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell) - 2:51

13.Come On Go - 3:05

14.Hospital Radio Jingle #1 - 0:17

15.Sunshine Of Your Love (Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Pete Brown) - 4:01

16.Hospital Radio Jingle #2 - 0:14

17.Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 3:11

18.Hospital Radio Jingle #3 - 0:07

19.Gimme Little Sign (Alfred Smith, Jerry Winn, Joseph Hooven) - 2:41

20.Hospital Radio Jingle #4 - 0:09

21.I Can't Let Maggie Go (Pete Dello) - 3:00

22.Hospital Radio Jingle #5 - 0:06

23.Sabrosa (René Touzet) - 2:06

24.Hospital Radio Jingle #6 - 0:08

25.The Bells Of Rhymney (Idris Davies, Pete Seeger) - 3:28

26.Hospital Radio Jingle #7 - 0:16

27.Bonita (James Rich) - 3:14

28.Hospital Radio Jingle #8 - 0:15

29.I Can Hear The Grass Grow (Roy Wood) - 2:59

30.Hospital Radio Jingle #9 - 0:07

31.Something Else (Eddie Cochran, Shari Sheeley) - 1:56

32.Hospital Radio Jingle #10 - 0:30

33.Hold Me Tight (Johnny Nash) - 2:47

34.Hospital Radio Jingle #11 - 0:10

35.I'm So Happy - 1:07

36.Hospital Radio Jingle #12 - 0:17

37.She's Alright - 2:39

38.Hospital Radio Jingle #13 - 0:55

All songs by Jonathan Dunsterville except where indicated

Tracks 13 The album Sallies Fforth, Parlophone PMC 7050, released May 1968

Tracks 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 Previously unreleased home demos, recorded 1968

Tracks 29, 31, 33, 35, 37 Previously unreleased radio broadcasts, recorded December 1968

Tracks 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 Previously unreleased hospital radio

jingles recorded late 1967 early 1968

Disc 3
1. Single Cell Amoeba (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell, Stewart Osborn) - 0:52
2. Postcard (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell, Stewart Osborn) - 3:10
3. My Love Has Gone - 5:15
4. White Swan (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell) - 3:27
5. Cars - 3:35
6. Sky Angels (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell, Stewart Osborn) - 6:46
7. Noah - 4:13
8. Slow Down Zone - 3:50
9. Countdown (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell) - 3:17
10.Shoes - 3:14
11.Is It Over - 4:25
12.Wot Do They Know? (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell, Stewart Osborn) - 2:36
13.Crazy Woman - 1:24
14.All We Have Left (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell, Stewart Osborn) - 4:14
15.Parcel Of Pigs (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell, Stewart Osborn) - 1:04
16.Nonesuch Sweetness (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell, Stewart Osborn) - 3:39
17.Tour De Fforce (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell, Stewart Osborn) - 2:41
18.Bathers Of The Lost Ark (Jonathan Dunsterville, Roger Newell, Stewart Osborn) - 0:43
All tracks by Jonathan Dunsterville except where stated
Tracks 11, 17, 18 The album Ffollow Up!, Footprints Vinyl Records FV 16002, released
Tracks 1,16 Extra tracks, previously unreleased

Rainbow Ffolly
*Jonathan Dunsterville - Vocals, Guitar
*Richard Dunsterville - Vocals, Guitar
*Roger Newell - Vocals, Bass
*Stewart Osborn - Vocals, Drums

1968  Rainbow Ffolly - Sallies Fforth (2005 remaster) 

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Jefferson Airplane - Takes Off (1966 us, classic debut, 2014 audiophile remaster and 2003 expanded edition)

Marty Balin and Paul Kantner met during 1965 and their resultant musical relationship would lead to the creation of the Jefferson Airplane. This influential and successful American rock ‘n’ roll band would eventually be elected to the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. While there would be several personnel changes early in their existence, by the time of their first album release, guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, bassist Jack Casady, drummer Skip Spence, and co-lead singer Signe Anderson had all joined the band. Spence and Anderson would soon give way to Spencer Dryden and Grace Slick.

Jefferson Airplane Takes Off, released during 1966, is an album that often slides under the radar. It failed to crack the Billboard Magazine Album Chart top 100 and is frequently overshadowed by the brilliance of the releases that would follow. This is unfortunate as it is an album that can stand on its own merits.

The group’s early sound has been classified as folk-rock, but it also contains the beginnings of American psychedelic music. They would take the sound of such early psychedelic practitioners as The Holy Modal Rounders and the 13th Floor Elevators and refine and expand it until the experience was just as important as the music. This was especially true live, as the Airplane quickly became an innovative and popular concert draw.

Signe Anderson may have only recorded this one album with the group, but in some ways she was a good fit for Marty Balin. They tended to support one another rather than challenge each other, as would happen when Grace Slick joined the band following Anderson’s departure. “Bringing Me Down” is a good example of this supportive style. Anderson’s best moments come as the lead vocalist on “Chauffeur Blues” where her powerful voice just soars.

Takes Off is in many ways a Marty Balin album. The Paul Kantner-Grace Slick axis did not exist as yet, and the other group members had not begun to assert themselves. As such, Balin wrote or co-wrote eight of the eleven songs. His “Blues From An Airplane” is the first track on the album and was a great way to kick off a recording career. His performances on “It’s No Secret” and the cover song “Let’s Get Together” show his versatility and the purity of his voice. He and the band even manage to pull off an interesting version of the often-recorded “Tobacco Road.” It would be a Balin-Kantner collaboration, “Come Up The Years,” that would point the way toward the group’s future.

Jefferson Airplane Takes Off remains a formidable debut album from a group that would form an important part of the American rock heritage from 1965-1974. It is an excellent and interesting listen 50-plus years after its initial release.

by David Bowling, 11/15/2010

Tracks

1. Blues From An Airplane (Marty Balin, Skip Spence) - 2:10

2. Let Me In (Marty Balin, Paul Kantner) - 2:56

3. Bringing Me Down (Marty Balin, Paul Kantner) - 2:22

4. It's No Secret (Marty Balin) - 2:36

5. Tobacco Road (John D. Loudermilk) - 3:27

6. Come Up The Years (Marty Balin, Paul Kantner) - 2:30

7. Run Around (Marty Balin, Paul Kantner) - 2:36

8. Let's Get Together (Chester Powers) - 3:33

9. Don't Slip Away (Marty Balin, Skip Spence) - 2:32

10.Chauffeur Blues (Memphis Minnie, Ernest Lawler) - 2:25

11.And I Like It (Marty Balin, Jorma Kaukonen) - 3:15

12.Runnin' Round This World (Marty Balin, Paul Kantner) - 2:25
13.High Flying Bird (Billy Edd Wheeler) - 2:17
14.It's Alright (Marty Balin, Skip Spence) - 2:17
15.Go To Her (Paul Kantner, Irving Estes) - 4:09
16.Let Me In (Marty Balin, Paul Kantner) - 3:31
17.Run Around (Marty Balin, Paul Kantner) - 2:35
18.Chauffeur Blues (Memphis Minnie, Ernest Lawler) - 2:49
19.And I Like It (Marty Balin, Jorma Kaukonen) - ) - 8:16
20.Blues From An Airplane (Marty Balin, Skip Spence)- 2:10
Tracks 1-11 Original Album 1966 "Takes Off"
Tracks 12-14 from "Early Flight"
Track 15 from"Jefferson Airplane Loves You"
Tracks 16-17 Uncensored Versions
Tracks 18-19 Alternate Versions
Track 20 Instrumental Hidden Track

Jefferson Airplane 
*Marty Balin - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
*Signe Toly Anderson - Vocals, Percussion
*Jorma Kaukonen - Lead Guitar
*Paul Kantner - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
*Jack Casady - Bass Guitar
*Skip Spence - Drums
*Spencer Dryden - Drums

Related Acts
1972  Hot Tuna - Burgers (2012 audiophile Vinyl replica) 
1976  Hot Tuna - Hoppkorv (2012 audiophile Vinyl replica)
1973  Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, David Freiberg - Baron Von Tollbooth And The Chrome Nun 
1968  Alexander Lee Spence - AndOarAgain (2018 three disc remaster)

1966-69  Moby Grape - Live (Sundazed digipack issue)
1967  Moby Grape - Moby Grape (2007 remaster)
1967-68  Moby Grape - The Place And The Time (2009 Sundazed release)
1969  Moby Grape - Wow (Sundazed Issue)
1969  Moby Grape - Moby Grape 69' (2007 remaster and expanded)

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Luv Machine - Turns You On (1970-71 barbados, excellent rough hard psych rock with prog elements, 2006 bonus tracks remaster)

Luv Machine were victims to the classic business meets artist rip off paradigm and the band disintegrated almost as quickly as they came together. Thankfully they were able to record this wonderful album on the way and RAR deserve credit for bringing to our ears. The album is a wonderful boogie down fuzzed out rock feast. It combines elements of the sounds of Cream, 10 Years After and touch of Santana (during their initial psych-boogie incarnation). The music is punchy and filled with urgent soulful vocals and great harmonies. Main-man Michael Bishop wrote all of the songs and they manage to channel a funkified blend of Traffic era Steve Winwood with the propulsive rock of the aforementioned Cream. 

The disc is a treat from beginning to end. It leaves you wondering why these songs weren't instant classics of the era and didn't propel the band to superstardom. In particular tracks such as Lost and My Life is Filled with Changes present the diverse punch of the bands sound. The densely packed booklet that comes with this reissue is full of pictures of the band and a wonderfully complete bio written by Lee Dorian.

Luv Machine might have not scaled the heights of glory during their brief career but as this CD proves financial success doesn't necessarily equate with artistic mastery. Ultimately this thoroughly enjoyable CD leaves the listener wondering what other dusty gems are out there in the dust bins of history waiting to be discovered. It also gives us caution to pay attention to current underground acts due to the fact that we just might be ignoring a contemporary masterpiece.

by Keith Boyd, Feb.27.2007

Tracks
1. Witches Wand - 2:49
2. You're Surprised - 2:47
3. It's Amazing - 3:27
4. Happy Children (Errol Bradshaw, Michael Bishop) - 3:19
5. Everything (Martin Hall) - 3:20
6. Maybe Tomorrow - 4:20
7. Reminiscing (Vernon Pereira) - 2:56
8. Change Your Mind - 2:59
9. Corupt One - 3:50
10.Lost - 3:09
11.My Life Is Filled With Changes - 3:08
12.Portrait Of Disgust - 4:58
13.Don't Let The Blues Take Over Part 1 (Early Demo Version) - 2:58
14.In The Early Hours (Single B-Side) - 3:29
15.Dark Clouds (Early Demo) - 2:33
16.Do You Want My Love? (Unreleased Single B-Side) - 3:07
17.Break The News Gently (Post LP Line Up Demo) - 2:51
18.Don't Let The Blues Take Over Part 2 (Unreleased Single A-Side) - 2:45
All titles by Michael Bishop except where stated
Tracks 1-12 from original album " Luv Machine" 1970

Luv Machine
*Michael Bishop - guitar, vocals
*Bob Bowman - guitar, vocals
*Errol Bradshaw - drums, vocals
*John Jeavons - bass, vocals

1970  Luv Machine - Luv Machine

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Wishbone Ash - Wishbone Ash (1970 uk, solid hard blues rock, 2001 japan remaster)

For a band that quickly evolved into a radio-friendly prog-leaning outfit, it's a wonder that Wishbone Ash started out as the boogie and blues-based group that this debut reveals. If the term "jam band" existed in 1970, Wishbone Ash surely would have been a major player in that genre. As it was, this album stacked up nicely when compared with other British hard rock releases that year.

The dual lead guitar attack of Andy Powell and Ted Turner was a component that none of the above bands possessed, but unfortunately their (shared) lead vocals lacked the punch and authority necessary for hard rock bands to be taken seriously. So while they could rock as loudly and convincingly as virtually anyone, their lead singers, perhaps, held them back from being the force they should have been.

The follow-up, Pilgrimage, took steps to rectify Wishbone Ash's odd position, but this album nevertheless opened eyes and ears and revealed to the rock & roll community a band with incredible potential and talent. 

by Dave Sleger

Tracks
1. Blind Eye - 3:45
2. Lady Whiskey - 6:12
3. Errors Of My Ways - 6:57
4. Queen Of Torture - 3:25
5. Handy - 11:35
6. Phoenix - 10:27
All songs by Andy Powell, Martin Turner, Steve Upton, Ted Turner

The Wishbone Ash
*Martin Turner - Bass, Vocals
*Andy Powell - Guitar, Vocals
*Ted Turner - Guitar, Vocals
*Steve Upton - Drums

1970  Wishbone Ash - First Light (2007 release)
1972-2001  Wishbone Ash - Tracks (2001 double disc release) 
1972  Wishbone Ash - Argus (2013 SHM remaster) 
1973  Wishbone Ash - Wishbone Four (2015 audiophile remaster)
1973  Wishbone Ash - Live Dates (2013 double disc audiophile remaster)
1974  Wishbone Ash - There's the Rub (2013 SHM remaster)

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Terry Reid - Original Album Series (1968-91 fantastic box set, an amalgam of acid rock blues folk classic rock, 2015 five discs edition)

British rock singer Terry Reid could have been a lot more famous if he had been able to accept the slot of lead singer for the New Yardbirds in 1968. That slot, of course, went to Robert Plant, and the New Yardbirds became Led Zeppelin. Unlike Plant, Reid was also a guitarist, and the opportunity to head his own group no doubt played a part in his decision to gun for a solo career. Leading a guitar-organ-drums power trio, he recorded a couple of respectable, though erratic, hard rock albums while still a teenager in the late '60s. Some bad breaks and creative stagnation combined to virtually bring his career to a halt, and he never cashed in on the momentum of his promising start.

A teen prodigy of sorts, Reid had turned professional at the age of 15 to join Peter Jay & the Jaywalkers. His first couple of singles as a headliner found him singing in a sort of poppy blue-eyed soul vein. But by the time of his 1968 debut Bang, Bang You're Terry Reid, produced by Mickie Most, he'd switched to more of a hard rock approach. Most was also handling Donovan and the Jeff Beck Group at the time, and similarities to both of those acts can be heard in Terry Reid's first two albums -- proto-hard rock on the louder tunes, sweeter folk-rock on the mellow ones (Reid in fact covered a couple of Donovan compositions, although he wrote most of his own material). Reid's high voice was reminiscent of Robert Plant's, though not nearly as shrill, and his folky numbers especially are reminiscent of Led Zeppelin's most acoustic early cuts.

Reid, oddly, was considerably more well-known in the U.S. than the U.K. His first album, very oddly, was not even issued in Britain, although it made the American Top 200. It's been reported that he at least in part declined Jimmy Page's offer to join Led Zeppelin owing to his contractual commitments to record for Mickie Most as a solo artist, and to perform as an opening solo artist on the Rolling Stones' late-'60s U.S. tour. He did influence Led Zeppelin's history in a big way by recommending Plant and drummer John Bonham as suitable candidates for the group's lineup, after Plant and Bonham's pre-Led Zep outfit (the Band of Joy) played support at one of Reid's early gigs. Reid felt confident enough in his solo prospects to also turn down an offer to join Deep Purple (Ian Gillan was recruited instead).

An opening spot on the Rolling Stones' famous 1969 tour of America seemed to augur even brighter prospects for the future, but this is precisely where Reid's career stalled, at the age of 20. First he became embroiled in litigation with Mickey Most, which curtailed his studio activities in the early '70s. After a couple of personnel changes, he disbanded his original trio, leading a group for a while that included David Lindley and ex-King Crimson drummer Michael Giles (this quartet, however, didn't release any records). He moved to California in 1971 and signed to Atlantic, but his long-delayed third album didn't appear until 1973. Reid would release albums for other labels in 1976 and 1979, but none of his '70s recordings were well-received, critically or commercially (though 1976's Seed of Memory did briefly chart). He rarely recorded, though he did play some sessions and The Driver appeared in 1991.

Reid's catalog was reissued on various labels in the 21st century, and there was a resurgence of interest in his music as well. The Raconteurs recorded "Rich Kid Blues" for inclusion on 2008's Consolers of the Lonely, and made it a centerpiece of their live shows. He provided three songs to the soundtrack for Rob Zombie's horror film The Devil's Rejects. In 2009, he played the Glastonbury and WOMAD festivals. Two years later, he toured Ireland for the first time in 30 years and released the Live in London; it included performances of several new songs.

In 2012, Reid was invited to play London's most famous jazz club, Ronnie Scott's, in celebration of their 50th anniversary -- he sold out three nights. He also returned to Glastonbury and played the Isle of Wight Festival for the first time since 1971. Reid's songs gained traction with 2000s pop artists. Rumer featured "Brave Awakening" on her charting Boys Don’t Cry album. America’s Got Talent winner Michael Grimm included "Without Expression" on his album Gumbo. DJ Shadow collaborated with Reid, who wrote lyrics for "Listen" that appeared on Reconstructed: The Best of DJ Shadow.

Reid toured the U.K. in 2013 and 2014, and performed the whole of Seed of Memory at the Borderline. In April 2016, the Washington Post ran a story about Reid working in Johnny Depp's home studio with Aerosmith's Joe Perry on a song for the guitarist's forthcoming solo album. The same month, Light in the Attic announced the release of The Other Side of the River, a collection of unreleased material and alternate takes from the 1973 album sessions for the twice-recorded River -- some that Reid didn't even remember. It was released in May. 

by Richie Unterberger

Tracks

Disc 1 Bang, Bang You're Terry Reid 1968

1. Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) (Sonny Bono) - 4:15

2. Tinker Tailor - 2:55

3. Erica - 3:52

4. Without Expression – 4:47

5. Sweater - 2:06

6. Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart (Roger Cook, Roger Greenaway) - 5:02 

7. Season Of The Witch (Donovan Leitch) - 10:09

8. Writing On The Wall / Summertime Blues (Terry Reid / Eddie Cochran, Jerry Capehart) - 10:14

9. When You Get Home - 3:40

10.Loving Time (Eric Leese, Terry Reid) - 3:40

All compositions by Terry Reid except where noted

Disc 2 Terry Reid 1969 

1. Superlungs My Supergirl (Donovan Leitch) - 2:41

2. Silver White Light - 2:54

3. July - 3:32

4. Marking Time - 3:48

5. Stay With Me Baby (George David Weiss, Jerry Ragovoy) - 4:12

6. Highway 61 Revisited / Friends (Bob Dylan / Terry Reid) - 7:59

7. May Fly - 3:42

9. Rich Kid Blues - 4:14

All titles by Terry Reid unless as else written

Disc 3 River

1. Dean - 4:45

2. Avenue - 5:08

3. Things To Try - 4:25

4. Live Life - 5:11

5. River - 5;45

6. Dream - 5:20

7. Milestones - 5:52

All Music and Lyrics by Terry Reid 

Disc 4 Rogue Waves

1. Ain't No Shadow - 3:39

2. Baby I Love You (Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry) - 3:52

3. Stop And Think It Over - 3:40

4. Rogue Wave - 5:42

5. Walk Away Rene (Bob Calilli, Mikel Brown, Tony Sansone) - 4:18 

6. Believe In The Magic - 6:32

7. Then I Kissed Her (Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry) - 4:44 

8. Bowangi - 4:014

9. ll I Have To Do Is Dream (Boudleaux Bryant) - 5:26 

All tracks by Terry Reid except where indicated

Disc 5 The Driver
1. Fifth Of July (Louise Goffin, Reid Savage) - 5;11
2. There's Nothing Wrong - 5:05
3. Right To The End (Gerard McMahon) - 4:55
4. The Whole Of The Moon (Mike Scott) - 4:13
5. Hand Of Dimes - 3:04
6. The Driver (Part I) (Hans Zimmer, Terry Reid, Trevor Horn) - 0:45
7. If You Let Her - 4:28
8. Turn Around - 3:49
9. Gimme Some Lovin' (Muff Winwood, Spencer Davis, Steve Winwood) - 4:19
10.Laugh At Life - 4:48
11.The Driver (Part II) (Hans Zimmer, Terry Reid, Trevor Horn) - 4:37
All songs by Terry Reid except where stated

Musicians
*Terry Reid - Guitar, Vocals
*Keith Webb - Drums (Discs 1, 2)
*Eric Leese - Keyboards (Disc 1)
*Pete Solley - Keyboards (Disc 2)
*Leo Miles - Bass (Discs 3, 4)
*Conrad Isidore - Drums (Disc 3)
*David Lindley - Steel Guitar, Slide Guitar, Electric Guitar (Disc 3)
*Douglas Rodriguez - Guitar (Disc 4) 
*John Siomos - Drums, Percussion (Disc 4)
*James E. Johnson – Organ (Disc 4)
*Sterling Smith - Organ (Disc 4) 
*Terrence James - String Arrangements (Disc 4) 
*Dyanne Chandler - Vocals (Disc 4)
*Maxine Willard Waters - Vocals (Disc 4)
*Dennis Williams - Vocals (Disc 4)
*Joe Walsh - Guitar (Disc 5) 
*Jackie Lomax - Guitars (Disc 5)
*Brian Auger - Keyboards (Disc 5)
*Timothy B. Schmit - Bass (Disc 5)
*Alan White - Drums (Disc 5)
*Stewart Copeland - Drums (Disc 5)
*Jack Lancaster - Sax (Disc 5)
*Howard Jones - Keyboards (Disc 5)
*Enya - Vocals (Disc 5)

1966-69  Terry Reid - Superlungs / The Complete Studio Recordings (2004  two disc set) 
1974  Terry Reid - Seed of Memory (2004 remaster) 

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Claire Hamill - Stage Door Johnnies (1974 uk, delicate folk soft rock, 2006 japan issue)

Claire Hamill was born in Middlesborough in Northern England and has been in the music business since she was 17. In 1970 she was launched as one of Britain's first singer songwriters and seen by many commentators as in the vein of Joni Mitchell.

The album was "One house left standing" which showed the singer in a backdrop of her home town and a year later she went on her first U K tour supporting John Martyn.Up to 1973 she toured the USA with Procol Harum and Jethro Tull and came back to Britain to record her next album "October" at the same Manor studio of Richard Branson which Mike Oldfield was using to make what became "Tubular Bells".Her next tour support was for King Crimson.

In 1973 Claire Hamill met Ray Davies who signed her to his Konk label for her 3rd album "Stage Door Johnnies" an album which included her first covers. We Gotta Get Out Of This Place – (Mann, Weil) – the Animals worldwide hit from 1965, nothing can top that but this is suitably agrressive and angry.  

Oh Daddy (Blues) (You Don't Have No Mamma At All) – (Herbert, Russell) – First recording by Ethel Waters, Cordy Williams' Jazz Masters (1921)  but associated with  Bessie Smith (Clarence Williams at the Piano) from 1923. It has been done by a lot of folk blues jazz types in both instrumental and vocal versions. This is a good version and not dissimilar to what Ray was doing on some tracks of the Kinks "Muswell Hillbillies" (1971) album. All The Cakes She Baked Him – very Joni Mitchell but very good. Trying To Work It Out – more Joni. Geronimo's Cadillac – (C. Quarto, M. Murphy) – Co-written and recorded by American country singer Michael Martin Murphey in 1972 (also the title cut of his 1972 debut album) the song went to #37 in the US pop charts. The song has been often covered. Here, it sounds like a sister piece (in mood) to The Kinks' circa 1971. Very good. 

You Know How Ladies Are – quite beautiful with a touch of Ray Davies. Luck Of The Draw – very good with some nice up front twangy guitar and some hard lyrics. Stage Door Johnnies – Ray would love this … and so do I. Stage Door Johnnies was a English theatre reference to wealthy gentlemen who would wait outside the stage door hoping to escort chorus girls hem to dinner. The attract for the girls was (hopefully) marriage into the upper class, society and nobility.

With a little help from Frank...

Tracks
1. We Gotta Get Out Of This Place (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil) - 3:20
2. Oh Daddy (Blues) (You Don't Have No Mamma At All) (Ed Herbert, William Russell) - 3:44
3. All The Cakes She Baked Him - 3:21
4. Trying To Work It Out - 3:32
5. Geronimo's Cadillac (Michael Martin Murphey, Charles John Quatro) - 4:22
6. Something To Believe In (Steve Miller) - 4:09
7. You Know How Ladies Are - 2:44
8. You Take My Breath Away - 2:34
9. Go Now (Larry Banks, Milton Bennett) - 3:36
10.Luck Of The Draw - 3:10
11.Stage Door Johnnies - 2:07
All tracks composed by Claire Hamill except where indicated

Personnel
*Claire Hamill - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
*Phil Palmer - Lead Guitar
*Roy Neve - Guitar
*Nick South - Bass
*Paul Westwood - Bass
*Phil Chen - Bass
*Dave Rowberry - Keyboards
*Clem Cattini - Drums
*Jim Frank - Drums
*Neil McBain - Drums
*Laurie Brown - Trumpet
*Ray Davies - Backing Vocals
*Diz Disley - Guitar
*Tim Hinkley - Keyboards
*Alan Holmes - Flute
*Lew Warburton - String Arrangements

1971  Claire Hamill - One House Left Standing (2008 remaster with extra tracks)
1972  Claire Hamill - October (2008 remaster)
1975  Claire Hamill - Abracadabra (2006 japan remaster)

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Claire Hamill - Abracadabra (1975 uk, beautiful folk funky soft rock, 2006 japan remaster)

On her fourth album Abracadabra (1975) Claire Hamill, covered The Kinks’ `Celluloid Heroes’, Ian Anderson’s `Your Dear’, Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke’s `I Love You So’ and the traditional `Jamaica’, although once again the buying public showed little interest. In 1976, she had a brief stint as the vocalist with Ric Grech’s S.D.M. (Square Dance Machine), but this proved to be unfruitful and she retired for a while.

Claire Hamill subsequently started writing for a few rock groups, even joining Wishbone Ash for one 1982 album, `Two Barrels Burning’.

Tracks
1. Rory - 2:50
2. Forbidden Fruit - 3:00
3. One Sunday Morning - 3:30
4. I Love You So (Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke) - 3:16
5. For Sailors - 4:22
6. Jamaica (Traditional Arranged By Claire Hamill) - 2:14
7. Under A Piece Of Glass - 3:11
8. You Dear (Ian Anderson) - 3:18
9. Maybe It Is - 4:00
10.In So Deep - 3:51
11.Celluloid Heroes (Ray Davies) - 5:00
All songs by Claire Hamill except where indicated

Personnel
*Claire Hamill - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
*Phil Palmer - Guitar
*Phil Chen - Bass
*Jon Hartman - Keyboards
*Gary Ray - Drums
*Mel Collins - Saxophone
*Vicki Brown - Background Vocals
*Doreen Chanter - Background Vocals
*Jean Roussel - Piano, Orchestral Arrangements
*Tom Robinson - Vocals
*Raphael Doyle - Vocals
*Hereward Kaye - Vocals

1971  Claire Hamill - One House Left Standing (2008 remaster with extra tracks) 
1972  Claire Hamill - October (2008 remaster) 

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Big Star - #1 Record / Radio City (1972/74 us impressive power pop indie rock, 2004 SACD)

In the past, if you wanted to buy either of Big Star’s #1 Record or Radio City on CD you had to buy them together. While previously available individually on vinyl, the pair of albums were glued together in a two-for-one compact disc. Truthfully, while getting both albums at once was gratifying (because, really, you need both, along with Third/Sister Lovers), and it was probably cheaper to get a two for one deal, the end of #1 Record segueing into Radio City was messy at best. Thankfully, both albums are now back in print individually (sans bonus tracks), and are sourced from the original analog master tapes. One has to wonder, though, if the real reason behind these reissues is not to get the albums back into the hands of fans on CD in the proper format, but rather as a shot at Sony Music, who last year issued the godawful compilation album Playlist: The Very Best of Big Star (1972 – 2005). See, the problem with that disc was two-fold. The first is that the first three Big Star albums are Greatest Hits albums. They’re that necessary. Secondly, Sony got around the thorny issue of not having the rights to the original recordings by loading up songs on the tracklist from 1993’s Columbia: Live at Missouri University, 4/25/93. Basically, you would have been better off just buying the live album, as all that’s missing from it is a handful of songs from the original albums that the Best of album culls from. The 2013 Greatest Hits disc is, thus, that inconsequential.

While I cannot comment on the audiophile quality of these reissues for I was given access to a private stream, and we all know streams have their share of wow and flutter, the sound does manage to shine through. As do the songs themselves. Basically, if you don’t have either of these albums and have no idea of what I’m talking about, go. Just go, stop reading, and buy these records, especially if you want to see how this group essentially helped to invent the concept of ‘70s power pop, and would go on to influence countless bands from the Replacements, Teenage Fanclub, R.E.M. (whose Automatic for the People is essentially Third/Sister Lovers reimagined for the ‘90s) and, yes, Counting Crows, who have tucked a Big Star reference inside some live performances of their hit "Mr. Jones". As well, I’m not sure if it’s really worth giving more than a thumbnail sketch of the band’s history, because, chances are, if you’re reading this, you already know it and not much can be added or taken away from what you already know.

Still, here goes: Big Star was a group founded by Alex Chilton, formerly of the Box Tops, and also featured Chris Bell, drummer Jody Stephens and bassist Andy Hummel. (Stephens, incidentally, is the sole remaining original member still alive and kicking.) The group released #1 Record in 1972. The critics loved it, but, due to poor distribution problems with the record label, the album stiffed commercially, making the album title rather ironic (aside from the fact that it was, indeed, their number one record in order of release). Bell left the band and the remaining group, give or take a member or two depending on the song, went on to record 1974’s Radio City. The same result occurred: lavish critical praise, monumental commercial dud at the cash register.

Even if you haven’t heard of Big Star, you’ve heard Big Star. If you watched TV’s That ‘70s Show, well, the theme song is "In The Street" from #1 Record, only covered by Cheap Trick. For a band that sold a paltry number of records in its heyday, the cultural legacy of Big Star looms large. Without them, the Replacements wouldn’t have written their homage to "Alex Chilton". Without them, a large swath of alternative and indie rock would debatably cease to exist, or at least exist in some other unrecognizable format. Maybe indie kids today would have thought polka music was the hippest thing without Big Star. So this is a very monumental band, and, as I’ve said, if you don’t have these two albums, your record collection has a massive hole. You’re missing out on some of the finest music of the ‘70s, music that, in large part, remains timeless and even sounds much more relevant today than it did back then. That’s how ahead of the curve Big Star was.

So what of the albums themselves then? While both are in Rolling Stone’s 500 "Greatest Albums of All Time" list, #1 Record has the highest highs and the lowest lows. Had "The India Song" been swapped out its place at the end of Side One in favour of "When My Baby’s Beside Me", you would have had an argument for rock’s greatest Side One in the history of all music. That side would include the magnificent "The Ballad of El Goodo", the aforementioned "In the Street", the bluesy swagger of "Don’t Lie to Me", and the transcendent, touching ballad of first love "Thirteen". Even though the album does boast its share of filler ("ST 100/6" anyone?), the peaks are so towering that mere words cannot convey the brilliance. Plus, the album sounds like a group having a blast in the recording studio, unaware of the commercial disappointment that awaited them around the corner. The harmonies and the songwriting have been oft compared to Lennon/McCartney, and for a good reason. This stuff is just as good, if not better, than that of their predecessors. While #1 Record is slightly flawed, you could say that too about any Beatles album, and we all know that Revolver has the top spot generally on All Time Greatest Records lists. There is no such thing as outright perfection.

But then you have Radio City.

Radio City is outright perfection.

The album, which sees Bell get unofficially songwriting credit on just two songs ("O My Soul" and "Back of a Car"), is a sonic blast from start to finish. It’s rougher and bleaker than its predecessor, which presaged the harrowing decent into the tortured psyche of Third / Sister Lovers, but the songs themselves shine together with an overall consistency, even if there are gems within gems in the bunch. Do you remember the first time you heard the chiming riff to "September Gurls"? (And it had better not have been the Bangles’ absolutely atrocious butchering of the song.) Do you remember the first time you heard the sweet, affecting album closer "I’m In Love With a Girl"? Honestly, I bet you do. The album, and each song on it, is that memorable. I once made a mixed tape with the entirety of this record (and it was a record, I own a mint 1974 original pressing of the disc that set me back a pretty penny) on one side for a friend, who, upon listening to it, dubbed it "cottage rock". You know, the sort of thing you would have blasting at a keg party. That may sound like a reductive statement, but there’s a grain of truth to it. Radio City should be the summer album that everyone has, even if it is a little bit off-kilter and is the sound of a group trying to keep it together while falling apart. The songs are just stellar. Simple as that. Not a bad one in the bunch, not even the 87-second piano interlude “Morpha Too”.

While Radio City is, hands down, the stronger of the two discs, it is stronger by only a smidge. You need #1 Record, too, just for the group’s shot at familiarity and pseudo-hit making. Both albums are what we critics would dub essential. And, while you’re at it, try and score a copy of Third / Sister Lovers, too, as that album completes the trilogy. Listening to this all over again, one has to wonder if there was a better band during the tumultuous ‘70s than Big Star. At a time when prog rock was all the rage, Big Star was stripping rock music down to its poppy elements, setting the stage for a generation of bands who would pick up the mantle and run with it during the next few decades. While Bell and Chilton (and Hummel) are no longer with us, their legacy more than lives on with what the label is calling the "definite" digital masters of these albums. And, sure, there are no bonus tracks or outtakes, but these records don’t need them. They are as perfect or as near perfect as records come, and I’m pretty sure that I haven’t heard, in my entire lifetime, a record that is as flawless as Radio City, an album I always play front to back without skipping over any tracks.

So what on earth are you waiting for? Regardless if you have these records or not, you need them. Buy them again, if necessary. Trust me, the money will go to the enduring legacy of Big Star, and foster more bands that will head their path and blaze new trails in modern music. That’s not hyperbole, that’s just the plain truth. So go. Now. Get on your way to your nearest record store and pick these two stellar albums up before, you know, someone decides to pull them out of print as individual albums again.

by Zachary Houle, 02 Oct 2014

Tracks
#1 Record 1972
1. Feel - 3:35
2. The Ballad Of El Goodo - 4:22
3. In The Street - 2:57
4. Thirteen (Chris Bell, Alex Chilton, Mal Waldron) - 2:37
5. Don't Lie To Me - 3:10
6. The India Song (Andy Hummell) - 2:22
7. When My Baby's Beside Me - 3:26
8. My Life Is Right (Chris Bell, Thomas Dean Eubanks) - 3:09
9. Give Me Another Chance - 3:29
10.Try Again - 3:34
11.Watch The Sunrise - 3:46
12.St 100/6 - 1:01
Radio City 1974
13.O My Soul (Alex Chilton) - 5:40
14.Life Is White (Alex Chilton, Andy Hummell) - 3:20
15.Way Out West (Andy Hummell) - 2:52
16.What's Going Ahn (Alex Chilton, Andy Hummell) - 2:43
17.You Get What You Deserve - 3:10
18.Mod Lang (Alex Chilton, Richard Rosebrough) - 2:48
19.Back Of A Car (Alex Chilton, Andy Hummell) - 2:48
20.Daisy Glaze (Alex Chilton, Andy Hummell, Jody Stephens) - 3:51
21.She's A Mover (Alex Chilton) - 3:15
22.September Gurls (Alex Chilton) - 2:50
23.Morpha Too (Alex Chilton) - 1:30
24.I'm In Love With A Girl (Alex Chilton) - 1:47
All songs by Chris Bell, Alex Chilton axcept where stated

Big Star
1972  #1 Record
*Chris Bell - Guitar, Vocals
*Alex Chilton - Guitar, Vocals
*Andy Hummel - Bass
*Jody Stephens - Drums
1974  Radio City
*Alex Chilton - Guitar, Vocals
*Andy Hummel - Bass
*Jody Stephens - Drums
Guests
*Chris Bell - Guitar, Vocals
*Danny Jones - Bass
*Richard Rosebrough - Drums

1968-75  Big Star - Keep An Eye On The Sky (2009 four discs box set)
Related Acts
1967-69  The Box Tops - The Original Albums (two disc set, 2015 issue) 

1967-70  The Box Tops - The Best Of Box Tops
1970  Alex Chilton - Free Again: The 1970 Sessions (2012 release)
1985  Alex Chilton – Feudalist Tarts (Vinyl edition)
1972-76  Chris Bell - I'm The Cosmos (two disc set) 
1970  Terry Manning - Home Sweet Home (2006 Sunbeam)

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Michael d'Abo - Broken Rainbows (1974 uk, wonderful folk soft rock, 2001 japan remaster)

After leaving Manfred Mann, Mike d'Abo had been offered a contract with Immediate Records for which he made one single and one album, both entitled "Gulliver's Travels". Then he switched to MCA Records and his first album was issued in mid 1970, simply titled "d'Abo". His next project found himself scoring for the Peter Sellers/Goldie Hawn movie "There's A Girl In My Soup", and from this came the single "Miss Me In The Morning/Annabella Cinderella" in December 1970.

1971 saw the release of the "Jesus Christ Superstar" album on MCA, on which Mike d'Abo sang the part of Herod. In June 1971 he signed with Chrysalis Records, though nothing of his recorded work for this company was released. Anyway, by the end of the year he changed companies once again, this time to the American A & M Records. The best period of his solo career was just about to begin. His debut album was "Down At Rachel's Place" followed by the single "Belinda/Little Miss Understood". Nothing more was heard from Mike for more than a year, then he re-appeared as composer of five songs on the debut album of John Christie "Relax".

Halfway through 1974, another single emerged: "Fuel To Burn/Hold On Sweet Darling" which served as an introduction to his solo album "Broken Rainbows". It received very favourable reviews, though like his earlier solo outings, it was not successful on the charts.  "Handbags And Gladrags" on this album is not exactly the same song as on the "d'Abo" album on Uni UNLS 114, the album was produced by Elliot Mazer, however, even though Mike d'Abo didn't have any chart success, he could persuade many well known musicians to play on his albums. Artists like Albert Lee, Chris Spedding, Mo Foster, John Kongos, Graham Nash, Mike Bloomfield, and The Jordanaires are well known to all of us.

Mike d' Abo

Tracks
1. Fuel To Burn - 2:54
2. This Is Me - 1:21
3. Broken Rainbows - 3:37
4. The Last Match - 3:13
5. I Go Where My Spirit Leads Me - 3:12
6. Handbags And Gladrags - 4:59
7. Sitting On A Wood Floor - 3:47
8. Papa Didn't Tell Me - 3:39
9. My Load - 1:50
10.Hold On Sweet Darling - 3:05
All compositions by Michael d'Abo

Musicians
*Mike d'Abo - Piano, Electric Piano, Clarinet, Tambourine, Vocals
*Teddy Irwir - Rhythm Guitar, Electric Guitar
*Rab Noakes - Rhythm Guitar
*Graham Nash - Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica
*Bobby Thompson - Banjo
*Gary Taylor - Bass Guitar
*Elliot Mazer - Bass Guitar, Cowbell
*Denny Seiwell - Drums
*Ben Keith - Pedal Steel Guitar
*Mark Naftalin - Organ
*Ben Keith - Dobro
*The Jordanaires - Backing Vocals
*Mike Bloomfield - Electric Guitar

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Negative Space - Hard Heavy Mean And Evil (1970 us, primitive distorted underground fuzzed basement psych rock, 2009 remaster)

Negative Space were an underground psych/rock band from East Camden, New Jersey, formed in 1969. They released one privately-pressed album ‘Hard, Heavy, Mean and Evil’ in 1970. Only 500 copies were originally issued and now command large sums of money on the collectors market.

Inspired by the likes of Blue Cheer and Nazz - their sound has been described as “crudely-recorded distorted rock in its purest form” and “dark heavy fuzzed basement psych".

In the late '60s Rob Russen, with his cherry red Gibson SG, Baldwin Exterminator amplifier and fuzztone was an established fixture in the East Coast music scene having performed in bands such as Soul Providers, The Ellingtons, The Banished and The Turfers.

Russen recruited musicians Jimmy Moy (guitar/vocals), Bob Rittner (bass) and Lou Nunziata (drums) to form the original line-up of Negative Space. Over a three year period, with minor variations, the group continued to perform, record and evolve into Russen’s subsequent band - Snow.

Negative Space issued their music on Castle Records, a small independent label formed by Russen in 1965 and only 500 copies of the original ‘Hard, Heavy, Mean & Evil’ album were released.

Rob Russen said..

Some of the bands I joined before forming the Negative Space, were The Soul Providers, The Ellingtons, The Banished, The Turfers. My father and his best friend had formed a record label (Castle Records) to support my music career and help other local artists. Among those groups were Great Pride, Dirty Martha, Plynth, the Cellar Wall, and r&b vocal groups The Millionaires, The Ebonies and the Omystics.

This “Mean” and “Evil” and, at that same time, radio stations were calling the new music they were playing “Heavy Metal” . .The band had a reputation for coming out hard and heavy with strong initial impact. So I combined those into “Hard, Heavy, Mean & Evil”. Many of the songs on the album reflect the turmoil of my personal life at that time. Much of it was fantasy because I felt I was trapped so I wrote about imaginary relief. For example “Forbidden Fruit” was a song about having an affair with one of my wife’s sisters who was a very creative girl who originally told me about the artistic concept that is “Negative Space” and I adopted the name for the band at that time.

The album was released in May of 1970 and we gigged hot and heavy that summer to promote it. Jim Moy had gotten married and his wife wanted him to settle down and not travel as much. Last year I met with Jim here in Florida for lunch one day and asked him “How did we end up in the band together?” He told me that we had gone to the same high school together. I was a senior when he was a sophomore so we didn’t have any contact during that time. But I was an outstanding athlete in school and had a reputation for that plus playing in bands. He said that one day he heard that I was looking for a percussionist to join my band and it was like a dream of his to play in a band with the ‘famous” Rob Russen. I couldn’t help but laugh at his story because I didn’t remember it at all. Jim was replaced with a guy named Gordon and then Bob Rittner left because he had a day job and they decided they didn’t want him taking off time to play music as much as he had been doing. He was replaced by a blonde female named Barbara who was excellent. After a few months of gigging with the new lineup I decided to change the name of the group to Snow and we recorded “Johnny B Good” b/w “Sunflower”. The material that was recorded for Hard, Heavy, Mean & Evil that was not used on the album was later included on the two CDs released by Monster Records.

Tracks
1. Isolated Ivory Tower - 3:56
2. Summertime (George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward, Ira Gershwin) - 6:29
3. Hey Wall - 4:36
4. The Long Hair - 5:14
5. Calm Before The Storm - 6:34
6. You're All I Need - 4:14
7. Living Dead - 3:40
8. Forbidden Fruit - 4:32
9. Sunflower - 3:59
10.Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry) - 3:11
11.Light My Fire (Jim Morrison, Robby Krieger, John Densmore, Ray Manzarek) - 4:20
12.Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix) - 2:57
13.The Pusher (Hoyt Axton) - 4:34
14.Snow's Angels - 3:02
15.Too Little Too Late - 2:37
16.Hour Of Quiet Rain - 4:17
17.Too Few Drums - 3:06
18.Father & Son - 4:02
All songs by Rob Russen except where indicated
Bonus Tracks 9-18

Negative Space
*Rob Russen - Guitar, Producer, Vocals
*Jimmy Moy - Guitar, Percussion, Piano, Recorder, Vocals
*Bob Rittner - Bass, Vocals
*Lou Nunziata - Drums
Additional Musicians
*Pat Bailey - Bass
*Gordon Cohen - Vocals
*Ron Gauntt - Rhythm Guitar
*Bill Messerschmidt - Guitar

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