"Visionary" by GORDON GILTRAP (2013 Esoteric Recordings 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Robes And Crowns..."

Starting out as a UK Folkie on Transatlantic Records in 1968 - virtuoso guitarist Gordon Giltrap (if you'll forgive the pun) 'progressed' into the arena of instrumental Rock with his 1976 "Visionary" album on the ever so slightly odd British record label "The Electric Record Company". A belated 7” single released off the LP in February 1977 called "Lucifer's Cage" with "The Echoing Green" on the B-side (Electric Record Company WOT 11) didn't do much business either.

And on CD – the "Visionary" album's history has been murky too. Along with his popular "Perilous Journey" album from 1977 with "Heartsong" on it (the follow up LP) – there have been varying CD reissues of these titles before. Most have been only 'OK' audiowise, deleted as quickly as they were released and thereafter garnished a rather nasty price tag. Well at last - along comes Cherry Red's subsidiary label ESOTERIC RECORDINGS with a fabulous new remaster from the original tapes, decent presentation and input from the artist, a reasonable price tag and 5 bonus tracks thrown into the bargain. Here are the musical movements...

UK released 29 July 2013 - "Visionary" by GORDON GILTRAP on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2400 (Barcode 5013929450042) is an 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with five Bonus Tracks and plays out as follows (62:43 minutes).

1. Awakening

2. Robes And Crowns

3. From The Four Winds

4. Lucifer's Cage

5. Revelation

6. The Price Of Experience

7. The Dance Of Albion

8. The Tyger

9. The Echoing Green

10. London

11. Night

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "Visionary" – released November 1976 in the UK on The Electric Record Company TRIX 2

BONUS TRACKS:

12. Concerto: Movement One

13. Concerto: Movement Two

14. Concerto: Movement Three

15. On Wings Of Hope

16. Visionary (Original Version)

(Tracks 12 to 14 Previously Unreleased - Tracks 15 and 16 first issued 2000)

PASCHAL BYRNE and MARK POWELL have handled the 24-Bit Remastered Audio at The Audio Archiving Company in London and the sound is uniformly wonderful. The instruments are clear and full - not overly loud – with details now popping up everywhere. The 16-page booklet has liner notes by MALCOLM DOME with input from the artist himself and pictures trade paper reviews from "Sounds" and "Melody Maker" of the time. There are also period band photos and adverts for The Gordon Giltrap Band on Tour in the UK. It's tastefully done.

Giltrap described the entire follow up LP "Perilous Journey" in 1977 as “Opus 2” (see separate review) – so I suppose you could call "Visionary" his "Opus 1". Entirely instrumental and Steve Hackett Prog Rock in its structures and sound – "Visionary" opens with the multi-layered acoustic/keyboard assault of "Awakening". It sneaks into your speakers as a fade-in - sounding not unlike English Pastoral Folk music meets Sci Fi. The ELP keyboards and complimentary string arrangements give way to his beautiful and fluid Acoustic playing about half way through and it's here that the Remaster excels in every way. That segues into the lovely meandering of "Robes And Crowns" which feels like Part 2. Its one and half minutes are quickly up and we're then met with a gorgeous madrigal-sounding "From The Four Winds" – the kind of Steve Hackett Acoustic ditty that would have opened a Side on "Foxtrot" in 1972.

It's easy to see why Electric thought the commercial-sounding theme-of-a-non-existent TV program "Lucifer's Cage" might garnish some airplay. About one minute in Giltrap goes into an Acoustic solo that now sounds gorgeous - and that almost YES keyboard break always brings a smile to my face. "Revelation" is a sad and string-laden epic sounding not unlike an Elton John strings-and-piano interlude from "Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy" from the preceding year (1975). I love Shirley Roden's vocal contributions towards the end - giving the piece a "Great Gig In The Sky" touch. Two many strings in "The Dance Of Albion" for me – better is his 'Flyde 12-String Acoustic Guitar' playing on the beautifully English "The Tyger" – pretty yet accomplished too. The album ends on the quiet yet uplifting duo of "London" and "Night" – expert strumming, swirling symbols and tasteful synth fills. The whole album feels beautiful like that – instrumental Prog that's been too easily forgotten. Very impressive stuff and easy to hear why it's been a firm fan favourite ever since.

The 5 bonus tracks are pure fan pleasers material - uniformly excellent. The 'Original' version of "Visionary" and "On The Wings Of Hope" first turned up as Bonus Tracks on the December 2000 Voiceprint Records CD Reissue of "Fear Of The Dark" - but the 3-part 'Concerto" is new - a Previously Unreleased piece - and what a bonus it is. Mostly Acoustic Guitar - it's beautifully played and perfectly complimentary to the album. Very cool stuff...

This 2013 Remaster of "Visionary" is a blast - 'so good' to hear this criminally forgotten nugget back in such good shape. Forward looking indeed...

Esoteric Recordings have also issued:

1. Perilous Journey (1977) on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2400

2. Fear Of The Dark (1978) on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2402

3. Live At Oxford – Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2409

4. Ravens And Lullabies (with Rick Wakeman of YES) – Esoteric Recordings EANTCD 1013

"Tubular Bells" by MIKE OLDFIELD (2009 Universal/Mercury 2CD/1DVD 'Deluxe Edition' Remasters) - A Review for Mark Barry...

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As well as 1960s and 1970s Rock and Pop - It Also Focuses On

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"...Two Slightly Distorted Guitars..." 

In the first half of 1973 - two chart-annihilating vinyl albums signalled a huge move away from 7" single-driven Rock to something longer and stronger – Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side Of The Moon" which landed on our doorsteps 1 March 1973 – and Mike Oldfield's Virgin Records debut LP  "Tubular Bells" which hit Blighty racks in its gorgeous and highly distinctive 'Bells and Sea' sleeve on 25 May 1973. Both albums have had longevity beyond the wildest dreams of either artist and with the hindsight of more than 40 years – remain iconic and still amaze.

Having said that - fans have had their fair-share of CD reissues for Mike Oldfield's densely overdubbed, side long instrumental musical soundscapes (the HDCD version in 2000 was one) – but this 2009 'Deluxe Edition' which offers Audio and Video finally does that tape consuming beasty a solid. Here are the Sailor's Hornpipes...

UK and USA released 8 June 2009 – "Tubular Bells: Deluxe Edition" by MIKE OLDFIELD on Universal/Mercury 270 354-1 (Barcode 0602527035413) is a 2CD/1DVD Reissue and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 – "The 2009 Stereo Mixes by Mike Oldfield" (56:02 minutes):

1. Tubular Bells (Part One)

2. Tubular Bells (Part Two)

BONUS TRACKS:

3. Mike Oldfield's Single (A-side of a UK 7" single released June 1974 on Virgin VS 101. The original B-side "Froggy Went A Courtin'" (despised by Oldfield) is not on this reissue.

4. Sailor's Hornpipe (Original Version with Viv Stanshall) – Recorded in The Manor Studios in Oxfordshire in Spring 1973 – first appeared as part of "Collaborations" – the 4th LP in the 4LP "Boxed" Set UK issued October 1976 on Virgin VBOX 1.

Disc 2 – "The Original 1973 Stereo Album Mix" (48:48 minutes):

1. Tubular Bells (Part One)

2. Tubular Bells (Part Two)

Tracks 1 and 2 and Side 1 and the LP "Tubular Bells" – released 25 May 1973 in the UK and USA on Virgin V 2001

Disc 3 – DVD (All Regions) – 2009 5.1 Surround Sound Mixes by Mike Oldfield

1. Tubular Bells (Part One)

2. Tubular Bells (Part Two)

3. Mike Oldfield's Single

4. Sailor's Hornpipe (Original Version with Viv Stanshall)

Visual Content

1. Tubular Bells (Part One)

First broadcast as part of the series "2nd House" on BBC 2 – 1st December 1973

The glossy gatefold digipak has been well thought out – each flap with interesting memorabilia – the pregnant lady advert from the Zigzag newspaper advertising the birth of new 'Virgin Releases' – master tape boxes from CBS and BASF and a very well endowed 24-page booklet on the history of the album and its aftermath by Tape Engineer and Music Historian MARK POWELL. You get pictures of The Manor Studio in Oxfordshire – Oldfield with Kevin Ayers & The Whole World (circa 1970/1971), snaps of Producer Tom Newman and a camera-shy Richard Branson along with the ever present mixing desk and Oldfield surround as always by six million instruments.

MARK POWELL, MIKE OLDFIELD and PASCHAL BYRNE are the team of three that has handling the tapes with care because the Audio is gorgeous – clear and warm and full of presence. But I would say that after hearing the 2009 Stereo Version – the original 1973 version does seem a tad flat and more hissy – but the DVD 5.1 version that I've heard on a mate's sound system is simply awesome (far better that the Quadrophonic LP experience in 1974). The "Mike Oldfield Single" (issued in a "Tubular Bells Theme" picture sleeve in the UK June 1974) is based on the Celtic Tympani section on Side 2 with Oldfield having added Oboe and other instruments. And of course the use of the opening piano refrain in the horror movie of the moment "The Exorcist" gave the album considerable exposure and made that piece of music synonymous with the LP for decades to come.

When the first portion of Side One settles into that Acoustic Guitar around 4:07 only to crescendo a few seconds later – the effect is incredible. And those doubled-up high string guitars at 11:30 minutes leap out of the speakers only to be followed by the HUGE rock guitar piece. It all leads towards the layer-after-layer-of-instruments preceded by Viv Stanshall of The Bonzo Dog Do Dah Band acting as 'Master Of Ceremonies' as he introduces each instrument in that wonderfully posh and eclectic voice of his – magic. Fans will love those warbling guitars at 8:02 on Side 2 – the girly vocals mixing with the notes to beautiful effect – even if that Pilt Down Man voice still sounds decidedly creepy. And you gotta love Vivian Stanshall clearly drunk as a skunk on the original version of "Sailor's Hornpipe" as he discusses a painting in the Manor at some ungodly hour in the morning - deliberately slurring his words by the time he gets to the end (God bless him).

I wasn't expected the DVD to be so engaging. Never mind the 5.1 Surround Mix that really leaves the Quad LP from the 'Boxed' set in 1976 in the dust – the performance of the December 1973 concert is an absolute blast (if not a little ramshackle in places). A group of seven musicians are seated in dimly lit silhouette as the piano refrain starts (with a huge Showcase logo behind them). But then as they zoom in and the lights go on – we see Oldfield seated with his Bass Guitar and stripy shirt looking decidedly uncomfortable (grin and bear it baby). Unfortunately there are no credits at the end so you can't tell who the other six musicians are – but with guitars in their hands and other instruments – Side 1 becomes this strange entirely different entity 'live' - where their guitar flicks and piano flourishes differ wildly in some cases from his. A chorus of ladies join them for the acoustic fade out. They even try some ropey water footage in the centre of it as the bells shimmer. The image does get a tad blurry in places in that Seventies kind of way – but for fans this extra is an absolute treat.

"Hergest Ridge" would follow in 1974 and the wonderful "Ommadawn" in 1975 and thereafter a career that seems to have endlessly rehashed his 1973 magnum opus for every anniversary since. A great Deluxe Edition and a milestone in Rock Music's history...

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 245 entries and 2100 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap). 

"Whatevershebringswesing" by KEVIN AYERS (2003 EMI 'Expanded' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…No Eggsplanation…"

I’ve still no idea what the nonsensical title means and frankly who gives a rat's ass. Part genius - part hard work – Kevin Ayers has had a solo career to envy and his third solo album "Whatevershebringswesing" from 1971 was the beginning of an astonishing run of albums that ran into the later Seventies with Island Records. As brilliant and as prolific as his fellow Harvest Records label mate Roy Harper – he’s also as eclectic and infuriating as say Robert Wyatt or even Ivor Cutler. But would we have our heroes any other way… Here are those funny smelling cigarettes…

Released June 2003 - "Whatevershebringswesing" by KEVIN AYERS on EMI 07243-582778-2-1 (Barcode 724358277821) is an 'Expanded CD Remaster' and plays out as follows (51:26 minutes):

1. There Is Loving/Among Us/There Is Loving
2. Margaret
3. Oh My
4. Song From The Bottom Of A Well
5. Whatevershebringswesing [Side 2]
6. Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes
7. Champagne Cowboy Blues
8. Lullaby
Tracks 1 to 8 are his 3rd album "Whatevershebringswesing" by KEVIN AYERS released January 1972 in the UK on Harvest Records SHVL 800 in a textured gatefold sleeve

BONUS TRACKS:
9. Stars - the non-album B-side to "Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes" - a UK 7" single released 27 August 1971 on Harvest HAR 5042
10. Don't Sing No More Sad Songs
11. Fake Mexican Tourist Blues – 9 and 10 recorded 1972 - finally released on the UK compilation LP "Odd Ditties" released February 1976 on Harvest Heritage SHSM 2005
12. Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes - an Early Mix/9 July 1971 - Previously Unreleased

The 16-page booklet has superb liner notes by fan and musicologist MARK POWELL - a name many will know well from his stellar work on the Esoteric Label and the Underground/Prog 3CD Box Sets covering the Polydor, Vertigo, Deram and Decca labels for Universal. But the big news is a fabulous remaster by the album's original engineer PETER MEW. It was done at Abbey Road in February 2003 from original tapes and the audio quality is amazing.

When the opening 3-part string-laden "There Is Loving/Among Us/There Is Loving" exits your speakers - your hit with a sonic clarity that is wonderful and the real beauty of David Bedford's wonderfully lush string arrangements. Ayers made special mention of it on the album's inner gatefold. Both "Margaret" and "Oh My" come on as dainty old English ditties after the complex opener - but are lovely in their melodies - evocative of a vaudeville England long since past. I've always hated the dark and suffocating noisescapes of the Side 1 closer "Song From The Bottom Of A Well" - a song that does exactly what it says on the tin. It can stay down there...

Side 2 opens with the title song - the curiously titled "Whatevershebringswesing" which after the drubbing of 'well' comes as a blessed relief - bolstered so subtly by girly 'oohs' and a fantastically complimentary twin vocal half way through from ROBERT WYATT. Everyone's favourite spliff song follows - the wonderful and funny "Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes" - a song with lyrics that make me laugh to this day. MIKE OLDFIELD and his distinctive guitar style add much to "Champagne Cowboy Blues" while babbling water gurgles throughout the melodious finisher "Lullaby" - a gorgeous little ditty and a great way to finish the album. The four extras are worthy of the moniker 'bonus' - especially the 'early mix' of "Stranger" which is fascinating to hear.

Like his first LP for Island Records in 1974 - the brilliant and druggy dark "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" - "Whatevershebringswesing" is the very definition of a 'cult' album. You either love it or dismiss it as one of 'those' Seventies records. I've always thought it genius - a bit like the man himself - and this superb EMI remaster does that defiantly English oddity a solid. As Kevin says on the "Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes" track during the fade out - "...thank you very much..."

PS: see also my reviews for "Bananamour" (1973), "The Confessions Of Dr. Dream And Other Stories" (1974), "Sweet Deceiver" (1975) and "Yes We Have No Mananas" (1976)

This review is part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. One of those titles is CLASSIC 1970s ROCK - an E-Book with over 245 entries and 2100 e-Pages - purchase on Amazon and search any artist or song (click the link below). Huge amounts of info taken directly from the discs (no cut and paste crap). 

This review and hundreds more like it can also be found in my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book: 1960s and 1970s MUSIC Volume 2 - Exceptional CD Remasters. 

It contains over 210 in-depth reviews (a whopping 2400+ e-Pages) and is available to buy/download at Amazon at the following link...

"Be Good To Yourself At Least Once A Day" by MAN (2007 and 2014 Esoteric Recordings EXPANDED CD REISSUE Of Their 1972 LP on United Artists) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Map Of Wales..."

With its elaborate laminate gatefold sleeve and gorgeously illustrated pop-up "Map Of Wales" inner (which is reproduced both sides as a separate sheet and housed in a pouch on the left flap of this CD digipak) - Man’s sixth studio album "Be Good To Yourself At Least Once A Day" on United Artists used to be a stalwart of secondhand record shops – along with other faves like 1974's "Rhinos, Winos + Lunatics" and "Slow Motion". It remains a fan favourite and a good entry point into the more stoner rock elements of this fondly remembered Welsh Prog Rock band...

Esoteric Recordings (part of Cherry Red) have afforded the 1972 record a lavish CD reissue that comes resplendent with two instrumental extras (there’s also a digital download version available). And in truth - having not listened to my vinyl copy in many decades – I’d forgotten how good this 4-track beast actually is. Here are the self-flagellating details...

UK released November 2007 (reissued June 2014) – Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2019 (Barcode 5013929711921) pans out as follows (65:23 minutes):

1. C'mon (11:05 minutes)
2. Keep On Crinting  (8:18 minutes)
3. Bananas (9:28 minutes) [Side 2]
4. Life On The Road (7:18 minutes)
Tracks 1 to 4 are the studio album "Be Good To Yourself At Least Once A Day" by MAN – released November 1972 in the UK on United Artists UAG 29417 and in the USA on United Artists UA-LA077-F.

BONUS TRACKS:
5. Bananas (Early Instrumental Version) (7:05 minutes)
6. Rockfield Jam (3:14 minutes)

MAN was:
Guitars & Vocals - MICKY JONES
Guitars & Vocals – CLIVE JOHN
Keyboards & Vocals – PHIL RYAN
Bass & Vocals – WILL YOUATT
Drums and Percussion – TERRY WILLIAMS

The three-way foldout digipak holds a 16-page booklet in the right flap and the repro'd "Map Of Wales - Man's Family Jungle" pop-up in the left. There are breakdowns of everyone’s backgrounds and which bands they all came from or migrated into (their revolving door line-up touched upon a huge number of British bands like The Grease Band, Pete Brown’s Piblokto, Badfinger, Gentle Giant and Eyes Of Blue – to name but a few). The booklet has new and witty liner notes by long-standing band member DEKE LEONARD explained how the group kicked him out as Lead Guitarist for this album and brought on board MICKY JONES instead. The text and reminiscences are peppered by memorabilia – a 'aveMANana' button, a Sundown stage pass from September 1972, an October 1972 ticket stub, January to February UK tour dates advertised in one of the trade newspapers of the time, on stage and in the studio photos and other items of 1972/1973 note. It’s very tastefully done.

But the big news is a new remaster from original tapes by PASCHAL BYRNE – a name associated with a whole slew of much-praised Prog Rock CD reissues – the Polydor, Decca, Deram, Island and Vertigo 3CD Mini Box Sets on Universal (I've reviewed all of them – see my "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters 1960s and 1970s Volume 1" Book for full and detailed reviews). BEN WISEMAN and head honcho at Esoteric MARK POWELL remastered the bonus cuts – again from 8-track master tapes. The audio is fantastic – really bringing out the duelling guitars – the bass is warm too – but I’d say that the Terry Williams drums lack a certain something. They’re way back in the mix and I don’t know if that’s just the way they were recorded in July of 1972 at Rockfield Studios (produced by Dave Edmunds) or something that can’t be made better in the transfer. For instance on "Bananas" at about 2:40 when the song goes into that beautiful keyboard solo – not surprisingly the keyboard pings are to the fore as are the chiming guitars left and right – but you’re also aware that the rhythm seems to be in the background distance – just a little too much.

The album opens with "C'mon" – a sort of boogie riff that builds and builds – lyrics first "get up!" – guitar battles – then about three minutes in – it suddenly slows like a Yes magnum opus would and goes into this slow marching pace bluesy/trippy passage where the Phil Ryan keyboards suddenly add this whole extra Prog Rock dimension to the song – and it doesn’t quit for the whole eleven-minute duration. It's actually a magnificent passage of music – very 1970s – but also very good. Finishing Side of the original vinyl LP - "Keep On Crinting" is an instrumental that lasts a paltry seven minutes  - but is still a huge part of the MAN set playlist to this day. It’s probably one of their most musical Prog pieces – the guitars counter-melody off each other – and this time at least you can hear the drums. Side 2 gives us a perennial that no MAN concert can be without – "Bananas". Again the guitars do battle and are very much to the fore in the mix – the drums once again pushed back when you wish they had more oomph. The Ten Years After chugging-boogie of "Life On The Road" ends the record in style ("...ain't got no money...living in a caravan..."). Thankfully the guitars and rhythm are in-your-face this time (in a good way) – in fact it feels like The Allman Brothers have sent up camp in Pontypridd...

At first I thought the first Bonus Track "Rockfield Jam" a rather pointless instrumental of just over three minutes that showcases some good guitar playing but otherwise remains a bit disappointing. But the bugger’s actually grown on me. Genuinely better however is the Alternate Early Version of a huge fan fave – "Bananas". This early version is minus the lyrics about marijuana that used to thrill audiences so. It’s a couple of minutes shorter than the final album cut but still has that great guitar battle/duet thing going on for its duration – it’s a genuinely superb bonus.

So there you have it – "Be Good To Yourself At Least Once A Day" is a wicked early Seventies Rock album that’s been done a proper solid by a reissue label that cares.

Deke Leonard put out three Solo LPs in 1973, 1974 and 1981 (also on UA), Terry Williams later joined Dire Straits and Guitarist Micky Jones passed away in 2010. Esoteric have reissued and remastered the entire MAN catalogue in the same upgraded manner with full co-operation from the band (see list below) and I’ve reviewed 4, 6, 9 and 10 to date.

Esoteric Recordings MAN discography is as follows:
1. Revelation (January 1969) – Esoteric ECLEC 2127 (2009 Remaster with 4 Bonus Tracks)
2. 2 Ozs Of Plastic With A Hole In The Middle (September 1969) – Esoteric ECLEC 2128 (2009 Remaster with 3 Bonus Tracks)
3. Man (March 1971) – Esoteric ECLEC 2012 (2007 Remaster with 2 Bonus Tracks)
4. Do You Like It Here Now, Are You Settling In? (November 1971) – Esoteric ECLEC 2013 (2007 Remaster with 3 Bonus Tracks)
5. Live At The Padget Rooms, Penarth (September 1972) – Esoteric ECLEC 2014 (2007 Remaster with the original 3-track album expanded onto 6 tracks across 2CDs)
6. Be Good To Yourself A Least Once A Day (November 1972) – Esoteric ECLEC 2019 (2007 Remaster In Card Digipak with "Map Of Wales" insert and 2 Bonus Tracks)
7. Christmas At The Patti by MAN and FRIENDS (July 1973) – Esoteric ECLEC 2018 (2007 Remaster. The original vinyl was a live double 10” record which featured FLYING ACES, DUCKS DELUXE, THE JETS, PLUM CRAZY with DAVE EDMUNDS, HELP YOURSELF with DEKE LEONARD and B.J. COLE and finally MAN with DAVE EDMUNDS and STAN PHIFER. The CD contains the full double with no extras)
8. Back Into The Future (September 1973 – Half Live/Half Studio Double-Album) – Esoteric ECLEC 2060 (2008 3CD Remaster with the 2LP set on CD1 whilst CD2 (June 1973) and CD3 (August 1973) have 10 Bonus Tracks)
9. Rhinos, Winos + Lunatics (May 1974) – Esoteric ECLEC 2020 (2007 Remaster with a Bonus 7” single cut on Disc 1 and a Previously Unreleased 5-Track Live Concert at The Whiskey A Go Go in LA on Disc 2)
10. Slow Motion (November 1974) – Esoteric ECLEC 2062 (2008 Remaster 6 Bonus Tracks)
11. Maximum Darkness [Live] (September 1975) – Esoteric ECLEC 2061 (2008 Remaster with two Live Bonus tracks)
12. The Welsh Connection (March 1976) – Esoteric ECLEC 22403 (2013 Remaster with a Bonus 7” single B-side ad 5 live tracks on CD1 and a 2nd CD of 9 tracks)
13. All's Well That Ends Well [Live] (November 1977) – Esoteric ECLEC 32431 (2014 Remaster of the album on CD1 with 2 Previously Unreleased CDs of the entire show from December 1976 (Discs 2 and 3) newly mixed from the 24-track tapes. There is also a repro of the "History Of Man" insert that came with the first 5000 copies of the original vinyl album)

"Dear Mr. Fantasy: The Jim Capaldi Story" by JIM CAPALDI (2011 Universal/Island 4CD Box Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

“…All These Years…”

Compiled with love and care by his wife Aninha Capaldi and friends/admirers Paul Minkkinen and Daryl Easlea – "Dear Mr. Fantasy: The Jim Capaldi Story" by JIM CAPALDI was released June 2011 on Universal/Island 5333997 (Barcode 600753339978) as a 4CD Book Set spanning his entire musical career. 

67-Tracks include early songs with The Hellions, Revolution and Deep Feeling – then onto his stay with TRAFFIC and collaborations with PAUL KOSSOFF of FREE, GEORGE HARRSION, DAVE MASON of TRAFFIC and ERIC CLAPTON. It includes 11 Previously Unreleased songs and breaks down as follows…

Disc 1 (75:53 minutes):

1. Dreaming Of You – THE HELLIONS (1964 UK 7” Single on Piccadilly 7N 35213, A-side)

2. Hallelujah – REVOLUTION (1966 UK 7” single on Piccadilly 7N 35298, A-side)

3. Pretty Colours – DEEP FEELING (Autumn 1966 recording made in London)

4. Dealer – TRAFFIC

5. Mr. Fantasy – TRAFFIC (4 and 5 from their debut album “Mr. Fantasy”, 1967 on Island ILPS 9061)

6. Light Up Or Leave Me Alone – TRAFFIC

7. Rock And Roll Stew – TRAFFIC (6 and 7 from the LP “Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys”, 1971 on Island ILPS 9180)

8. 40,000 Headmen – TRAFFIC (Previously Unreleased Version)

9. Pearly Queen (Live) – ERIC CLAPTON & FRIENDS (from “Eric Clapton’s Rainbow Concert”, 1973 LP on RSO 2394 116)

10. Tricky Dicky Rides Again – JIM CAPALDI (1973 UK 7” single on Island WIP 6165, features PAUL KOSSOFF of FREE on Guitar. Later appeared as “Dirty Business” on JC’s “Contender” album)

11. Oh How We Danced

12. Eve

13. Don’t Be A Hero

14. Open Your Heart

15. How Much Can A Man Really Take (11 to 15 are from his debut solo LP “Oh How We Danced”, 1972 on Island ILPS 9187)

16. Low Rider

17. Whale Meat Again (16 and 17 are from his 2nd LP ‘Whale Meat Again”, 1974 on Island ILPS 9254)

Disc 2 (78:07 minutes):

1. It’s All Up To You

2. Love Hurts

3. Short Cut Draw Blood

4. Boy With A Problem

5. Seagull (1 to 5 from his 3rd LP “Short Cut Draw Blood”, 1975 on Island ILPS 9336)

6. You And Me – JIM CAPALDI with PAUL KOSSOFF and The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (first appeared on the “Koss” double-album anthology in 1977 – first appearance on CD here)

7. Game Of Love

8. Elixir Of Life (7 and 8 from the LP “The Contender”, 1978 on Polydor 2383 490)

9. Shoe Shine (Disco Mix) – (a UK 12” Promo Remix on Polydor 2141 164 issued in 1979. Is a track on the “Electric Nights” LP)

10. Hotel Blues

11. Tabitha

12. Electric Nights

13. Wild Geese (10 to 13 are from the LP “Electric Nights”, 1979 on Polydor 2383 534)

14. Every Man Must March To The Beat Of His Own Drum

15. Man With No Country

16. Going Home (14 to 16 are from the LP “The Sweet Smell Of Success”, 1980 on Carrere CAL 116)

Disc 3 (80:33 minutes):

1. Let The Thunder Cry

2. Favella Music

3. Child In the Storm

4. Warm

5. Old Photographs

6. We Don’t Need (1 to 6 are from the LP “Let The Thunder Cry”, 1981 on Carrere CAL 123)

7. Tonight You’re Mine

8. Living On The Edge

9. That’s Love

10. Gifts Of Unknown Things (7 to 10 are from the LP “Fierce Heart”, 1983 on WEA Records U 0057 in the UK/Europe - Atlantic 80059-1 in the USA)

11. Lost Inside Your Love

12. Tales Of Power

13. Warriors Of Love (11 to 13 from the LP “One Man Mission”, 1984 on WEA Records 251350-1

14. Something So Strong

15. Oh Lord, Why Lord

16. Love Used To Be A Friend Of Mine

17. Some Come Running (14 to 17 are from the LP “Some Come Running”, 1988 on Island 259 439

18. Living On The Outside (on the CD album “Living On The Outside”, 2001 on SPV Records 085-72512)

Disc 4 (76:38 minutes):

1. Standing In My Light

2. Anna Julia

3. Love You ‘Til The Day I Die (1 to 3 are on the CD album “Living On The Outside”, 2001 on SPV Records 085-72512)

4. State Of Grace (Demo) (from the 1994 TRAFFIC reunion album sessions for “Far From Home” – Previously Unreleased)

5. Tallulah (Demo) (written for his daughter and was one of his last recordings - Previously Unreleased)

6. Humanity (Just Another Checkpoint) (Demo) – Recorded sometime in the 2000s - Previously Unreleased

7. Bright Fighter (from the CD album “Poor Boy Blue”, 2004 on SPV Records 085-70412)

8. Strange Bird (Demo) (no dates provided) - Previously Unreleased

9. How Do I Get To Heaven (Demo) - Previously Unreleased

10. Love’s Got A Hold On Me (with GEORGE HARRISON) (Demo prepared for this Box set) - Previously Unreleased

11. Song For George [aka George’s Song] (Demo) – written after his friend Harrison had passed - Previously Unreleased

12. The Time Of Cholera (Demo)

13. Invaders Of The Heart (Demo) (12 and 13 recorded sometime in the 2000s – Both Previously Unreleased)

14. Getting Stronger (from the CD album “Poor Boy Blue”, 2004 on SPV Records 085-70412)

15. Love Will Keep Us Alive (Live) – DAVE MASON and JIM CAPALDI (from the album “Live 40,000 Headmen Tour”, 1999 on Receiver Records RRCD 270 Z)

16. Dear Mr. Fantasy (Live) – TRAFFIC (recorded at the rehearsals for Traffic’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2004 - Previously Unreleased)

The presentation is first class – the pasted-in chunky booklet is crammed with period colour photos, album covers, music press adverts, concert posters, facsimiles of rare Island singles, snaps of him with pals George Harrison and Eric Clapton, hand-written lyrics – and a track-by-track breakdown on each entry.

But for me the real news comes with the fantastic sound – tapes transferred, remastered and mulled over by two names familiar to anyone whose bought the Polydor, Island, Vertigo or Deram 3CD mini box sets – MARK POWELL and PASCHAL BYRNE. Their work here is exemplary – each track exuding warmth and clarity (I’d even swear these TRAFFIC remasters are better than what’s gone before).

Highlights for me are the Funky-Rock of “Low Rider” (not the War tune) and the echoed menace of the title track from “Whale Meat Again”. His writing became far more sophisticated by 1975 – “It’s All Up To You” and “Boy With A Problem” while his chipper cover of “Love Hurts” (first brought to us by The Everly Brothers) saw him break the Top 5 in October 1975. The “You And Me” track from 1977’s “Koss” double is a gem here featuring Kossoff in sly form (the song was later reworked by Capaldi as “The Contender”). The Disco Mix of “Shoe Shine” doesn’t come over as hideous as its title sounds – it funky and has clever synth runs and guitar breaks. The ache in “Every Man Must March To The Sound Of His Own Drum” is real and defies its slick Eighties production. Of the previously unreleased stuff his “Song For George” is very Traveling Wilburys and the song “Tallulah” for his daughter is very pretty. The ‘loose’ “Dear Mr. Fantasy” rehearsal in 2004 that ends Disc 4 is a nine-minute blast – beautifully recorded and played with Winwood sounding stunning. It’s a nice way to bring the whole box set full circle.

Capaldi never had the best of voices or the song-writing chops of say Steve Winwood or even Dave Mason – but there’s much on here to love. And with that top notch sound and trawl of desirable rarities – a real fan pleaser…