"I Am A Lineman For The County: Glen Campbell Sings Jimmy Webb" by GLEN CAMPBELL and JIMMY WEBB – Twenty-Three Stereo Tracks Written by Jimmy Webb and Sung by Glen Campbell – 45-Single and Album Releases 1967 and 1982 on Capitol Records Including All But One Song Of The 1974 Album "Reunion: The Songs Of Jimmy Webb" (February 2024 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Am-Lineman-County-Campbell-Sings/dp/B0CSG9S44W?crid=310TNNVFWRKMT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SU-X47rQN3BVr1My-KAGAQ.hVFhnhusLh2CuC2kAcBqzeTELRvEvPR4H_HCfpfr4dw&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667109321&qid=1708453866&sprefix=029667109321%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=c77af06a1ddad0e22e6a38c01016d3f6&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

RATING: ****

"…Wishing I Could Be With You Again…."

A clever compilation this from Ace Records of the UK - part of their Songwriters Series (see my rear inlay photo which has an advert for four other releases in this series). 

Twenty-Three 45-Single and Album tracks in Stereo from that famously suitable pairing of songwriter Jimmy Webb and Country/Country Rock singer Glen Campbell (release dates stretch from 1967 to 1982, all but the last song on Capitol Records). 

Their superb collaboration album "Reunion: The Songs Of Jimmy Webb" from October 1974 (not released until 1975 in the UK) may not have troubled too many chart listings back in the day, but in the subsequent four decades "Reunion" has gained an almost mythical reputation among melody seeking collectors as one of those great platters that slipped through way too many nets.

But - knowing that the 2001 Reissue Remastered CD of that album on Capitol Records is deleted and expensive on open market sites - makes it almost inexplicable that Ace of the UK have left off 'one track' from the album when at 72:29 minutes there was surely room on this CD compilation for its inclusion? That 2001 CD of "Reunion" also had "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" and "Wichita Lineman" as bonus tracks - but they at least are here. 

The explanation almost certainly lies in the fact that "Roll Me Easy" (the missing tune that opened Side 1 of "Reunion") was a Lowell George song and a Little Feat cover. I think it should have been put on here as Track 24 – a singled-out 'bonus' – so fans could sequence the entire "Reunion" from this new CD (but alas). 

Still - with melody gems like "Wishing Now", "Ocean In His Eyes" (written by Jimmy's sister Susan Webb) and "The Moon's A Harsh Mistress" – what is on offer in lovely Remastered quality is sweet. To the playground details…

UK released Friday, 23 February 2024 - "I Am A Lineman For The County: Glen Campbell Sings Jimmy Webb" by GLEN CAMPBELL and JIMMY WEBB on Ace Records CDTOP 1641 (Barcode 029667109321) is a 23-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (72:29 minutes):

1. By The Time I Get To Phoenix
2. Wichita Lineman
3. Galveston
4. Where's The Playground Susie
5. Didn't We
6. Honey Come Back
7. Just Another Piece Of Paper
8. Macarthur Park
9. Just This One Time 
10. You Might As Well Smile
11. Wishing Now
12. Ocean In His Eyes
13. The Moon's A Harsh Mistress
14. I Keep It Hid
15. Adoration
16. It's A Sin When You Love Somebody
17. Christiaan No
18. This Is Sarah's Song
19. Early Morning Song
20. Highwayman
21. Love Song 
22. In Cars
23. I Was Too Busy Loving You
NOTES (All Tracks in STEREO, all songs by JIMMY WEBB):
Track 1 is an October 1967 US 45-single on Capitol 2015, A-side
Track 2 is an October 1968 US 45-single on Capitol 2302, A-side
Track 3 is a February 1969 US 45-single on Capitol 2428, A-side
Track 4 is an April 1969 US 45-single on Capitol 2494, A-side
Track 5 from the August 1969 US LP "Live" on Capitol STBO-268, January 1970 UK LP on Capitol ST 21444
Track 6 is a January 1970 US 45-single on Capitol 2718, A-side
Tracks 7 and 8 from the September 1970 US LP "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Album" on Capitol SW-493, December 1970 in the UK as "The Glen Campbell Album" on Capitol ST 22493
Tracks 9 to 16 from the October 1974 US LP "Reunion: The Songs Of Jimmy Webb" on Capitol SW-11336, April 1975 UK LP on Capitol E-SW 11336
Track 17 from the April 1976 US LP "Bloodline" on Capitol SW-11516, May 1976 UK LP on Capitol E-SW 11516
Tracks 18 and 19 from the February 1977 US LP "Southern Nights" on Capitol SO-11601, April 1977 UK LP on Capitol E-ST 11601
Tracks 20 and 21 from the October 1979 US LP "Highwayman" on Capitol SOO 12008, November 1979 UK LP on Capitol E-ST 12008
Track 22 from the January 1981 US LP "It's The World Gone Crazy" on Capitol SOO-12124, February 1981 UK LP on Capitol EST 12124
Track 23 from the September 1982 US LP "Old Home Town" on Atlantic 90016-1 and UK LP on Atlantic 790016-1

The 20-page booklet is the usual Ace Records classy vaults-trawl. BOB STANLEY does the new liner notes (August 2023) and gives a track-by-track breakdown. Sheet Music for "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", Trade Adverts, a still from the 'Norwood' film, Capitol cartoon advert that depicts Campbell and Webb in a car on 'their way again' to the charts with the hit "Galveston" - Capitol Records building used as a backdrop to an 'any takers?' advert for "Where's The Playground Susie" while Page 14 not surprisingly gives the "Reunion..." album sleeve a whole page. 

The others albums up to "Old Home Town" on Atlantic Records in 1982 are pictured too albeit in smaller squares. There are probably one too many shots of GC with that square-drip-hair-do of his, but once you play the opening salvo of "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" and "Wichita Lineman" in their glorious Stereo, you won't be calling either his singing or Webb's writing anything but captivating. The Remasters are by long-standing Audio Engineer to Ace Records DUNCAN COWELL and they are great. The superb acoustic guitar runs Campbell does in "Wishing Now" is a highlight on the whole CD - a fantastic song. 

After 1969's sing-a-long "Galveston" comes the lesser "Where's The Playground Susie" - a song I never really liked. Unfortunately, they are followed by two terrible cheeseball tunes in the shape of a live rendition of "Didn't We" - the hick he-talks-before-he-sings-with-strings "Honey Come Back" even worse. Two 1970 singles are o.k., but it's not until we get to the "Reunion..." album proper at Track 9 that things really start to cook. As I said earlier - the triple whammy comes with melody winners "Wishing Now", "Ocean In His Eyes" (written by Jimmy's sister Susan Webb) and "The Moon's A Harsh Mistress". Harsh Mistress has been covered by loads of folks and its just the kind of Webb lyric and vibe that burrows its way into your brain and you'll find its reluctant to leave. Webb is pining through the 'break-up' album and none more so than in "I Keep It Hid" when he professes to be sporting a series of trophies for best 'I don't care about you anymore' lies in every room of his house.  

The later Seventies albums pour on the Production values - gorgeous and lush is what you would call "This Is Sarah's Song" even if it's in danger of drowning in an ocean of strings. "Early Morning Song" continues the piano ballad mode - a woman waiting all night long for Jimmy - his wife Susan Barg (and I suspect Harry Nilsson) who gets name-checked in the lyrics. Campbell keeps it calm and classy and just about contains the power-ballad temptation. The simply acoustic and banjo intro to "Highwayman" comes as a gentle surprise after all that overpowered previously. It's soon filled with keyboards and strings and lyrics about sailing and yardstalls and dam-building and a man wandering from job-to-job. Better is "Love Song" - a tender ballad about words he longs to say - preferring to let his loving eyes do the talking. The very 80ts production of "In Cars" sounds like poorman's Stephen Bishop - nice but not a whole lot else. The compilation smooches home with 1982's "I Was Too Busy Loving You" where our GC sounds a little like a less growling Willie Nelson - too blind to see her slipping away. It's a lovely song and a nice inclusion.

Campbell fans will love this CD compilation and Webb admirers will have to own it. "I Am A Lineman For The County..." isn't a 5-star masterpiece (too many saccharin moments early on) - but it is a beautifully packaged reminder of class of a different hue. Roll Me Easy indeed... 

"Back To The River: More Southern Soul Stories 1961 to 1978" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring Tracks by Betty LaVette, Judy Clay, Eddie Floyd, Mabel John, Clarence Carter, The Soul Children, John Fred, Clay Hammond, Don Covay and more (November 2015 UK Ace/Kent Soul 3CD Book Set – Duncan Cowell Remasters – Volume 3 in a Series of 3 – see also Volume 1 "Take Me To The River..." from 2008 and Volume 2 "The Fame Studios Story 1961-1973..." from 2011) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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This Review Along With Nearly 200 Others Is Available in my

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"SOUL GALORE!" 

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Your Guide To The Best CD Reissues and Remasters 

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All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

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RATING: ***** 

HIGHLIGHTS: 

Third KENTSOUL 3CD Box Set in a Series of 3 

Highlighting Rick Hall's Fame Studios in the USA

Audio Between 3 and 5 (mostly 5)

Superb Content and Vastly Improved Packaging Over The Two Previous Sets

 

"...Going Back Home..."

 

Mighty big shoes to fill...

 

When Ace Records of the UK put out the "Take Me To The River" 3CD Book Set in 2008 to universally giddy reviews (England's Mojo Magazine called it "...the greatest Soul compilation ever made...") – it was followed in 2011 by a second gem-filled Southern Soul 3CD overview - "The Fame Studios Story 1961-1973". So a 'threequel' to those two much-loved 3CD sets was always going to be a mouth-watering, trouser-trembling event for Soul fans everywhere. And e-by-gum but here it is at last – released late 2015 (delayed from 30 October to 20 November 2015) in all of its knee-knobbling Muscle Shoals glory...

 

"Back To The River: More Southern Stories 1961 to 1978" from England's Kent-Soul gives you 75 Remastered Mono and Stereo Tracks, 10 of which are Previously Unreleased Alternate Versions (including an Otis Redding Take 1 rarity) and with many of these Deep Soul sides making their CD debut for the first time anywhere after decades in the digital wilderness. It's presented once again in sumptuous packaging (and different in style thankfully to the awkward card slipcase and hardback look of the first two that caused so many problems) with liner notes that reflect Ace's knowledge, warmth and decades-long enthusiasm. Content wise - halfway through a second listen and I have to say that I'm thrilled with "Back To The River..." and am already thinking that its surely a shoe-in for Soul Reissue Of the Year 2015. There's a huge amount of info to get through so once more music lovers unto the Memphis Breach...

 

UK released Friday, 20 November 2015 (2016 in the USA) – "Back To The River: More Southern Soul Stories 1961 to 1978" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent Soul KENTBOX 18 (Barcode 029667073523) is a 75-track 3CD set housed in an outer Hard Card Slipcase and plays out as follows (all catalogue numbers are USA 7" singles unless otherwise noted):

 

Disc 1 – "Muscle Shoals Memphis Redux" (79:53 minutes):

1. I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free) – SOLOMON BURKE (1968, Atlantic 45-2507, A. Written by Billy Taylor – made famous by Nina Simone)

2. Nearer To You – BETTY LaVETTE (Allen Toussaint song - 1969, Silver Fox SF-17, A)

3. Private Number (Extended Version) – JUDY CLAY and WILLIAM BELL (2015 Previously Unreleased Unedited Version of a July 1968 US 7" single on Stax STA-0005)

4. Free Me (Take 1) – OTIS REDDING (2015 Previously Unissued Alternate Take of a 1967 US 7" single on Atco 6700, A)

5. A Touch Of The Blues – BOBBY BLAND (1967, Duke 426, B-side of "Shoes". Written by Deadric Malone aka Don Robey. Produced by Willie Mitchell)

6. This Love Won't Run Out –DEE DEE SHARP (1968, Atco 6587, A. Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter)

7. I Got Everything I Need – EDDIE FLOYD

(2015 Previously Unissued Alternate Take of a 1966 Stax Recording that was first issued on the March 1994 Various Artists CD compilation "3000 Volts Of Stax" on Stax CDSXD 102).

8. Please Don't Desert Me Baby – GLORIA WALKER and THE CHIVELLES (1968, Flaming Arrow FA-36, A, Produced & Written by Eugene Davis)

9. Sugarman (Extended Version) – SAM BAKER

(2015 Previously Unreleased Unedited Version of a 1968 US 7" single on Sound Stage SS7-2620, A. Kris Kristofferson cover version)

10. Think I'll Go Somewhere And Cry Myself To Sleep – JOE PERKINS (1969, Nugget NR-1029, A – written by Bill Anderson and first recorded by the country artist Charlie Louvin in 1965)

11. Sure As Sin – JEANIE GREEN

(1969, Atco 6619, A. Written by Eddie Hinton and Marlon Greene – Jeanie's husband. She later sang with Elvis Presley in 1969 on the Comeback Sessions)

12. What's That You Got – RUDOLPH TAYLOR

(Previously Unreleased 1966-1967 recording that first appeared on the June 2012 Various Artists CD compilation "Lost Soul Gems From Sound Of Memphis" on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 378)

13. I Found What I Wanted – MARY WELLS (1971, Reprise 1031, A. Written by George Jackson and Raymond Moore)

14. I've Got Memories (Demo) – MELVIN CARTER (2015 Previously Unissued Goldwax Recording – written by Melvin Carter)

15. Message From Maria – JOE SIMON (1968, Sound Stage 7 SS7-2617, A. An Al Reed song - liner notes mistakenly credit it as Back Beat 631 – see 17)

16. Problems – MABLE JOHN (2015 Previously Unreleased Stax Recording. Possibly Isaac Hayes and David Porter song)

17. I've Been Searching – O.V. WRIGHT (1974, Back Beat BB-631, A. An Earl Randle song - Produced by Willie Mitchell)

18. She Ain't Gonna Do Right – CLARENCE CARTER

(2015 Previous Unissued Alternate Version of a 1967 US 7" single on Fame 1016, A. Written by Spooner Oldham and Dan Penn)

19. Give Me Back The Man I Love – BARBARA WEST (1969, Ronn RONN 32, A. Toussaint McCall song)

20. You're Gonna Want Me – BILL CODAY (1970, Crajon 48203, A and 1971, Galaxy 777, B-side of "Get Your Lie Straight". Written by Bill Coday – Produced by Willie Mitchell and Denise LaSalle)

21. I'm Just Living A Lie – BETTYE SWANN (1971, Fame 1479, A. Mickey Buckins and George Jackson song)

22. Home For The Summer – JIMMY BRASWELL

(Marlin Green and Eddie Hinton Song. 1970 USA 7" single on Quinvy Q-7004, B-side of "Hand Shaking". Originally recorded by Don Varner in 1967 on South Camp 7003, A)

23. Too Weak To Fight (Extended Version) – ELLA WASHINGTON

(2015 Previously Unreleased Unedited Version of a 1972 US 7" single on Sound Stage ZS7 1507, A. Clarence Carter cover version).

24. Everytime It Rains – NA ALLEN (Nathaniel A. Allen is the brother of Denise LaSalle. It’s a cover of the old 1950 Ruth Brown hit on Atlantic called "Teardrops From My Eyes". 1970, Ronn 47, A)

25. Yesterday – THE SOUL CHILDREN (2015 Previously Unreleased Stax Recording from 1974 of The Beatles 1965 classic from "Help!")

NOTES on Disc 1:

Tracks 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14 to 22 and 24 and 25 are MONO

Tracks 1 to 5, 9, 12, 13 and 23 are STEREO

Tracks 3, 4, 7, 9, 14, 16, 23 and 25 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

Disc 2 – "Southern Routes" (79:30 minutes)

1. The Only Girl (I've Ever Loved) – JOE TEX (1961, Dial 45-3000, A)

2. Rainy Night in Georgia – BROOK BENTON (1970, Cotillion 44057, A. Tony Joe White cover version)

3. Love Comes In Time – JOHN FRED (and his Playboys) (1966, Paula 247, B-side of "Outta My Head")

4. Somebody Done Took My Baby And Gone – JOEY GILMORE (1971, Saadia 7985, A and 1971, Phil L.A. Of Soul 345, A)

5. I Found All These Things – C. P. LOVE (1971, Chimneyville CH-438, A. Joe Broussard song)

6. A Woman Will Do Wrong – HELENE SMITH With the Rockateers (1960, Deep City 2638, A)

7. Depend On Me – STEVE DIXON (1969, Spotlite 101, A)

8. I'm In Love – ESTHER PHILLIPS (1969 Recording first appeared in 1986 on the US 2LP Set "Set Me Free" by Esther Phillips on Atlantic 7 81662-1. A Linda Cooke and Bobby Womack song)

9. Easier To Say Than Do – SAM DEES (1969, Lo Lo L-2306, A)

10. Without Love What Would Life Be – TERRIE & JOY LA ROY with the Bill Parker Show Band (1971, Anla ANLA 119, B-side of "Why I Shed So Many Tears")

11. I've Got To Tell You – COUNT WILLIE with LRL and The Dukes

(1975, Minaret NR6156 and Brown Dog BD-9010, A. Cover of Al Green's "God Blessed Our Soul" credited here as "I've Got To Tell You")

12. You Need Me – JOE WILSON (1972. Avco 4609, A)

13. Nearer To You – JOE MEDWICK (1967, Tear Drop 3197, A)

14. Your Love Is All I Need – DELLA HUMPHREY

(1968, Arctic 144, B-side of "Girls Can’t Do What The Guys Do" - Written by James Corbitt and Clarence Reid)

15. Nothing Takes The Place Of You – TOUSSAINT McCALL (1967, Tear Drop 3197, A. UK May 1967 7" single on Pye International 7N.25420, A)

16. How Sweet It Would Be – GEORGE PERKINS (1972, Soul Power SP-113, A. Tommy Tate and Helen Washington song)

17. Daydreaming – WARREN STORM (1968, Preview 1005, A)

18. No More Ghettos In America – STANLEY WINSTON (1970, Jewel 149, A. There is a later re-recorded version on Golden Records GR 111, A. Written by Stanley Edwards (Stanley Winston’s real name) and Eugene Harris)

19. Do Right Man – LITTLE BEAVER (1970, Saadia 5283, A. Real name William Hale)

20. (Sometimes) A Man Will Shed A Few Tears Too – JOHNNY ADAMS

(1966, Pacemaker PM-249, B-side of “When I’ll Stop Loving You”. Makes its CD debut here)

21. Asking For The Truth – REUBEN BELL (1975, Alarm 107, B-side of "I'll Be Your Woman")

22. I Can't Stand to See You Go – JOE VALENTINE (1967, Val 67119, A and Ronn RONN 14, A)

23. You Got Everything I Need – DON HOLLINGER (1973, Dash 5008, A)

24. A Sad Sad Song – CHARLES CRAWFORD (1973, Hy Sign 2114, A)

25. Tell It Like It Is – AARON NEVILLE (1966, Par Lo 101, A)

NOTES on Disc 2:

Tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 to 20 and 22 to 25 are MONO

Tracks 2, 8 and 21 are STEREO - No Previously Unreleased

 

Disc 3 - "Going Back Home" (78:45 minutes):

1. Going Back Home – GROUND HOG (1970, Turbo TU-010, A. Written by William Guy and Joseph Richardson.

Features William Guy on Vocals (ex Coasters) and Joseph "Ground Hog" Richardson on Guitar (later with Don Covay's band)

2. Cry To Me –FREDDIE SCOTT (1967, Shout 211, A. Bert Barns song – a Solomon Burke hit in 1962)

3. Lookin' For A Home – LITTLE BUSTER (1964, Jubilee 5491, A. Edward "Little Buster" Forehand)

4. The Girls From Texas (Extended Version) – JIMMY LEWIS

(2015 Previously Unreleased Unedited Version of a US 1967 7" single on Minit 32017, A. Written by Clifford Chambers, Jimmy Holliday and James Lewis)

5. Ain't No Way – ARETHA FRANKLIN

(1968, from the Stereo LP "Lady Soul" on Atlantic SD 8176 - a Mono Version appears on the US 7" single Atlantic 2486, B-side to "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone". Features The Sweet Inspirations on Backing Vocals - especially her sister Carolyn Franklin)

6. I Found A Man In My Bed – ROY C (1970, Alaga 1003, A. Roy Charles Hammond)

7. Take Your Time – CLAY HAMMOND (1966, Kent 468, A. Written by Clay Hammond)

8. Just A Touch Of Your Hand – AL GARDNER (1968, Sir-Rah 504, A)

9. You're Good For Me – DON COVAY (1965, Landa 704, A. Different cut to the version on his debut album)

10. I Found The One – BILLY SHA-RAE (1970, Hour Glass 007, B-side of "Do It". Bobby Womack cover version)

11. Don't Make Me Pay For His Mistakes – Z.Z. HILL (1971, Hill 222, A)

12. What Can You Do When You Ain't Got Nobody – THE SOUL BROTHERS SIX (1967, Atlantic 2456, B-side of "You Better Check Yourself")

13. That's How It Is (When You're In Love) – OTIS CLAY (1967, One-derful 4848, A)

14. Go On Fool (Extended Version) – MARION BLACK (2015 Previous Unreleased Unedited Version of a 1970 US 7" single on Capsoul CS 20, A)

15. I Want Everyone To Know – FONTELLA BASS (1972, Paula 367, A. Don Bryant song – O.V. Wright cover version)

16. You Wants To Play – OSCAR WEATHERS (1970, Top & Bottom 405, B-side of "The Spoiler")

17. (I Want Her) By My Side – THE FULLER BROTHERS (1967, Keymen 110, A and 1971, Soul Clock 1002, B-side to "Stranger At My Door")

18. Shackin' Up – BARBARA MASON (1975, Buddah BDA 459, A. Jackie Avery song)

19. Don’t Blame Me – WILLIE HIGHTOWER (1973, Mercury 73390, A)

20. Stop – LESTER YOUNG (1966, Barry 1009, B-side of "Barefoot Time In New York". Lester Young song)

21. Someone To Take Your Place – BILL LOCKE (1968, Fraternity 1008, A. Joe Tex cover version)

22. If Loving You Is A Crime (I'll Always Be Guilty) – LEE MOSES (1968, Dynamo D-115, A. Written by Swamp Dogg using his wife's name Yvonne Williams)

23. Easy As Saying 1-2-3 – TIMMY WILLIS (1970, Jubilee 5690, A)

24. I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got Me - Parts 1 & 2 – LITTLE RICHARD (1965, Vee-Jay VJ 698, A. Written by Don Covay)

25. Mary Jane – BOBBY RUSH (1968, Galaxy GAL 778, A)

NOTES on Disc 3:

Tracks 1 to 4, 8 to 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 25 are MONO

Tracks 5, 6, 7, 15, 18, 19 and 24 are STEREO

Tracks 4 and 14 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

PACKAGING and SOUND:

The mistakes made with the packaging of "Take Me To The River" (if you could call them that) where the flimsy card wrap and book were near impossible to not destroy – have been learned. There's an outer 'hard card' slipcase this time (far sturdier) that contains a foldout card digipak within (all three colour-coded CDs are on see-through plastic trays) alongside a stand-alone booklet. The separate 64-page booklet is an oversized softback and superbly laid out - much like the oversized booklets Soul Jazz Records use on their chunky and brilliant reissues. It contains brilliantly observed and informative liner notes by Soul Aficionados and Lifetime Fans DEAN RUDLAND and TONY ROUNCE (who also compiled the set). Alongside the factoids are copious amounts of photos of those desirable 45s on Sue, Stax, Atco, Sound Stage, Reprise, Monument, Back Beat, Ronn, Fame and all points in-between. Supporting the tens-upon-thousands of words are the usual plethora of beautiful studio publicity shots, Press and Trade Adverts, Biog Pages, In-Studio Session snapshots and even photos of local Record Shops on Beale Street in Memphis. DUNCAN COWELL has carried out the Remasters and an exemplary job has been done – most are none too hissy – and even if they are – the remastering hasn’t sucked the life out of them by compression or silencing techniques. This music feels alive and is a joy to hear in such clarity...and as you can see from the total playing-times of the 3 discs above – each is pushing the 80-minute envelope – so there's no scrimping either on content or value for money.

 

CD1:

It begins with a social-conscience statement from Solomon Burke doing a heartfelt rendition of "I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)" – an anthem made famous of course by Nina Simone. It may be slightly hissy – but "Nearer To You" by Betty LaVette is a torch-song stunner (a signed photo adorns Page 9 of the booklet). What is a shock is the 'Extended Version' of "Private Number" by William Bell and Judy Clay – it may only be 20 or 30 seconds longer but man what a difference it makes – turning the song into a more muscular experience. Then you’re hit with a sensation – a Previously Unissued Alternate of Otis Redding's "Free Me" on Atco 6700. Its 'Take 1' and his rendition is little short of magic – the audio beautifully clear too (top job done Mr. Cowell). Torch song versions continue with Eddie Floyd's "Everything I Need" and Gloria Walker's abandonment-anthem "Please Don't Desert Me Baby”. Things finally get slinky with the cool groove of "Sugarman" by Sam Baker (a Kris Kristofferson cover) where he laments how his baby has to sell her body to feed her 'sugar' habit. I love the chugging Soul of "What's That You Got" by Rudolph Taylor and the sophistication of "Sure As Sin" by Jeanie Greene where she tells her man the physical truth - "...I'm not a good woman...but I'm good for you..." The combo of Mary Wells and Rick Hall produced the excellent dancer "I Found What I Wanted" which feels like a great Stax side circa 1971 even though it was actually on Reprise Records. Rounce is right to call Melvin Carter's unadorned demo of "I've Got Memories" 'stunning' – it's raw, alive and deeply Soulful and surely one of the highlights amongst the Previously Unreleased material. Best Audio has to go to the stunning "Problems" by Mable John – an amazing piece of quality unreleased Soul. And as if that isn't enough to impress – Barbara West floors me with her beautiful version of Toussaint McCall's "Give Me Back The Man I Love" – a criminally forgotten 45 on Ronn Records from 1969.

 

CD2:

Early days for Southern Soul comes with Joe Tex's "The Only Girl (I've Ever Loved)" – a 1961 pleader on Dial Records. I've always loved Brook Benton's magisterial version of Tony Joe White's wonderful "Rainy Night In Georgia" – a million seller for Benton and his 7th USA R&B No. 1 (a stunning Arif Mardin production where even the syrupy strings don't ruin the song). When you look at the Paula 45 repro'd on Page 30 of the booklet with a credit to John Fred and his Playboys – you don’t automatically think 'Otis Redding soundalike' – yet that's what you get. With the chops of say Eddie Hinton – the "Judy In Disguise" frontman puts in a Soulful barnstormer on "Love Comes In Time". I don't know Joey Gilmore (shame on me) but his lovely "Somebody Done Took My Baby And Gone" is a sweetie and I’ll look into his Blues albums of late. An intensely Soulful C.P. Love (Carlton Pierre) recorded the aching "I Found All These Things" at Malaco's studios in Jackson, Mississippi and saw it released on Chimneyville in 1971 (what a nugget this track is). Genius choice goes to Helene Smith's version of Paul Kelly's "A Woman Will Do Wrong" – a 'man she loves' tale of caution and woe (so sweet a tune). Uber rarity goes to Steve Dixon's "Depend On Me" – said to exist in only 500 copies on the obscure Spotlite Records – and for me probably the sweetest song on Disc 2 (stunning Eddie Hinton-type vocals).

 

A threesome of Lo-fi and crude recordings (but full of genuine feeling) – first is the duet pleader "Without Love What Would Life Be" by Terrie & Joy La Roy - a real sweetie – second is Joe Medwick's impossibly rare "Nearer To You" and third is the morose (and very hissy) "Nothing Takes The Place Of You" by Toussaint McCall. But then you're hit with a triple-whammy of well-recorded Seventies classy Soul – sky-bound is the beautiful "I've Got To Tell You" by Count Willie (Smith) with LRL and The Dukes – an obscure piano-led wonder from 1975 that steadfastly remains dateless (what a find this is) – and next up is the Mississippi-recorded "You Need Me" by Joe Wilson which Rudland describes as 'exquisite' – and he'd be right. Last is the truly gorgeous strum of "Asking For The Truth" by Rueben Bell – a fabulous and heartfelt vocal performance enhanced by quality arrangements. Discovery-time includes the lovely Tommy Tate/Helen Washington written "How Sweet It Would Be" by George Perkins – an organ led 'love and loneliness' tune. The predominately ballad-driven Disc 2 continues – but with Stanley Winston's gospel-driven "No More Ghettos In America" - things get passionate and real as he speaks and wails of equality. The long run of smoochers and pleaders ends with a genuine classic – "Tell It Like It Is" with the ethereal vocals of Aaron Neville.

 

CD3:

After the ballad-fest of Disc 2 – Ground Hog's "Going Back Home" comes as welcome butt-wiggling delight – it's a mean and cool Funky Al Green Type Groove. Co-written by Ex Coaster's singer William Guy and Joseph Richardson (later with Don Covay's Jefferson Lemon Blues Band) – it features Richardson's Albert King-like guitar licks throughout and is the kind of winner you wish you owned so you could impress your friends with your knowledge and smarts. The boogie is short-lived though – but you don’t mind because Freddie Scott's slow and wailing "Cry To Me" (written by Bert Barns and a hit for Solomon Burke) is a truly fantastic pleader – and here is gorgeous Audio. The 'love them right or leave them alone' words of wisdom in "The Girls From Texas" comes in an 'Extended Version' for Jimmy Lewis - while Aretha's sister and songwriter Carolyn Franklin (from The Sweet Inspirations) threatens to steal the 1968 crown from the Queen Of Soul with Carolyn's operatic backing vocals on the beautiful ballad "Ain't No Way". Marital trouble and shenanigans hit both Roy Charles Hammond (Roy C) in the funky but sore-headed "I Found A Man In My Bed" - while Clay Hammond says that despite his love and a house full of kids – his missus is out on the razzle every night and he should have listened to mama when she advised Clay to "Take Your Time" (oh dear). Z.Z. Hill has it just as bad – another man gave his lady six babies – but he's the one that gives them a home in the slinky stepper "Don't Make Me Pay For His Mistakes". Of their group's five Atlantic 45s – the pain-dripped B-side "What Can You Do When You Ain't Got Nobody" by The Soul Brothers Six is probably their best cut coming complete with the screeching Bobby Womack-like vocals of John Ellison. The funereal "Go On Fool" by Marion Black mines the same misery territory of Toussaint McColl (see Track 15 on Disc 2) – but is actually far better in my book.

 

Pure class 70ts Soul shows up with Fontella Bass and her cover of O.V. Wright's "I Want Everyone To Know" (penned by Don Bryant) from her "Free" album on Paula Records in 1972 (beautifully arranged and produced by Oliver Sain). Originally issued as the B-side to the Van McCoy written “The Spoiler” – American DJs had other ideas and flipped the Oscar Weathers single to find "You Wants To Play" – giving its simple but heartfelt Blues-Soul the air time instead of the slicker A (I can so hear why). Busybody neighbours gossip during the rap-spoken "Shackin' Up" by Barbara Mason – a cool outside-marriage follow-up to her "From His Woman To You" hit in December 1974 (Made No.3) – "Shackin' Up" rightly made the US R&B Top 10 peaking at No. 9 in April 1975. Next we get a flurry of mid-tempo Southern Soul pleaders – especially enjoyable is the 'Lord have mercy' croaking of Lee Moses on the wonderfully titled "If Loving You Is A Crime (I'll Always Be Guilty)" and a stunning two-part Soul workout from Little Richard on his excellent "I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got Me" – an overlooked nugget from his years at Vee Jay. It ends on an out-and-out winner – the Funky Blues of "Mary Jane" by Bobby Rush – the kind of groove I eat for breakfast and always want a second helping of...

 

SUMMARY:

With Disc 2 being made up of entirely ballad-like material and Discs 1 and 3 featuring copious amounts of the same Southern Soul ache and plead – those expecting boogie and shuffles should stay away (I think this 3CD set might have been re-named "Kent-Soul Ballads" and be done with it). Best of all though is the discoveries – the wonderful finds - I'm dipping in all the time and loving it more and more – a genuine feast.

 

For sure 2015's "Back To The River..." is not as utterly immediate as 2008's "Take Me To The River" – but its 60ts and 70ts Soul pleasures are so many that I know I’ll be turning to it years from now – petting its wicked 'Fame Gang musicians stood on a bridge' cover like it's a Star Wars toy I'm glad I didn't wreck or throw away when I was young and too stupid to know its true beauty.

 

What a journey...and kudos to all involved for bringing this Soul joy to us in such style...

"Bobby Gillespie Presents I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring 18 Album and Single Tracks from 1968 to 1997 by Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Donnie Fritts, J.J. Cale, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Crazy Horse, Ry Cooder, Percy Sledge, Al Green, Thin Lizzy, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Mott The Hoople, Boz Scaggs, The Chi-Lites, Little Feat, Grateful Dead and more (October 2023 UK Ace Records CD Compilation with Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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Rating: ****

 

"...You Sweet Thing...You're Driving Me Mad..."

 

I was kind of excited at the idea of the first Bobby Gillespie compilation in this series "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" - but truth be my mistress - the actual listen drove me nuts and had one too many disappointments in song choices (it was released 27 November 2015 in the UK on Ace Records CDCHD 1453 – Barcode 029667074124). I did like a few cuts for sure (mostly in the second half of the listen) - but not enough to get in a fidgety lather about.

 

Well – it seems that the Scottish Primal Scream lead singer and songwriter has gone all I-hear-you-pal psychic on my sorry Irish posterior and eardrums - because his second outing in the series "I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" (27 Oct 2023 in the UK and 3 Nov 2023 in the USA) is much better - and frankly in its own self-lacerating way - a bit of a doozy. It also feels actually personal (and revealing) if not a tad too boo-hoo for its own good as the black and white poor-me cover-art photo implies.

 

The journey consists of 18 tracks on CD (15 album cuts and 3 single sides) ranging from professional two-timer Lee Hazelwood on Reprise Records in 1968 all the way up to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds going native on a clever Jimmy Webb cover version in 1986 while Bob Dylan professes to be truly sick of love in 1997 (the further outpost here and the darkest actually). The 2LP Vinyl Variant of "I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" even has a 19^th Bonus as Track 5 on Side 1 - "In The Rain" by The Dramatics (Ace Records XXQLP2 098 – Barcode 0029667015417).

 

"I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" is about love on the road being tested, betrayed, lost, longed-for or maybe even formed in-between tourbus stops and Honky Tonks and the untenable nomad existence that is the life of all working musicians. Most of the cautionary tales are from Folk, Country, Country Rock, Soul and Rock journeyman and women feeling emotionally bummed out between 1970 and 1975. Because many are ballads – the jumps don't feel so severe – and work more often than not. I personally sequenced the CD to start at Track 6 - the stunning Crazy Horse song "I Don't Want To Talk About It" that Rod Stewart later covered and turned into a global smash - play down to 18 and then bring in Tracks 1 to 5 (a better listen for me). Discoveries, re-acquaintances, tugs on a fast receding memory lane - this comp is indeed a "Heart Like A Wheel". Let's get to the details...

 

UK released Friday, 27 October 2023 (3 November 2023 in the USA) - "Bobby Gillespie Presents I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDCHD 1605 (Barcode 029667106122) is an 18-Track CD Compilation (19-Track 2LP set) ranging from 1968 to 1997 that plays out as follows (76:52 minutes):

 

1. I Still Can't Believe You're Gone – WILLIE NELSON (from the March 1974 US LP "Phases And Stages" on Atlantic Records SD 7291)

 

2. Love Sick – BOB DYLAN (from the September 1997 US CD Album "Time Out Of Mind" on Columbia Records CK 68556)

 

3. We Had It All – DONNIE FRITTS (from the June 1974 US LP "Prone To Lean" on Atlantic SD 18117)

 

4. Magnolia – J. J. CALE (from his debut LP "Naturally" released November 1971 in the USA on Shelter SW-8908 and January 1972 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 68105)

 

5. By The Time I Get To Phoenix – NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS (from the August 1986 UK LP "Kicking Against The Pricks" on Mute STUMM 28)

 

6. I Don't Want To Talk About It – CRAZY HORSE (from their debut album "Crazy Horse" issued on Reprise Records RS 6438 in the USA in February 1971 and April 1971 in the UK on Reprise RSLP 6438)

 

7. Dark End Of The Street – RY COODER (from his 3rd album "Boomer's Story" released November 1972 in the USA on Reprise MS 2117 and in the UK on Reprise K 44224 – a James Carr cover version done as an instrumental)

 

8. Kind Woman – PERCY SLEDGE (July 1969 USA 45-single on Atlantic 45-2646, A-side – also on the 1969 South African-only LP "Wanted" on Atlantic ATC 9210)

 

9. Wait And See – LEE HAZELWOOD (from his June 1968 US LP "Love And Other Crimes" on Reprise RS 6297 in Stereo)

 

10. Strong As Death (Sweet As Love) – AL GREEN (June 1975 US 45-single on Hi Records 5N-2288, B-side of "Oh Me Oh My (Dreams In My Arms)" – also July 1975 UK 45-single on London HLU 10493 – same tracks)

 

11. Shades Of A Blue Orphanage – THIN LIZZY (from their second studio album "Shades Of A Blue Orphanage" issued 10 March 1972 in the UK on Decca TXS 108 – no US release)

 

12. Heart Like A Wheel – KATE & ANNA McGARRIGLE (from their November 1975 US Debut LP "Kate & Anna McGarrigle" on Warner Brothers BS 2862, March 1976 in the UK on Warner Brothers K 56218)

 

13. When My Mind's Gone – MOTT THE HOOPLE (from their second studio album "Mad Shadows" released September 1970 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9119 and October 1970 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8272)

 

14. I'll Be Long Gone – BOZ SCAGGS (from his debut album "Boz Scaggs" released August 1969 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8239, September 1969 in the UK on Atlantic 588 205)

 

15. The Coldest Days Of My Life Part 1 – THE CHI-LITES (July 1972 USA 45-single on Brunswick 55478, A-side)

 

16. Roll Um Easy – LITTLE FEAT (from their third US studio album "Dixie Chicken" released January 1973 on Warrner Brothers BS 2686)

 

17. Brokedown Palace – GRATEFUL DEAD (from their 5th studio album "American Beauty" released November 1970 in the USA on Warner Brothers WS 1893)

 

18. I Feel Like Going Home – CHARLIE RICH (August 1973 US 45-single on Epic Records 5-11040, B-side of "The Most Beautiful Girl" – November 1973 UK 45-single on Epic Records S EPC 1897, as per US release)

 

Following on from a Track List on Page 2 that details album titles, catalogue numbers and year of release (three of the 18 are single-sides) – Page 3 starts the 24-pages of song-by-song explanations proper (I have elaborated on those in the list above). Anyone who knows Ace Records will know that these booklets are fab collages of single and LP labels, rare picture sleeves/album covers, a trade advert here and here etc. This time however is a bit more basic. Here we just get the album sleeves and occasional British 45 label instead of American issues (Al Green on London and The Chi-Lites on MCA).

 

Not that this is a bad thing - instead of photos, Gillespie waxes lyrical in huge amounts of text about every choice – paragraphs recalling the magical effect that Thin Lizzy and Phil Lynott in their 1976 gig awesomeness had on young lads like him and Alan McGee – a lifetime love that will never die. Bobby talks about Richie Furay assembling the last Buffalo Springfield album and including what was essentially an outtake – his own song "Kind Woman" – that Percy Sledge then took to another level in his mournful Soul version. There's stuff about touring and the emotional toll it takes on every relationship a body enters into. It's a great read – personal yet informative and articulate. Genre-wise, the overall song choices are very much in the Country Rock meets edgy Sixties and Seventies Outlaw Rock and Soul veins – much of it dark for sure - but mellow also - and sometimes moving when you least expect it.

 

DUNCAN COWELL – longstanding Audio Engineer for Ace – has handled the transfers and Remasters and almost everything sounds super clean and clear – the noticeable odd-man-out being a wee bit of hiss on the J.J. Cale song – those debut album Shelter Records recordings notorious for being that way. All are in STEREO - so for almost all of it "Bobby Gillespie Presents I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" is never less than an impressive listen audio-wise (at times beautiful). To the tunes...

 

It opens with Willie Nelson red-raw the morning after she done left him for the final time - "I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" - and the Big Nell knows who is to blame on that fine 1974 dawn. His vocal bottom-of-the-barrel shivering hurt is helped by top musicians like Keyboardist Barry Beckett and most of the Fame Gang bringing up the rear (guitarist Pete Carr, Bassist David Hood and legendary drummer Rodger Hawkins). But I feel that the sparse Bob Dylan leap to 1997 for the "Time Out Of Mind" track "Love Sick" feels too jarring to me (I adore the album like most Zimmer fans but I would have gone with something else like the "Up To Me" outttake from "Blood On The Tracks" say). But things pick up instantly when we get a great lip-quiver pairing - "Magnolia" from J.J. Cale's staggeringly influential debut album on Shelter Records in 1971 (lyrics from it title this review) up to Nick Cave with his bad Seeds in 1986 doing Jimmy Webb via Glen Campbell on a oddly touching cover of "By The Time Get To Phoenix" – smart choices both.

 

Complimenting the Outlaw Country Music vide to the Willie Nelson song that gives the compilation its title – the seldom-seen let alone discussed Donnie Fritts album "Prone To Lean" from 1974 on Atlantic Records featured an astonishing line-up of talent – Billy Swann, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham, Jerry Wexler as well as ace singer and guitarist Eddie Hinton and keyboardist Barry Beckett (I know folks who scour albums for anything Eddie Hinton touched – a white guy who had a voice similar to Otis Redding). The Fritts entry "We Had It All" is a co-write with Troy Seals of Seals and Croft fame and with Wexler and Kristofferson at the Production buttons - sounds warm and glorious.

 

Essentially to become the backing band for Neil Young – Crazy Horse featured a huge array of talent on their first platter – Danny Whitten on Lead Guitar and Vocals with Nils Lofgren sharing the same – Jack Nitzsche on Piano and Vocals with Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina bringing up the Rhythm Section (Bass and Drums). The Crazy Horse self-titled debut album produced three US 45s using six sides from the 11-track LP - but bizarrely Reprise Records did not use nor seem to see what Rod Stewart clearly saw in the gorgeous "I Don't Want To Talk About It" – a Danny Whitten breakup-song winner nestled at the end of Side 1. Had Reprise aired this as a single – their fate might not have been so like Big Star – another great US melody band on a label that could not or would not break them nationally. My God even Ry Cooder plays slide on it. The sound for "I Don't Want To Talk About It" is glorious, the emotion real and the solar plexus hurt-wallop just about bearable – a very smart choice for a compilation like this.

 

Tapping into the Ry Cooder connection, Gillespie follows with a beautiful acoustic slide guitar instrumental version of the James Carr 60ts Soul classic "Dark End Of The Street" – just one of many gems on the third Ry Cooder album "Boomer's Story" from November 1972. Personally, I would also have tapped "Maria Elena" – another stunner instrumental from the "Boomer's Story" album that would have slotted in just nicely (see my review of the forgotten 2CD set "The Ry Cooder Anthology: The UFO Has Landed" on Rhino from 2008 which contains both songs in glorious Bernie Grundman Remastered form). Keeping it soulful – Gillespie now offers a Percy Sledge cover version of "Kind Woman" – the Richie Furay song on the third and final Buffalo Springfield album "Last Time Around" (July 1968, Atco SD 33-256). Sledge and Atlantic Records issued "Kind Woman" as a stand-alone 45-single A-side in July 1969 – a slow-cooking gurgling-under barnstormer.

 

The self-titled and deeply unassuming debut album for French-Canadian sisters Kate & Anna McGarrigle was received in late 1975 on Warner Brothers by the press (and musicians) as some sort of genius platter carved out of melody gold. A whole year earlier – American vocalist and song-interpreter Linda Ronstadt took one of Anna's then un-issued songs "Heart Like A Wheel" and named her entire album after it (November 1974 on Capitol Records). But you cannot deny the McGarrigle version here from 1975 that slays all in its path – their vocal power in full force from a very clean and clear remaster – those lyrics about a sinking ship out in mid ocean – only love can reduce us to such tears and hurt. That is followed by a deeply sombre Ian Hunter in full-throated Mott The Hoople glory - "Mad Shadows" flying away – just him on a piano with a lingering organ building in the minds-gone background. Relief comes in the slightly Burt Bacharach feel to Boz Scaggs doing "I'll Be Long Gone" – good but not really great and seriously showing its age. Far better is Eugene Record wrenching tears from us white blokes with his lush fabulous Chi-Lites sound on Part 1 of "The Coldest Days Of My Life..." – waves and gulls easing in the reminiscences of a day our hero made the big mistake of letting his lady walk away (I never tire of their Chicago Soul – me and my sis bought the singles on Brunswick with religious regularity).

 

It rolls home with a very tasty triple whammy – Little Feat, Grateful Dead and Charlie Rich – Lowell George achingly brilliant for "Roll Um Easy" – the Dead weary of the grinding road, longing for the river to rock their soul in the tuneful "Brokedown Palace" - while the Silver Fox closes out proceedings with the seriously sad yet resigned piano ballad "I Feel Like Going Home" – everything he done turned out wrong (Epic Records relegated the song to the flipside of the huge hit "The Most Beautiful Girl" on both sides of the pond).

 

I would have considered "Looking For Angeline" by Love And Money – a 1988 nugget on Fontana from 1988 – James Grant playing a National Steel blinder with echoed Harmonica bringing up the longing in the background. Maybe the moving Shawn Colvin cover version of the Judee Sill gem "There's A Rugged Road" from SC's 1994 compilation album of favourites "Cover Girl". On to Chris Smither doing a stunning reinterpretation of the Tim Hardin song "Don't Make Promises" from his 1999 CD album "Drive You Home Again". There must be hundreds more out there. Volume 2 anyone - "I Still Can't Believe You're Still Here".

 

Like so many of these compilations, it's a crapshoot. But "Bobby Gillespie Presents I Still Can't Believe You're Gone" wins on more entries than not (the Vinyl variant with its extra track is a tempting gift and a proper looker too). There are also more than enough discoveries here to please old hands and plenty to entice musical newcomers to sit up and take notice - maybe even visit those musical truck-stops that moved so many of us back in the suburban day.

 

On the long and lonely road to Kingdom Come – the Screamadelica Bobster has compiled a mix-tape worthy of your hard-earned Sovereigns and Petro-Dollars.

 

Dig in and pine no more ye Vagabonds of the Western World. Or as the mighty Rocker Phil Lynott of the much-missed Thin Lizzy used to sing "...Got my cycle outside...wanna ride!"