"Tea For The Tillerman: 2CD Deluxe Edition" by CAT STEVENS – November 1970 UK Fourth Studio Album (And Second) on Island Records (January 1971 USA on A&M Records) – Featuring Alun Davies on Guitar, John Ryan on Double Bass, Harvey Burns on Drums, Jack Rostein on Violin, Paul Samwell-Smith on Backing Vocals and Production with Del Newman String Arrangements (4 December 2020 UK Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log/Island Records 50th Anniversary Reissue 2CD Deluxe Edition with 14 Bonus Tracks – Geoff Pesche Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 317 More Like It 

Are Available in my e-Book...

ALL THINGS MUST PASS
1970

Your All-Genres Guide To

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Classic Albums, 45-Singles, Compilations 

ALL GENRES

Over 2,350 E-Pages of Reviews from the discs themselves

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...Coming To Win Us..."

 

To date I've purchased two of these 50th Anniversary Reissues - "Mona Bone Jakon" and "Tea For The Tillerman" - both albums originally issued in 1970. 

 

They are part of an ongoing series of reissues entitled The Yusuf / Cat Stevens Cat-O-Log Collection. But in order to get a lay of the land on this new version of "Tea For The Tillerman", we need to backtrack a little. 

 

Not surprisingly and following on from the bare-bones single CD remaster of 2000, Universal subjected both November 1970's "Tea For The Tillerman" and its popular September 1971 follow-up album "Teaser And The Firecat" (UK release dates) to their chunky 2CD DELUXE EDITION Series in November 2008 – another Ted Jensen Remaster with eleven new Previously Unreleased bonus tracks on CD2 of "Tillerman".

 

You would therefore think that they would all turn here in December 2020 on this New 2CD Deluxe Edition Remaster along with more for our audio delectation – but actually – no. Six have survived the transfer - Wild World (Demo Version, Recorded 1969), Miles From Nowhere (Demo Version, Recorded 1969), Longer Boats (Live At The Troubadour, Recorded 1970), Into White (Live At The Troubadour, Recorded 1970), On The Road To Find Out (Live at KCET-TV, Recorded in Los Angeles, 1971) and Tea For The Tillerman (Live At The BBC, Recorded 1970 for BBC Radio 1's "Sounds Of The Seventies" at the Playhouse Theatre). Not even the Super Deluxe Edition 5CD Box Set has the remaining five – one live track recorded in Japan in 1976, two from the Majikat Earth Tour of 1976 and two more recorded 2006 at Yusuf's Café. 

 

So any fan wanting the lot will need to keep that 2008 2CD Deluxe Edition – which frankly seems a bit lax. But given the gorgeous new Audio on this 2020 version, new Unreleased actually worth owning and its rather spiffing presentation, there is still oodles to be gleeful about. Let's deal with what we have...

 

UK released 4 December 2020 - "Tea For The Tillerman: 2CD Deluxe Edition" by CAT STEVENS on Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log/Island Records 0602508395253 (Barcode 602508395253) is a 2CD Reissue and Remaster with 14 Bonus Tracks (on CD2) that plays out as follows: 

 

CD1 "Tea For The Tillerman, 2020 Remaster" (36:51 minutes):

1. Where Do The Children Play? [Side 1]

2. Hard Headed Woman

3. Wild World

4. Sad Lisa

5. Miles From Nowhere

6. But I Might Die Tonight [Side 2]

7. Longer Boats

8. Into White

9. On The Road To Find Out

10. Father And Son

11. Tea For The Tillerman

Tracks 1 to 11 are his fourth studio album "Tea For The Tillerman" - released November 1970 in the UK on Island Records ILPS 9135 and January 1971 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4280. Produced by PAUL SAMWELL-SMITH - it peaked at No. 20 in the UK and No. 8 in the USA.

 

 

CD2 "Tea For The Tillerman, Demos, Alternate Versions, Bonus Tracks, Live Recordings" (45:21 minutes):

1. Wild World (Demo)

2. Miles From Nowhere (Studio Demo)

3. But I Might Die Tonight (Deep End Movie Version)

4. Can This Be Love? (Album Out-Take)

5. Honey Man (Duet with Elton John recorded October 1967, first issued October 2001 on the "On The Road To Find Out" 4CD Long Box Set, Reissued June 2008 in a smaller Digibook Format as "Cat Stevens")

6. If You Want To Sing Out Sing out (Demo)

7. Don’t Be Shy (Demo)

8. Wild World (Live At The Troubadour, December 1970)

9. Longer Boats (Live At The Troubadour, December 1970)

10. Into White (Live At The Troubadour, December 1970)

11. On The Road To Find Out (Live at KCET-TV Studios, Los Angeles USA, 8 June 1971)

12. Where Do The Children Play? (Live at KCET-TV Studios, Los Angeles USA, 8 June 1971)

13. Father And Son (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27 November 1971)

14. Tea For The Tillerman (BBC Live Recording, 16 June 1970)

 

The hardback book with embossed front-cover artwork that precisely mimics the original British LPs that comes with these 2CD Deluxe Editions is gorgeous and of course the same generic artwork will make a row of titled spines stretching right up his last album on Island Records "Back To Earth" in December 1978. To date (January 2022), there have been three (see list below). Unfortunately once the shrink-wrap is torn open, the titled sticker has nowhere to go and worse, the credits page on the rear simply falls off (don't know why they can't simply paste these bloody things on).

 

But once inside, those minor niggles fade. There is a newly laid out 28-page booklet with notes from Yusuf, guitarist Alun Davies and Producer Paul Samwell-Smith that replaces the 12-page inlay of the old 2000 CD version. Anyone who had the original UK and US LPs on Island and A&M Records will remember fondly the Gatefold Sleeve with that cauldron photo on the inside and the lyrics in tiny print on the rear. The looking down photo is now on the inside flaps and the lyrics smartly abutting text that deals with every song.

 

There are some tasty touches – the titled US 45-single sleeve for Where Do The Children Play? On A&M Records AM 1291 siding the text for that Side 1 song opener – a French face-profile picture sleeve for Sad Lisa that was backed with Wild World on Island 6014 042 – a rare Dutch picture sleeve for Father And Son with Moonshadow on the flipside on Island 10 485 AT. There are publicity photos, live shots of Cat with his right-hand man Alun Davies on acoustic guitars, two of the British Mastertape Boxes, the album artwork, sheet music and even a rare Dutch split photo issue 45 for Wild World that shows and tells us Jimmy Cliff sings it, while Cat Stevens wrote it (Island 6014 024). It’s very pretty (see photos provided) and well thought out. Let downs (as it is with all these 2CD sets) – those missing tracks - CD2 merely listing its bonuses in the booklet but with no discussion at all – a lazy approach. Also be careful removing the actual CDs (both entirely Pink in colour to reflect the original famous British label on Island Records) – they are tucked in tight into pouches built into the walls of the hardback sleeves so are too damn easy to rip.

 

Ted Jensen - a long-standing Audio Engineer of WEA catalogue renown – mastered both the 2000 single CD reissue series and the 2CD Deluxe Edition in 2008 – and lovely they were too. Here we get technology advanced by 20 years and GEOFF PESCHE at Abbey Road having another go round in 2020. These '50th Anniversary' Reissues are gorgeous – the liquid watery sound of the piano on "Sad Lisa" (recorded through a Lesley) comes pounding out of your speakers like never before, the acoustic clarity on the opening to "Father And Son" feeling bigger and more spacious. John Ryan and his Double Bass on the flying saucers song "Longer Boats" thumping away like a goodun. All the instruments are in your face and in a clarity-way you would actually want. Impressive...

 

Not surprising that CD2 opens with the Demo of "Wild World" that first appeared in 2008 – it has huge audio presence and even in its purely acoustic state – packs a serious punch. From there we go to piano for "Miles To Nowhere" – his playing just fantastic and featuring different fills to that of the recording version (it also has Acoustic doubled onto it – great). Things dip dramatically with a seriously overwrought "But I Might Die Tonight" done for the "Deep End" movie – a far heavier and uglier version that you can’t help feel has been dubbed from something other than a mastertape.

 

But things kick into the stratosphere with a gorgeous unreleased outtake called "Can This Be Love?" – what a discovery – acoustic, piano and double bass, drums – its fully formed and would have been a stunning B-side to say "Father And Son" in both tone and theme. The duet with Elton John "Honey Man" first showed on the 2001 4CD Box Set "On The Road To Find Out" and is probably best forgotten by both great men. Far better is a 2:59 minute Demo Version of "If You Want To Sing Out Sing Out" – a finished version of which recorded in February 1971 made its way onto the "Harold And Maude" film. Another winner from that film is "Don’t Be Shy" (also recorded proper in February 1971) which again turns up here in crystal clear 2:41 minute Demo form – a beautiful little melody fans will thrill too.

 

Smartly that’s followed by "Wild World" played live at the Troubadour in LA in December 1970 – a month after the album came out in the UK – its audio almost mimicking that of the "Don’t Be Shy" demo. Very well recorded, "Longer Boats" follows which he announces is about spaceships. He carries on with a thing called "Into White" – as pretty and as delicate as the LP version – and again – well recorded for the day. And on it goes...

 

His first album for Island Records "Mona Bone Jakon" issued in April 1970 was a good start - a three-star effort 'getting' to the genuine five-star greatness of "Tea For The Tillerman". In September 1971 when he issued "Teaser And The Firecat" – there would be no doubt – Cat Stevens became a household name and one of the artists carrying the burgeoning singer-songwriter flag of excellence.

 

So, despite a few minor whinges, anywhere beneath or around a British ten-spot for this new 2020 "Tea For The Tillerman" 2CD Deluxe Edition and it quickly becomes an absolute must buy for fans and unconverted alike.

 

Now, if I could only afford that Super Deluxe Box Set, I’d put the kettle on...again...

 

Titles in The Yusuf/Cat Stevens/Cat-O-Log Collection Series

50th Anniversary Reissues - Geoff Pesche Remasters at Abbey Road

 

1. Mona Bone Jakon (April 1970 UK Original LP)

All 50th Anniversary Formats UK/EU released 4 December 2020

On Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log Records/Island Records

Single CD Version is 0602508820298

2CD Deluxe Edition Version is 0602508395260

4CD/LP/12”/BLU RAY Super Deluxe Box Set Version is 0602508395178

VINYL LP Version is 0602508820304

 

2. Tea For The Tillerman (November 1970 UK Original LP)

All 50th Anniversary Formats UK/EU released 4 December 2020

On Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log Records/Island Records

Single CD Version is 06025088203598

2CD Deluxe Edition Version is 0602508395253

5CD/LP/12”/BLU RAY Super Deluxe Box Set Version is 0602508395086

VINYL LP Version is 0602508820311

 

3. Teaser And The Firecat (September 1971 UK Original LP)

All 50th Anniversary Formats UK/EU released 19 November 2021

On Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log Records/Island Records

Single CD Version is 0602435513188

2CD Deluxe Edition Version is 0602435513126

4CD/BLU RAY Super Deluxe Box Set Version is 00602435949628

VINYL LP Version is 0602435513218

"Mona Bone Jakon: 2CD Deluxe Edition" by CAT STEVENS – April 1970 UK Third Studio Album (and first) on Island Records (August 1970 USA on A&M Records) – Guests Include Alun Davies on Guitar, Peter Gabriel on Flute, Paul Samwell-Smith on Backing Vocals and Production with Del Newman String Arrangements (December 2020 UK Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log/Island Records 50th Anniversary Reissue 2CD Deluxe Edition with 10 Bonus Tracks – Geoff Pesche Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 315 More Like It 

Are Available in my e-Book...

ALL THINGS MUST PASS
1970

Your All-Genres Guide To

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Classic Albums, 45-Singles, Compilations 

ALL GENRES

Over 2,350 E-Pages of Reviews from the discs themselves

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...I Think See The Light..."

 

To date I've purchased two of these 50th Anniversary Reissues - "Mona Bone Jakon" and "Tea For The Tillerman" - both albums originally issued in 1970. 

 

They are part of an ongoing series of reissues entitled The Yusuf / Cat Stevens Cat-O-Log Collection. 

 

2021 has also seen September 1971's "Teaser And The Firecat", and 2022 will undoubtedly see September 1972's "Catch Bull At Four" also get a 50th Anniversary makeover, and in multiple formats too.

 

Only ever available as a bare-bones single CD remaster from 2000, this is the first time "Mona Bone Jakon" has been given a proper upgrade (see list of formats below). And like most purchasers/fans I've loved the fabulous new spangly-clean Geoff Pesche Remasters (done at Abbey Road in 2020), and the 2CD Hardback Book Digipaks are certainly presentation lookers. But there are frustrating clunkers across this 2CD set masquerading as 'Bonuses' and irritating omissions that really should have been on here (and this is before we get to the initial vs. now prices of the 'Super Deluxe Box Sets' which started out at £185+ and are now hard to sell at £78 and £75 respectively).

 

Anyway, let's deal with what we have to celebrate and moan about in equal measure...

 

UK released 4 December 2020 - "Mona Bone Jakon: 2CD Deluxe Edition" by CAT STEVENS on UMC/Cat-O-Log/Island 0602508395260 (Barcode 602508395260) is a 2CD Reissue and Remaster with 10 Bonus Tracks (on CD2) that plays out as follows: 

 

CD1 "Mona Bone Jakon, 2020 Remaster" (35:19 minutes):

1. Lady D'Arbanville [Side 1]

2. Maybe You're Right

3. Pop Star

4. I Think I See The Light

5. Trouble

6. Mona Bone Jakon [Side 2]

7. I Wish, I Wish

8. Katmandu

9. Time

10. Fill My Eyes

11. Lilywhite

Tracks 1 to 11 are his 3rd studio album "Mona Bone Jakon" - released April 1970 in the UK on Island ILPS 9118 and August 1970 in the USA on A&M Records SP-4260. Produced by PAUL SAMWELL-SMITH with all songs written by CAT STEVENS - it peaked at No.63 on UK LP charts in June 1970 (didn't chart USA).

 

CD2 "Mona Bone Jakon, Demos and Live Recordings" (31:59 minutes):

1. Maybe You're Right (Studio Demo)

2. I Think I See The Light (Studio Demo)

3. Trouble (Studio Demo)

4. I Wish I Wish (Studio Demo)

5. I Want Some Sun (Studio Demo)

6. Interview - BBC Live Recording 16 June 1970

7. Lady D'Arbanville - BBC Live Recording 16 June 1970

8. Katmandu - BBC Live Recording 16 June 1970

9. Time / Fill My Eyes  - Audience Recording Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival 8 Aug 1970

10. Maybe You're Right - Audience Recording Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival 8 Aug 1970

 

The hardback book with embossed front-cover artwork that precisely mimics the original British LPs that comes with these 2CD Deluxe Editions is gorgeous and of course the same generic artwork will make a row of titled spines stretching right up his last album on Island Records "Back To Earth" in December 1978. To date (January 2022), there have been three (see list below). Unfortunately once the shrink-wrap is torn open, the titled sticker has nowhere to go and worse, the credits page on the rear simply falls off (don't know why they can't simply paste these bloody things on).

 

But once inside, those minor niggles fade. There is a newly laid out 28-page booklet replacing the 12-page inlay of the old 2000 CD version. Anyone who had the original UK and US LPs on Island and A&M Records will remember fondly that the inner holding bags actually had the lyrics to the songs printed out in his handwriting on either side of the bag with little noodle drawings above some of the songs. The 2000 CD booklet repro'd that, but unfortunately this reissue ditches all such slavish devotion to detail in favour of a more elaborate presentation. In-between the period B&W/Colour photos and rare Euro Picture Sleeves, each song gets a detailed liner-notes history of its creation and the lyrics are typed next to them in a clear font. The period snaps are fab - publicity photos, live shots with Alun Davies on Guitar, a repro of the Harold And Maude film that Cat Stevens gave songs to and well as two pages at the rear showing the actual British Mastertapes. Genesis fans will know that an in-between albums 19-year-old Peter Gabriel played flute on "Katmandu" (not much of a contribution truth be told) and we get thankful reminiscence from him on it, but sadly no photos. A huge let down (as it is with all these 2CD sets) is that CD2 is merely listed by tracks in the booklet but has no discussion at all – the lazy approach. There is a sort of apology and acknowledgment that the Audience Tape sound on the two Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival cuts is less than brill - even with Abbey Road audio restoration and remastering. I think they're a joke and CD2 filler of the worst order. But more of that later...

 

Ted Jensen - a long-standing Audio Engineer of WEA catalogue renown – mastered the 2000 single CD reissue series and lovely they were too. Here we get technology advanced by 20 years and GEOFF PESCHE at Abbey Road having another go round in 2020. These '50th Anniversary' Reissues are gorgeous and even though you can feel the crudity with which "Mona Bone Jakon" was recorded, the audio feels bigger and more spacious. The instruments are in your face and in a clarity-way you would actually want. Impressive...

 

MBJ opens with an obvious single, the lovely mid-paced "Lady D'Arbanville". Actually darker than its pleasant strum would initially suggest - the warmth of that acoustic soundstage is countered with cheery lines like "...in your grave you lie...I'll always be with you...this rose will never die..." A hurting smoocher follows - this time Cat leading with piano on "Maybe You're Right". It’s a rather stunning little song that sounds like it could easily have been on "Tea For A Tillerman". With it's strings and deep melody - I can't help thinking it would have made a great follow up 45 - but Island let "Lady D'Arbanville" be the only 7" single lifted from the album. The rather acidic "Pop Star" whines just a little too much and just seems strangely out of place (a B-side) - but at least as he sings "...going to the cold bank..." the acoustics are crystal (a great transfer this). Side 1 ends with "I Think I See The Light" - a slight return to the Pop sound of the Deram days - and the beautiful "Trouble" - a song that exudes a tangible hurt (superb remastered sound).

 

Side 2 opens with the short and echoed title track "Mona Bone Jakon" where he sings 'jack-on' and tells us 'it won't be lonely for long' - whatever that means. A pencilled face with a closed-up mouth stares down at the lyrics for "I Wish, I Wish" in the booklet (his own sketch) - a strange hybrid sound that's somewhere between Deram and Island - and dig that fabulous Acoustic Guitar solo (Alun Davies I'd swear). The catgut strings of a Spanish acoustic guitar squeak throughout "Katmandu" where we hear the occasional Flute flourishes of Genesis' Peter Gabriel making a few bob before stardom on Charisma Records. It's a tad hissy this track but the audio is magnificent – Pesche has wisely let it breath. At 1:26 minutes "Time" is short but wow what a gorgeous little melody - him on acoustic with the occasional piano note nipping in and out like a jet (treated production). It segues into the equally pretty "Fill My Eyes" - a song with a sweet chorus. It finishes on another LP highlight - the ballad "Lilywhite" - Newman's arrangement of those big strings and cello notes elevating the song into something special - especially in that gorgeous fade-out passage.

 

But the lovely new 2020 album audio is as nothing to the five Studio Demos that start CD2, that as far as I'm concerned actually outshine the finished versions on CD1. They are startling in their sonic clarity to say the bloody least – beautiful – acoustic guitar on "Maybe You're Right" and "I Wish I Wish" with pounding piano on "I Think I See The Light". His attack on these Studio Demos is palpable – like he's got something to prove after a yearlong illness with TB and with this stunning audio feel more 'alive' than the rather stilted finished cuts ended up sounding on the LP. The new outtake "I Want Some Sun" is beautifully recorded but awkward, not great either vocally or lyric-wise and easy to see why it remained in the can all these years.

 

As I say, fans are going to love those five Studio Demos. Unfortunately the dairy of them is quickly reduced to rubble by the crappy last five – one of which is a 1:11 second interview with the BBC explaining about Patti D'Arbanville, the actress he was dating at the time who featured in the Andy Warhol movie "Flesh" and whom "Lady D'Arbanville" is based upon. "Katmandu" follows, but both are hissy and only OK sonic-wise. The two Plumpton Jazz and Blues Festival offerings are awful (the poster is repro'd in the booklet) – unlistenable far-away crap. They shouldn't be here and 'historical importance' is a poor excuse. When I think of the Mona outtakes on the Cat Stevens Box Set like "I've Got A Thing About Seeing My Grandson Grow Old" or the lovely Harold And Maude tracks like "Don't Be Shy" and "If You Want To Sing Out Sing Out" – they would have been so much more appropriate and genuine 'bonuses'. As it is, it won't take fans long to work out that the good five could have been tagged onto the 1CD 50th Anniversary version - cheaper for us - less for the morally upright artist.

 

"Mona Bone Jakon" isn't as special as the "Tea For The Tillerman" and "Teaser And The Firecat" LPs that would follow and make his name. Instead it's a three-star effort that's getting to those two stabs of genuine five-star greatness. 

 

I've also watched this 2CD Deluxe Edition of "Mona Bone Jakon" fluctuate wildly in price ever since release, up to a point that as I write this in January 2022, it's less than eight quid new on Amazon with "Tillerman" clocking in at one point a few days ago at a staggering low price of £6.35 for the double!

 

So, to sum up - anywhere under a whinging ten-spot for the 2CD Deluxe Edition of "Mona Bone Jakon" and I say go for it my peeps of taste and cultural refinement, this being upgraded tears from a dustbin truly worth nabbing...

 

Titles in The Yusuf/Cat Stevens/Cat-O-Log Collection Series Of

50th Anniversary Reissues - Geoff Pesche Remasters at Abbey Road

 

1. Mona Bone Jakon (April 1970 UK Original LP)

All 50th Anniversary Formats UK/EU released 4 December 2020

On Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log Records/Island Records

Single CD Version is 0602508820298

2CD Deluxe Edition Version is 0602508395260

4CD/LP/12”/BLU RAY Super Deluxe Box Set Version is 0602508395178

VINYL LP Version is 0602508820304

 

2. Tea For The Tillerman (November 1970 UK Original LP)

All 50th Anniversary Formats UK/EU released 4 December 2020

On Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log Records/Island Records

Single CD Version is 06025088203598

2CD Deluxe Edition Version is 0602508395253

5CD/LP/12”/BLU RAY Super Deluxe Box Set Version is 0602508395086

VINYL LP Version is 0602508820311

 

3. Teaser And The Firecat (September 1971 UK Original LP)

All 50th Anniversary Formats UK/EU released 19 November 2021

On Universal UMC/Cat-O-Log Records/Island Records

Single CD Version is 0602435513188

2CD Deluxe Edition Version is 0602435513126

4CD/BLU RAY Super Deluxe Box Set Version is 00602435949628

VINYL LP Version is 0602435513218

"Change Everything" by DEL AMITRI (January 2014 UK 'Re-Presents' 2CD Reissue and Remaster Of Their 1992 3rd Album On A&M Records - Remastered and Expanded) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Counting Down The Hours...On The Long Journey Home..." 

Hailing out of Scotland as a sort of Soulful Indie band with great Rock tunes - I first heard del Amitri pump out “Kiss This Thing Goodbye” in the Summer of 1989 off their “Waking Hours” album. And that’s when the love affair started. I’ve subsequently bought maybe twenty CD singles by them over the years - because like Love and Money, The Bible, The Fat Lady Sings, Deacon Blue, The Big Dish and The Silencers - their B-sides were often as good as (if not better than) the album tracks. Now fans are being treated to a “Re-Presents” reissue series of their three albums on A&M Records - “Waking Hours” (1989 and 1990), “Change Everything” (1992) and “Twisted” (1995). Here’s the beer-stained/used condom details...

UK Released 20 January 2014 - “Change Everything” on Universal/Mercury 3755684 (Barcode 602537556847) is a 2CD reissue (in a jewel case) of their 3rd album first issued on A&M Records 395 385 in June 1992 (50:58 minutes). Disc 2 (68:38 minutes) gathers up a whopping 18 non-album studio tracks from multiple variants of 4 single releases. The mastering has been done by GEOFF PESCHE at Abbey Road and the 16-page liner notes (which feature interviews with Justin Currie and Iain Harvey along with press clippings) are expertly handled by TERRY STAUNTON. 

Like it’s A&M predecessor “Waking Hours” - the 12-track “Change Everything” was chock-full of radio friendly hits. “Always The Last To Know” (May 1992), “Be My Downfall” (July 1992), "Just Like A Man” (September 1992) and “When We Were Young” (January 1993) were all released as singles each sporting 7”, 10”, 12" and CD single formats. Unfortunately for die-hard fans (and unlike the “Waking Hours” reissue which has at least two tracks on it that were exclusive to vinyl) - all 16 on Disc 2 are from the CD singles. So if you're like me and you've collected the lot - all you’re getting here is a slight sound upgrade. But at just under seventy minutes it's still amazing value for money...even the live tracks are fantastic (with a really witty into by Paul Whitehouse as mock DJ Mike Smash)...

Speaking of the remaster on the album itself - it’s hard to notice it. The original was a full-on live-in-the-studio feel recording and was beautifully produced by Gil Norton in the first place. A slight amping up is the best way to describe this version - nothing radical - but then like U2’s “Achtung Baby” from 1991 - it doesn’t need a remaster. What is impressive is the sheer song quality and sonic blast that accompanies them. Hooky as Hell and lyrically brilliant - lead singer, bassist and principal songwriter Justin Currie could pen a tune. Amongst the B-sides genius crops up four times - the “a girl who had a hundred ways to hurt you...” folksy jaunt that is “Whiskey Remorse”, the band sounding like a Tom Petty outtake on “Don’t Cry No Tears”, the acoustic love song “The Verb To Love” and my absolute fave - the gorgeous “Long Journey Home” which could easily grace the end of a movie and leave you tingling as you leave the aisle (lyrics from it title this review). I even dig their cover of “Cindy Incidentally” - a band and time-period they clearly worshiped. 

Never hip and somehow derided in some circles as a poor-man’s Faces - I loved del Amitri with a passion. OK this reissue isn’t going to set die-hard fans on fire - but they produced yet another corker in “Change Everything” and this cheap double CD re-boot is a reminder of that brilliance. Both an album and a band that deserve major reappraisal and a ten-spot of your hard-earned.

I’m off now to pine for girls who do you duff and live on the wrong side of the London to Glasgow train tracks...

"Waking Hours" by DEL AMITRI (January 2014 UK 'Re-Presents' 2CD Reissue Of Their 1989 2nd Album On A&M Records - Remastered and Expanded) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Sweet Memory In Your Mind..."

Hailing out of Scotland as a sort of Soulful yet Indie version of the Faces - like so many I never noticed del Amitri's self-titled debut album on Chrysalis which came and went in May 1985. 

It wasn’t until I heard "Kiss This Thing Goodbye" in the Summer of 1989 that the love affair started. I've subsequently bought maybe twenty CD singles by them over the years - because like Love and Money, The Bible, The Fat Lady Sings, Deacon Blue, The Big Dish and The Silencers - their B-sides were often as good as (if not better than) the album tracks. 

Now fans are being treated to a 'Re-Presents' reissue 2CD series of their three albums on A&M Records - "Waking Hours" (1989 and 1990), "Change Everything" (1992) and "Twisted" (1995). Here's the beer-stained details...

UK released 20 January 2014 - "Waking Hours" on Universal/Mercury 3753354 (Barcode 602537533541) is a 2CD reissue in a jewel case of their 2nd album first issued on A&M Records 9006 in July 1989. On the success of the "Nothing Ever Happens" single in January 1990 - the album was re-released in February 1990 with the sleeve used on this reissue (45:50 minutes).

Disc 2 (51: 02 minutes) gathers up 16 non-album studio tracks from 5 single releases - 2 of which are from 10" and 12" singles - so are new to CD. The remaster has been done by GEOFF PESCHE at Abbey Road and the 16-page liner notes (which feature interviews with Currie and Harvey along with press clippings) are expertly handled by TERRY STAUNTON.

Having had 4 whole years to craft his song-writing skills, lead singer, bassist and principal writer JUSTIN CURRIE has recruited new band members IAIN HARVEY (guitarist) and ANDY ALSTON (Keyboards) and after returning from a small US tour that rejuvenated them - they signed to A&M with an album full of great melodies that were far more radio-friendly than their well-received but commercially flaccid debut. It’s a sign of "Waking Hours" strength that 4 of its 10 tracks became singles - “Kiss This Thing Goodbye”, “Stone Cold Sober”, “Move Away Jimmy Blue” and “Nothing Ever Happens” with a further stand alone single in 1990 - “Spit In The Rain”. 

The original album was beautifully produced with an almost live-in-the studio feel to every track - real songs sung with real feeling. The remaster barely changes that (its nine seconds longer than my old CD) and is truthfully only ever-so-slightly better. However, album sleepers like the rocking “Opposite View” and the upbeat “When I Want You” now sound gorgeous. “This Side Of The Morning” sounds so like Rod Stewart circa “Every Picture Tells A Story” - a massive compliment in my book. And the whole album still stands up as a total listening experience. 

Disc 2 is extraordinary in many ways - there’s at least three meisterwerks on here - the unbelievably rock-soulful and lyrically brilliant “So Many Souls To Change” which focuses on corporate greed screwing our world up - the wistful "we gave away our innocence...” song “Don’t I Look Like The Kind Of Guy You Used To Hate” and the lovely yet distinctly Scottish melancholy of “Spit In The Rain” released as a stand-alone single in October 1990 after the album (lyrics from it title this review). Fans will especially enjoy the acoustic strum of “Fred Partington’s Daughter” which was exclusive to the 10” vinyl single of “Kiss This Thing Goodbye” and the ramshackle but fun version of “This Side Of The Morning” which we are assured was recorded live at 2 a.m. in a car-park somewhere (exclusive to the 12” vinyl single of “Move Away Jimmy Blue”). Both of these rare tracks make their first CD appearance here and are very welcome additions. 

Never hip and somehow derided in some circles as a poor-man’s Faces - I loved del Amitri with a passion. They produced a corker in this album - it deserves major reappraisal and a ten-spot of your hard-earned. This cheap double CD and warm remaster of “Waking Hours” is a reminder of their brilliance. 

I’m off to grow some sideburns...

"Loving And Free" by KIKI DEE featuring Elton John and Bernie Taupin (June 2008 UK EMI Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Geoff Pesche Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and 299 More Like It Can Be Found In My AMAZON e-Book 

US AND THEM - 1973

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional 

CD Reissues and Remasters 

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45's...

All In-Depth Reviews From The Discs Themselves

Over 2,200 E-Pages

(No Cut And Paste Crap)

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"…I Will Untangle Myself…"

Kiki Dee's (real name Pauline Matthews) debut album for Elton John's newly formed Rocket Records "Loving & Free" was originally issued on vinyl LP in November 1973 on Rocket PIGL 5 in the UK. 

With songwriting, Production and band contributions from ELTON JOHN and BERNIE TAUPIN - the album also housed hugely popular chart hits in the form of two gorgeous ballads - and Kiki's emotive cover of Veronique Sanson's "Amoureuse" and the title song "Loving & Free". Let's untangle this reissue and get to the details...

This UK issued June 2008 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster of "Loving & Free" by KIKI DEE on EMI 363 1132 (Barcode 0094636311326) reissues that forgotten nugget and adds on two rare bonus tracks (47:25 minutes). It’s the 1st of 6 albums she recorded between 1973 and 1987 – each being given a sonic overhaul by EMI (see list below) - and a cracker it is too.

1. Loving & Free [Side 1]

2. If It Rains

3. Lonnie & Joseph

4. Travellin In Style

5. You Put Something Better

6. Supercool [Side 2]

7. Rest My Head

8. Amoureuse

9. Song For Adam

10. Sugar On The Floor

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Last Good Man In My Life

12. Six Days On The Road

Two 45s came off the album at the time - with one other single issued 3 years later as a belated hit. First up was "Lonnie & Josie" b/w "Last Good Man In My Life" with both tracks written by ELTON JOHN and BERNIE TAUPIN. Released in June 1973 on Rocket PIG 2 - it unfortunately went the same as her earlier singles and didn't chart. Making its debut on this 2008 CD reissue (Track 11) - the B-side “Last Good Man In My Life” has long been sought after by collectors as a non-album JOHN/TAUPIN track unavailable anywhere else. Apparently it was an outtake from the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" sessions. The second and last bonus track is a Previously Unreleased raucous cover of Dave Dudley's 1963 hit "Six Days On The Road" – and it's very good too.

The second 7" single finally hit pay dirt. "Amoureuse" b/w "Rest My Head" (both from the album) hit the UK shops in October 1973 on Rocket PIG 4 just before the album's release in late November. A beautiful song - it was an immediate hit with the public. Written by French singer VERONIQUE SANSON - its plaintive melody had lyrics added to it by the British composer GARY OSBOURNE. "Rest My Head" is a Kiki Dee original. "Amoureuse" peaked at Number 13 in the UK and introduced Kiki's great voice to the public. It really was a career-maker.

The title track "Loving and Free" was finally released as a 4-track EP in a Picture Sleeve in September 1976 on Rocket ROKN 515 (sometimes referred to as the "Kiki Dee" EP). It followed on the back of the huge number 1 success of the "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" duet with ELTON earlier in June and July of that year. Its 4 tracks are: "Loving And Free", "Amoureuse", "I've Got The Music In Me" and "(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am". Why it wasn't released immediately after "Amoureuse" is anyone's guess?

The album's 10 tracks were famously produced by ELTON JOHN with his house band of DAVEY JOHNSTONE on Guitars, DEE MURRAY on Bass and NIGEL OLSSEN on Drums featuring on many of the songs. Elton himself provided Keyboards and Backing Vocals on seven out of the album's ten tunes (he's also on the non-album B-side). GERRY CONWAY and DAVE MATTACKS of FAIRPORT CONVENTION fame filled in the drums on other tracks with LESLIE DUNCAN of "Love Song" fame providing backing vocals on the superb Kiki original "If It Rains". "Travellin' In Style" is a FREE cover, "Song For Adam" is a JACKSON BROWNE cover introduced to Kiki by Elton, while she gives a very soulful rendition of "You Put Something Better Inside Me", a Gerry Rafferty/Joe Egan written STEALER'S WHEEL song. "Supercool" is the third exclusive JOHN/TAUPIN track - a rocker - though not as good as the better B-side "Last Good Man In My Life".

The booklet is excellent – they’ve pictured rare 7" single sleeves - photos of Kiki from the time - a knowledgeable CHRIS WHITE synopsis of the album and details of the sessions (its far more comprehensive than I thought it would be). Special mention should also be made of the EMI's remastering done by GEOFF PESCHE at Abbey Road Studios. The sound is just gorgeous - and I mean that - really clear and full. "Loving And Free" and its beautiful guitar work by PAUL KEOGH now sounds astonishing - a treat to hear it given the respect it deserves. Penned by Kiki - it's a criminally forgotten classic of the time.

A minor downside to this otherwise excellent reissue is that both "Lonnie & Josie" and "Amoureuse" were released in the States on MCA 40095 and 40157 respectively - and as advance radio promos, both singles sported a mono and stereo mix on either side. It's a damn shame that the exclusive "US Mono Mix" of each single wasn't included on here as bonuses when there was plenty of room. Niggles worth mentioning.

Other than that this is like EMI's superb 2006 reissues of Labi Siffre's 1970's Pye Albums - forgotten goodies given great remastered-sound, decent liner notes and genuinely excellent bonus tracks. Thoroughly recommended and a job well done for Britain's Pauline Matthews.

KIKI DEE - June 2008 EMI Records CD Reissues

1. Loving And Free (1973 on Rocket Records)

2. I've Got The Music In Me (1974 on Rocket Records)

3. Kiki Dee (1977 on Rocket Records)

4. Stay With Me (1979 on Rocket records)

5. Angel Eyes (1987 on Columbia Records)

6. Cage The Songbird

Note: Six is an unreleased album recorded during the Rocket Records period, now aired for the first time - it also features contributions from ELTON JOHN and BERNIE TAUPIN.