"Original Classic Albums" by THE ISLEY BROTHERS (2008 Epic/Legacy 5CD Mini Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Go Where You Want To Go…Be What You Want To Be…"

Now here’s a whole stack of fabulous Soul for not a lot of your hard-earned. 

UK issued October 2008 - “Original Classic Albums" by THE ISLEY BROTHERS on Epic/Legacy 88697304842 (Barcode 886973048429) is one of those dinky 5CD Card-Repro Mini Box Sets from Sony and it breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (30:43 minutes): 

1. I Turned You On

2. Vacuum Cleaner

3. I Got To Get Myself Together 

4. Was It Good To You?

5. The Blacker The Berrie (a/k/a Black Berries)

6. My Little Girl

7. Get Down Off Of The Train

8. Holding On

9. Feels Like The World

Tracks 1 to 9 is the LP "The Brothers: Isley", issued November 1969 in the USA on T-Neck TNS 3002 and June 1970 in the UK on Liberty SSL 10300. All tracks are originals.

Disc 2 (39:48 minutes):

1. Get Into Something

2. Freedom 

3. Take Inventory

4. Keep On Doin'

5. Girls Will Be Girls 

6. I Need You So

7. If He Can You Can

8. I Got To Find Me One

9. Beautiful

10. Bless Your Heart

Tracks 1 to 10 is the LP "Get Into Something", issued February 1970 in the USA on T-Neck TNS 3006. All tracks are originals.

Disc 3 is the LP "Givin' It Back", issued September 1971 in the USA on T-Neck TNS 3008 - all 7 tracks are cover versions (41:56 minutes):

1. Ohio/Machine Gun [Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young/Jimi Hendrix - segued as one]

2. Fire And Rain [James Taylor]

3. Lay Lady Lay [Bob Dylan]

4. Spill The Wine [War]

5. Nothin' To Do But Today [Stephen Stills]

6. Cold Bologna [Bill Withers - also features BW on Guitar]

7. Love The One You're With [Stephen Stills]]

Disc 4 is the LP "Brother, Brother, Brother" (credited to "The Isleys"), issued June 1972 in the USA on T-Neck TNS 3009 (38:03 minutes):

1. Brother, Brother

2. Put A Little Love In Your Heart 

3. Sweet Season/Keep On Walkin'

4. Work To Do

5. Pop That Thang 

6. Lay Away 

7. It's Too Late

8. Love Put Me On The Corner

All 8 tracks are originals - except 1, 3 (Part 1 of) and 7 which are Carole King covers while track 2 is a Jackie DeShannon cover

Disc 5 is the LP "3 + 3", issued September 1973 in the USA on T-Neck KZ 32453 and November 1973 in the UK on Epic S EPC 65740 (43:13 minutes):

1. That Lady (Part 1&2)

2. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

3. If You Were There

4. You Walk Your Way

5. Listen To The Music

6. When It Comes Down To

7. Sunshine (Go Away Today)

8. Summer Breeze

9. Highways Of My Life 

All 9 tracks are originals - except track 2 is James Taylor cover, track 5 is a Doobie Brothers cover, track 7 is a Jonathan Edwards cover, track 8 is a Seals & Crofts cover

Track 10 is a CD bonus track, a live version of "That Lady" recorded in 1980

The remastered sound quality is superb throughout and the 5 card sleeves repro the original American 'T-Neck' Records album covers front and rear. TOM RUFF did the 'Legacy Rhythm & Soul Series' Remasters - so that's what's been used here. Unfortunately the card sleeves are too small and blurry to actually read any details off of them. But you can download a full Sessionography for each album from Sony's online site www.musicmadesimple.info (download runs to 9 pages).

In truth I bought this mini box set for the "Givin' It Back" LP - their hard-to-find covers album from 1971. It's one of those fabulous lost soul gems you rarely ever see on vinyl let alone reissue CD (it pushes £25 in places). "Givin' It Back" opens with a dynamite mix of CSYN's "Ohio" with Hendrix's "Machine Gun" and its genius - both songs imbibed with extraordinarily passionate Isley vocals (the Vietnam war and its protests looming everywhere in the lyrics). "Lay Lady Lay" is excellent too, but it does overstay its welcome at ten minutes plus. This is offset against a radically reworked version of James Taylor's "Fire And Rain" which is now brilliantly soulful.  

That the other albums also contain such an embarrassment of riches is of course a blast - a constantly repaying bonus. Check out their stunning cover of Carole King's "It's Too Late" from her wonderful 1971 "Tapestry" album - it's ten minutes long, but this time it works - beautifully soulful with searing guitar work throughout. The brass on "Freedom" too (lyrics above) leaps out at you from the speakers. Another particular favourite of mine is "Work To Do" which the Average White Band practically made their own on the fab "Pick Up The Pieces" Atlantic Records "AWB" album. 

So there you have it - properly great soul music in wonderful sound - and five albums worth of it too - a wee peach of an Isleys thing…

"The Brothers: Isley" by THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1997 'Legacy Rhythm & Soul Series' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Got To Get Myself Together..."

You take one look at the three monks dressed in lurid pink on the cover on this long forgotten T-Neck Records LP from late 1969 - and you know you're in the presence of some serious dig-the-flowers-in-the-garden hippy-hoppity transcendental psychobabble (with a Funky Soul twist).

But then I think - what's wrong with that. And given the sonic evidence presented on this fantastic-sounding June 1997 CD of "The Brothers: Isley" - I'm down with the boys regardless of their garish garb. As a post Brexit Theresa May would say – bring it on baby. Here are the details...

UK released June 1997 - "The Brothers: Isley" by THE ISLEY BROTHERS on Epic/T-Neck/Legacy 487515 2 (Barcode 5099748751522) is a straightforward CD Remaster and is part of Sony’s 'Legacy's Rhythm & Soul Series'. It plays out as follows (30:41 minutes):

1. I Turned You On

2. Vacuum Cleaner

3. I Got To Get Myself Together

4. Was It Good To You?

5. The Blacker The Berrie (aka 'Black Berries')

6. My Little Girl [Side 2]

7. Get Down Off Of The Train

8. Holding On

9. Feels Like The World

Tracks 1 to 9 are their album "The Brothers: Isley" (their 2nd LP on T-Neck) - released November 1969 in the USA on T-Neck Records TNS 3002 and June 1970 in the UK on Stateside SLS 10300. Produced by Ronald, O'Kelly and Rudolph Isley - it peaked at No. 20 on the USA R&B LP charts (didn’t chart in the UK).

Produced for reissue by Leo Sacks – the 8-page inlay pictures label repro’s of American T-Neck 45s – track by track credits – new liner notes from noted Soul writer DAVID RITZ called 'The Pleasure Of Picking Berries' and the usual reissue credits. The CD itself reflects the T-Neck label of old and the album's rear sleeve is repro'd beneath the see-through CD tray. But the big news is a fantastic CD Remaster by TOM RUFF at Sony Studios from original tapes – every track kicking like a mule and full of energy - if not a little hissy in places (bit only on some tracks).

Prepping the public's appetite - T-Neck pushed three 7" singles in 1969 - all of them months prior to the LP's eventual release in November. First up came the Side 1 opener "I Turned You On" b/w "I Know Who You Been Socking It To" in May 1969 on T-Neck TN 902. The flipside was the opening track on the preceding album "It's Our Thang" which peaked at No. 2 on the USA R&B LP charts in May of that year - 1969.  "I Turned You On" was an obvious choice as a lead-off single - a fabulous funky groove where Ronnie moans that he's 'turned her on' but 'he can't turn her off' - especially when she socks it to him (you gotta feel for the man). The remaster is incredibly muscular - a tiny bit of hiss for sure but nothing that detracts from those amazing brass jabs that accompany the groove right through to its slow fade end.

For the LP's second 7" single issued August 1969 on T-Neck TN 906 - the label took the near six-minute James Brown workout that is "The Blacker The Berrie" and re-christened it "Black Berries - Part 1" and "Part 2". The two-parter peaked at No. 43 on the US R&B charts during an uncharacteristically-short four-week reign. Single number three was "Was It Good For You?" - another neck-jerking groover that's busy with guitars and brass. With "I Got To Get Myself Together" as its flipside - it peaked at a modest No. 33 on the USA R&B charts (T-Neck TN 908). With the same track combo - this was the only UK released 45 from the album - February 1970 on Stateside SS 2162 - but it did no business and was quickly deleted.

Other worthy inclusions include the "My Little Girl" is 'dynamite' Side 2 opener and the mid-tempo "Get Down Off Of The Train" - Ernie's guitar playing prominent throughout. "Holding On" could have been another 'fast' 45 - a very Blood, Sweat & Tears brass arrangement propelling it along its Funky little path (fantastic Ronnie Lead Vocal while the boys chant 'you got me holding on'). The short late 60ts album ends on my fave - "Feels Like The World". It's a slow ballad with great guitars and vocal arrangements - Chris Jasper plinking away on the piano anchoring the Soulful proceedings. I love this song - a slinky IB groove that manages to be both Funky and Soulful at the same time. "Feels Like The World" sounds like a lost classic you want to rave about as soon as possible. I'd admit that in the opening minute the transfer is hissier than I would like - but the Lead Vocal from Ronnie (he let’s rip at the end) and the musicianship quickly make mincemeat of that minor quibble...

"The Brothers: Isley" is not a balls-to-the-wall masterpiece like say - "Givin' It Back" - the covers album from 1971. But it is The Isley Brothers on T-Neck during that hallowed period - and that's all the info I need.

Don the pink ponchos lads and get down with 'The Brothers: Isley'...

"Bill Withers Live At Carnegie Hall" by BILL WITHERS (Inside 'The Complete Sussex And Columbia Albums' Columbia/Legacy 9CD Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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HIGHER GROUND

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"…Let Me In Your Life..." 

Columbia have many world-class box sets in their "Complete Album Series" – but you'd have to say that this BILL WITHERS winner is just a little bit more special than most. And with a thoroughly deserved Grammy win under the belt - it’s time to review the great Soul Man’s legacy - especially his brilliant but overlooked live double from 1973 – the fabulous "Bill Withers Live At Carnegie Hall".

You can buy the CD in two ways - a 1997 stand alone Remaster on Columbia/Legacy 488987 2 (Barcode 5099748898722) – a disc that gives you the full 14-track double-album onto 1CD (it was originally recorded 6 October 1972 at the famous venue in New York).

But I'd argue that Withers is too damn good to penny-pinch - so I'd advise you splash the cash and get the album within "The Complete Sussex And Columbia Albums" 9CD Box Set released November 2012 to much acclaim. Sony Music/Legacy 88697894672 (Barcode 886978946720) is a truly stunning 9-album set with a 40-page colour booklet that can often be procured for under a twenty-spot. Not only do you get the mighty "Carnegie Hall" double but you nail "Just As I Am" – his debut from 1971 – the wonderful "Still Bill" follow up LP from 1972 – 1974's unfairly forgotten "+ 'Justments" and so much more - "Making Music" (October 1975), "Naked & Warm" (October 1976), "Menagerie" (October 1977), "'Bout Love" (March 1979) and finally "Watching You Watching Me" (May 1985). But for this review we’ll concentrate on Disc 3 of 9 - "Bill Withers Live At Carnegie Hall" (77:09 minutes):

1. Use Me (Live)

2. Friend Of Mine (Live)

3. Ain’t No Sunshine (Live)

4. Grandma’s Hands (Live)

5. World Keeps Going Around (Live) - [Side 2]

6. Let Me In Your Life (Live)

7. Better Off Dead (Live)

8. For My Friend (Live)

9. I Can't Write Left Handed (Live) - [Side 3]

10. Lean On Me (Live)

11. Lonely Town Lonely Street (Live)

12. Hope She’ll Be Happier (Live)

13. Let Us Love (Live) – [Side 4]

14. Harlem/Cold Baloney (Live)

Tracks 1 to 13 are the live double album "Bill Withers Live At Carnegie Hall" – released April 1973 on Sussex SXBS 7025-2 in the USA and A&M/Sussex AMLD 3001 in the UK.

The attention to detail in the Box set is pleasing - the first 4 discs sport the Sussex label as per the original vinyl albums while the following five have the red Columbia labels. "Still Bill" has its 'opening doors' front sleeve while the double "Live At Carnegie Hall" also has its original gatefold reproduced. Each card sleeve is now bordered in white but it looks and feels classy (even if the print is tiny). The chunky 40-page booklet doesn’t scrimp on detail either - track-by-track annotation with photos of the albums, rare music press adverts, liner notes by Michael Eric Dyson and even a letter from the great man himself at the beginning about his long musical journey.

But the big news for fans is the stunning new remastered sound carried out by a trio of engineers - MARK WILDER for 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 with 1, 2 and 7 handled by JOSEPH M. PALMACCIO and 3 (Carnegie Hall) done by TOM RUFF. Original analogue master tapes have been used in all transfers and what a job they’ve done... Right from the opening acoustic strum of “Harlem” on his fabulous debut album “Just As I Am” and onto the gutsy pump of “Lonely Town, Lonely Street” which opens the equally brill follow up LP “Still Bill” - the sound quality is truly glorious throughout. Beautiful feel - space around the instruments - clarity - warm bass - not to over-trebled - it’s a top notch job done and makes you re-hear all those wonderful songs anew. 

Like 1972's single "Donny Hathaway Live" LP - 1973's "...Carnegie Hall..." vinyl double has garnished a legendary reputation amongst Soul aficionados. Intimate with his audience despite the venue size - a band cooking - songs that sway and groove. Five of its mainly mellow fourteen are exclusive - the impassioned love songs "Friend Of Mine" and "Let Us Love", the acoustic old-man weariness of "World Keeps Going Around", the aching anti-war song "I Can't Write Left-Handed" and "Cold Baloney" which is worked into a 14 minute encore with "Harlem". "Carnegie Hall" is a whole heap of magic and you can literally feel the audience filing it into their memory banks. When he launches into some of the debut album's finest moments - "Ain't No Sunshine" or the lesser-heard funk of "Better Off Dead" - you can literally feel the crowd loving it - grooving - whopping - whistling.

There's Funk on here too - "Lonely Town, Lonely Street" from the 1972 "Still Bill" LP is neck-jerking excellence. That's immediately followed by the exact opposite - "Hope She'll Be Happier With Him". It's a post break-up love song - tender but also open like a wound as Withers sings "...maybe the lateness of the hour...makes me seem bluer than I am..." 

The cello builds as he belts out more hurting lyrics - "...over the darkness I have no power...hope she'll be happier with him..." His other huge hit "Lean On Me" elicits a whole-house handclap - a gorgeous Soul moment. This is a song that huge resonance and one that often moves me to tears and I’m sure a few were shed as this was played that October night way back 1972 New York.

Somehow like equal giants Bobby Womack, Minnie Riperton and Donny Hathaway - Bill Withers has always been the underdog of Soul - never spoken about in the same awe-struck tones that are routinely given to Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding. In my book he’s always been right up there with the best of them - a world class Soul Brother - and this ludicrously good CD Remaster is a way in for us mere mortals to that musical greatness...

"...I loved that old lady..." - he says to the audience as he introduces "Grandma's Hands" on "Bill Withers Live At Carnegie Hall". Well - we feel the same about you mate. Beautiful and then some...

“The Complete Sussex And Columbia Albums” by BILL WITHERS (2012 Sony Music/Legacy 9-CD Mini Box Set Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…A Lovely Day…"

Columbia have many world-class box sets in their "Complete Album Series" – but you'd have to say that this BILL WITHERS winner is just a little bit more special than most. And with a thoroughly deserved Grammy win under the belt - it’s time to review the great Soul Man’s legacy...

Released November 2012 in the UK and USA - "The Complete Sussex And Columbia Albums" by BILL WITHERS is a 9-CD Mini Box Set with a 40-page booklet on Sony Music/Legacy 88697894672 (Barcode 886978946720) and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (35:37 minutes)

1. Harlem

2. Ain’t No Sunshine

3. Grandma’s Hands

4. Sweet Wanomi

5. Everybody’s Talkin'

6. Do It Good

7. Hope She’ll Be Happier – [Side 2]

8. Let It Be Me

9. I’m Her Daddy

10. In My Heart

11. Moanin' And Groanin'

12. Better Off Dead

Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut album "Just As I Am" – released May 1971 on Sussex SXBS-7006 in the USA and A&M/Sussex AMLS 65002 in the UK.

Disc 2 (36:14 minutes):

1. Lonely Town, Lonely Street

2. Let Me In Your Life

3. Who Is He (And What Is He To You)?

4. Use Me

5. Lean On Me

6. Kissing My Love – [Side 2]

7. I Don’t Know

8. Another Day To Run

9. I Don’t Want You On My Mind

10. Take It All In And Check It All Out

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 2nd studio album "Still Bill" – released May 1972 on Sussex SXBS 7014 in the USA and A&M/Sussex AMLS 68107 in the UK

Disc 3 (77:09 Minutes):

1. Use Me (Live)

2. Friend Of Mine (Live)

3. Ain’t No Sunshine (Live)

4. Grandma’s Hands (Live)

5. World Keeps Going Around (Live) - [Side 2]

6. Let Me In Your Life (Live)

7. Better Off Dead (Live)

8. For My Friend (Live)

9. I Can’t Write Left Handed (Live) - [Side 3]

10. Lean On Me (Live)

11. Lonely Town Lonely Street (Live)

12. Hope She’ll Be Happier (Live)

13. Let Us Love (Live) – [Side 4]

14. Harlem/Cold Baloney (Live)

Tracks 1 to 13 are the live double album "Bill Withers Live At Carnegie Hall" – released April 1973 on Sussex SXBS 7025-2 in the USA and A&M/Sussex AMLD 3001 in the UK

Disc 4 (37:36 minutes):

1. You

2. The Same Love That Made Me Laugh

3. Stories

4. Green Grass

5. Ruby Lee

6. Heartbreak Road – [Side 2]

7. Can We Pretend

8. Liza

9. Make A Smile For Me

10. Railroad Man

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 3rd studio album "+ 'Justments" – released March 1974 on Sussex SRA 8032 in the USA and A&M/Sussex AMLH 68230 in the UK

Disc 5 (43:51 minutes):

1. I Wish You Well

2. The Best You Can

3. Make Love To Your Mind

4. I Love You Dawn

5. She’s Lonely

6. Sometimes A Song – [Side 2]

7. Paint Your Pretty Picture

8. Family Table

9. Don’t You Want To Stay?

10. Hello Like Before

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 4th studio album "Making Music" – released October 1975 on Columbia PC 33704 in the USA and CBS 69183 in the UK

Disc 6 (41:03 minutes):

1. Close To Me

2. Naked & Warm (Heaven! Oh! Heaven!)

3. Where Are You

4. Dreams

5. If I Didn’t Mean You Well – [Side 2]

6. I’ll Be With You

7. City Of The Angels

8. My Imagination

Tracks 1 to 8 are his 5th studio album "Naked & Warm" – released October 1976 on Columbia PC 34327 in the USA and December 1976 in the UK on CBS 81580

Disc 7 (38:26 minutes):

1. Lovely day

2. I Want To Spend The Night

3. Lovely Night For Dancing

4. Then You Smile At Me

5. She Wants To (Get On Down)

6. It Ain’t Because Of Me Baby

7. Tender Things

8. Wintertime

9. Let Me Be The One You Need

Tracks 1 to 9 are his 6th studio album "Menagerie" – released October 1977 on Columbia JC 34903 in the USA and January 1978 in the UK on CBS S CBS 82265

Disc 8 (39:03 minutes):

1. All Because Of You

2. Dedicated To You My Love

3. Don’t It Make It Better

4. You Got The Stuff

5. Look To Each Other For Love

6. Love

7. Love is

8. Memories Are That Way

Tracks 1 to 8 are his 7th studio album "'Bout Love" – released March 1979 in the USA on Columbia JC 35596 and in the UK on CBS S CBS 83176

Disc 9 (45:11 minutes):

1. Oh Yeah!

2. Something That Turns You On

3. Don’t Make Me Wait

4. Heart In Your Life

5. Watching You Watching Me

6. We Could Be Sweet Lovers

7. You Just Can’t Smile It Away

8. Steppin' Right Along

9. Whatever Happens

10. You Try To Find A Love

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 8th studio album "Watching You Watching Me" – released May 1985 in the USA on Columbia FC 39887

The attention to detail is pleasing - the first 4 discs sport the Sussex label as per the original vinyl albums while the following five have the red Columbia labels. "Still Bill" has its 'opening doors' front sleeve while the double "Live At Carnegie Hall" also has its original gatefold reproduced. Each card sleeve is now bordered in white but it looks and feels classy (even if the print is tiny). The chunky 40-page booklet doesn’t scrimp on detail either - track-by-track annotation with photos of the albums, rare music press adverts, liner notes by Michael Eric Dyson and even a letter from the great man himself at the beginning about his long musical journey.

But the big news for fans is the stunning new remastered sound carried out by a trio of engineers - MARK WILDER for 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 with 1, 2 and 7 handled by JOSEPH M. PALMACCIO and 3 done by TOM RUFF. Original analogue master tapes have been used in all transfers and what a job they’ve done... Right from the opening acoustic strum of “Harlem” on his fabulous debut album “Just As I Am” and onto the gutsy pump of “Lonely Town, Lonely Street” which opens the equally brill follow up LP “Still Bill” - the sound quality is truly glorious throughout. Beautiful feel - space around the instruments - clarity - warm bass - not to over-trebled - it’s a top notch job done and makes you re-hear all those wonderful songs anew. 

And then you’re hit by that other thing - the sheer wall-to-wall class of his songwriting - properly soulful tunes that etch their way into your heart and won’t leave. And then there’s thrill number three - the stuff you haven’t heard - the discoveries... “Better Off Dead” (a B-side to “Lean On Me” in the UK in August 1972) and “Do It Good” both off the debut - “Kissing My Love” and “Take It All In And Check It All Out” off “Still Bill” - the cool groove of “Ruby Lee” (covered by Joe Cocker on his “Sheffield Steel” album from 1982) and the beautiful “Hello Like Before” both off the massively underrated "+ 'Justments" LP - all of it screams out to be reappraised and loved again.

Like 1972‘s single “Donny Hathaway Live” LP - 1973‘s “Carnegie Hall” vinyl double has garnished a legendary reputation amongst soul aficionados. Intimate with his audience despite the venue size - a band cooking - songs that sway and groove. Five of its mainly mellow fourteen are exclusive - the impassioned love songs "Friend Of Mine" and "Let Us Love", the acoustic old-man weariness of "World Keeps Going Around", the aching anti-war song "I Can't Write Left-Handed" and "Cold Baloney" which is worked into a 14 minute encore with "Harlem". "Carnegie Hall" is a whole heap of magic and you can literally feel the audience filing it into their memory banks.

It’s also pleasing to hear that even into the late Seventies and Eighties - he never lost his knack for a tune - the pretty “My Imagination” from “Naked & Warm”,  the "trying to make us happy..." vibe to the finger-tapping “Look To Each For Love” from "'Bout Love" and the funky dancer "Steppin' Right Along" from “Watching You Watching Me”. The only bum note (if you could call it that) is that Page 13 shows us the rare picture sleeve of the Christmas 1972 US 7” single for “The Gift Of Giving b/w Let Us Love” on Sussex SUX 247. To my knowledge its rare A-side has never been on CD anywhere in the world and unfortunately because this is an albums set - it isn’t included here either (when there was room). And although the look is generic to this series by Columbia - I also think the outer box is a tad naff looking. And maybe even a disc of rarities. Other than those minor niggles - it’s a feast and cheap too...

Somehow like equal giants Bobby Womack, Minnie Riperton and Donny Hathaway - Bill Withers has always been the underdog of Soul - never spoken about in the same awe-struck tones that are routinely given to Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding. In my book he’s always been right up there with the best of them - a world class Soul Brother - and this ludicrously good mini CD box set is a way in for us mere mortals to that musical greatness...

"I loved that old lady..." - he says to the audience as he introduces "Grandma's Hands" on "Live At Carnegie Hall". Well - we feel the same about you mate. Beautiful and then some...