Robin Trower – Robin Trower Live! (Chrysalis)
Robin Trower’s career as one of rock’s most soulful guitarists began during his time with ‘60s beat group, The Paramounts before he joined Procol Harum, but it was when he left the band that his unique blend of funky blues and rock really caught the record buyers’ attention.
After leaving Procol Harum, Trower formed the Robin Trower Band, releasing Twice Removed From Yesterday in ‘73, a hint of what was to follow.
The guitarist’s much lauded live release gets a brand new look to celebrate its 50th anniversary thanks to two special editions released by Chrysalis this week.
Newly sequenced back into its original 12-track running order and remixed from the original multi-tracks by engineer Richard Whittaker the original set benefits from much longer versions than originally released.
The 2CD version includes the expanded concert alongside a new remaster of the original seven-track LP with the tracks in their original edited released form.
The vinyl includes the new mix across two LPs.
Liner notes by David Sinclair include new quotes from Trower and drummer Bill Lordan alongside unseen photos from the concert and the period.
Also available as a download based on the 2CD set, this 1975 Stockholm performance is a must-have for fans and collectors alike.
The Eagles – One Of These Nights Deluxe Edition (Rhino) (Image: Supplied)
The Eagles – One Of These Nights Deluxe Edition (Rhino)
One Of These Nights has been in my top 20 albums ever since its release back in 1975 – a milestone for the band and a first-time Grammy winner.
This timeless long player named after the evergreen song is thoroughly overhauled and expanded for this 50th anniversary edition.
One Of These Nights (Deluxe Edition) (Image: © Ken Regan/Camera 5)
One Of These Nights (Deluxe Edition) will be available as a 3CD/Blu-ray set featuring a new mix of the original album, and an unreleased 16-song 1975 concert at Anaheim Stadium, and new Dolby Atmos and high-res stereo mixes.
A 3LP version, released the same day, will include the new album mix and the full concert recording.
The lacquers were cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering.
The unreleased live concert features the band’s performance at the Sunshine Festival in Anaheim on September 28, 1975.
The Eagles (Image: © Norman Seeff)
Recorded at the end of the tour for One Of These Nights, the show features Henley, Glenn Frey, Randy Meisner, Bernie Leadon, and Don Felder.
The set features songs from the album, Lyin’ Eyes, Take It To The Limit, and hits from the group’s first three albums including, The Best Of My Love.
A hitherto unreleased track, a cover of Chuck Berry’s, Carol which featured prominently in their live performances makes its debut on an Eagles album and is available as a stream download separately.
The Blu-ray that accompanies the CD set presents the album and the live performance in Dolby Atmos and high-resolution stereo.
Finally, the 3 LP set features the same content as the CD version minus the Blu Ray.
Various Artists – Wednesday Morning 6AM (Ace Records) (Image: Supplied)
Various Artists – Wednesday Morning 6AM (Ace Records)
Back in the 70’s you would be woken by the sound of your alarm clock/radio and the gentle songs that Radio 2 perceived were the sounds to wake up to.
No raucous chart songs or stirring anthems were on the 6am playlist; this space was reserved for a very special genre of music, songs that you grew to love over the cornflakes, toast and tea.
Compiler, Bob Stanley looks back here at some of those familiar and not so familiar tracks that accompanied those first moments of the day.
Many of the tracks featured here exist in my subconsciousness buried deep amongst those first waking thoughts.
Lou Rawls, Lady Love, Crystal Gale, Why Have You Left The One You Left Me For, Gilbert O’Sullivan, trippy, Matrimony, and Bob James and the wonder theme to Taxi a favourite 70’s sitcom.
Do yourself a favour and treat yourself to a weekend morning with Matt Munro, Carly Simon, Dionne Warwick, and Art Garfunkel – 22 reasons to hold off facing the world for another hour or so – magic.
Motown superstar Stevie Wonder (Image: Supplied)
Various – Black America Sings Stevie Wonder (Ace)
Motown superstar Stevie Wonder became as he grew older as famous for his writing as he did his singing passing over many of his compositions to others and often not recording them himself.
This latest collection looks at the singer and his songs and is as usual reliant on the whim of the compiler what is included and what is left out and indeed which cover version is used.
Often compilers go for the most obscure over what will necessarily be what listeners are expecting, but thankfully here Mick Patrick seems to avoid that trap.
My first point of call was to Until You Come Back To Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do) and he mercifully selects the only real choice by the legendary Aretha Franklin.
Jermaine Jackson heads up the 20-track selection with the Wonder laden, Let’s’ Get Serious a floor filler that established the slow start soloists mid-career.
A stroke of genius saw the legendary Quincy Jones tackle the raunchy, Superstition and label mates, The Supremes (minus Miss Ross) and Marvin Gaye turn in, Bad Weather and You’re The One For Me but this listener’s ears zoned in to the Detroit – ‘should have been a 45 ‘ What Else Is There To Do (But Think About You) from Four Tops – Reach Out LP.
So Sylvester turns in a creditable cover of Living For The City, Sisters Sledge on As (although Wonder’s own version outshines this as does George Michael and Mary J), OC Smith tackles My Cherie Amour and Nancy Wilson Uptight.
Where though I ask myself is Gary Byrd’s The Crown – desperate for a CD release?
Still you can’t have everything and this is pretty close.
Various – Richard Searling Presents Soul On The Real Side #17 (Charly)
I love to pick up a CD set such as this for educational as well as entertainment purposes.
With the well-known and respected Northern Soul DJ at the helm of this volume of the long running series you can be assured of both.
Entertainment speaks for itself as Searling wanders through the archives of Charly Records selecting a fusion on modern and northern soul, education for this southerly fan who knows very little about the majority of the tracks but is more than willing to learn.
With selections from Jackie Ross and Little Milton, Connie Laverne (wow), The Creations, Betty Everett and Lloyd Price you just know you ‘ve got a good thing going.
This collection gives us the album-only cut I’m In Love With You by Jackie Ross and Little Milton plus Rudy Love’s first ever reissue of his wonderfully obscure version of the Whispers song Where Have You Been, Marvin Sims feel-good soul groove, Love Is On The Way and the previously unissued, remix of Phillip Ballou’s demo We’ll Be Together.
An alternate take of Betty Everett’s My Love To Lean On is also a debut along with Flavor’s Motown distributed side Don’t Freeze U.
I count myself a graduate from the Charly University of soul after this.
Marty Wilde – Let’s Rock This Place (Cherry Red)
I’m not sure that at 87 Marty doesn’t hold some sort of entertainment record – still touring (details below) and releasing long players well into the retirement age of most.
Returning with Let’s Rock This Place, a brand-new studio album sees Marty one of the pioneers of British rock ’n’ roll sounding as vital, exhilarating and committed as ever.
Created in collaboration with guitarist and Wilde fan Darrel Higham who is best known for his long-term touring work with Imelda May and sessions with Chrissie Hynde and Jeff Beck Jim Phantom – Let’s Rock This Place is a prime example of age being no barrier to talent.
What began as a relatively small idea for an EP grew into a full 12-track album after the tracks were positively reviewed.
Backed by Darrel Higham And The Enforcers, known as one of the UK’s finest rockabilly outfits, Wilde delivers a thrilling set that blends hits, loved B-sides and covers, all performed with the exuberance of a performer half his age.
Available on CD, 12-inch LP and all digital formats, Let’s Rock This Place is a bold, joyous statement from a true rock ’n’ roll original.
If you want to catch up with Marty on his current tours then he is appearing in the region as follows.
Ann Peebles and Patti Austin (Image: Supplied)
Saturday May 16, Hunstanton, Princess Theatre with The Wildcats.
Saturday September 5, Witham, Witham Public Hall, with The Wildcats.
Saturday September 12, Clacton-on-sea, West Cliff Theatre, with The Wildcats.
Saturday September 26, Great Yarmouth, St George’s Theatre, with The Wildcats.
Ann Peebles – Nobody But You/Tutu Jones You Shatter My Heart (Jai Alai)
Patti Austin – In And Out Of Love/ Barbara Lynn – So Good (Jai Alai)
Patti Austin – In And Out Of Love/ Barbara Lynn – So Good (Jai Alai) (Image: Supplied)
Two excellent 45 re-issues from Jai Alai an offshoot of Soul4Real Records hit my desk this week and will be of particular interest to soul enthusiasts and 45 collectors who will instantly know Nobody But You a sublime slice of modern soul from the 1992 CD Bullseye Blues coupled with the Tutu Jones stepper You Shatter My Soul a deserving reissue of a southern soul power house.
Patti Austin’s In & Out Of Love is a totally sublime track from Patti’s 1998 album of the same name, originally released on Concord Vista Records flipped with Barbara Lynn’s Latin tinged slice of wax, So Good.
All 4 sides are I believe new to vinyl and well worthy of rerelease.
For a fledgling label Jai Alai is truly doing some awesome work.
Classic Re-issues
Ann Peebles – Nobody But You/Tutu Jones You Shatter My Heart (Jai Alai) (Image: Supplied)
Marvin Gaye – I Want You (Motown/Ume)
UMe have announced the vinyl and digital releases of the singers second most famous long player to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
A new suite includes a premium vinyl re-issue of the original long player plus a 2LP set of bonus tracks including alternate takes.
There are also available remixes of the title track by Timalikesmusic and Roc and Soon I’ll Be Loving You remixed by Salaam Remi.
Frank Sinatra Songs for Swingin’ Lovers (Image: Supplied)
Frank Sinatra – In The Wee Small Hours Mono Tone Poet Vinyl Edition (Capitol/Blue Note/Ume)
Frank Sinatra’s seminal 1955 album In The Wee Small Hours is a melancholy masterpiece of lost love and heartbreak featuring the legendary vocalist’s sublime renditions of Great American Songbook standards arranged by Nelson Riddle.
This mono Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analogue master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket featuring session photos by William Claxton & Ken Veeder.
Along with the title track are favourites, What Is This Thing Called Love and It Never Entered My Mind.
Frank Sinatra – Wee Small Hours (Image: Supplied)
Frank Sinatra – Songs For Swingin Lovers, Blue Note Tone Poet Vinyl Edition (Capitol/Blue Note/Ume)
Background music to my childhood days when my mother thought Frank was the ‘bees knees’ and so grew up knowing the contents of this album back to front.
Songs such as You Make Me Feel So Young, Our Love Is Here To Stay and Pennies From Heaven were the perfect remedy following Frank’s more recent (then) melancholy, In The Wee Small Hours.
This April 2 released mono Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analogue master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket featuring session photos by William Claxton & Ken Veeder.
Stop Press
Neil Diamond – Wild At Heart (Capitol) (Image: Supplied)
Neil Diamond – Wild At Heart (Capitol)
A new album from Neil Diamond is on the horizon…and that’s just about the sweetest news we could expect this year.
The superstar singer-songwriter has announced a new album: Wild at Heart, to be released May 8 on Capitol Records.
The ten-track album is composed of outtakes recorded with producer Rick Rubin in 2007 for the Home Before Dark album (which was released the next year).
Diamond has recently completed the tracks for this release.