|
|
8/17/00 to 1-17-01
Title:Flash Cadillac & the Continental Kids - Sons Of The Beaches
Label:Varese Sarabande 302 066 149 2
Comments:You need to buy anything by Flash Cadillac so there really is no
need to read the rest of this review.
Are you still here? I told you not to bother reading the rest - just
buy it!
Jeez, you really are a pest - ok, here's the drill: this is a reissue
plus bonus tracks of the 1975 summertime good feeling LP by those lovable
boys from American Graffiti by way of Colorado. They took the original LP
which featured one of the great retro rockers of the mid-70s "Good Times,
Rock & Roll" ("Radio blastin' everybody's laughin' goodtimes rock & roll.
There ain't nothin' in the world like the sound of music to satisfy my soul"
- now that's poetry) and added not one but two (count 'em) two versions of
their big hit "Did You Boogie (With Your Baby)" - the version with Wolfman
Jack and the one without - plus their homage to Roy Wood "See My Baby Jive"
and their homage to gastroenteritis - "Brown Water (Apocalypse Blues)".
[breathe - whew, that was a long sentence - did I tell you how great Kris
Moe's homage to Carl Wilson Beach Boys "Time Will Tell" is? No? Well it is.
Ditto the rocker "It's Hard (To Break The Ice)."] Hey, Spike & Butch cover
"Summer Means Fun" - what more do you need to know? It's a little bit
Spector, a little bit Wilson and a whole lotta good. The cover is the same
as on the LP on the front, but Flash and the Kids refused to let you see
their white legs stickin' out of basketball togs anymore, so they replaced
the old back cover (hey, get a tan guys).
The mastering is just as on the old records as apparently the master tapes
got sucked into the great beyond, but (hey) rejoice cause it's out on CD.
Next we need the first two Epic records on CD or we're gonna give youse guys
a middle finger arithmetic lesson!
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 8-17-00
Title:25 All-Time Greatest Summer Songs - The Ultimate Collection
Label:Varese Sarabande 302 066 148 2
Comments:If I were Fall, Winter or Spring I'd be pretty darned honked off by
now. For some reason everybody always gets excited about summer this and
summer that. OK, this CD contains 25 songs about a few hot months of the
year (what's so great about sweating anyway). Whatever. It's time for
somebody to put out compilation for the rest of the year. Till then, you
might as well buy this thing to compliment the other collections for the
other seasons. Rather than supplanting the old Rhino compilation Summer &
Sun this stands beside it with only eight overlapping tracks. No doubt you
already have "Wipe Out" on CD or "Summer In The City" (here in a mono mix as
is "Dancing In The Street"), but it's the cool oddities that make this set a
winner. Just knowing the you can finally get the Wombles' "Wombling Summer
Party" on US CD should get you to buy. Other cool tracks are Ronnie Dove's
"Happy Summer Days," "Summer Sand" by Dawn and a great Shelley Fabares VeeJay
singel "Lost Summer Love." There are no songs from the Capitol family of
artists (read: Beach Boys) which one assumes is due to licensing
difficulties. Frankly, if you own a decent Beach Boys set there isn't really
any need to overlap anyway. You do get early Dick Dale ("Let's Go Trippin'")
and a Dean Torrance overdub of the old Jan&Dean track "New Girl In School"
title "Gonna Hustle You." The sound is mono or stereo as usual except on the
earlier mentioned two.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 8-17-00
Title:Traffic - Heaven Is In Your Mind
Label:Island 314 542 824 2
Comments:At last, the U.S. version of the first classic Traffic LP turns up
on CD in stereo. In the early days of compact disc reissues, Island released
a CD titled Mr. Fantasy which was the U.K version of this record. While it
was nice to have the basics of this record on disc, this is one instance
where the U.S. version is a major improvement over the overseas release.
Frankly, the sound on this disc isn't especially better than the old release
and the packaging includes no explanatory notes, but at 16 tracks it's a
better buy. On the old LP, two Dave Mason tracks were dropped in favor of
the superior singles tracks "Hole In My Shoe," "Paper Sun" (and a closing
reprise of to fade out) and "Smiling Phases." Those two so-so Mason songs
("Utterly Simple" and "Hope I Never Find Me There") have been included as
bonus tracks along with two from the movie Here We Go Round The Mulberry Tree
(the title track and "Am I What I Was Or Am I What I Am"). In the silence
grooves between songs the old record had some quiet 'noodling' which has also
been restored. The bonus tracks do not make this a better release as frankly
the old 12 track LP is still a classic of British psychedelia (along with the
Small Faces' Ogden's Nutgone Flake and Family's Music In A Dolls House).
>From the lunatic Steve Winwood barrelhouse piano of "Berkshire Poppies" to
the driving organ based jazz of "Giving to You" the styles change on almost
each song (a gripe I have with most of today's music where every song
features the same instrumentation and singer). The front cover is the same
as the old LP missing Dave Mason, but they have added a small picture on the
back showing the band when he was a member.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 9-14-00
Title:Harry Nilsson - Skidoo/The Point!
Label:Camden Deluxe 74321 757432 (U.K. import)
Comments:Several classic Nilsson records have been given the reissue with
bonus tracks treatment recently overseas. I'm reviewing this one as it
includes an LP title perhaps foreign to most casual fans - Skidoo. Both of
these records are soundtracks with the former an Otto Preminger movie and the
latter an animated TV affair. Unless you like orchestrated incidental music,
Skidoo is pretty much a waste of time. That being said, the good thing is
that The Point is still a charming record with alternating classic Nilsson
and narration relating the story of Oblio and his lack of a point (buy the
record if you have to ask). If you buy this disc to get that record and
consider the 12 Skidoo tracks to be a bonus (along with the other 4 bonus
tracks) than you won't be disappointed. There are only 4 vocal tracks on
Skidoo and of those one is a Carol Channing throwaway and one is the title
credits to the movie sung by Nilsson (weird). That leaves only "Garbage Can
Ballet" (better than it's title, but still sort of contrived lyrically) and
"I Will Take You There" a charming ballad. That song is also present on this
disc in a different performance from a single (also included on the 2 disc
Nilsson Personal Best). The remaining bonus cuts are "Girlfriend" (also on
the 2 CD set) "Down In The Valley" and "Buy My Album" which is pretty much a
throwaway too. "Down In The Valley" is a nice song in the early Nilsson
style and is a worthy addition. The liner notes are informative about this
period, but do omit the booklet insert found in the vinyl version of The
Point. The sound is good and with the amount of tracks included, it is a
bargain.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 9-14-00
Title:Dave Clark 5 - Glad All Over/Return/American Tour
Coast To Coast/Weekend In London/Having A
Wild Weekend
I Like It Like That/Try Too Hard/Satisfied
With You
5x5/You Got What It Takes/Everybody Knows
Five By Five 1964-69/If Somebody Loves You
Play Good Old Rock&Roll/Dave Clark &
Friends
Pieces&Bits-Rarities, Hits&Single Tracks
Label:Bits&Pieces DCFCD 7100 - 7700
Comments:Back in 6th grade the rock and roll bug bit yours truly. While
everybody was wearing their Beatle wigs and going 'yeah yeah yeah,' yours
truly was stung by the harder Tottenham sound. The Dave Clark 5 flat out
rocked. They had nasty honkin' sax, prominent bass, a gravel voiced shouter
in Mike Smith and some real stompin' drum licks. You know the songs ("Glad
All Over" et al) so I won't bore you. Suffice it to say that in 4 years I
bought 12 original DC 5 records and 2 hits packages which would take perhaps
20 - 40 years for today's bands to churn out. The great thing about the 5 is
they didn't screw around. They said their piece generally in under 2 minutes
and they got out - none of this mamby pamby 5 minute noodling you see today.
Heck, most of the 5 songs would have been over before Madonna even starts in
singing on her newest single. There was a pretty good 2 CD hits package on
Hollywood (and a good overseas EMI set too) a few years back that obviously
served as the source for many of these tracks as you can hear the improved
sound when they overlap. The rest are obviously vinyl masters, but generally
pretty good (with only a few obvious pops) with lots of rare stereo. Really
the only gripe I can see in that department is that my single of "Rub It In"
is in stereo while it's in mono here (it's pretty rare in any form) and my
old 5x5 record is in stereo yet 6 of the tracks here are in mono which seems
odd. Unless Mr. Clark wises up and slides out the promised boxset (any
unreleased stuff in the can guys?) or gets his own sets out, this is about as
good as it gets (with the earlier caveats). Each volume is 2 or 3 records on
one CD (as noted in the titles) and the books are fabulous. Each show
original U.S. artwork along with rare import releases and generally nifty
liner notes (the only exception is that no new light is shed on whether the
five played on their own records or who the Friends where on the last
release). The first set suffers from poor indexing so while all the songs
are included, several of the tracks do not have their own index which puts
the numbering off and makes it hard to find a few tracks. The rarest of the
sets are the last 4 which include harder to find U.S. LPs, import only LPs or
rare singles only tracks. While the later stuff is rare and worth having for
that reason, it should be noted that for this reviewer, the quality of the
music really dips after the Everybody Knows record when female choruses and
hackneyed covers like "Draggin' The Line" show up. For this reviewer, there
was no better record by the 5 than the LP Try To Hard so if you wanna try
just one, than start with volume number 3. For obsessives like me, however,
they are all essential.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 9-14-00
Title:Jackie DeShannon - You Know Me
Label:Varese Sarabande/Jag 302 066 169 2
Comments:Back in the '60s, Jackie DeShannon had it all: beauty, success as
performer and a secure future from income as a songwriter. Since then, she's
kept a generally low profile putting out the occasional LP driven by her
pleasantly thin country twang of a voice. This is the first new release from
DeShannon in over a decade and finds her looking back musically. Fans of her
'60s music may be disappointed that she doesn't look back far enough to get a
retro R&B sound like her old hits. Rather, it seems like her music could
have come from the '80s arena rock era since her band tends to slip into the
cavernous drum/synth string/fuzz guitar lead mode on many of the songs
(notably on "Steal The Thunder"). Many of the songs harken back to the
bombastic Jim Steinman productions for Meatloaf. Indeed, the best song here
"Song For Sandra Jeanne (Rites Of Passage)" sounds like and ideal
Steinman-like vehicle for Bonnie Tyler or Celine Dion (hopefully she'll get
a copy to both those ladies). All but one of the songs have a DeShannon
writing credit. The one cover is of the old Beach Boys song "Trader" which
was on their Holland LP. This CD won't get her on the radio (it sounds like
Def Leppard backing up a country singer which I suppose could play with the
Shania Twain crowd) but is a worthy purchase for those loyal to her.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 10-18-00
Title:Last Kiss - Songs Of Teen Tragedy
Label:Varese Vintage 302 066 150 2
Comments:This CD contains 14 songs for people who wanna get morbid. Back in
the early '60s there was a short-lived trend towards dead-teenager songs.
Varese has collected some of them here along with a couple of oddball tracks
to make it interesting. You know the usual suspects: "Last Kiss" by J.
Frank Wilson&the Cavaliers, "Teen Angel" by Mark Dinning, "Endless Sleep" by
Jody Reynolds and "Patches" by Dickey Lee. You could have included others
such as "Moody River" or "Dead Man's Curve," but Varese has instead added a
shockingly violent '52 record by Little Caesar called "Goodbye Baby" which
ends in a murder/suicide. Mark Dinning's "The Pickup" about another suicide
is suitably depressing and Bobby Marchan's "There Is Something On Your Mind
(parts 1&2)" is also a welcome addition. Perhaps the most interesting
inclusion is Wayne Cochran's original version of his own composition "Last
Kiss" which may have been a teensy bit more country than Wilson, but should
have been the hit version. Sound-wise, it's mostly mono with only 3 stereo
(notably "Rocky" by Austin Roberts which is the latest track here from '75).
The Detergents' "Leader Of The Laundromat" sounds like it was recorded in one
with the vocals really muddy (break out the detergent boys). The only thing
missing from the package is a suicide hotline number.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 10-18-00
Title:Hot Burritos-The Flying Burrito Brothers Anthology 1969-1972
Label:A&M 069 490 610 2
Comments:This two CD set comprising 43 songs is all you need to ever know by
the Flying Burrito Brothers. At the risk of oversimplification, by adding
this set to a decent Poco set, a later-day Rick Nelson set and a solo Mike
Nesmith set you can build a decent history of the short-lived genre known as
country-rock. While many lionize this band for being the home of the
self-destructive Gram Parsons, in reality it can be seen more for being Chris
Hillman's coming out from the Byrds to become more of a front-man. This set
comprises all the songs on the two LPs with Parsons and one with his
replacement Rick Roberts. The set is fleshed out with non-LP sides like "The
Train Song" and a great Gene Clark sung song "Here Today" which marked a
mini-Byrds reunion for Clark, Hillman and drummer Michael Clarke. There are
two songs from their live LP ("Ain't That A lot Of Love" and "Losing Game")
plus a brace of tracks released on anthologys ("Six Days On The Road," etc.).
"Christine's Tune," "Lazy Days" and "Colorado" are worth the price of
admission. When the burrito crumbled Bernie Leadon went on to the Eagles,
Rick Roberts started Firefall and Chris Hillman went from Souther Hillman
Furay to Desert Rose Band all more successful than the Burritos chartwise,
but none as fondly remembered. The sound is good and the packaging has nifty
pictures and interviews plus reproductions of the old LP front covers.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 10-18-00
Title:Barenstark/Bear Essentials (27 Stars Salute Bear Family's 25th
Anniversary)
Label:Bear Family BCD 17012 AC (German import)
Comments:If you know anything about Bear Family CD packages, then it's
redundant to say that this is one classy project. The cover and booklet are
beautifully layed out on thick glossy paper with deep hued graphics. The
book contains the story of the label and thumbnail sketches about each artist
on the CD in a generous 78 page (!) booklet. Oh, by the way, the music is
fun! Each song in some way includes the word "bear" (or "bare") in the
title. The music is mostly rockabilly with forays into countrybilly. Most
of the songs were specially recorded for this project with most of the
artists not even being Bear Family signed acts. Ian Whitcomb (of "You Really
Turn Me On" fame) starts and ends the proceedings with spiffy early 1900's
sounding instrumentals ("March Of The Bear Family" sounds like something your
great grandparents would have grooved to on their Victorlas). The only
wellknown artist here is probably Ray Campi who chips in a decent "Bear Skin
Rug" and produces many of the other songs. Highlights are the crazed rockers
"Bear Out There" by Pep Torres and Rip Carson's "Bowlegged Bear." The ladies
aren't to be outdone, however, with the salacious "Hey There Honey Bear" by
Dee Lannon and the come-hither Laura Jo deWitt (yowsah, boys) chipping in
"Barefoot Baby." Old time saxman Big Jay McNeely blasts a nasty
instrumental "Big Bear Blues" while Floyd Domino gets the boogie flowing with
his solo piano on "Bear Cat Crawl." If you didn't see the vintage of the
gals, you'd swear that the Casey Sisters were some 1930's backwoods Carter
Family kin on "Grizzly Bear Stomp." All in all , this a cool set if you can
bear it.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 10-25-00
Title:Mott - The Gooseberry Sessions & Rarities
Label:Angel Air SJPCD 054 (import)
Comments:Buffin and the boys seem intent on issuing everything that Mott the
Hoople and later incarnations of the band ever recorded and they should be
saluted. In it's own very eclectic way, this is one very fun CD. There are
22 tracks here that trace the uncertain demo period after Ian Hunter quit the
Hoople and the band became just Mott (why didn't they try to get Bon Scott of
ACDC and become Bon Motts?) . I remember buying the first Mott record Drive
On and wondering why bassist Overend Watts didn't just take over vocal duties
instead of bringing in the horrid shriek of Nigel Benjamin. The liner notes
sort of answer that question by saying that Watts purposely wanted a
different direction to the band and wrote and sang a demo to audition
vocalists that featured a high histrionic sound. That song is here and ain't
bad - "Hey! There Annie." There also is a killer rock demo (?) of "Love Now"
that did appear in similar form on their Drive On record. Watts plays all
the guitars and sings the first seven songs on the disc and their quality
only makes me wish ever the more that he had taken over those chores for the
records. In addition to the rockers there is a very nice almost Buddy
Holly-ish "Love Me Always" and an incredible slab of prog-rock (Morgan Fisher
plays the mellotron, kids!) in "The Bright Days." There's a spot-on oldie
cover in "Leave My Woman Alone" not unlike Dave Edmunds version. The next
five tracks spotlight auditions for guitarist (Ray Major who chips in a
decent instrumental "Did I Dream Last Night?) and vocalist (compare the fab
almost Hunter-like singing of Brian Parrish to the awful Benjamin shriek on
two takes of the bombastically good "I'll Tell You Something"). Were the CD
gets fun for me is the last ten tracks where the boys pass the spotlight to
keyboardist Fisher and become the Paper Bags. The first five tracks are a
rocking Christmas tribute sorta like the Tornadoes would have done it (cheesy
organs and sleezy production). The takeoff on Steeleye Span's beautiful
"Gaudete" is hilarious - "Golders Green (Stomp)" with the boys harmonizing
"can't find a virgin in Golders Green" ala Peter Sellers. The last five
tracks are solo Fisher and their lo-fi recordings make me wish he would
record a cheesy oldstyle rock instrumental album with a band sometime (check
out "Holmes On The Range"). Keep this kind of stuff coming lads!
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 10-25-00
Title:Canned Heat - Live At The Kaleidoscope, 1969
Label:Varese Sarabande 302 066 178 2
Comments:Canned Heat was/is an American treasure perhaps not as appreciated
as they should have been. Emerging out of the hippy scene, these guys played
de bloos pretty convincingly. For that reason their music has held up much
better over the last 30+ years than comparable era band such as Moby Grape or
Quicksilver Messenger Service. Perhaps their biggest problem was not having
a Clapton or Bloomfield in the band, but Alan Wilson was the real deal on
harp and tasteful rhythm while Larry Taylor has over the years proven to be a
versatile session bassist. This is a reissue of a 1970 Wand LP erroneously
titled Live At Topanga Corral (ostensibly to confuse the folks at
Liberty/U.A. who they were contracted to, though who knows why unless they
didn't want it to come out on that label for some reason). There are 46
minutes of straight natch'l blues/boogie spread out over a scant six songs
which tells you there are a few extended instrumental passages here. The set
kicks off with the Canned Heat standard "Bullfrog Blues" which sounds pretty
hot. Next up is a long slow somewhat dreary blues "Sweet Sixteen" followed
by a decent "I'd Rather Be The Devil." The last three songs are the real
deal starting with a mighty authentic "Dust My Broom" that Fleetwood Mac
would have been proud of. Next up is a long workout on "Wish You Would" with
different lyrics than the Yardbirds version (Wilson turns in a great harp
solo here. One is left to wonder what might have been had he lived). The
last track is a slow blues that I normally hate but sounds awesome due to a
very moody sound from Wilson's precise guitar work and a not totally over the
top solo from Henry Vestine (rare for him - I preferred the Harvey Mandel
version of the band). This is a good LP. Sadly three of these members are
now dead, but you can still enjoy their brand of the blues.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 11-3-00
Title:El Chicano - This Isā€¦
Label:Varese Sarabande 302 066 108 2
Comments:This is a straight reissue of 1976 LP on Shady Brook records. By
now their hit making days were over, but this features some nice Hispanic
jazz not unlike what a Carlos Santana was doing though there is no huge
standout track guitarist or vocalist here - just fine ensemble playing for la
raza. The best tracks are instrumentals or darn close such as the disco-ish
"Dancing Mama" and "Ron-Con-Con." Tito Puente's "Que Sera" is the most
Santana-like track here while the closing "Mello Hi" is more jazz. Bobby
Espinosa penned a track by track memoir for the LP.
Title:The Doo Wop Sound Vol. 1 / Vol. 2
Label:Varese Sarabande 302 066 174 / 175
Comments:Each volume is 16 tracks of neo-Doo Wop a genre of music currently
hot again due to a very good if overplayed PBS beg-a-thon special and a
subsequent excellent if expensive tour. Perhaps one of the charms of old Doo
Wop was the rough garage quality to the recordings which makes one worry when
new slick recordings are attempted. Smartly, these are not old classic songs
redone, but new (if old sounding) songs written mostly by co-producer Dave
Antrell. That the songs come off as well as they do is a tribute. The
lineup on each disc is pretty much the same with groups like the Tune
Weavers, the Cleftones, the Wrens and the Jaguars turning up. Yours truly is
partial to the tracks by the Storytellers and Rudy West & the Keys (whose
"This Is Goodbye" and "Express Yourself Back Home" respectively are
highlights). At times the drum sound is too synthesized sounding, but there
are definitely enough goodies here to make up for it. Billy Vera penned the
liner notes. The only gripe is the lack of many details as to each acts
lineup. What we do know is that there are a few legends playing the
instruments, however: Earl Palmer on drums and Red Callender on bass.
Antrell chips in on keyboards. Don't be afraid of the newness to these
recordings.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 11-3-00
Title:Dick Bartley Presents Collector's Essentials: On The Radio Vol. 5 /
Vol. 6
Label:Varese Sarabande 302 066 185 / 186
Comments:There are a few names that when tied to a reissue guarantee
exceptional quality. Names the spring to mind are Bill Inglot, Bob Hyde and
Dick Bartley. If you own the rest of the discs in this series you realize
that the premise has been to present single versions of songs preferably in
stereo (many for the first time). These two volumes are strictly R&B this
time with the usual gems such as a stereo version of Jackie Lee's "The Duck"
and Spyder Turner's "Stand By Me" (Vol. 5 & 6 respectively). The only mono
on Vol. 5 is the 8th Day track "She's Not Just Another Woman" and on Vol.6
the tracks "Barefootin'" (Robert Parker) and "(I Wanna) Testify" by the
Parliaments. Even the tracks you already have are worth having here with
"Cool Jerk" having incredibly tough sounding bass compared to other issues.
If you need more convincing, there's James & Bobby Purify's rocker "I Take
What I Want" on Vol. 5 and a stereo mix of Bob & Earl's "Harlem Shuffle" on
Vol.6 (not to mention R.B Greaves doing "Always Something There To Remind Me"
and the Staple Singers hitting on "Heavy Makes You Happy"). The Dells'
"There Is" sounds mighty hot on Vol. 5 as does Lee Dorsey's "Holy Cow."
Here's hoping this series keeps going for a long time (I still need a few
tracks I'd like to talk to you guys about some time).
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 11-3-00
Title:Paul Revere & the Raiders - Mojo Workout!
Label:Sundazed SC 11097
Comments:Folks who know of the Raiders only as the garagy band of "Hungry"
and "Just Like Me" (or perhaps the poppy band of "Let Me") will perhaps find
it interesting to hear the 44 tracks on this 2 CD set that show the early
band to have been strictly frat rock. You can essentially consider this to
be an expanded version of the Here They Come! album which was one side live
on a Columbia soundstage and one side studio balladry ("Gone," "Sometimes,"
etc.). The audience sounds are different as is the order of songs, but you
still get "Louie, Louie," "Big Boy Pete," etc. along with versions of "What'd
I Say," "Peter Gunn" and "Twist & Shout." The Raiders' act at this time
seemed less about the songs and more about working up a sweat and rocking the
kids into a frenzy. Revere's boogie piano is all over these songs like it
never would be on the later hits while then bassist Doc Holliday's strolling
bass really drives. The second disc also includes early singles, a rehearsal
session for the live stuff and some alternate takes and rejects (like a great
cover of "Sweets For My Sweet" that shows the guys edging towards a harder
sound with new bassist Phil Volk). This is the usual excellent Bob Irwin
product from Sundazed that includes mucho music, great cover art and booklet
and excellent sound (no new stereo on previously released songs, but then
Irwin already gave many of these songs first time stereo treatments on
earlier sets).
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 11-19-00
Title:Chad & Jeremy - Distant Shores
Label:Sundazed SC 11068
Comments:More quality Irwin product from Sundazed that takes the old 11 song
folkier C&J LP and adds 13 more songs. Ok, so you really didn't need to here
"Distant Shores" and "You Are She" sung in French, but some of the unreleased
tracks are great. There is a cover of the Fortunes' "You've Got Your
Troubles (I've Got Mine)" and an odd cover of the Shadows "Wonderful Land"
(how many of you would have expected these U.K. invasion singers to do an
instrumental?). Also included are the single sides "Teenage Failure" and
"Anytime." There is first time stereo in the unedited version of "Ain't It
Nice" too. Let's hope that Sundazed sets their sights on the Before & After
LP next which has cruelly eluded CD reissue thus far.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 11-19-00
Title:Eagles - 1972-1999 Selected Works
Label:Elektra 62575-2
Comments:If you're an Eagles fan, you simply need to buy this. The sound is
so much better than on earlier 'best of' sets it sounds as if the instruments
are attacking your speakers. Generally the selection of songs is good and
helping of music and liner notes. That's the good. If you want to get
nitpicky about it, however, there are some problems. Why are the songs in
such an arbitrary order (not chronologically) and why can't you have a track
listing on the outside of the box and pictures of the old LPs in the booklet?
Why do we have to have one whole disc devoted to the 1999-2000 New Year's
concert when most of us would rather have studio versions of songs like "Ol'
55" and "Please Come Home For Christmas" on this boxset. Perhaps that live
show would have made a better stand-alone CD release and even have made more
money for Elektra. It is nice to get "Dirty Laundry" and "Funk 49" on here,
but why did "Seven Bridges Road" from the old live record not make it on
here? The only two rarities included are such that you have to wonder if
these guys really expect anyone to listen to them more than once. "Long Run
Leftovers" is an edit job of unused backing tracks from that album that don't
fit together at all (why not have just picked one or two and put them on in
toto?) while "Random Victims Part 3" shows that the guys actually swore and
messed around in the studio. So what? Ok, nitpicking aside, it's great to
have this boxset finally out and the sound is great. Now where is a set from
Bob Seger, Capitol?
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 11-19-00
Title:Rick Nelson - Legacy (4 CD Boxset)
Label:Capitol 72435-29521-2-0
Comments:This is the way a boxset should be constructed. 100 songs, tracks
across all labels and all eras, lots of rare goodies and a beautiful package
mean a must-have for any fan of Rick(y) Nelson. Contrast this to the fine
sounding, but disappointingly programmed and packaged Eagles set. This one
wins hands down.
The set starts with all three Verve titles ("I'm Walkin'," etc.) then
devotes the lion's share of the rest to songs from the Imperial era ("Hello
Mary Lou," "Travelin' Man," etc.) There are brand new stereo mixes ("It's
Late," "Lonesome Town," "I Got A Feeling," "Have I Told You Lately That I
Love You," etc.). There are oddities like "Cindy" and a full band version of
"Lonesome Town." There's even a couple of Christmas songs in "The Christmas
Song" and a rockin' "Jingle Bells."
The Decca/MCA era isn't quite as thorough, but you still get a full CD
with "Louisiana Man," "Garden Party," "Life," etc. Frankly, the folks at MCA
have really dropped the ball so far in no doing a thorough 2 CD set of
Nelson's singles and such from their label. The main rarity from that era on
the box is a version of "Bye Bye Love" done in concert with the Stone Canyon
Band and Don Everly.
The last disc is made up of odds and ends from the last labels Nelson
was on. While these are great to have, they generally show an artist in
decline. The best song here "Do You Know What I Mean," however, shows there
was still rock and roll in the old teen idol not long before his early death
in a plane crash.
The book in the set is incredible. You get essays, rare photos,
comments about each era and reproductions of single sleeves. Most boxes give
you throwaway inserts in the individual CD's, but here you get more session
info and reproductions of LP covers.
Twelve or so of Nelson's 53 charters are not on this set which is a bit of a
downer, but there are so many great LP tracks and rarities that a fifth CD
would have been needed and probably nixed by the label for cost reasons. A
good supplement for the Imperial stuff missing is The Best Of Rick Nelson,
Vol.2 a CD on EMI. There is an adequate MCA best of too which fills in a few
gaps, but isn't really essential after this box. This is a great set and
Capitol should be commended.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 11-24-00
Title:The Best of TV Quiz&Game Show Themes
Label:Varese Sarabande 302 066 159 2
Comments:This 20 track disc is a companion to the label's Classic Game Show
Themes set (VSD-5881). The set starts with the familiar strains of "A
Swingin' Safari" from The Match Game and ends with the more recent theme from
"Rock And Roll Jeopardy." The first seven tracks are easy listening heaven -
the kind of mall music you'd have heard in the rock and roll Dentist's office
a couple of decades ago. Check out the theme from "Beat the Clock" and
"Password." Things get a bit jumpier with a cool stereo synth version of
"The Joker's Wild" (aka "The Savers" which came out on a Vanguard 45 at the
time by Perrey/Kingsley). The only vocal here is on the theme from a
forgotten TV version of "Monopoly." Perhaps the biggest surprise for this
reviewer is how cheesy the theme to "Let's Make A Deal" was (considering how
big the show was). After that the songs get somewhat less familiar with
themes from "Blockbusters," "The Diamond Head Game" and "High Rollers" long
forgotten. Generally the sound is good except on a couple of scratchy
transfers for "Break The Bank" and "Split Second." The booklet is pretty
spiffy with nice descriptions of the shows and the music plus interesting
pictures.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 12-6-00
Title:The Monks / The Standells - Live From Cavestomp!(Let's Start A Beat /
Ban This)
Label:Varese Sarabande/Cavestomp 302 066 193 2 / 302 066 192 2
Comments:These two discs document the reunions of two garage rock '60s bands
for the 1999 addition of Cavestomp. Often these affairs offer dicey music
put forth by perhaps a lead singer croaking out past glories with a bunch of
longhaired 20-somethings backing him. Not here! These two sets are nothing
short of gr-r-r-eat! If anything, these guys sound at least as good as they
did in their heyday (though both bands are lookin' mighty old - it always
helps to wear shades to look cool). The Standells blow through nifty
versions of "Dirty Water," "Try It" and "Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear
White," but it's the lesser songs that may actually sound better due to a
harder sound than the old records. Check out "Why Did You Hurt Me?" or "Why
Pick On Me?" for comfirmation of these guys' ability to still bring it. The
Monks may not be as well-known to readers having released one rare record,
but frankly this is my favorite of the two. These guys are the essence of
punk even with their balding heads. The songs are flat out stoopid ("cuckoo
cuckoo, who stole the cuckoo?"), the playing amateurish (is the drummer
playing the same song on "Hushie Pushie" and how many bands feature rhythm
banjo?), the songs sound alike ("Oh How We Do Now" ain't much different than
"We Do Wie Du") and I LOVE IT! Forget the overly processed boybands on your
radio who rerecord breathes to make them sound perfect - this is how rock and
roll was always meant to be (this one's for you Cub Koda, wherever you are
brutha). How can you not love songs with titles like "Shut Up" and "I Hate
You?" There are 15 songs on the Monks and 13 songs on the Standells sets and
both end with a shout by Lenny Kaye, Mr. Nuggets.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 12-6-00
Title:The Ventures - The Ultimate Collection
Label:See For Miles SFM 1969 (UK import)
Comments:This very attractive hardcover 2 CD folder contains 46 tracks of
your favorite American instrumentalists. The sound is great and so are the
pictures which accompany a history of the band and a short discussion of all
the songs included. So far so good, but not we get to the music. OK, you
might be excused if like me you assume that with a title like The Ultimate
Collection you are getting the tiptop ever done by these folks. Perhaps the
title calls to mind something earthshattering like the exceptionally fine new
boxset for Rick(y) Nelson - Legacy. Heck, if any group deserves an
exhausting career retrospective it's a band that has sold millions of copies
of their 80 to 200 releases (depending on compilations). As a matter of
fact, Bob Hyde, why not turn your attention to these guys for your next
boxset creation (or Bob Seger perhaps)? Sadly, the music in this 'ultimate'
tribute to the guys' 40th anniversary as a group is mostly oddities from the
'70s, a decade best forgotten by this band. Way too many of the songs are
either terminally dull (most of the Japanese LP Last Album On Liberty) or
feature awful cheesy synth breaks over 'wicky wack'wah-wah "Shaft"-style
guitars. Some of the tracks are good ("Hollywood Punk" and "Wonderful Land"
notably) and most are hopelessly rare by U.S. standards which makes this a
fine purchase for big-time fans. You get stereo versions of "Secret Agent
Man," "Green Hornet Theme" and "Ten Seconds To Heaven" though some overdubs
are obviously missing (at least from the first track). The Don Wilson vocal
number "Hey There Sunshine" is quite pleasant and points out some interesting
rarities that would fit in with an ultimate boxset - but this isn't it.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 12-11-00
Title:Pat Boone - Pat's 40 Big Ones
Label:Connoisseur SDVSOP CD 328
Comments:For a budget priced piece, this packs a punch (even if most of Pat's
music didn't). Really, going through Boone's charting records there aren't
very many not here that belong here (I do miss "Wang Dang Taffy Apple
Tango"). The sound is good with the early stuff in mono and most of the rest
stereo. The booklet is attractive too. Boone has been unfairly excoriated
by 'hip' music intelligencia for covering black songs, but there wasn't any
other way these songs were getting played on the radio in the '50s. Frankly,
white musicians covering black is a time honored 'tradition' - checkout
Elvis, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Hollies,Eric Clapton, ad nauseum.
The biggest problem Boone had and still has is that he looked and acted very
clean and wasn't a very convincing rocker ("Tutti Frutti" is a tad weak).
Where he shone was on the ballads. Heck, this hard bitten rocker still
chokes up a bit listening to "Moody River." While 40 tracks may be more than
the average fan needs, there are enough moments here to warrant the extra
songs and the price certainly is right.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 12-11-00
Title:Silver Disc: 25 Years Of ACE
Label:ACE 25
Comments:While I am still extremely honked off at these guys for thus far
sitting on a great '60s Colorado rock band compilation I have proposed with
Bob Hyde (Moonrakers, Rainy Daze, Boenzee Cryque, Poor, etc.), I can say that
ACE has been a consist performer when it comes to reissues of classic music.
To celebrate their 25th anniversary, they have compiled 26 tracks from each
year between 1950 and 1975 from their previous releases. It's an eclectic,
but quite good sampler. You get hits like Little Richard's "Lucille" and
Booker T & the MGs' "Time Is Tight, but you also get oddities like Charlie
Feathers' "Tongue Tied Jill." How's about "Yeh Yeh" by Mongo Santamaria and
The Donays' "Devil In Your Heart?" You get Mouse&the Traps, CCR, The Wailers
("Tall Cool One"), the Everly Brothers, Isaac Hayes ("Shaft"), etc. They've
put a few rare tracks too like an alternate take of Dion's "(I Was) Born To
Cry" and early B B King in "You Upset Me Baby." The booklet has some nice
info about each song plus how to get more of the same in the ACE catalog.
Check it out for a nice price sampler of Americana.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 12-15-00
Title:The Beatles - Original Master Recordings
Label:Beat CD 013-2
Comments:On two discs you get excellent sounding stereo versions of the first
four UK Beatles albums (55 tracks). If you are a stereo junkie like me and
really have no use for Parlophone's weakass mono versions, bubba this is for
you. If you need any explanation beyond that then you need to buy the
Anthology book, otherwise if you don't have these already, this is a fab
place to start. (Come on Parlophone/Apple/Capitol/fabs, get on the stick an
put these out yourselves.) The package is attractive enough with a front
cover reproducing all four covers (Please Please Me, With The Beatles, A Hard
Day's Night and Beatles For Sale).
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 12-15-00
Title:Electric Light Orchestra - Flashback (boxset)
Label:Epic/ Legacy E3K 85123
Comments:A distinctly fabs-like band, ELO has previously been well
represented in the boxset department via a 1990 set Afterglow. Like me, I'm
sure you are wondering if you need to buy this new 53 track three CD box.
The answer is a qualified yes. If you like the idea of getting upgraded
sound (especially noticeable on middle period stuff) then you need it. If
you want seven new songs newly finished by Jeff Lynne then you need it. If
you like the idea of getting an unedited alternate mix of "Do Ya," a new edit
of "Mama" and an alternate mix of "Mission (A World Record)" you need it. If
all you want are the main hits and are happy with the old boxset then you
don't need it. The new tracks are somewhat low key with "Helpless" and the
fun instrumental "Grieg's Piano Concerto In A Minor" being my faves. This
box also includes a slightly different sampling of tracks with the better set
being this one (over the old box) since it includes "Confusion" and "Calling
America." The new version of "Xanadu" is interesting, but I'll take Olivia
Newton-John, thank you. The book has a nice sampling of pics (mostly Jeff
Lynne) and a one-line comment from him about each song. While it's still not
what I would have put together (I mean, where's "Daybreaker" or "Jungle?"),
it's a good set. Interestingly, it says that there is to be a new ELO record
with Lynne (and whom else?) in April of 2001. Let's hope it rocks a bit more
than the new tracks included here.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 12-15-00
Title:The Rolling Stones - Strictly Stereo 1964-1969
Label:Arcade RS 6469 German import
Comments:ABKCO has totally screwed up reissues of early Stones material. I
mean, wouldn't you think that an Beatles-like Anthology series would be a
natural for these guys? At any rate, they have used far too many mono mixes
over the years for this two eared boy, but now you can groove to 21 stereo
mixes all in one place. "19th Nervous Breakdown," "The Last Time," " It's
All Over Now," etc. all sound great. "Get Off My Cloud" and "(I Can't Get
No) Satisfaction" where on Hot Rocks compilations, but it is nice to have
them all together in one place. The sound is good and the cover art is nice
with no notes to speak of.
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 12-15-00
Title:The Yardbirds - Cumular Limit
Label:Pilot 24 import
Comments:The Jimmy Page era of the 'birds left us one odd album (Little
Games) and a withdrawn live set. This two disc set draws from that era of
the band with a hodge podge of rare tracks. A better title would have been
Rare Pages (should have called me guys). You get an alternate version of
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor," "White Summer" and "Glimpses" from the Games
album. You also get four tracks live from the German TV show BeatBeatBeat.
The second disc in the set repeats these tracks as a CD-rom that you can view
in your computer and see mostly closeups of Keith Relf with the occasional
shot of drummer Jim McCarty and Page's fingers playing guitar. Bassist Chris
Dreja fans are in trouble if they expect to see much of him. The sound,
however, is well engineered considering it's TV. The version of "I'm A Man"
includes the page violin bow workout in the middle. From aborted recording
sessions comes "Avron Knows" and "My Baby" plus three others of odd parentage
(Jim McCarty sings - poorly - on one track and reads poetry - badly - on
another). "Dazed And Confused" sounds pretty good, but begs comparison to
the Led Zeppelin version and loses. None of the new songs is very good, but
the live stuff is fun as are the alternates. The last track is a hidden
bonus track ("DeLane Lea Lee") which is a 10 minute unlistenable sound
collage. The booklet is generally worthwhile with some nice rare pictures,
but whoever lettered the song lists on here should be shot - can anybody read
the titles?
Posted by:George W. Krieger DDS, the rock and roll Dentist 12-15-00
Doc Krieger's Top Christmas Rock Songs
Well, it's a little late for the year 2000's season perhaps, but your
kindly rock and roll Dentist decided to post his all-time fave wild-ass rock
and roll seasonal songs (with apologies to Bruce Springsteen since "Santa
Claus Is Comin' To Town" has gotten tediously overplayed). Check it out.
Note that many of these songs can be found on other compilations (so ask Mike
if you're interested). Generally all these can still be found with one or
two exceptions (Shakin Stevens notably). Alphabetically:
1.Jon Anderson - The Holly & The Ivy (3 Ships) - So this ain't rock. Oh well.
2.Beatles - Christmas Time (Is Here Again) - A bit repetitive, but it's cool.
3.Chipmunks - The Christmas Song (Billboard's Greatest Christmas Hits) -
retro!
4.Dave Edmunds Band - Run Rudolph Run (Billboard Rock&Roll Christmas) - hot
rock
5.Flash Cadillac - Christmas Party (Ghost Of Christmas Past) - Louie Louie
meets Xmas
6.Foghat - All I Want For Christmas Is You (Billboard Rock&Roll Christmas) -
very hot
7.Gary Glitter - Another Rock&Roll Christmas (It's Christmas) - stompin'
rocker.
8.John & Yoko - Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (It's Christmas) - timeless Lennon
classic.
9.Elton John - Step Into Christmas (It's Christmas) - great use of bells &
shakers.
10.Kinks - Father Christmas (Billboard Rock&Roll Christmas) - Santa, give us
money!
11.Greg Lake (or ELP) - I Believe In Father Christmas (It's Christmas) - very
pretty.
12.Darlene Love - All Alone On Christmas (Home Alone 2) - blistering E Street
Band.
13.Bob&Doug McKenzie - 12 Days Of Christmas (Dr. Demento Presents The Greatest
Christmas Novelty CD Of All Time) - SCTV Canucks screw up
a classic.
14.Mott (the Paper Bags) - Krazy Kristmas Krackers(The Gooseberry
Sessions&Rarities)
- instrumental madness overtakes a classic song medley
15.Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Colorado Christmas (The Christmas Album) - get
outta LA!
16.Elvis Presley - Santa Is Back In Town (If Every Day Was Like Christmas) -
bluesy
17.Bobby "Boris" Pickett&the Crypt-kickers - Monster's Holiday (Christmas
Classics)
- Igor, you impetuous thing.
18.Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight) - (Punk Rock Xmas)
- Joey just wants piece on Earth kids.
19.Ringo Starr - I Wanna Be Santa Claus (I Wanna Be Santa Claus) - Ringo
loves kids.
20.Roy Wood Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (It's Christmas)
- best!
-----------how's about 5 albums that deserve your attention! (have a great
holiday)---------
1.A Christmas Gift For You From Philles Records (Phil Spector does it up
right)
2.Beach Boys - Ultimate Christmas (Brian Wilson is American rock music)
3.Rubber Band - Xmas! The Beatmas (trad songs done Beatles style)
4.Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone (total stompin' '50s rock&roll)
5.Ventures - The Ventures Christmas Album (great use of '60s songs as intros)
Title: Lost Hits Of The '60's - 40 Solid Gold AM Radio Classics
Label: Echo 4573
Comments: This cd has been issued by the Echo label (whoever they are)
in conjunction with Warner Special Products. For a Special Products
Piece, this cd rates very high with only one track really that was
obviously mastered from a very low generation tape (Master Jack by Four
Jacks And A Jill). Discollector has this piece on sale so grab a copy
while you can! Track lineup:
Spanky & Our Gang Lazy Day (S)
Harpers Bizarre 59th Street Bridge Song (S)
Four Jacks And A Jill Master Jack (muddy stereo LP version)
Five Americans Western Union (M)
Neon Philharmonic Morning Girl (S)
Dusty Springfield Brand New Me (S)
Cyrkle Turn Down Day (S)
Magic Lanterns Shame Shame (S)
Barbara Lewis Baby, I'm Yours (S)
Happenings I Got Rhythm (S)
Dusty Springfield Son Of A Preacher Man (S)
Everly Brothers Bowling Green (S)
Patty Duke Don't Just Stand There (S)
Sweet Inspirations Sweet Inspiration (M)
Crispian St. Peters Pied Piper (M)
Lulu Best Of Both Worlds (M)
Peppermint Rainbow Will You Be Staying After Sunday (S)
Rose Garden Next Plane To London (M)
Fireballs Bottle Of Wine (M)
Association Goodbye Columbus (S)
Joe South Games People Play (S)
Glenn Yarbrough Baby The Rain Must Fall (S)
Dino, Desi & Billy I'm A Fool (S)
Monkees D.W. Washburn (S)
Rhinoceros Apricot Brandy (S)
Brenda Lee The Crying Game (S)
Cherry People And Suddenly (S)
Harpers Bizarre Malibu U (M)
Arlo Guthrie Alice's Rock & Roll Restaurant (S)
Mason Williams Classical Gas (S)
Cowsills Indian Lake (S)
Freddy Cannon Action (S)
Jerry Jeff Walker Mr. Bojangles (S)
Lovin' Spoonful Nashville Cats (S)
Every Mothers Son Come On Down To My Boat (S)
People I Love You (S)
Leapy Lee Little Arrows (S)
Critters Mr. Dieingly Sad (S)
Michael Parks Long Lonesome Highway (S)
Hombres Let It Out (M)
Posted By: Pat Downey 1/15/01 patdowney@qwest.net
Title: Soul Train: 1971
Label: Rhino 79834
Comments: Why would I choose to review another of the seemingly endless
compilations that Rhino issues? Well it is because there are some hard
to find treasures on this cd. How about the single version of Aretha
Franklin's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" which has yet to show up on cd
anywhere that I am aware of. Been looking for the single version of
Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" which previously had only been issued on
a Motown box set? Well you can find that song a lot cheaper if you just
want to pick up this Soul Train compilation from Rhino. Here's the
complete track lineup:
Jean Knight Mr. Big Stuff (S)
Cornelius Brothers Treat Her Like A Lady (S)
Jackson Five Never Can Say Goodbye (S)
Bill Withers Ain't No Sunshine (S)
Temptations Just My Imagination (M)
8th Day She's Not Just Another Woman (M)
Honey Cone Want Ads (S)
Persuaders Thin Line Between Love And Hate (S)
Marvin Gaye What's Going On (M) (45 version)
Staple Singers Respect Yourself (S)
King Floyd Groove Me (S)
Dramatics Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get (S)
Aretha Franklin Bridge Over Troubled Water (S) (45 version)
Chi-Lites Have You Seen Her (S)
Posted By: Pat Downey 1/17/01 patdowney@qwest.net
01/20/09