There's Something About 1971...

Welcome to Mark Barry's Review Site for quality CD Reissues and Exceptional Remasters. This Blog String deals with 1971 - see also my separate Blog for 1970 reissues. Genres include Rock and Pop, Soul, Funk and Jazz Fusion, Blues, Rhythm 'n' Blues, Doo Wop and Vocal Groups, Prog, Psych, Reggae, Punk/Garage and New Wave. I also extensively review Blu Ray issues for Modern and Classic Movies. CROSS-REFERENCED INDEX AT THE END OF THE BLOG. Rants, Raves and High Geekery...

Showing posts with label John Tobler (Liner Notes). Show all posts

Wednesday, 13 February 2019

"Morning Brings The Light/John James/Sky In My Pie/Head In The Clouds" by JOHN JAMES (June 2017 Beat Goes On Reissue - 4LPs Remastered Onto 2CDs) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review is available along with many others in my e-Book

1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD Volume 2 of 3

Specialising in Folk and Reggae

"...Through The Lanes..."

Now here's an obscuro. And once again England's Beat Goes On Label (BGO) has done our unsung hero a Welsh Guitar Picker solid (if that's not too rude).

Stretching from 1970 to 1975 – you get full four albums originally on Transatlantic Records in the UK remastered in 2017 by long-standing Audio Engineer Andrew Thompson onto 2CDs – the first two containing some vocals but the last two strictly instrumental with genres crossing between straight-up Acoustic Folk to Bluegrass, Dixieland Jazz and Ragtime (all on Acoustic Guitar). Here are the skies in the pie...

UK released 16 June 2017 (23 June 2017 in the USA) - "Morning Brings The Light/John James/Sky In My Pie/Head In The Clouds" by JOHN JAMES on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1301 (Barcode 5017261213013) offers 4 full LPs originally on Transatlantic Records (UK) in 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1975 newly remastered in 2017 onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 (75:05 minutes, 22 Tracks):

1. If Only I [Side 1]

2. One Long Happy Night

3. Pickles And Peppers

4. Liverpool Lullaby

5. Hogan's Alley (Black Eyed Blues)

6. Once I Lived By The Sea

7. Picture Rag [Side 2]

8. A Little Blues

9. So Long Since I Was Home

10. Ostrich Walk

11. Lampeter

12. Morning Brings The Light

Tracks 1 to 12 are his Debut album "Morning Brings The Light" – released August 1970 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 219 (produced by Chris Golby).

13. To Meet You I Hurry Down [Side 1]

14. Original Rags

15. Jazzbo's Holiday

16. Evening Comes Quickly

17. Three Through The Lanes

18. Tim E Whay

19. Song Around A Square [Side 2]

20. Rolling On Down

21. Stoptime

22. Daughter Of The Wind

Tracks 13 to 22 on Disc 1 and Track 1 on Disc 2 are his second album "John James" - released November 1971 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 241 (produced by John Whitehead).

Disc 2 (79:56 minutes, 27 Tracks):

1. Listening To That Old Rag/Ragtime Dance

Tracks 13 to 22 on Disc 1 and Track 1 on Disc 2 are his second album "John James" - released November 1971 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 241 (produced by John Whitehead).

2. And Sam Came Too [Side 1]

3. Sailor's Farewell

4. Mammy O'Mine

5. Easy Street

6. Out On The Rolling Sea

7. Sky In My Pie

8. Conquistador

9. Bach Goes To Town [Side 2]

10. Kicking Up The Dust

11. Nola

12. Quiet Days

13. Weeping Willow

14. Blap Bam Boom

15. Be Mine Or Run

16. Turn Your Face

Tracks 2 to 16 are his third album "Sky In My Pie" (credited to JOHN JAMES and DAVE BERRYMAN) – released 1972 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 250 (produced by Stephan Grossman).

17. Georgemas Junction [Side 1]

18. Black And White Rag

19. Head In The Clouds

20. Slow Drag

21. Wormwood Tangle

22. Stranger In The World

23. Rags To Riches [Side 2]

24. Blues For Felix

25. Heliotrope Bouquet

26. Secrets In The Sky

27. Stretching Of A Young Girl’s Heart

Tracks 17 to 27 are his fourth album "Head In The Clouds" – released November 1975 in the UK on Transatlantic Records TRA 305 (produced by Ritchie Gold).

The outer card slipcase lends these BGO reissues a classy feel whilst long-time associate to the label JOHN TOBLER has penned the new 12-page liner notes and interviewed John James especially for the project. Anyone who knows the original vinyl platters – their rear sleeves had a few words but little by way of any meaty info (the 1970 and 1971 Jeremy Gilbert and Robin Denselow original liner notes are here nonetheless). I say this because James now enlightens of many of the tunes and their genesis and his collaborations with Berryman on the 3rd LP and John Renbourn on the fourth. The ANDREW THOMPSON Remasters are quietly lovely – strings pinging - sweetly done – the original tapes clearly in very good shape. To the music...

Songs like on "Once I Loved By The Sea" and "A Little Blues" are like pretty John Renbourn or Bert Jansch vignettes - plaintive, lovely and peaceful on the ear and head. Scott Joplin is never far from James' thoughts either - his own "Picture Rag" a beautifully gut-string-picked nod to the great Ragtime man - whilst "Ostrich Walk" is another instrumental but this time more in the Dixieland style. On the second self-titled album his then wife Jo James joins him on two tunes in duet vocals - the awful hippy claptrap of "Rolling On Down" which is rescued by "Daughter Of The Wind" - a James original Ralph McTell might have looked at with envy. Pete Berryman who would share a credit on the third album "Sky In My Pie" turns up on album two having written the playful travelling song "Jazzbo’s Holiday".

The third LP "Sky In My Pie" is a co-credit with another guitarist – PETE BERRYMAN (don’t you just love that gorgeous John Ashcroft artwork). JOHN RENBOURN of Pentangle guests as Second Guitarist on three songs (all instrumentals) – two by James called "Georgemas Junction" and "Stranger In The World" and a Renbourn original called "Wormwood Tangle". Parts of the melody in the fab "Stranger In The World" almost come across as Acoustic Prog while the Charlie Byrd cover of "Blues For Felix" feels very Leon Redbone without the voice. Scott Joplin turns up once again in the lazy afternoon mint-juleps-on-the-lawn feel to "Hellotrope Bouquet" – the very accomplished fourth album then ending in four and half minutes of "Stretching Of A Young Girl’s Heart" where some of the playing actually mimics such young hurt.

So hard to find on original vinyl now and unlikely to see reissue on the format (even in these vinyl is cool days of 2019) – this BGO 2CD twofer is a superb reissue and welcome too. John James will probably never be a household name – but this is a sweetly stacked reminder of what we all missed first time around...

Saturday, 1 December 2018

"Living/True Stories And Other Dreams/Judith" by JUDY COLLINS (October 2018 Beat Goes On 3LPs Remastered onto 2CDs) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Send In The Clowns..."

The album "Living" is from 1971 (USA), 1972 (UK)

This gorgeous-sounding 2018 twofer from Beat Goes On of the UK offers Judy Collins fans a tasty triple whammy - three of her most popular albums from the first half of the Seventies remastered onto 2CDs in proper style after years languishing in the Nineties and Naughties digital dust.

First up is, "Living", released late 1971 on Elektra Records which peaked at No. 64 on the Billboard Top 100, then "True Stories And Other Dreams" from early 1973 (peaked at No. 27 and was called just "True Stories" in the UK) and the one she’s probably most remembered for – the "Send In The Clowns" album simply called "Judith" from 1975.

Bolstered up by that mammoth-selling single – the album "Judith" was a real seller for her peaking at No. 17 in the USA but marking her biggest chart presence in the UK since "Amazing Grace" went to No. 3 in November 1970 – an impressive No. 7 on the UK LP charts. I can remember the power of that almost spiritual ballad in 1975 – its pained sadness seemed to be literally everywhere (Radio and TV) and many were moved to cover it for years to come. Here are the living details...

UK released Friday, 12 October 2018 - "Living/True Stories And Other Dreams/Judith" by JUDY COLLINS on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1352 (Barcode 5017261213525) offers 3LPs Remastered onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

CD 1 (64:03 minutes):

1. Joan Of Arc [Side 1]

2. Four Strong Winds

3. Vietnam Love Song

4. Innisfree

5. Song For Judith (Open The Door)

6. All Things Are Quite Silent [Side 2]

7. Easy Times

8. Chelsea Morning

9. Famous Blue Raincoat

10. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

Tracks 1 to 10 are her album "Living" - released November 1971 in the USA on Elektra EKS 75014 and January 1972 in the UK on Elektra K 42102.

11. Cook With Honey [Side 1]

12. So Begins The Task

13. Fisherman Song

14. The Dealer (Down And Losin')

15. Secret Gardens

Tracks 11 to 15 are Side 1 of the album "True Stories And Other Dreams" - released January 1973 in the USA on Elektra EKS 75053 and February 1973 in the UK on Elektra K 42132 as "True Stories".

CD2 (65:30 minutes):

1. Holly Ann

2. The Hostage

3. Song For Martin

4. Che

Tracks 1 to 4 are Side 2 of the album "True Stories And Other Dreams" - released January 1973 in the USA on Elektra EKS 75053 and February 1973 in the UK on Elektra K 42132 as "True Stories".

5. The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress [Side 1]

6. Angel, Spread Your Wings

7. Houses

8. The Lovin' Of The Game

9. Song For Duke

10. Send In The Clowns

11. Salt Of The Earth [Side 2]

12. Brother, Can You Spare A Dime

13. City Of New Orleans

14. I'll Be Seeing You

15. Pirate Ships

16. Born To The Breed

Tracks 5 to 16 are the album "Judith" - released March 1975 in the USA on Elektra Records 7E-1032 and May 1975 in the UK on Elektra Records K 52019.

The card slipcase gives these BGO reissues a classy and luxurious feel whilst the 24-page booklet repro's all the album artwork including the lyrics for the "Judith" LP alongside new liner notes from noted writer and Music historian JOHN TOBLER. Releasing sixteen albums that reached the US charts between 1964 and 1982 alone (her career started in 1961) - Tobler is right to call Collins that most overused word - a legend. His notes go into her entire career so you don't actually get to the albums on hand until the last few pages, but its a fascinating read potted with loads of great observations and details.

But the big news has to be the new 2018 ANDREW THOMPSON remasters which make these already beautifully produced platters shine better than ever before.

Her own tunes like "Fishermen Song" or "Secret Gardens" or the November 1971 single "Open The Door (Song For Judith)" flipped with her adaptation of a W.B. Yates poem put to music in "Innisfree" show her skills of a songwriter (it preceded the "Living" album on both sides of the pond). And as I rehear Joni's "Chelsea Morning", Jim Webb's "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress", Leonard Cohen's "Joan Of Arc" and "Famous Blue Raincoat" or Stephen Stills' "So Begins The Task" - all sat alongside Tom Paxton's "The Hostage", Danny O'Keefe's "Angel, Spread Your Wings" and even The Stones in "Salt Of The Earth" - you're also reminded of her uncanny ear for a tune - Judy Collins with her nose to the ground - covering contemporary songs of the day that would have legs long past their recent release dates. The three albums all sound great, lively and full of instrumentation filling your speakers - a very nice job done...

Beat Goes On have gotten awfully good at this sort of release and outside of an all-encompassing Rhino box set of her entire Elektra Records catalogue (something WEA artists like Joni Mitchell, Ry Cooder, Little Feat and America have all enjoyed) - BGO of England has provided Judy Collins fans with a steady stream of decent Remasters in quality presentation - and this you have to say is another winner. Tasty and then some...

Saturday, 18 March 2017

"From The Witchwood" by STRAWBS (1998 A&M 'ReMasterPieces' Expanded Edition CD Remaster with One Bonus Track) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT 1971... - Exceptional CD Remasters
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"...A Glimpse Of Heaven..."

After four albums of increasing musical strength and sophistication – England's STRAWBS (shortened from Strawberry Hill Boys) finally rewarded the patience of A&M Records A&R men with a big fat hit album in February 1972 - the fondly remembered "Grave New World". It peaked at No. 11 on the UK charts and following year's "Bursting At The Seams" did even better by going all the way to No. 2 in February 1973.

All of that chart-payoff was laid down in those now forgotten first four LPs – their Folk-Rock period as opposed to the more Prog leanings of 1972 and 1973. And speaking of overlooked musical goodies and masterpieces - I've already reviewed the criminally ignored "Dragonfly" album from 1970 and now want to turn my ranting on to 1971's equally beautiful "From The Witchwood" - a sweetheart of an album given a dinky digital dust off on this superb 1998 CD reissue (it even has a tasty Bonus Track actually worth owning). Here are the Glimpses of Heaven...

UK released July 1998 - "From The Witchwood" by STRAWBS on A&M 540 939-2 (Barcode 731454093927) is an 'A&M ReMasterPieces' Expanded Edition CD Reissue and Remaster with One Bonus Track that plays out as follows (41:39 minutes):

1. A Glimpse Of Heaven [Side 1]

2. Witchwood

3. Thirty Days

4. Flight

5. The Hangman And The Papist

6. Sheep

7. Cannondale

8. The Shepherd's Song

9. In Amongst The Roses

10. I'll Carry On Beside You

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 4th album (3rd studio) "From The Witchwood" - released July 1971 in the UK on A&M Records AMLH 64304 and July 1971 in the USA on A&M Records SP 4304. Produced by TONY VISCONTI - it peaked at No. 39 on the UK charts (didn't chart in the USA)

BONUS TRACK:

11. Keep The Devil Outside

An Hudson-Ford song outtake left over from the "From The Witchwood" sessions - it was originally slated for release as the non-album B-side to the March 1971 UK 7" single for "Witchwood" on A&M Records AMS 874. The single got as far as being pressed up on Demo but then withdrawn (a £30 rarity in the Record Collector Price Guide for 2018). The song eventually showed as the non-album B-side to the UK 7" single for "Benedictus" released December 1971 on A&M Records AMS 874. "Benedictus" was from their next album "Grave New World" – itself eventually arriving in 1972.

The 8-page booklet for this 'A&M ReMasterPieces' reissue gives us a very detailed and smart overview of their career and the album by noted writer JOHN TOBLER with new contributions from Strawbs founder member Dave Cousins. Recorded at Air Studios in London between February and march 1971 - there's a track-by-track playlist for the album with full musician credits and the beautiful 'Vision Of St. Jerome' tapestry from the Spanish Royal Collection that adorned the whole left side of the inner gatefold is also reproduced on Page 2. A bit of a bummer though and a let down is the lyrics which were on the left side of the inner gatefold on original copies - they're not reproduced here when there was obviously plenty of room (and perhaps a photo of the "Benedictus" 45). However what you do get is more than enough to get a lay of the land...

But the big news is of course the Audio - a new ROGER WAKE Remaster carried out at Bourbery-Wake Studios from real tapes with input from one of the group’s principal songwriters - Dave Cousins. This CD Remaster sounds glorious - the album itself awash with acoustic playing and instruments (dulcimer, autoharp, guitars) - all of it layered with Wakeman's piano and Moog flourishes. To my ears each song is improved and even more moving for it somehow - a compliment you want to pay to many a Remaster.

The Strawbs fourth outing was a case of Prog Rock leanings in the band line-up facing off against their Folk-Rock roots. This kind of direction confusion is very evident in the listen - Side 1 all Folky and trippy nice while Side 2's opener "Sheep" feels like Yes and King Crimson had an ugly baby they couldn't bring themselves to give up for adoption. From the opener "A Glimpse Of Heaven" - you'd be forgiven for thinking you'd stumbled on the new Incredible String Band LP complete with made-up fairy lore lyrics (Cousins had met Marc Bolan through Producer Tony Visconti and discussed made-up words/lyrics with the mighty dawn dart from T. Rex). Whatever way you hear it - there's great ideas going on here - least not of all from Rick Wakeman's keyboard touches that add so much (something he'd done on the "Hunky Dory" sessions with David Bowie).

The Strawbs shuffle off the ISB moniker and emerge on the next three songs - the impossibly pretty "Witchwood" and "Thirty Days" and the Fab-Four Acid-Folk of "Flight" - a song on which they sound like The Beatles in 1967 as they've just discovered Magic Mushrooms in a studio full of Acoustic Instruments. I always thought too that the hooky "Thirty Days" would have made a fair stab at a chart single - a sort of McGuinness Flint melody - catchy and warm - especially given the Folk-Rock movement so prevalent in 1971 (the "From The Witchwood" album went to No. 39 where the live set "Just A Collection Of Antiques And Curios" from early 1970 went to No. 27 - so the band's chart presence at this stage wasn't improving). Up next is the musically overwrought and historically loaded Fairport Convention Folk-Rock of "The Hangman And The Papist" - a drum-roll tale of woe of an old English rope-man forced to hang his brother and forever more beg forgiveness for his lack of moral bottle.

For me the Side 2 Prog opener "Sheep" is the worst offender on the album – while lovers of the genre will genuflect in its presence. I like Prog – always have done – but some of it (especially in the indulgences) is hard to take. You can so hear how Wakeman will jump ship for Yes in days - his wild soloing at odds with their sound. There's this strange juxtaposition on "From The Witchwood" with him - he contributes Organ, Piano and Harpsichord to the brilliant "Cannondale" and Mellotron/Moog moments on the pretty "The Shepherd's Song" - and in both cases he adds so much to the overall sound - yet on something like "Sheep" - for me it's out of control. I've always thought the Matthews Southern Comfort vocal beauty of "In Amongst The Roses" is a standout – again Wakeman delivering in the most-subtle way as he tinkles away on a Harpsichord in the background – complimenting exquisite Acoustic playing from Hooper and Cousins. The LP ends on the very Lindisfarne "I'll Carry On Beside You" – another 7" single contender if ever there was one. The convoluted history of the non-album B-side "Keep The Devil Outside" doesn’t stop the fuzzed-up guitar Folk-Rock tune from being a bit of a collector's prize – a nice way to end an excellent CD.

For me the preceding "Dragonfly" from 1970 is a better album – a genuine 5-star masterpiece that deserves rediscovery. But re-listening to 1971's "From The Witchwood" has made me love it again. And in this superb new Audio – like so much of the Strawbs under-appreciated catalogue - another genuine find from those halcyon years...

Friday, 10 March 2017

"Stoneground/Stoneground 3" by STONEGROUND (2017 Beat Goes On Reissue - 2LPs onto 2CDs - Andrew Thompson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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At times Stoneground comes on like a more rocking version of Leon Russell and his Shelter People (Valentino's voice is similar) with traces of Little Feat Rock-Funk, first album Ry Cooder and because of the raspy ladies - early Fanny. Their sound and style is a mash up of Sixties R&B, Gospel, Sunshine Pop and CSNY influences – with a trace of The Doors thrown in for good measure. Sounds good doesn't it - they were.

Their wonderful debut "Stoneground" hit the shops in April 1971 on Warner Brothers WS 1895 - the half-live/half-studio 2LP-set "Family Album" followed in December 1971 on Warner Brothers 2ZS 1956 - ending their initial tenure on the label with December 1972's "Stoneground 3" on Warner Brothers BS 2645. Those of us who have trawled secondhand record stores down through the decades will have seen their tan-label original vinyl LPs in their droves - cheap as chips and easily attainable. Pretty much an American-only phenomenon - none of their rather excellent albums ever bothered the charts on either side of the pond (their debut received a UK release but the following two didn’t) - and in hindsight that was a bit of a mistake on the part of a Joe Public seriously spoilt for choice in 1971 and 1972. Which brings us to this stunning-sounding 2017 reissue...

Beat Goes On of the UK put out their second platter "Family Album" in November 2016 on BGOCD 1263 (Barcode 5017261212634) as a 2CD set (see separate review). This new February 2017 2CD Reissue gathers up albums Number 1 and 3 and offers them up in a truly fabulous new remaster. There is a ton of detail to wade through - so once more unto the sand dunes and rainy day details...

UK released February 2017 - "Stoneground/Stoneground 3" by STONEGROUND on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1270 (Barcode 5017261212702) offers 2LPs Newly Remastered onto 2CDs and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 "Stoneground" (37:24 minutes):

1. Looking For You [Lead Vocals, Sal Valentino]

2. Great Change Since I've Been Born [Lead Vocals, Lynne Hughes]

3. Rainy Day In June [Lead Vocals, Sal Valentino]

4. Added Attraction (Come And See Me) [Lead Vocals, Deirdre La Porte]

5. Dreaming Man [Lead Vocals, Tim Barnes]

6. Stroke Stand [Lead Vocals, Sal Valentino] - Side 2

7. Bad News [Lead Vocals, Lydia Phillips]

8. Don't Waste My Time [Lead Vocals, Luther Bildt]

9. Colonel Chicken Fry [Lead Vocals, Sal Valentino]

10. Brand New Start [Lead Vocals, Annie Simpson]

Tracks 1 to 10 are their debut album "Stoneground" - released April 1971 in the USA on Warner Brothers WS 1895 and in the UK on Warner Brothers K 46087. Tracks 1, 4, 5, 6, and 9 are Sal Valentino originals – Track 2 is a Reverend Gary Davis cover - Track 3 is a Ray Davies song, a Kinks cover - Track 7 is a JD Loudermilk song, a Leadbelly cover - Track 8 is a John Mayall cover and Track 10 is a Jackie De Shannon cover (a Tom Donahue and John Blakely song).

For the debut STONEGROUND was:

SAL VALENTINO - Lead Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars and Percussion

LYNNE HUGHES – Lead Vocals

DEIRDRE LA PORTE – Lead Vocals

ANNIE SIMPSON – Lead Vocals

LYDIA PHILLIPS – Lead Vocals

TIM BARNES - Lead Guitar, Bottleneck, Lead and Backing Vocals

LUTHER BILDT – Guitar, Lead and Backing Vocals

JOHN BLAKELEY – Rhythm Guitar and Bass Guitar

PETE SEARS – Bass Guitar and Keyboards

MICHAEL MAU – Drums

Guest:

RON NAGEL – Keyboards and Percussion

Disc 2 "Stoneground 3" (43:14 minutes):

1. Dancin'

2. On My Own

3. You Better Come Through

4. Ajax

5. Down To The Bottom

6. From A Sad Man Into A Deep Blue Sea

7. From Me - Side 2

8. Lovin' Fallin'

9. Butterfly

10. Gettin' Over You

11. Heads Up

12. Everybody's Happy

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 3rd and final album for Warner Brothers - "Stoneground 3" - released December 1972 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2645. Tracks 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11 are Sal Valentino originals - Track 2 is by Lynne Hughes - Track 3 by Tim Barnes - Track 4 by Deirdre La Porte - Track 9 by Cory Lerios - Track 10 by Annie Sampson and Track 12 by Cory Lerios and David Jenkins.

For the third album STONEGROUND was:

SAL VALENTINO - Lead Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars and Percussion

LYNNE HUGHES – Lead Vocals

DEIRDRE LA PORTE – Lead Vocals

ANNIE SIMPSON – Lead Vocals

LYDIA MORENO – Lead Vocals

TIM BARNES - Lead Guitar, Lead and Backing Vocals

JOHN BLAKELEY – Rhythm Guitar and Bass Guitar

TERENCE V. CLEMENTS – Horns

CORY LERIOS – Keyboards and Vocals

DAVID McCULLOUGH – Bass

STEVE PRICE – Drums

The card slipcase that now comes as standard with all BGO releases adds the whole shebang a classy feel - while the 14-page booklet uses new JOHN TOBLER liner notes to unravel the huge ensemble’s tangled history (three members of the group would go on to be in Pablo Cruise and finally achieve chart success). The liner notes for the original debut are here as are the lyrics to "Stoneground 3" along with some black and white live shots of the band and a tasty centre-page photo that has the group pushed to 11 members. Tobler describes their roots in the 'Medicine Ball Caravan' show that crossed America in 1970 and eventually became a movie in 1971 (several members of the band featured in it). The arrival of a songwriter like Sal Valentino (ex Beau Brummels) changed everything for Stoneground and got them the WB contract (Tobler discusses the BB's a lot) and we learn that Lydia Moreno and Annie Simpson had been in the cast of the hugely popular Rock Musical "Hair".

But the big news here is a truly gorgeous High Definition 2CD Remaster by tape supremo ANDREW THOMPSON – the Audio Engineer BGO has been using for decades. These CDs have been out before on Collectables – but the Audio here is way better. I’ve never heard the first LP sound so beautiful – all those great vocalists and funky guitar breaks. Let's get to the music...

Their April 1971 debut album "Stoneground" opens with a winner - the very languid Doors-sounding "Looking For You" - a cool little sucker if ever there was one. Lynne Hughes makes her considerable set if pipes known on the cover version of a Rev. Gary Davis Blues number called "Great Change Since I've Been Born". A member of a short-lived Bay Area group called 'Tongue & Groove' - she clearly identifies with the holy-roller lyrics "...songs I used to sing...I won't sing no more..." In fact the splitting of male and female voices as leads on each track works - but I would also imagine that it also made their sound and style hard to nail down (a PR problem no doubt). Valentino does a very Soulful Leon Russell take on the Kinks 'Face To Face' album track "Rainy Day In June" - the ladies giving it some great backing vocals I think Ray Davies would approve of. Deirdre La Porte gives it some Janis Ian meets Melanie Lead Vocals on "Added Attraction..." while Sal duets with her on some lines. "Dreaming Man" is pretty builder of a ballad that has an ever-present hiss in the background at the beginning - but thankfully gets drowned out by guitars and keyboards. Other album highlights include a clever slide-Blues take on Leadbelly's "Bad News" that feels amazingly modern in its instrument arrangement and a storming cover of John Mayall's "Don't Waste My Time" from his 1969 LP set "Empty Rooms" - a song Sal Valentino clearly has the hits for. Can’t say I dig "Colonel Chicken Fry" while the final cut "Brand New Start" is a hurter sung with real pain by Annie Simpson – a song you can’t help feel Bonnie Raitt should pay attention to as a potential monster cover.

Produced by Sal Valentino - the 3rd album saw the band ditch all cover versions and opt for 12 originals. Kitted out with a staggeringly unoriginal album name and artwork taboot – Funk-Rock seemed to be the order of the day. And again it's a mixture of the good and the ordinary - "Dancin'" opening proceedings strongly only to be followed by the neither-here-nor-there "On My Own". Barnes offers "You Better Come Through" again trying hard in a Delaney & Bonnie way to be great but never quite getting there. "Ajax" is beautifully produced - like Maria Muldaur meets Allen Toussaint. Valentino's "Down In The Bottom" feels like Robert Palmer circa "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley" - a slick little Funk-Rock groove that hooks in and doesn't let go. He ends Side 1 with the excellent "From A Sad Man Into A Deep Blue Sea" - the remaster shining like never before as shimmering Dobro notes flick and clang in your speakers (what a stunning transfer). Other highlights include the cool Clapton-like slides of "From Me" and the Eagles/Little Feat feel to "Heads Up".

Piano player Pete Sears who played on their debut would later feature in Hot Tuna and Jefferson Starship and along with Ian McLagan became a member of the house band that played on Rod Stewart's mighty trio of classic albums - "Gasoline Alley", "Every Picture Tells A Story" and "Never A Dull Moment". Cory Lerios, Steve Price and David Jenkins would form Pablo Cruise and sign to A&M Records for major chart success in the Seventies. Stoneground went on make more albums that no one remembers - even returning to Warner Brothers in 1978 for the "Hearts Of Stone" LP in 1978. There's a website to the band that tells you bugger all info about them...

Neither album is a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination - but those forgotten nuggets in-between the lesser stuff will have Seventies Rock fans turning heads in shock and pleasant surprise. Probably victims of too many faces, too many voices and too many forces trying to get noticed - Stoneground ended having the general buying public not noticing them at all. But as I re-listen to the Little Feat-ish Funk Rock of "Looking For You" or "Heads Up" or the stunning whiteboy Blues of "From A Sad Man Into A Deep Blue Sea" - and in this truly great Audio - I'm thinking some of us missed a trick here.

Stoneground are worth a punt - and this superb-sounding twofer CD set is a great place to start your lines in the sand...