Mini review
Once again the record labels are trying to figure out new ways to separate us from our hard earned cash. One of the more recent things I have seen is the expanded "Deluxe Editions" many of them being pushed as "anniversary", "complete", or "bonus disc of previously unreleased material" among other hooks.
A few weeks ago I took the bait on the Eric Clapton Deluxe Edition of 461 Ocean Blvd. The bonus disc was of a concert recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1974. Now I say took the bait but let me make it perfectly clear I am very satisfied with my purchase as a matter of fact it has peaked my curiosity as to what other cd’s have been released or are planned for release. Well yesterday I happened across another CD that has received the “Duluxe” treatment.
I picked up the Joe Cocker “Mad Dogs and Englishmen” CD. In addition to the material that had been released originally, the concert has been expanded to what's claimed to be complete length. Additional tracks include The Weight, Something, Darling Be Home Soon, and With a Little Help From My Friends by Cocker; Let It Be by Claudia Lennear, Hummingbird and Dixie Lullaby by Leon Russell and Further On Up the Road performed by Don Preston. They have also added 4 tracks of studio session cut for singles to promote the tour.
First the performance:
This was a band that was literally thrown together in a couple of days specifically for a tour of the U.S. Once they got the members together there was 4 12 hour days of rehearsal time before opening night. The performances are great. Cocker , Russell and the others are all in good voice. The energy and excitement of the “moment” is palpable not only in Cocker and Russell but in the band as a whole.
The sound quality is for the most part very good. The solo instruments and lead vocals and the vocals of the choir are very clear and discernable. I can’t quite put my finger on it but there are areas of the recording that sound somewhat compressed. My audiophile buddy says it is to soften the clipping. I don’t know about these things so I just nod. But some sections where the whole band is just ripping, the sound gets a little wooly. Not bad though, because when the solos or voices come back in it is amazingly clear for a live recording of that era. After the tour they all disbanded and went on to other projects. One thing is for sure. This recording catapulted Cocker to the top of the charts and put him on the map. It also showcased Leon Russell very nicely and help push his career along as well. Joe cocker never before and never since had the backing of such a tight unit as we hear in Mad Dogs and Englishman.
This is an essential piece of rock and roll history. Buy it you won’t be sorry.
Of course this is just IMHO.
oz
