The Jazz Crusaders - Old Socks New Shoes New Socks Old Shoes (1970)

From The Lost Record Covers Club The first album from the band that would become, simply, The Crusaders.  Comprised of such talent as Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson, Stix Hooper and Wilton Felder, this is an early release on Chisa which had a distribution deal with Motown worldwide. The track "Way Back Home" written by Felder, would become a single and popular live track for Jr Walker later.  This includes the Lennon-McCartney "Golden Slumbers", Sly's "Thank You For Lettinme ..." and the standard "Rainy Night In Georgia" - in addition to other originals.  Produced by the late and really great Stewart Levine. This is a Chisa original (that has seen better days cover-wise) Cat No: CS 804 It is now available on CD on the Verve label (owned by Universal who also own Motown) Cat No: 0602517654365 (aren't bar coded numbers awful)

Simply Red - Holding Back The Years (1985)

From The Lost Record Covers Club

Now much maligned (and unjustly so) but when this was released music fans were stunned by such a great song from a young band.  Obviously it turned out to be Mick Hucknall and his band with him being and remaining the driving force.  He is currently on a farewell tour and has just had a TV special on ITV which gave some insight into his roots.  Hopefully readers will have a bit more knowledge of him as a person than the tabloid lethario he has always been painted.  Why do we love to bring down or simply ignore any British heroes?  He is one for me.  Making soul music on his own terms.  Yes some of the later stuff was a bit pop and some suffering from a dip in quality but play this one song or the whole of any of the early albums from Picture Book to Stars and I defy you to name another consistent songwriter of this quality with such a great soul voice who hails from these shores.  I say get off his back and listen without prejudice.

This song is readily available so I have included here the original B side.  Later re-recorded - this is the orginal vinyl version.  He claimed to be criticised for making covers.  He interprets songs and doesn't just cover them.

Soul? very much yes.

Once again we find Stewart Levine in the producer's chair.

Atllantic - YZ70

Moon - Too Close For Comfort (1976)

From The Lost Record Covers Club

The Marquee, Wardour Street 1975.  The gig to see this band. A real must-see in their day.  They did get on and release two albums ("Turning the Tides" is featured in an earlier post) but this is the one.  That gig was this tracklist plus "Night By Night" and "Moondance" - bloody marvelous!


Epic - EPC 81456