How Sweet It Is: Rhino’s New Quadio Batch Includes James Taylor, James Gang, David Gates, Herbie Mann
Rhino’s Quadio series has recently announced its latest batch of four titles, and as usual, they comprise a quartet of eclectic titles from the 1970s. Two singer-songwriters – James Taylor and Bread’s David Gates – are joined by soul-jazz titan Herbie Mann and the rockers of The James Gang. Each Blu-ray Audio Disc in the Quadio series includes the original four-channel quadraphonic mix with a high-resolution 192/24 stereo mix, with both sourced from the original analog tapes. (The lone exception here is the Herbie Mann quad mix, which was sourced out of necessity from the commercially-released tape.) These titles are currently available as exclusives from Rhino.com individually and as a bundle.
Herbie Mann’s Hold On, I’m Comin’ (1973) continued the flautist’s long association with Atlantic Records. It preserves performances from both New York’s Yankee Stadium and the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Backed by David Newman (saxophone), Pat Rebillot (electric piano), Sonny Sharrock (guitar), Andy Muson (bass), and Reggie Ferguson (drums), Mann tears into a setlist blending jazz, pop, and soul. Selections include The Jackson 5’s Clifton Davis-penned hit “Never Can Say Goodbye,” the Luther Ingram/Mack Rice-written Staple Singers smash “Respect yourself,” and a percussion-focused take on The Memphis Horns’ “(Gimme Some Of That Good Old) Soul Beat Momma.”
First/Never Let Her Go (1973/1975) brings together the first two solo albums from Bread’s frontman and balladeer supreme, David Gates. The appropriately-titled First, featuring the singles “Suite: Clouds, Rain” and “Sail Around the World,” welcomed Bread bandmates Mike Botts and Larry Knechtel as well as Larry Carlton, Jim Horn, John Guerin, Louie Shelton, and Russ Kunkel among its A-list musicians. Never Let Her Go continued in the lush, melodic vein of its predecessor and spun off the hit title track.
Miami (1974) captures the high-octane sound of The James Gang in its post-Joe Walsh years. The band’s seventh studio album, it features Tommy Bolin in blazing fashion on the cusp of his departure to join Deep Purple. The cover intentionally echoed that of the band’s James Gang Rides Again LP with the title reflecting the recording locale of Miami’s Criteria Studios. Bee Gees collaborator Albhy Galuten joined the band (guitarist Bolin, vocalist Roy Kenner, bassist Dale Peters, and drummer Jimmy “Jim” Fox) on synthesizer for “Head Above the Water.” Tom Dowd’s production kept the band in a rootsy, earthy milieu. Two more albums would follow for Atco before The James Gang called it a day.
James Taylor’s sixth studio LP, 1975’s Gorilla, found the singer-songwriter bouncing back after the relative disappointment of his Walking Man album. Featuring such guests as Lowell George, Randy Newman, Valerie Carter, David Crosby, and Graham Nash, Gorilla found Taylor in a joyful mood with such classic hits as “Mexico” (featuring Crosby and Nash) and a revival of Holland-Dozier-Holland’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” with Taylor’s then-wife Carly Simon on harmony vocals.
All four Quadio titles are available for order now from Rhino.com. You’ll find the track listing and order links below.
Herbie Mann, Hold On, I’m Comin’ (Atlantic ATLQ-1632-QR, 1973)
- “(Gimme Some Of That Good Old) Soul Beat Momma”
- “Never Can Say Goodbye”
- “Respect Yourself”
- “Memphis Underground”
- “Hold On, I’m Comin’”
David Gates, First/Never Let Her Go (Elektra, 1973/1975)
First (Elektra EQ 5066, 1973)
- “Sail Away Around The World”
- “Sunday Rider”
- “Soap (I Use The)”
- “Suite: Clouds, Rain”
- “Help Is On The Way”
- “Ann”
- “Do You Believe He’s Comin’”
- “Sight & Sound”
- “Lorilee”
Never Let Her Go (Elektra EQ 1028, 1975)
- “Never Let Her Go”
- “Angel”
- “Playin’ On My Guitar”
- “Watch Out”
- “Part Time Love”
- “Chain Me”
- “Light Of My Life”
- “Someday”
- “Greener Days”
- “Strangers”
The James Gang, Miami (Atco QT 36-102, 1974)
- “Cruisin’ Down The Highway”
- “Do It”
- “Wildfire”
- “Sleepwalker”
- “Miami Two-Step”
- “Praylude”
- “Red Skies”
- “Spanish Lover”
- “Summer Breezes”
- “Head Above The Water”
James Taylor, Gorilla (Warner Bros. BS4 2866, 1975)
- “Mexico”
- “Music”
- “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)”
- “Wandering”
- “Gorilla”
- “You Make It Easy”
- “I Was A Fool To Care”
- “Lighthouse”
- “Angry Blues”
- “Love Songs”
- “Sarah Maria”
