Dave Edmunds "Rockpile" (1972, Expanded 2011)

This Expanded CD gives us all 10 tracks of Dave Edmund's rare debut album from 1972 and bolsters it up with the A&B sides of 3 singles that preceded its release.The great news is the quality of the remaster - the tracks are wonderfully clear and full; there is some minor hiss on the MONO single mixes, but not too bad to make them a chore to listen to. As you can see from the detailed track breakdown above, the album is top-heavy on cover versions, particularly those songs that have a rhythm 'n' blues or rock 'n' roll feel to them - Edmunds beloved field of expertise. "The Promised Land" was recorded in the summer of 1966 - and I suspect it wasn't re-recorded precisely because this version has that all-important 'feel' to it. His version of Dylan's "Outlaw Blues" (from "Bringing It All Back Home") is a fantastic way to end the album. It's not all genius of course, but in the near two decades that I've been mail-ordering rare records, this album on original UK Regal Zonophone vinyl has turned up maybe twice in decent condition - so it's a blast to finally have it reissued - and sounding so good too. I've always loved Dave Edmunds and his particular slant on rock 'n' roll - a modern version of an old sound - filtered by a soul still enamored with those glorious old 45s. A great little set really. Recommended. (Mark Barry, The Guardian)The musicians on "Rockpile" were:
Lead Guitar, Keyboards & Lead Vocals - DAVE EDMUNDS [Love Sculpture] / Second Guitar & Drums - ANDY FAIRWEATHER-LOW [Amen Corner] / Pedal Steel Guitar - B.J. COLE / Bass & Backing Vocals - JOHN WILLIAMS / Drums - TERRY WILLIAMS

trax:
1. Down Down Down [written by Trevor Burton of The Move]
2. I Hear You Knocking [Stereo Album Version] [written by Dave Bartholomew and Pearl King, a Smiley Lewis cover]
3. Hell Of A Pain [written by John David (Williams)]
4. It Ain't Easy [written by Ron Davies, a Nashville songwriter. It was covered also by Three Dog Night, David Bowie (on "Ziggy") and Long John Baldry. Baldry even named an album after the song in 1971 (UK Warner Brothers K 46088) - his version of the track was produced on that album by Rod Stewart and featured both Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones on Guitar and Maggie Bell of Stone The Crows on Backing Vocals]
5. The Promised Land [written by Chuck Berry]
6. Dance, Dance, Dance [written by Neil Young]
7. (I'm A) Lover Not A Fighter [mistakenly credited to Collier - it was written by Jay D Miller, a Louisiana record producer who first gave the song to Lazy Lester; it was released by Lester in 1958 on Excello Records 2143. It was also covered by The Kinks on their 1964 debut LP (correctly credited to Miller). Dave Edmunds' cover of the song combines elements of both versions]
8. Egg Or The Hen [written by Willie Dixon, a Koko Taylor cover]
9. Sweet Little Rock & Roller [written by Chuck Berry] (lyrics featured above)
10. Outlaw Blues [written by Bob Dylan]
Tracks 1 to 10 make up the album "Rockpile" issued June 1972 in the UK on Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1026 and on London / Mam Records MAM-3 in the USA
11. King of love
12. Blue Monday [written by Dave Bartholomew and Fats Domino]
12. Black Bill [An Instrumental written by Dave Edmunds]
13. Don't Answer The Door
14. I'll Get Along [written by John Williams, the Bass Player]
15. I'm Coming Home [cover of a Traditional Stephen Foster song called "Old Black Joe" reworded and reworked by Jerry Lee Lewis]
16. Stay With Me Tonight
(NOTE: Tracks 1 and 4, "Down Down Down" b/w "It Ain't Easy", were also issued as a 4th UK 7" single in July 1972 on Regal Zonophone RZ 3059. Tracks 11 to 16 were all non-album at the time of their release)
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