VA - The Easy Way, 60 Classic Hits From The Time When Life Was Easy [2019] (3 x CDs)

EASY LISTENING

VA - The Easy Way, 60 Classic Hits From The Time When Life Was Easy [2019] (3 x CDs)

Released in 2019, The Easy Way: 60 Classic Hits From The Time When Life Was Easy is a nostalgic journey through timeless music compiled into a 3-CD set. This collection stands as a tribute to an era when melodies were soothing, lyrics told heartfelt stories, and music had the uncanny ability to transport listeners to simpler, happier times.

Spanning genres like jazz, rock, funk, soul, and easy listening, this compilation offers an eclectic array of hits that evoke a sense of comfort and familiarity. From the soul-stirring vocals of Dionne Warwick in "Walk On By" to the poignant introspection of Don McLean's "Vincent", the box set boasts a lineup of legendary artists and iconic tracks. Among the gems are classics like Aretha Franklin's "I Say A Little Prayer", Dusty Springfield's "(They Long To Be) Close To You", and Nat King Cole's "Let There Be Love".

What sets this collection apart is not just its stellar lineup but its ability to encapsulate the mood of its time. Tracks like Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World" and Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" reflect themes of hope, love, and introspection, resonating across generations. Additionally, vibrant instrumentals like Henry Mancini's "The Pink Panther Theme" and Percy Faith's "A Summer Place" inject a dose of playful charm.

Packaged in a neatly designed digipak, the compilation has an almost cinematic quality, with every song crafting its unique narrative. Whether it's the swooning ballads of Matt Monro, the jazzy elegance of Nina Simone, or the breezy harmonies of The 5th Dimension, The Easy Way serves as a time capsule, offering a musical escape into the golden age of music.

Perfect for longtime fans or those discovering these classics for the first time, this box set is a celebration of a bygone era where life seemed, indeed, a little easier. The Easy Way excels as a feel-good collection that captures the essence of a simpler time. Its broad appeal and expertly chosen tracks make it a standout choice. (B)

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Track list

CD1

01 Dionne Warwick - Walk on By 2:54

02 Dusty Springfield - (They Long To Be) Close to You 2:29

03 Aretha Franklin - I Say a Little Prayer 3:35

04 Jackie DeShannon - What the World Needs Now is Love 3:14

05 5th Dimension - Up, Up and Away 2:38

06 Frankie Vaughan - Music to Watch Girls By 3:06

07 Noel Harrison - The Windmills of Your Mind 2:21

08 Burt Bacharach - Do You Know the Way to San Jose? 2:29

09 Dr. Hook - When You’re in Love With a Beautiful Woman 2:52

10 B.J. Thomas - Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head 3:01

11 Albert Hammond - It Never Rains in Southern California 3:52

12 Gene Pitney - Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart 5:03

13 Otis Redding - (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay 2:43

14 Temptations - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face 4:12

15 Matt Monro - You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me 2:43

16 Dean Martin - Sway 2:44

17 Julie London - The Good Life 2:55

18 Wayne Newton - Danke Schoen 2:36

19 Percy Faith & His Orchestra - A Summer Place 2:21

20 Henry Mancini - The Pink Panther Theme 4:42

CD2

01 Sandie Shaw - (There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me 2:45

02 Cilla Black - Anyone Who Had a Heart 2:53

03 Petula Clark - Downtown 3:05

04 Tony Bennett - I Left My Heart in San Francisco 2:52

05 Louis Armstrong - What a Wonderful World 2:18

06 George Shearing - On the Street Where You Live 2:53

07 Matt Monro - From Russia With Love 2:36

08 Dusty Springfield - The Look of Love 3:32

09 Don McLean - Vincent 3:59

10 Mamas & the Papas - Dream a Little Dream of Me 3:14

11 Sandpipers - Cast Your Fate to the Wind 1:46

12 Nico - These Days 3:33

13 Honeybus - I Can’t Let Maggie Go 2:57

14 Isley Brothers - Summer Breeze, Pt. 1 3:08

15 Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 - Chelsea Morning 2:58

16 Chris Montez - Call Me 2:34

17 Tim Hardin - How Can We Hang on to a Dream 2:02

18 Velvet Underground & Nico - Sunday Morning 2:56

19 Fairport Convention - Who Knows Where the Time Goes? 5:10

20 Randy Crawford - One Day I’ll Fly Away 4:58

CD3

01 Frank Sinatra - It Was a Very Good Year 4:28

02 Dean Martin - That’s Amore 3:08

03 Peggy Lee - Fever 3:19

04 Sammy Davis Jr. - Mr. Bojangles 5:47

05 Matt Monro - Born Free 2:48

06 Bobby Darin - Mack the Knife 3:08

07 Julie London - Cry Me a River 2:47

08 Cilla Black - Alfie 2:39

09 Dinah Washington - What a Difference a Day Makes 2:29

10 Gilbert O’Sullivan - Alone Again (Naturally) 3:39

11 Shirley Horn - Isn’t it a Pity? 5:49

12 Puppini Sisters - Moon River 3:56

13 Al Martino - Spanish Eyes 2:48

14 Nancy Wilson - The Boy From Ipanema 2:14

15 Jack Jones - Wives and Lovers 2:31

16 Brook Benton - A House is Not a Home 3:01

17 Walker Brothers - Make it Easy on Yourself 3:13

18 Nina Simone - Here Comes the Sun 3:34

19 Nat King Cole - Let There Be Love 2:45

20 Judy Garland - Over the Rainbow 3:40

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K SPECIAL Sam Hawkins - The Very Best Of (Updated Improved Remastered Expanded Edition) (2025) (2 x CDs)

K SPECIAL

Sam Hawkins - The Very Best Of (Updated Improved Remastered Expanded Edition) (2025) (2 x CDs)

Sam Hawkins was a US rhythm & blues singer active in New York, NY during the late 1950s and 60s.

He recorded for many different labels during that time: Gone, Decca, End, May, Arnold, Blue Cat, Shell and Epic Records between 1958 and 1969.

As far as I can tell he released 18 singles of which 34 tracks are included here.

This compilation has been a collaborative effort between myself (K) and lemonflag.

These are incredibly rare tracks, and no official CD compilation of his complete recorded output has ever been released.

The majority of the tracks are vinyl rips from the original 45 singles and only a small number have been released digitally or on CD as the master tapes are probably long gone by now.

Discography of 7" vinyl records by Sam Hawkins released in USA on 45cat:

https://www.45cat.com/artist/sam-hawkins

Explore the discography of Sam Hawkins. Shop for vinyl, CDs, and more from Sam Hawkins on Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/artist/294685-Sam-Hawkins

If anyone has more information on his biography and can help with these two missing tracks:

Sam Hawkins

B: Sing a Song About Dixie

End, USA, E-1102, 7", Sep 1961

https://www.45cat.com/record/nc142260us

Sammy Hawkins

B: Wobble Mama

May, USA, MY 128, 7", Nov 1962

https://www.discogs.com/release/5749015-Sammy-Hawkins-Standing-On-The-Sidelines

it would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

K

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Track lists

CD

1 Sam Hawkins - King of Fools (Gone Records 1958) 2:09

2 Sam Hawkins - The Whatchamacallit (Gone Records 1958) 2:00

3 Sam Hawkins - When Nobody Loves You (Come to Me) (Gone Records 1959) 2:44

4 Sam Hawkins - She Don't Notice Me (Gone Records 1959) 2:51

5 Sam Hawkins - Queen of Hearts (Decca 1959) 2:35

6 Sam Hawkins - Am I Wasting My Time (Decca 1959) 2:13

7 Sam Hawkins - Let Me Dream (Decca 1959) 2:33

8 Sam Hawkins - Does It Really Matter (Decca 1959) 2:47

9 Sammy and the Parliaments - Win Yourself a Lover (Arnold Records 1960) 1:55

10 Sammy and the Parliaments - No Hard Feelings (Arnold Records 1960) 2:15

11 Sam Hawkins - No Time for Tears (Decca 1960) 2:23

12 Sam Hawkins - Let Me Be (Decca 1960) 2:11

13 Sam Hawkins - So I Keep Telling Myself (Decca 1960) 2:44

14 Sam Hawkins - Bewildered (Decca 1960) 2:51

15 Sam Hawkins - Nobody But You (Decca 1960) 2:10

16 Sam Hawkins - You're Something Out of This World (Decca 1960) 2:14

17 Sam Hawkins - You're the Reason (Decca 1961) 2:18

CD2

1 Sam Hawkins - I'd Be a Fool Again (Decca 1961) 2:30

2 Sam Hawkins - Landlord (End 1961) 2:09

3 Sammy Hawkins - Standing on the Sidelines (May 1962) 2:19

4 Sammy Hawkins - I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire (May 1963) 2:28

5 Sammy Hawkins - Are These Really Mine (May 1963) 2:51

6 Sam Hawkins - Goodbye Darling (Arnold Records 1963) 2:31

7 Sam Hawkins - Candy Yams (Arnold Records 1963) 2:38

8 Sam Hawkins - Hold on Baby (Blue Cat 1965) 2:48

9 Sam Hawkins - Bad As They Come (Blue Cat 1965) 2:35

10 Sam Hawkins - I Know It's All Right (Blue Cat 1965) 2:45

11 Sam Hawkins - It Hurts So Bad (Drip Drop) (Blue Cat 1965) 1:41

12 Sam Hawkins - Run to Me (Shell 1966) 2:43

13 Sam Hawkins - Bring It to Me (Shell 1966) 2:26

14 Sam Hawkins - Dream Lover (Epic 1969) 2:54

15 Sam Hawkins - Sugar Man (Epic 1969) 2:26

16 Sam Hawkins - Just to Make Me Cry (Ace Records Previously Unissued 2002) 2:26

17 Sam Hawkins - Where the World Begins (Ace Records Previously Unissued 2002) 1:49

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Supremes - The Supremes Box Set [2000] (5 x CDs)

SUPREMES

Supremes - The Supremes Box Set [2000] (5 x CDs)

The Supremes were an American girl group formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959 as the Primettes. A premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s, the Supremes were the most commercially successful of Motown's acts and the most successful American vocal band, with 12 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Most of these hits were written and produced by Motown's main songwriting and production team, Holland–Dozier–Holland. Their breakthrough is considered to have made it possible for future African American R&B and soul musicians to find mainstream success. Billboard ranked the Supremes as the 16th greatest Hot 100 artist of all time.

Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross, and Betty McGlown, the original members, were all from the Brewster-Douglass public housing project in Detroit. Forming as the Primettes, they were the sister act to the Primes (with Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks, who went on to form the Temptations). Barbara Martin replaced McGlown in 1960, and the group signed with Motown the following year as the Supremes. Martin left the group in early 1962, and Ross, Ballard, and Wilson continued as a trio.

During the mid-1960s, the Supremes achieved mainstream success with Ross as lead singer and Holland–Dozier–Holland as its songwriting and production team. In 1967, Motown president Berry Gordy renamed the group Diana Ross & the Supremes, and replaced Ballard with Cindy Birdsong. In 1970, Ross left to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Jean Terrell, and the group's name was reverted to the Supremes. During the mid-1970s, the lineup continued to change with Lynda Laurence, Scherrie Payne and Susaye Greene joining until the group, 18 years after its formation, disbanded in 1977 (Wikipedia)

The 2000 release of The Supremes - Box Set is a masterful collection that chronicles the illustrious career of Motown's most iconic girl group, The Supremes. This five-disc set  offers an in-depth exploration of the group's evolution, from their early days as The Primettes in 1960 to their final recordings in 1976. The comprehensive nature of this collection makes it a definitive anthology, capturing the essence of The Supremes' contribution to the music industry and their enduring legacy.

This box set is meticulously curated, featuring a plethora of unreleased tracks, rare gems, and alternate takes that provide a fresh perspective on well-loved classics. The first four discs span the entirety of their studio recordings, showcasing the group's versatility and growth over the years. The fifth disc, titled "An Evening with The Supremes," is a bonus for early collectors and contains mostly unreleased live recordings, giving listeners a glimpse into the energy and charisma that The Supremes brought to their performances.

One of the standout features of this box set is the inclusion of a 76-page booklet. This booklet is not just an accompaniment; it is a comprehensive guide to the music within. It features extensive essays, detailed track annotations, and a full discography, providing context and background that enhances the listening experience. The essays delve into the history and significance of The Supremes, offering insights into the group's journey, the challenges they faced, and the milestones they achieved. The track annotations are particularly valuable for fans and scholars, as they provide detailed information about each song's recording history, personnel, and production notes.

The physical presentation of the box set is as impressive as its content. Housed in a three-panel foldout faux velvet box, it exudes a sense of luxury and reverence for the music it contains. This elegant packaging underscores the importance of The Supremes' legacy and the care taken in preserving it.

Overall, The Supremes - Box Set is a fitting tribute to a group that helped define the sound of Motown and left an indelible mark on popular music. It is a celebration of The Supremes' artistry, a testament to their enduring influence, and a gift to fans who continue to cherish their music. Whether you are a long-time fan or a new listener, this collection offers a rich and rewarding journey through the musical landscape of one of the most beloved groups in history. (B)

An excellent collection that contains a number of alternative takes/mixes of well know hit tracks and out takes and live recordings that sit alongside the iconic hits.

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Track lists

CD1

01 Primettes - Tears of Sorrow (Single Edit) [Mono] 2:35

02 Primettes - Pretty Baby (Single Version) [Mono] 2:01

03 Supremes - After All 2:45

04 Supremes - The Boy That Got Away 2:51

05 Supremes - I Want a Guy (Single Version) [Mono] 3:34

06 Supremes - Buttered Popcorn (2000 Box Set Version) 2:43

07 Supremes - Your Heart Belongs to Me (Single Version) [Mono] 2:38

08 Supremes - Let Me Go the Right Way (2000 Box Set Version) 3:31

09 Supremes - My Heart Can't Take it No More (Single Version) [Mono] 2:58

10 Supremes - A Breath Taking, First Sight Soul Shaking, One Night Love Making, Next Day Breaking Guy (Single Version) [Mono] 2:26

11 Supremes - Run, Run, Run (Single Version) [Mono] 2:21

12 Supremes - When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes (Single Version) [Mono] 3:06

13 Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go (Juke Box) [Single Version] [Stereo] 2:31

14 Supremes - Baby Love (Juke Box) [Single Version] [Stereo] 2:37

15 Supremes - Ask Any Girl (Mono) 2:46

16 Supremes - Come See About Me (Stereo) 2:40

17 Supremes - Ooowee Baby 3:00

18 Supremes - Shake 2:41

19 Supremes - Stop! in the Name of Love 3:24

20 Supremes - Back in My Arms Again (Single Version) [Stereo] 2:56

21 Supremes - It's All Your Fault 2:39

22 Supremes - Nothing But Heartaches (Juke Box) [Single Version] [Stereo] 2:59

23 Supremes - Take Me Where You Go 2:55

24 Supremes - People 4:54

CD2

01 Supremes - I Hear a Symphony (Juke Box) [Single Version] [Stereo] 2:38

02 Supremes - My World is Empty Without You (Juke Box) [Single Version] [Stereo] 2:33

03 Supremes - Everything is Good About You 3:41

04 Supremes - Any Girl in Love (Knows What I'm Going Through) 2:54

05 Supremes - Surfer Boy 2:27

06 Supremes - Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine 2:20

07 Florence Ballard - Love is Like an Itching in My Heart (Stereo) 2:55

08 Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love (Stereo) 2:44

09 Supremes - Mother Dear 2:19

10 Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' on (Stereo) 2:40

11 Supremes - Going Down for the Third Time (Single Mono) 2:31

12 Supremes - Love is Here and Now You're Gone 2:46

13 Supremes - There's No Stopping Us Now (Single Mono) 3:02

14 Supremes - Come on and See Me 2:10

15 Supremes - My Guy 2:35

16 Supremes - Falling in Love With Love 2:27

17 Supremes - The Happening 2:47

18 Supremes - All I Know About You 2:08

19 Supremes - When You Wish upon a Star 3:10

20 Supremes - Somewhere (Live) 4:29

21 Supremes - Group Introduction (Spoken Words) (Live) 2:39

22 Supremes - You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You (Live) 5:17

CD3

01 Supremes - Reflections (Stereo) 2:50

02 Supremes - In and Out of Love (Juke Box) [Single Version] [Stereo] 2:40

03 Supremes - Heaven Must Have Sent You 3:19

04 Supremes - Forever Came Today (Single Stereo) 3:13

05 Supremes - Some Things You Never Get Used to (Single Stereo) 2:24

06 Supremes - The Beginning of the End of Love 2:50

07 Supremes - Love Child (Stereo) 2:55

08 Supremes - How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone (Stereo) 2:45

09 Supremes - Does Your Mama Know About Me (Stereo) 2:50

10 Supremes - He's My Sunny Boy (Stereo) 2:20

11 Various Interprets - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me (Stereo) 3:06

12 Various Interprets - I'll Try Something New (Stereo) 2:20

13 Various Interprets - T.C.B. (2000 Box Set Version) 2:53

14 Supremes - I'm Livin' in Shame (Juke Box) [Single Version] [Stereo] 2:58

15 Supremes - The Composer (Single Mono) 2:58

16 Supremes - Are You Sure Love is the Name of this Game 2:37

17 Supremes - No Matter What Sign You Are (It's Happening Version) 2:51

18 Supremes - The Young Folks (Single Mono) 3:14

19 Supremes - Stormy (2000 Box Set Version) 3:03

20 Supremes - Can't Take My Eyes off You 3:13

21 Temptations - The Weight (Single Version) [Stereo] 3:01

22 Supremes - The Beginning of the End (Single Version) [Stereo] 2:28

23 Johnny Bristol - Someday We'll Be Together (Single Version) [Stereo] 3:32

CD4

01 Supremes - Up the Ladder to the Roof (Single Version) [Mono] 3:16

02 Supremes - Bill, When Are You Coming Back (Single Version) [Mono] 4:05

03 Supremes - Everybody's Got the Right to Love 2:37

04 Supremes - The Day Will Come Between Sunday and Monday 2:58

05 Supremes - Stoned Love 4:07

06 Four Tops - River Deep, Mountain High 4:51

07 Four Tops - You Gotta Have Love in Your Heart (Single Version) 2:48

08 Supremes - Touch (Promo) [Single Version] 3:05

09 Supremes - Nathan Jones (Single Version) 3:01

10 Supremes - Floy Joy 2:49

11 Supremes - Automatically Sunshine (Single Version) 2:40

12 Supremes - Your Wonderful, Sweet Sweet Love 3:01

13 Supremes - I Guess I'll Miss the Man (Single Version) 2:38

14 Supremes - 5:30 Plane 3:57

15 Supremes - Bad Weather (Single Version) 3:55

16 Supremes - He's My Man 3:01

17 Supremes - High Energy 5:25

18 Supremes - I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking (Extended) 4:08

19 Supremes - You're My Driving Wheel (Promo) [Single Version] 3:22

20 Supremes - You Are the Heart of Me 4:13

CD5

01 Supremes - Introduction (Scott Regan)/Where Did Our Love Go? 2:52

02 Supremes - Baby Love 2:23

03 Supremes - Come See About Me 2:55

04 Supremes - Stop! in The Name of Love 2:05

05 Supremes - Back in My Arms Again 2:41

06 Supremes - Nothing But Heartaches 2:52

07 Supremes - I Hear A Symphony 2:36

08 Supremes - Introductions 3:26

09 Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love 2:51

10 Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On 1:49

11 Supremes - Reflections 2:27

12 Supremes - Someday We'll Be Together 7:14

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VA - Bumpers [1970] UK and Australian Versions (2 x CD's)

ISLAND SAMPLER

VA - Bumpers [1970] UK and Australian Versions (2 x CD's)

Bumpers is a double sampler album from Island Records, released in Europe and Australasia in 1970, there were minor variations in track listings within Europe, but the Australian release was fundamentally different. The title refers to the training shoes which can be seen on the front of the album cover but there may also be a less obvious reference to the meaning "unusually large, abundant or excellent". The album is left to present itself, there are no sleeve notes, the gate-fold interior consists of a photograph showing publicity shots of the featured acts attached to the bole of a tree, without any identification. This image is flanked by the track listings, but even there, the information given is unreliable. Unlike its predecessors You Can All Join In and Nice Enough To Eat, there are no credits for cover art (the cover art was by Tony Wright, his first sleeve for Island), photography or design. The English version of the album came out in two pressings, one with the pink label and "i" logo, the other with the label displaying a palm motif on a white background and a pink rim, each version with some minor variations in the production of individual tracks.  (Wikipedia) 

When Bumpers was released in Australia in 1970 it was something of a revelation. Even though the tracks were different to the U.K. version many of artists were the same. 

For convenience I have migrated the LP sides into one CD for UK and one CD for Australia.

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Track lists

U.K. Version

01 Traffic Every Mother's Son 7:07

02 Bronco Love 4:48

03 Spooky Tooth I Am the Walrus 6:26

04 Quintessence Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Gauranga 5:14

05 Mott the Hoople Thunderbuck Ram 4:52

06 Jethro Tull Nothing to Say 5:13

07 Jimmy Cliff Going Back West 5:45

08 Blodwyn Pig Send Your Son to Die 4:41

09 Dave Mason Little Woman 2:34

10 John and Beverley Martyn Go Out and Get It 3:07

11 King Crimson Cadence and Cascade 3:47

12 If I'm Reaching Out on All Sides 5:45

13 Free Oh I Wept 4:31

14 Nick Drake Hazey Jane 4:34

15 Fairport Convention Walk Awhile 4:01

16 Cat Stevens Maybe You're Right 3:35

17 Renaissance Island 5:56

18 Fotheringay The Sea 5:33

19 Clouds Take Me to Your Leader 2:59

AUSTRALIAN Version

01 Free All Right Now 5:33

02 Quintessence Notting Hill Gate 4:38

03 Traffic Empty Pages 4:36

04 Spencer Davis Group I'm a Man 2:56

05 John & Beverly Martyn Primrose Hill 2:57

06 Cat Stevens Mona Bone Jakon 1:38

07 Mott the Hoople You Really Got Me 2:43

08 Cat Stevens Lady D'arbanville 3:44

09 Jimmy Cliff Wonderful World Beautiful People 3:14

10 Fotheringay Peace in the End 4:02

11 Spooky Tooth I Am the Walrus 6:25

12 If The Promised Land 3:43

13 Tramline Somewhere Down the Line 3:34

14 Alan Bown Loosen Up 3:25

15 Fairport Convention Crazy Man Michael 4:41

16 Jimmy Cliff Wild World 3:53

17 Spooky Tooth Love Really Changed Me 3:33

18 Traffic Dear Mr. Fantasy 5:33

19 Quintessence Shiva's Chant 2:08

20 Amazing Blondel Anthem 2:53

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