The Essential Robert Gordon

reviewed by clive zone

This CD outclasses its old RCA namesake by miles. It opens with two classics from 1979 - “Rock Billy Boogie” and “The Catman” in superb sound quality, but then comes a vicious live version of “The Way I Walk” followed by “Love My Baby”, both recorded on the road in ‘81. The next 6 tracks are studio recordings - “The Fool”, “Red Hot”, “Flying Saucer Rock ’n’ Roll”, the fantastic “Red Cadillac And A Black Moustache”, “Lonesome Train” and “Fire” - the “Fresh Fish Special” version.   Then more unreleased songs, a good clear live version of “Hot Dog (That Made Her Mad)”, followed by the superb “Don’t”. This song is brilliantly suited to Robert’s voice and I’d put it on a par with “Make Believe” for displaying what a fantastic voice Robert is gifted with. There is a note about the sound quality of this track in the booklet, but I can see why it was included - rather than leave it out. Next up is Marty Wilde’s “Bad Boy” and the raucous “The Worrying Kind”, then another “new” song, “Mean To Me” - recorded live in 2006 - which breaks into “Baby Let’s Play House”. The brilliant “Drivin’ Wheel” is next, followed by Marshall Crenshaw’s “Someday Someway” and a live version of the country classic “Look Who’s Blue”, both from the “Are You Gonna Be The One” album.   Yet more unreleased songs follow - “Little Sister”, “The Wanderer”, “Rock Therapy” and “Devil In Disguise”, all recorded live in 2007. Then comes another masterpiece - “Lonely Blue Boy”, this track is absolutely brilliant and a firm favourite of mine. Robert’s rendition of this song sends chills down my spine. “Sea Of Heartbreak” follows, as well as another new song “Playing For Keeps”. Then the sublime “Wasting My Time” along with “I’m Dreaming Of You” with amazing backing vocals, from the soundtrack of the film “The Loveless”.   They don’t often save the best till last these days, but here they’ve made an exception - “It’s only Make Believe” finishes this great set of songs, which really do display what a great singer Robert Gordon is. The CD is beautifully packaged and adorned with a superb collection of photographs that take you on a trip through the years to the present. It has some very rare recordings for collectors. Some of the live songs were only performed a few times and it’s clear that a lot of time and care has been spent on these to bring them to you in the best sound quality possible. Apart from these, it also is a fantastic set of songs for the un-initiated. Buy It !