Black & Blue (Mlps) [Import]

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 25, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sony Japan
• ASIN: B0013FCOJ6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #482,889 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Cabaret

2. The Love I Lost

3. It All Depends on You

4. Concentrate on Me

5. Satisfaction Guaranteed (Or Take Your Love Back)

6. Is There a Place for Me

7. I'm Weak for You

8. I'm Comin' Home Tomorrow

Editorial Reviews

Black And Blue - Harold Melvin

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2010 perfect remaster of a classic, January 11, 2011

By 

barry (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black & Blue (Audio CD)

Thanks again to Big Break Records. They are doing an amazing job taking classic r@b/soul albums from the 70s and reissuing them remastered to perfection and with in-depth very educational liner notes. They continue their magic with this release of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes second album BLACK & BLUE. This album established the group as major hit makers with the classic THE LOVE I LOST and SATISFACTION GUATRANTEED (OR YOUR MONEY BACK). They are both here in single version and extended album version. But the magic does not end there. These two songs helped strengthen the Philly Soul sound of the 70s and IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOU, CONCENTRATE ON ME and I'M WEAK FOR YOU are perfect ballads that help make the perfect blend. This album is a soul classic and a must have for any collection in its remastered form here. The Philly sound, classic soul - the full package is here. The only out of place track is the opening CABARET but it does become a fun novelty song here as it intros the rest of the musical masterpieces. Highly recommend this cd.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars FACTORY-PRESSED, REMASTERED EDITION, December 5, 2010

By 

BOB (LOS ANGELES, CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Black & Blue (Audio CD)

I'm not sure what the Argentinian below is referring to; Amazon has an unfortunate policy of cross-pollinating reviews across different editions of the same title, so perhaps his review was posted to a different version (his posting date precedes the street date of this CD by several months), or perhaps he was sold a bootleg CD?

In either case, this CD is NOT a CD-R. It is a genuine, factory-pressed release containing a remastered version of the album with two bonus tracks. There is also an excellent booklet with a lot of details about that period of the "Philly Sound".

The CD is a bit louder than the other versions I've heard, including the Japan mini-sleeve from a few years ago, but there is definitely some additional clarity, especially in the percussion. If you're a fan of this era, and of this album, I would definitely recommend acquiring this edition.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "...I Told Myself That I Had To Leave You Alone...But I'm So Weak...", December 11, 2011

By 

Mark Barry, Reckless Records, London (UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Black & Blue (Audio CD)

I've purchased 6 BBR CD reissues to date - and each has been a revelation - sound quality, presentation and bonuses - all top class (I've reviewed them too). Released September 2010 in the UK - this expanded CD reissue of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 2nd album on Philly from 1973 is no exception. Their debut album "I Miss You" from 1972 has also been reissued as an expanded version by BBR (was called simply "Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes" in the UK). Both are properly fabulous Seventies Soul.

Here are the details for Big Break Records CDBBR 0013 (46:56 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "Black & Blue" released September 1973 in the USA on Philadelphia International KZ 32407 and in the UK on Philadelphia International S PIR 65859

Tracks 9 and 10 are EDITED SINGLE VERSIONS of "The Love I Lost (Part 1)" and "I'm Weak For You (Part 1)"

The album produced 2 singles in the USA and UK at the time of release and a reissue later on - (excepting "Bad Luck") this CD will allow fans to sequence those tracks as follows:

1. The Love I Lost (Part 1) b/w The Love I Lost (Part 2)
(USA - September 1973, Philadelphia International ZS7 3533
UK - November 1973, Philadelphia International S PIR 1879)
2. Satisfaction Guaranteed (Or Take Your Love Back) b/w I'm Weak For You (Part 1)
(USA - March 1974, Philadelphia International ZS7 3543
UK - March 1974, Philadelphia International S PIR 2178)
3. The Love I Lost (Part 1) b/w Bad Luck
(UK - January 1977 reissue on Blue Vinyl, Philadelphia International S PIR 4881)

The 12-page booklet has an informative interview conducted by STUART WEST with BOBBY ELI. Eli is the founding member and Lead Guitarist with MFSB (virtually Philadelphia International's in-house band) and he talks with great affection and knowledge about Gamble & Huff (principal songwriters), Teddy Pendergrass (legendary vocalist) and the evolution of the MFSB sound that Philly was so famous for. In between text are pictures of US 45's, colour plates of rare European 7" picture sleeves, photos of the band in concert and full discography and credits info at the rear. It's very well done and the jewel case is one of those new rounded-corner affairs - very tasty. But the really great news is the SOUND...

As with other BBR releases - this remaster uses the 'original tapes' and has been carried out initially by ALAN WILSON at Western Star Studios with further work done by WAYNE A. DICKSON at the BBR Studios (both in the UK). The results are wonderful.

Once you get past the truly awful opener "Cabaret" (as in "Life is a cabaret..." - what were they thinking!), you're straight into the full album version (6:26 minutes) of "The Love I Lost" and it's beautifully clear from its opening keyboards and vibes to the funky bass and strings throughout. It sounds GORGEOUS. Another track I love (and a bit of a forgotten soul nugget) is the 'so' soulful message song "Is There A Place For Me" which starts with the delightful lyrics "I've been married four times...and today I'm without a wife..."

As with the superbly expanded "I Miss You" CD - the inclusion of the 7" single edits on "Black & Blue" are a genuine bonus. I often felt that too many of these Seventies Soul LPs had songs on them that they knew to be winners - so they would overstay their welcome by stretching them to seven, eight, nine, ten minutes... The single edits gave you the concise version - and delivered a far better punch. The blindingly good B-side short version of "I'm Weak For You" is a perfect example - fades out before it over stays - what a great listen (lyrics above).

To sum up - this is a superlative release and I can only hope that BBR tackle more on the Philly and CBS labels - especially when they add those 7" edits for collectors (exclusive to Big Break Records releases).

Smoochy heaven...and Teddy too.

PS: for info purposes, below is a printed list of BIG BREAK RECORDS reissues (some REVIEWED) up to December 2011 (forthcoming Jan 2012 included as well)
If you want a pictorial for them, click on the Tag called 'big break records bbr' highlighted on any of these releases on the 'AMAZON UK' site:

1. Street Opera - ASHFORD & SIMPSON (1982, 1st LP on Capitol)
2. High Rise - ASHFORD & SIMPSON (1983, 2nd on Capitol)
3. Brooklyn Dreams - BROOKLYN DREAMS (1977 - features Donna Summer)
4. Sleepless Nights - BROOKLYN DREAMS (1979 - features Donna Summer)
5. Winners - THE BROTHERS JOHNSON (1981)
6. Love Approach - TOM BROWNE (1980 - features "Funkin' For Jamaica")
7. Cerrone's Paradise - CERRONE (1977)
8. Cerrone 3 - Supernature - CERRONE (1977)
9. Cerrone IV - The Golden Touch - CERRONE (1978)
10. Love In `C' Minor - CERRONE (1979)
11. Sharing Your Love - CHANGE (1982)
12. This Is Your Time - CHANGE (1983)
13. Change Of Heart - CHANGE (1984)
14. Turn On Your Radio - CHANGE (1985)
15. Action Speaks Louder Than Words - CHOCOLATE MILK (1975 on RCA)
16. A.C. (Expanded Edition) - ANDRE CYMONE (1985 on Columbia)
17. Faces - EARTH, WIND & FIRE (1980 2LP set on 1CD with bonuses)
18. Don't Look Any Further - DENNIS EDWARDS (1984 - Dennis Lambert production)
19. F.B.I. (Expanded Edition) - F.B.I. [featuring Root Jackson] (1976)
20. Pennye - PENNYE FORD (1984)
21. Gap Band VI - THE GAP BAND (1984)
22. The Gap Band 8 - THE GAP BAND (1986)
23. Never Can Say Goodbye - GLORIA GAYNOR (1975)
24. Experience Gloria Gaynor - GLORIA GAYNOR (1975)
25. New Horizon (Expanded Edition) - ISAAC HAYES (1977 on Polydor)
26. Don't Let Go - ISAAC HAYES (1979 on Polydor) (Jan 2012)
27. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)
28. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980) [see REVIEW]
29. Current - HEATWAVE (1982)
30. Harvest For The World (Expanded Edition) - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976 on T-Neck) [see REVIEW]
31. Go For Your Guns - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977 on T-Neck) [see REVIEW]
32. Fire Night Dance (Expanded Edition) - PETER JACQUES BAND (1978 on Prelude)
33. Like Gangbusters - JOBOXERS (1983 on RCA) (Jan 2012)
34. The Joneses (Expanded Edition) - THE JONESES (1977 on Epic)
35. Smooth Talk - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1977 debut)
36. I'm In Love - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1981)
37. Get Loose - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1982)
38. Face To Face - EVELYN "CHAMPAGNE" KING (1983) (Jan 2012)
39. About Love - GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (1980)
40. Open Sesame - KOOL & THE GANG (1976)
41. Patti LaBelle - PATTI LaBELLE (1977 debut solo LP)
42. It's Alright With Me - PATTI LaBELLE (1979)
43. Lark - LINDA LEWIS (1972 on Reprise)
44. Not A Little Girl Anymore - LINDA LEWIS (1975 on Arista)
45. Intuition - LINX (March 1981 1st LP on Chrysalis)
46. Go Ahead - LINX (Oct 1981 2nd LP on Chrysalis) (Jan 2012)
47. Loose Change - LOOSE CHANGE (1979 on Casablanca)
48. I Am Now - JON LUCIEN (1970 debut LP on RCA)
49. Rashida - JON LUCIEN (1973 2nd LP on RCA)
50. Premonition - JON LUCIEN (1976 on Columbia)
51. I Miss You [aka "Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes"] - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972 USA debut on Philadelphia International) [see REVIEW]
52. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973, 2nd LP for Philadelphia International - features Gamble & Huff and Teddy Pendergrass) [see REVIEW]
53. Melba - MELBA MOORE (1978 - features McFadden & Whitehead)
54. TJM - TOM MOULTON (1979)
55. I Can See Clearly Now [Expanded Edition] - JOHNNY NASH. (1972 on CBS) [see REVIEW]
56. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972) [see REVIEW]
57. Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) - BILLY OCEAN (1981)
58. Inner Feelings - BILLY OCEAN (1982)
59. Odyssey - ODYSSEY (1977)
60. California Sunset - THE ORIGINALS (1975 Motown - Lamont Dozier production)
61. Bonnie Pointer - BONNIE POINTER (1976 Debut LP) (Jan 2012)
62. Baby Sister - JUNE POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1983 debut)
63. Special Things - THE POINTER SISTERS (1980)
64. So Excited - THE POINTER SISTERS (1982, features members of Toto)
65. Break Out - THE POINTER SISTERS (1983 on Planet)
66. Contact - THE POINTER SISTERS (1985, 1st LP on RCA)
67. Flying High - PRIME TIME (1984 on Total Experience)
68. The Garden Of Love - DON RAY (1978)
69. Sweet Beginnings - MARLENA SHAW (1977)
70. Acting Up - MARLENA SHAW (1978)
71. Clean - EDWIN STARR (1978, 2nd LP on 20th Century)
72. Am I Still Your Boyfriend? - SWITCH (1984 on Total Experience)
73. A Taste Of Honey - A TASTE OF HONEY (1978 debut)
74. Another Taste - A TASTE OF HONEY (1979 2nd LP - both debut and this feature Larry and Fonce Mizell)
75. Twice As Sweet - A TASTE OF HONEY (1980 on Capitol)
76. New Directions - TAVARES (1982 Debut)
77. The Three Degrees - THE THREE DEGREES (1974, 1st LP for Philadelphia International - features MFSB)]
78. International - THE THREE DEGREES (1975, 2nd LP for Philadelphia International)
79. New Dimensions - THE THREE DEGREES (1979, 1st LP for Ariola)
80. 3D - THE THREE DEGREES (1979, 2nd LP for Ariola)
81. Song Bird - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1977 - 2nd LP features Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire)
82. When Love Comes Calling - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1979 - 3rd LP)
83. My Melody - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1981 - Thom Bell Production)
84. Let's Hear It For The Boy - DENIECE WILLIAMS (1984 on CBS)
85. Be A Winner - YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1984 on RCA)
86. Guilty - YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1985 on Total Experience)
87. Love Conquers All - MICHAEL WYCOFF (1982 on RCA)