Go for Broke/Hit & Run [Import, Original recording remastered]

Ian Matthews | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 2, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Bgo
• ASIN: B000GIW8W4
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,481 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Darkness, Darkness

2. I'll Be Gone

3. Brown Eyed Girl

4. Rhythm of the West

5. Groovin'

6. Lonely Hunter

7. Steamboat

8. A Fool Like You

9. Just One Look

10. When the Morning Comes

11. The Frame

12. One Day Without You

13. Times

14. I Will Not Fade Away

15. Tigers Will Survive

16. Just One Look

17. Help to Guide Me (I Need Your Help)

18. Shuffle

19. Hit and Run

Editorial Reviews

2006 digitally remastered two-fer featuring his two albums recorded for Columbia (1975's Go For Broke and Hit And Run from '76). Formerly the vocalist for Fairport Convention, both of these albums mix top-notch original material mixed with a handful of choice cover versions. Standard jewel box in a slipcase with extensive liner notes. BGO>

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION, October 5, 2006

By 

PHILIP S WOLF (SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Go for Broke/Hit & Run (Audio CD)

At long last the Release of GO FOR BROKE / HIT AND RUN as a twofer-CD. Correct me if I am wrong but I believe this is the first time they have been available in the CD format.

Ian, had alreafy covered folk, country and bluegrass on nine albums between 1970-1974 and of those nine "Matthews Southern Comfort" (1970 "If You Saw Thro' My Eyes" (1971) "Tigers Will Survive" (1972 "Valley Hi" (1973) and "Some Days You Eat the Bear" (1974) are great records that met with good critical acclaim and moderate sales. But by 1975 the record companies became the record industry and the stakes became HUGE after the release: "Fleetwood Mac" (1975) sold 7 million units. Rock artists suddenly became PRODUCT and CBS Records signed Ian Matthews. And, from a corporate board room it was decided to market Ian as a POP STAR. The reasoning behind this thinking was he was capable of BIG pop stardom. Ian had already had a number one hit with his fine cover of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock" in 1970. And then again in 1972 Ian had minor chart sucess with the Crystal's classic: "Do Doo Ron Ron." So the plan was pick a cover tune, over-arrange it and BINGO = Big Pop Star.

So here we are at: "Go For Broke." It hit the shops in 1976 and surprise! Six out of the ten songs featured here are cover versions such as: "Darkness, Darkness" (Youngbloods 1969 "Brown Eyed Girl" (Van Morrison, 1967 "Just One Look", (Hollies 1965) and even 'Groovin" (Young Rascals 1967.) Sometimes it comes out fine (Brown Eyed Girl sometimes it doesn't Groovin'.) There are lot's of saxophones, cheesy keyboards and string arrangements featured on "Broke" and to be nice about it the production found here is WAAAY over the top. Ian COULD do these songs better with just his voice and an acoustic guitar. And, if you have seen this great artist perform on any stage you know exactly what I mean.

But what saves "Go For Broke" are the four tunes written by Ian. Two of them are Great: "Lonely Hunter" and: "Rhythm of the West." Here they are Sounding great. Well, as "Broke" did not set the music industry on fire with huge sales for his next record: "Hit & Run" producer Nick Venet (Beach Boys) was brought in and it is much different. Now very much in a jazz vein, it is the better or these two recordings. "Hit & Run" contains six songs penned by Ian. The standout tracks are: "Tigers Will Survive" and "Hit and Run." "Times" is a remake of "Reno Nevada", and frankly is not very good, "I Will Not Fade Away" is much better but, the best thing found here is the remake of John Martyn's "One Day Without You." After "Go For Broke" failed to set the pop charts on fire, Ian's time with CBS Records was over.

Lucky for all of us this set-back, did not destroy our hero, Ian continued on with his music. He switched labels and got back to business. He explored folk & country once again and then punk/alternative, new age and back to pop music (well, you get the idea.)

Ian is still out there and still making great music. Now he is known as: Iain, and will survive...
Three Stars

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Great albums, poor sound, January 13, 2007

By 

Michael A. Scarpitti (Columbus, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Go for Broke/Hit & Run (Audio CD)

These albums from Columbia Records came out in the middle 70's. I always liked Ian Matthews' voice from the first time I heard it on his Fairport Convention work. The albums themsleves represent some rather refined singing and quite lovely songs. It's a pity the sound on this disc is so bad.

The mastering on these albums is, unfortunately, unacceptable. The sound is horrid. It's harsh and unfocused. There is no bass whatsoever, and the upper midrange is screechingly over-emphasized. The sound of the cymbals is also horrible.

I have many other CDs from albums that are as old or older, and the sound is just fine. There is something wrong with the master.

Not recommended.