Customer Reviews

Pay Pack & Follow

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Stones fans should dig in. And, as another reviewer mentioned, give it some time (a few listens). John's voice is spectacular, and Keith's unmistakeable presence is felt throughout. A couple of nice Taylor solos to boot (no pun intended). The heartfelt closer - 2001 - is pretty ironic, given the year this finally made it out of the closet. Keith's riffing on this recalls some classic mid-tempo Stones tunes - Beast of Burden, Waiting on a Friend. A great listen all-around and one that is sure to pass the time test - I guess it already has!

John Phillips long awaited release is (despite his recent sad pasing) a time for celebrating a collection of transcendent brilliance: from John's stirring lyrics and singing, to Keith's sinful licks on guitar, capped my Mick's engaging if sometimes intrusive background vocals, John has put together (via technology) an album worthy of not only your final collection but your cd player this summer: at full volume--especially on tracks "Oh,Virginia" and "Just 14." Nostaligia, maybe, but you will be decieved into thinking I heard this song 25 years ago...and, yes, you will hear some of those echoing chords of yesteryear...There is something special in the air on a few of these tracks, and that, in and of itself, is worth the purchase...you will be asking for more volume from your system on more than one occasion, and wishing that more "basement tapes" of John and the Stones had been found.

"Pay Pack & Follow" was recorded from 1973-1979 and produced by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. While this is not a lost Rolling Stones record any more than it is a lost Mamas & the Papas record, it a worthwhile mix of sounds that fans of both bands will find interesting. Phillips was always a bit enigmatic, the creative recluse whose writing projected him into the spotlight, but who was comfortable to share the limelight. "Mr. Blue" cooks with Richards' engaging guitar and Richards & Jagger backing up with vocals. "She's Just 14" is bluesy track about a worldly teen. "Each kiss is a sigh; each sigh lifts me right off the ground" John sings on "Wilderness of Love" that has a nice chorus. "Backstage at the ballet it's a bore; I cannot give the ladies anymore," John sings on the Stonesy ballad "Oh Virginia." One of the best songs is "Sunset Boulevard" with its folky melody and lyrical complexity. "Pussycat" doesn't work so well for me, a song with a schmaltzy melody about a guy who likes girls from a strip club. "Zulu Warrior" is a great rocker with a somewhat self-conscious lyric about the "African giant." "Dread ain't nothing to smile about," John sings on "Very Dread" with Chris Spedding's great guitar work. The CD concludes ironically with "2001," written 24 years earlier as a distant look into the future wishing that all loved ones would still be with us, being the year John Phillips passed from us. The songwriting is not uniformly good, but the performances are excellent on this wonderful timepiece. Enjoy!

The John Phillips/Keith Richards "collaboration" is finally here. I thought it would be more how shall we say skagged out but we're dealing with Papa John here; his songwriting talent, production, singing and playing are all in order. Keith too, and Jagger in the background, and all else who dropped in to play. Kind of a mixed bag; bluesy songs, an MOR song or two, but they're all first rate. Weird to hear Keith solo on songs not in the Stones style. Phillips's vocals sometimes sound like Keith of "You Got the Silver." Old-timers like me will probably treasure this CD. Reminiscent of "Exile" and "Sticky Fingers." I highly recommend this more than a curiosity. 4.5 stars. Thanks, Papa John, and rest in peace.

Like some reviewers on this page, I had been warned away from this cd. After so many years, I told myself, did I really have to go in search of more "perfect" recordings by Keef. Besides, I had never liked the Mamas and the Papas, and aside from Keef's shared drug habit, I couldn't understand why he would have hooked up with Phillips. Boy, did I turn out to be lost on this one. It's really worth the listen. In fact, it will probably stay in your cd player for days. The music is well put together, and Phillips voice is such a wonderful compliment to Richards's earthy rythms. Although many of my Stones albums have made it to the discard pile, this goes next to Keef's solo efforts and a few select bootlegs. It's gritty.

Wow. I've heard bootleg copies of the Stones-Phillips sessions from 1973-79, but now that I'm listening to "Pay Pack & Follow," I'm really appreciating what a great talent Phillips was (not that I didn't before), and his backing band ain't too shabby either. Really, the boys shine on this one and Stones fans shouldn't pass it up. For your information, the booklet notes say that Jagger sings backup on 4 songs, Keith plays guitar on every song (plus some backing vocals), Ronnie plays bass on 4 songs, and Taylor plays guitar on 3, with some excellent solos and a short "You Gotta Move" tease after "Pussycat." All songs were written by Phillips, sharing credit with Mick Jagger for "Zulu Warrior."

I think the first time I heard it, I kind of panicked, thinking did I waste my money on a curiousity? But "Mr. Blue" was a good song, it could have been radio quality in the late seventies, if it was mixed as thick as this, I think it needs another chorous separating a verse, but it is a nasty little song, something that reminds me of Keith Richards Stones' vocals or his own records. The next song that got me was "Wilderness of Love". I think this could have been a single in the late 70s too, and maybe even today in Adult Contemporary markets. John's voice on this track is smooth and elegent, the lyrics are very unique- whismical, fun, grave, dark, and something else I haven't put my finger on yet, but it makes you really appreciate why this guy was so chameleon-like. The other really good song is "Pussycat". the lyrics have a naive, honesty amidst the grim outlook found in a club where an old man hangs out. I think this song is very up-to-date. Phillips was ahead of his time. The other six songs require some patience to appreciate, but "Just 14", "Oh Virginia" and "Very Dread" deserve the time. They all have a very deep feeling to them, and it is obvious they were never completely polished which makes them interesting and quirky. I have heard a few bootleg Rolling Stones CDs over the years, especially the one surrounding the "Dirty Work" sessions, and they reminded me a lot of this CD, the players and singers were more naked and it makes this recording such an enjoyable rock'n'roll artifact.

We had to wait almost thirty years for the follow up to the classic 'Wolfking of LA'. Mr Phillips created this album with help from famous friends back in the 70's it's such a shame we had to wait until after John's death for it's release. It's different from 'Wolfking', not so gentle, less country, it has a harder edge not only instrumentally because of the Rolling Stones involvement but lyrically too. Like all great albums it is hard to categorise, it leans more towards the styles of Dylan and the Stones than to the Mamas and the Papas, yet it has those unmistakable John Phillips lyrics and that great understated vocal delivery. If you ever bought a Dylan album, a Stones album or a Mamas and Papas album buy 'Pay, Pack and Follow' it's a piece of rock history. Sure, it has it's faults, but it has a great honesty, despite all his trials and tribulations John came through. He wrote arguably the greatest 'pop' song ever, California Dreaming, the anthem of a generation, surely it's played more than any other pop song. (I haven't heard 'Yesterday' for years) The songs of 'Pay, Pack and Follow' will never be big hits but there's a little of John's soul in each one, and it's a tribute to him that the world's greatest rock and roll band took time out to play and sing for him on this album. If it was worth their time and effort it's sure worth a few dollars. And yes, for me it was worth the 30 year wait.

i have heard about the songs on this cd since the early 1980's.now that they are here i am fully satsified with the results.this is a great lost album.just listen to mr. blue or 2001 to see what i mean.all songs in between are great also.i know the problems that went on during the recording sessions in the 70's but just listen! we miss you john.

This is an incredibly briliant treasure by the late great master of song, John Phillips!! The songs, eg "Mr. Blue," and "Zooloo Warrior" are stunning in their originality and beauty. This is John's victorious epic!!! A masterpiece! A must for all Mamas and Papas and Stones fans! We'll miss you John, may you rest in peace.