Release Date: 24 January 2025
Label: Grapefruit / Cherry Red
Packaging Type: Clamshell
No of Units: 3
Barcode: 5013929195523
Description
Complete anthology of Noel Redding's post-Jimi Hendrix Experience band.
Comprises their three albums (one unreleased at the time), non-album single tracks, out- takes, radio and TV sessions as well as the first-ever reissue of the alternative US-only mix of their debut LP.
Primarily a songwriting vehicle for former Jimi Hendrix Experience bassist Noel Redding, Fat Mattress were launched in a blaze of publicity in the summer of 1969.
With Redding (now reverting to his preferred instrument of guitar) joined by former Flower Pot Men singer Neil Landon and ex-Engelbert Humperdinck touring band members Jim Leverton and Eric Dillon, Fat Mattress recorded a fine debut album (actually cut in December 1968) that charted in America.
Unfortunately, Redding quit the band midway through a volatile US tour, the rump of the band going on to release a second album without him before he returned to the line-up for a third Fat Mattress LP.
But a disagreement with manager Chas Chandler meant that the third album failed to gain a release at the time, and Fat Mattress split again, this time permanently.
The final word on a talented but star-crossed band, How Can I Live? assembles everything that they recorded during their brief existence, including BBC radio and German TV sessions as well as the first-ever reissue in any format of the American mix of that impressive debut album.
Tracklisting
DISC ONE
1 ALL NIGHT DRINKER
2 I DON'T MIND
3 BRIGHT NEW WAY
4 PETROL PUMP ASSISTANT
5 MR. MOONSHINE
6 MAGIC FOREST
7 SHE CAME IN THE MORNING
8 EVERYTHING'S BLUE
9 WALKING THROUGH A GARDEN
10 HOW CAN I LIVE?
Bonus tracks
11 LITTLE GIRL IN WHITE
12 ERIC THE RED
13 NATURALLY (single mix, stereo)
14 IRIDESCENT BUTTERFLY (non-album single, stereo) 15 MAGIC FOREST (single mix, mono)
1-10 The album Fat Mattress, UK Polydor 583 056, released August 1969
11-12 Out-takes from Fat Mattress
13-14 Single, Polydor 56352, released September 1969
15 Single, Polydor 56367, released November 1969
DISC TWO
1 ALL NIGHT DRINKER
2 I DON'T MIND
3 BRIGHT NEW WAY
4 PETROL PUMP ASSISTANT
5 MR. MOONSHINE
6 MAGIC FOREST
7 SHE CAME IN THE MORNING
8 EVERYTHING'S BLUE
9 WALKING THROUGH A GARDEN
10 HOW CAN I LIVE
Bonus tracks
11 NATURALLY* (TV performance)
12 MR. MOONSHINE* (TV performance)
13 MAGIC FOREST* (TV performance)
14 HAPPY MY LOVE (radio session)
15 MR. MOONSHINE (radio session)
16 NATURALLY (radio session)
1-10 The album Fat Mattress, alternative mix/versions, US Atco SD 33-309, released Nov 1969
11-13 Beat Club, German TV, 27th September 1969
14-16 BBC Radio 1 Top Gear session, recorded 6th October 1969, broadcast 25th October 1969
DISC THREE
1 THE STORM
2 ANYWAY YOU WANT
3 LEAFY LANES
4 NATURALLY
5 ROAMIN'
6 HAPPY MY LOVE
7 CHILDHOOD DREAM
8 SHE
9 HIGHWAY
10 AT THE BALL
11 PEOPLE
Bonus tracks
12 HALL OF KINGS
13 BLACK SHEEP OF THE FAMILY
14 MARGARITA
15 COLD WALL OF STONE
16 LONG RED
17 WORDS
18 THE RIVER
19 FUTURE DAYS
20 WHICH WAY TO GO
1-11 The album Fat Mattress II, UK Polydor 2383 025, released October 1970
12 Out-take from Fat Mattress II
13 Single, Polydor 2058 053, released September 1970
14-19 Tracks from unreleased third album
20 Out-take, recorded as proposed Jim Leverton solo single
Peter Goalby
Kim Wilde
Nektar
Kim Wilde
Keith West
Various Artists
Various Artists
Uriah Heep
Various Artists
Various Artists
Fat Mattress
