Having gone global with “Radar Love” in 1973, GOLDEN EARRING felt enough creative liberty to experiment on their subsequent albums, 1975’s "Switch" and “To The Hilt” from the following year. But recapturing the worldwide success proved difficult, so on their second 1976 platter the Dutch ensemble resorted to their patented blues-based style. Not that it improved the band’s standing in foreign territories, yet “Contraband” brought forth such fan faves as “Mad Love’s Comin'” and “Bombay” and remains a solid entry in the group’s discography. This is why the record’s upcoming reissue is welcome.
To be released on November 20th, the album’s first-ever remastered edition contains not only four bonus tracks – including “I Need Love” that the collective laid down in 1977 to add in place of “Faded Jeans” to the American variant of “Contraband” called “Mad Love” – but also an entire disc with the group’s set at the Pinkpop Festival in 1977. A great way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the lesser classic.
Contraband
CD 1 – Contraband:
1. Bombay
2. Sueleen
3. Con Man
4. Mad Love’s Comin’
5. Fightin’ Windmills
6. Faded Jeans
7. Time’s Up
bonus tracks:
8. I Need Love
9. Faded Jeans (early mix)
10. Mad Love’s Comin’ (unreleased mono mix)
11. I Need Love (no lead vocal no violins)
CD 2 – Pinkpop Festival – May 30th, 1977:
1. Mad Love’s Comin’
2. I Need Love
3. Fightin’ Windmills
4. Bombay
5. Con Man
6. Radar Love
7. Just Like Vince Taylor
