JINGLE BELL SCHLOCK: December's New Releases

Baby, it's cold outside. (and the weather is pretty frigid, too) I've been trying to distract you from the harder than usual times with my daily blasts, but now that the December musical dregs are upon us, it may take a bit more than a new Boyz II Men DVD to do the trick.

December has always been the month when high profile hip-hop acts would drop their new discs and multi-disc collections and box sets would take the display space in all the record stores. (huh? wha? what is this record store?) But December 2008 is about as exciting as melba toast. Nothing dropping except the temperature and membership in the Tom Cruise fan club. Here's what I found worthy of inclusion in this week's new release post, either for their musical merits or just so I can be snide. If I miss something you were all jazzed about, I'm apologizing ahead of time, so think twice before sharpening your hate mail pencil. (and you know, maybe it's not that terrible after all)



JON ANDERSON- LIVE IN SHEFFIELD & SEARCHING FOR THE SONGS

Nothing screams "Noel," like a pair of inconsequential releases from Yes front man, Jon Anderson. One, a live show from the 1980 "Song Of Seven" tour, and the other, a collection of lost songs from 1986. Actually, as a long time fan of Yes, the live show kinda interests me. Is that bad?



BRANDY- HUMAN

First release in 4 years from the star of "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer," "Human" apparently shows "a side of Brandy we haven't seen before." Actually, as a long time fan of Yes, that first Jon Anderson thing looks interesting.


DENNIS COFFEY- THE WESTBOUND YEARS

As a session guitarist for both the Motown and Invictus labels, legendary player Dennis Coffey has appeared on hundreds of hit records. You may even remember his classic solo singles "Scorpio" and "Taurus," the former, a top ten hit for the Sussex label in 1971, which have been sampled countless times. This collection highlights his material from a few years later, which leans more towards the new sound of "disco" that was sweeping across the nation and Bay Ridge.





THE DAMNED- SO WHO'S PARANOID

Yes, THAT Damned. One of my fave punk bands is back. First impression of this new CD was, "Wow. Not bad." Then, I saw them on...something. Conan, maybe. So much for first impressions. Musically, the CD is far from terrible. But I can't get beyond how sad the whole live presentation was. They must be close to 60 now. Not sure what I was expecting. Would I have been more satisfied if they did an earnest cover of "Thirsty Boots," by Eric Andersen? Doubt it.






STEREOPHONICS REISSUES

One the best voices in rock and roll, Kelley Jones, gets his band the reissue treatment from Hip-O/Fontana. 5 titles- "Word Gets Around," "Performance & Cocktails," "J.E.E.P," "You Gotta Go There To Come Back," and "Language, Sex, Violence. Other?" are remastered,
but unfortunately do NOT contain any bonus material. BUT, a compilation "Decade In The Sun" is also being released, both as a single disc and a 2 CD deluxe edition. The latter has some rarities, and may be the way to go here...if you're still reading.













COMPLETE MOTOWN #1'S

This is a TEN CD set. TEN! TEN CDs!!!! 200 number one songs! Impressive.



PAUL WELLER AT THE BBC

U.S. release of the excellent 4 CD set I featured HERE.






CHARLIE LOUVIN- SINGS MURDER BALLADS AND DISASTER SONGS

Along with his late brother Ira, Charlie Louvin recorded some of the most influential country and gospel sides, that even 50 years later, still invoke chills with their close harmony and moving narrative. Charlie Louvin's voice has aged a bit, but still has a sweetness, even singing about death and disaster.





COMMON- UNIVERSAL MIND CONTROL

New release from one of the most respected hip-hop artists in the business. Step aside, Tone Loc.




AND FINALLY...IN THE "BELIEVE IT OR NOT" DEPARTMENT OF BURNING WOOD---

FOGHAT- FOOL FOR THE CITY

Mobile Fidelity releases this classic as a high-end, audiophile SACD (about 2 years too late, thank you) at a list price of $29.99. Line forms to the right, people! Let's see. $236 unemployment check. Bread, milk, clothes for little Billy, electric bill, some Silly Putty, Lotto (you gotta be in it to win it), and $30 for a Foghat CD. Hey Mobile Fidelity, nice job!


Here's Dennis Coffey's super funky hit, "Scorpio" to help you get down with your bad self.