Happy Thanksgiving

Here is a holiday memory currently being run on The Huffington Post.

I'm not really about family values. Actually, I'm a bit of a selfish a-hole. But, I can't help but think about family around the holidays.

There were at least 60 people in my aunt & uncle's house in Sheepshead Bay on New Year's Eve, 1972. Some came from Far Rockaway. Some from Greenwich Village and Staten Island. Even Jersey City. It wasn't a huge house, but this was one huge family. And most of us liked each other. We knew nothing of therapy. The word "shrink" wasn't tossed off while ordering a latte. Our "shrinks" had monocles and said "ziss and zat." And what the hell is a latte?

Music was always playing in that house, not just on New Year's Eve. But that night, you could almost hear it over the din of 6 sisters, their husbands, the kids and their kids, screaming about who knows what. At one point, we had to stop eating because a poker game broke out on the dining room table. "Take your macaroni inside. ANTE UP!" Funny, it was the sisters. Their husbands didn't gamble.

The men were in the living room monkeying with the carousel slide projector, wanting to look at pictures from their vacations in New Hampshire and Spring Lake and watching some old movie with the sound off. I'm recalling a Creature Feature marathon; "The Creature With The Thing On His Throat," or something equally ridiculous. My Uncle loved cheapo monster movies. I was 9 years old and I remember everything about that night. I think the card game broke up around 2AM. Aunt Kay nodded off into her winnings, eyeglasses still perched on the bridge of her nose. It was about $8 in dimes and a dollar bill. Aunt Kay once fell asleep in my grandfather's den, in a chair, arms stretched forward. My father told me he woke up in the middle of the night to relieve himself, passed the room, and for a second, thought he was at the Lincoln monument.

25 years later and my wife and I are on our 8th year of spending New Year's Eve at home. Alone. We used to go out. Last meal I remember eating out was at Vince & Eddie's on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The table rocked, even with the perfunctory matchbook placement. The prix fixe steak was tough, and my lack of patience rocked the meat right off the plate and onto my lap. Home was better. Home was home. Huge meal, good wine, great music, and maybe if we were lucky, we were awake for the ball drop. Plus, as a bonus, our table was steady.

I don't see the majority of the people that were in Sheepshead Bay that night in 1972. Sadly, it is NOT because they are no longer with us. That would be natural. Yes, we lost some. But most were lost because of each other; unnatural causes. Promises with, I have to believe, good intentions, but never kept. Fragile egos. Differences of opinion that would make Israel and Palestine call us boneheads. BLAH blah BLAH blah BLAH. It seems like everything is worth less than it was. We're headed into a recession, but families have been struggling with their own recession since the creation of the stick.

Thanksgiving, 2008. There will be 15 of us at dinner, no one from Sheepshead Bay, 1972. I'm looking forward to this afternoon. This is a newish group of people. We haven't had the time to piss each other off. Not yet, anyway. I miss all those people from Brooklyn. And while I look forward to creating new memories with these people, my sentimentality presses hard against my heart and my cynicism tells me that no one from that house in Sheepshead Bay is reading this now. The good news is that I am hopeful that they might be. For that, I am thankful.

"THANKS": THE WEEKEND MIX-EARLY HOLIDAY EDITION

Maybe it's diamonds in the back and a sun roof top. Or someone just letting you be yourself, again. But it's time to be thankful. Pretty tough right now, I'm sure. But at least you're not this turkey.

The mix, which is includes some rarities, is self-explanatory.

THANKSGIVING DAY- RAY DAVIES
BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU GOT- WILLIAM DEVAUGHN
THANKS I GET- BARBARA LYNN
I'M THANKFUL- SPANKY WILSON
THE THANKS I GET- WILCO
NOW BE THANKFUL- RICHARD THOMPSON
THANK YOU- SLY & THE FAMILY STONE
THANK YOU- MELVIN SPARKS
THANK YOU- CHRIS CORNELL
THANKS FOR CHRISTMAS- XTC

Zip File is HERE
Have a great holiday.

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date - 11/25/08

Not quite the holiday onslaught of box sets and gift ideas, but still some great stuff.


THE BABYS- THE BABYS/BROKEN HEART


Arguably one of the best voices in rock and roll, John Waite's first band The Babys, were a bit hard to categorize. Zep heavy riffs, with the occasional soul arrangement and power pop harmonies to boot. The UK two-fer features their not bad debut coupled with their even better sophomore release that featured the hit "Isn't It Time."



JEFF BECK- PERFORMING THIS WEEK...LIVE AT RONNIE SCOTT'S.

In 2007, Jeff Beck played a series of shows at the famed UK nightclub Ronnie Scott's. Probably needed a new Hemi for his Austin Healy. (wow, did that come out of my mouth?) Beck's playing has gotten better over the years. Just take a look at this, which I believe was taken from the same shows that this CD was recorded. NO ONE plays like this.








COLDPLAY- PROSPEKT'S MARCH E.P.


These are the songs that the band hadn't completed in time for the release of Viva La Vida. That sounds a bit shaky to me. Could be a bunch of throwaways. Or was that Viva La Vida?




DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES- LIVE AT THE TROUBADOUR- CD/DVD

35 years after their first performance at L.A.'s Troubadour, H&O make a return trip for a very special evening. The band is stripped down, not in size but in wattage, as they revisit the earlier, acoustic soul tracks of their classic "Abandoned Luncheonette" and more. The guys haven't sounded this good in years. This set is available as a 2 CD set, or with a DVD of the performance, as well.



GRACE JONES- HURRICANE

Miss Jones' first release in 20 years has all the makings of ...something, just not sure what. Brian Eno, Sly & Robbie, and Wally Badarou are all here. So is Mikey Chung. And Tricky. And Wendy & Lisa. The first single, "William's Blood" is AWESOME! It's what you were waiting for. Slick and smart. Great chorus. Perfect. But the record is a bit uneven. Dancehall reggae tracks like "This Is Life" sneak up on you in a good way, while the sci-fi techno goofiness of "Corporate Cannibal" just gets under your skin. Bottom line- something from Grace Jones is better than nothing from Grace Jones and "Hurricane" is better than not bad.


THE KILLERS- DAY & AGE


3rd release from the band that doesn't know what it wants to be. U2? Bruce Springsteen? Haven't heard a note yet, so you are on your own.








PICK OF THE WEEK

THE FIREMAN- ELECTRIC ARGUMENTS

The first two releases from The Fireman, Paul McCartney's ambient side project, sounded like little more than new agey sound bytes and electronic beats and rhythms. In other words, a whole lotta nuffum. "ELECTRIC ARGUMENTS," on the other hand, resembles Sir Paul circa "RAM," with a twist. Once again teamed with ex-Killing Joke member Youth, the duo created this record in the space of one day, and while admittedly, the songs don't always sound complete, there is a quality that Beatles fanatics should recognize and embrace. It is Sir Paul experimenting with vocals and melody that to my ears, squashes the amelodic pap of his last two overrated releases, the Grammy nominated dreck "Chaos & Creation In The Backyard" and the insipid-even-for-Paul "Memory Almost Full." I like this record.


R.E.M.- MURMUR 2 CD DELUXE EDITION

1983 debut from Stipe, Buck and the boys gets remastered, and now includes a bonus disc featuring a live concert from July of '83. Pretty cool for R.E.M. fans.

SCOTT WEILAND- HAPPY IN GALOSHES

The troubled lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver releases his follow-up to "12 Songs" and it's a killer. Every song is packed with melody and enough hooks to...WHAT? EVERYONE...snag a flounder. The songs resemble the Beatle-esque, radio-friendly hits of the Pilots, and Weiland's voice shows no sign of abuse. Even has a not bad remake of Bowie's "Fame."





KANYE WEST---808S & HEARTBREAK

Buy this or he won't be your friend anymore


That's some of the story this week.

THE ELECTRIC MESS: The Future Of Retro

For the uninitiated, "garage rock" can be a bit daunting. On the surface, this genre seems like little more than some freaked-out rock and roll wannabes who just couldn't get the hang of their instruments. Angst-filled wailing passing for vocals, over barely tuned guitars and haphazard banging that often makes Little Ricky sound like Buddy Rich on the drums, garage rock is not for the weak. But anyone who has experienced the raw energy, fire and imagination of the bands that make up such classic collections as the "NUGGETS" and "PEBBLES" box sets, knows that these groups, world-renowned and hardly known, make up a genre that has influenced everyone from Black Sabbath and Nirvana to Matthew Sweet and The Flaming Lips, and of course, "The Boss," Bruce Springsteen.

One band that is taking the psychedelic, frat-rock sounds of the sixties to a new level is NYC's "The Electric Mess." On two separate occasions, the most recent being last night at The Mercury Lounge on the lower east side of Manhattan, I've been bugged out and blasted by their raw power and subtle theatrics on stage. Combining original material with mid-60s obscurities by bands like Jiinx, The Spiders, The Turtles and The Pretty Things, The Electric Mess are not just entertainers, they are musicians. The rhythm section of Stoney Roma on bass and Lorenzo Bang on drums is a powerhouse. These guys are masters of their instruments; too good for these tunes, which only makes this band all the more dynamic.

Their back story, written with tongue pressed firmly in cheek, can be found at The Electric Mess MY SPACE PAGE. I strongly suggest you taking 5 minutes and reading it. You will not be disappointed.

'The videos below, while immensely entertaining, do little justice to what frontman Chip Fontaine can do to you in person. (S)he is an artist, first and foremost, and that talent is dished out generously throughout each performance.







Go see The Electric Mess. I predict big things. Remember, you heard it here first.

Where Are You, Gregg Alexander?

Can't get enough of this and I need to get it out of my system.

The New Radicals are one man, Gregg Alexander. There's a bit of Todd Rundgren meets Karl Wallinger meets Bob Dylan going on here. I heard Gregg Alexander couldn't stand the business, so he got out, but not after a few solo records and the brilliant "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed," which sells for 23 cents on Amazon. I think you should all buy a copy. It's priced to move. There are a few others I need to get out my system. Stay tuned.

"SINGERS": THE WEEKEND MIX #11

The Rolling Stone magazine list of 100 greatest singers inspired this not-so-random collection of songs. More than half of the singers represented here did not make the cut. Those that did are represented by songs that are not usually cited as defining moments for the artists. Yet for me, all ten songs exemplify the genius and purity of their vocal talents.

From the raw soul of a 24 year old John Lennon to an even younger Bonnie Raitt performing a classic, live on the radio, there is a quality in these performances that transcends the acrobatics and often soulless roster of American Idol winners and melismaniacs of the current R&B scene.

It's doesn't take Marvin Gaye much to make one melt, but on this obscurity, he really rubs it in your face. Speaking of melting, may I just say, Mr. Carl Wilson and Mr. Colin Blunstone. And if you're thinking, "Hey, I like melisma," well listen to some seasoned pros like Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren with two of my favorite songs from two of my favorite singers.

As far as rock and roll, Robin Zander of Cheap Trick could be the most underrated singer of our time. And as I said in yesterday's post, my two choices for most beautiful voices in music, Emmylou Harris and Harry Nilsson.

TRACK LIST:

LEAVE MY KITTEN ALONE- THE BEATLES

I CAN'T TAKE IT- CHEAP TRICK

MILLWORKER- EMMYLOU HARRIS

AUGUST DAY- HALL & OATES

THE VERB TO LOVE- TODD RUNDGREN

OUR SWEET LOVE- THE BEACH BOYS

IT'S MADNESS- MARVIN GAYE

SINCE I FELL FOR YOU- BONNIE RAITT

I DON'T BELIEVE IN MIRACLES- COLIN BLUNSTONE

LIFE LIFE- HARRY NILSSON

Zip File is HERE

Enjoy the weekend.

ROLLING STONE'S 100 GREATEST SINGERS

Let me be the first, or more likely the 400th if I'm lucky, to say the following:

"How could you put so and so on that list and not so and so?"
and
"You mean to tell me you think she's a better singer than her?"
and
"That one couldn't sing her way out of a paper bag, I don't care how popular she is."

You know I am obsessed with the success of Mary J. Blige. I can understand the success of that nitwit Gallagher and Theresa Russell (the world's worst actress) more than I can understand the never-ending praise of a woman who has been flat on every live televised performance I have ever seen. Yes, she made the list. Thankfully, if it's a reason to be thankful, she is number 100. And, she was given the honor of writing about the number one choice for greatest singer, Miss Aretha Franklin. The irony.



In Jonathan Lethem's introduction to the list, he explains:

"Contrary to anything you've heard, the ability to actually carry a tune is in no regard a disability in becoming a rock and roll singer, only a mild disadvantage."

He also says

"that what defines great singing is that some underlying tension exists in the space between singer and song. A bridge is being built across a void, and it's a bridge we're never sure the singer's going to manage to cross."

This is why such non-singers as Lou Reed and Iggy Pop deservedly made the list. These guys start delivering on bikes with flat tires, yet your order always arrives on time. Do you want to hear "Heroin" or "1969" by anyone other than Lou or Iggy, respectively? Of course not.

I know many people who can't listen to a minute of Bob Dylan. "Such a horrible voice," they say. Personally, I love his voice. Many do. Like Lennon & McCartney, Dylan's songs have been covered countless times, yet nothing works like his own versions. (except for maybe, The Byrds) He came in at number 7. I get that. These people serve it up and they convince millions of total strangers to believe in what they are saying. Maybe that's what Mary J. does for people. She makes you believe. But for Pete's sake, can't she make us believe in key?

It's a fine list. Nothing controversial. Ray Charles, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Cocker, Otis Redding. You get the picture.

And may I just say, the two most beautiful voices in the history of the larynx, Emmylou Harris and Harry Nilsson...NOT on the list. For shame, voters.





























If Mary J. Blige makes the list, so does Irma Thomas. But she didn't.




If Morrissey makes the list, so does Daryl Hall--




--


and Todd Rundgren,


.

but they didn't.

Who belongs and who doesn't? What do you think?

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date - 11/16/08

Read about why I don't like Axl Rose HERE in my new Huffington Post post.


THIS JUST IN


BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN'S "WORKING ON A DREAM" SET FOR JANUARY 27 RELEASE

Bruce Springsteen's new album "Working on a Dream" has been set for a January 27 release on Columbia Records. "Working on a Dream" was recorded with the E Street Band and features twelve new Springsteen compositions plus two bonus tracks. It is the fourth collaboration between Springsteen and Brendan O'Brien, who produced and mixed the album.

"Working on a Dream" Song Titles:

1. Outlaw Pete
2. My Lucky Day
3. Working on a Dream
4. Queen of the Supermarket
5. What Love Can Do
6. This Life
7. Good Eye
8. Tomorrow Never Knows
9. Life Itself
10. Kingdom of Days
11. Surprise, Surprise
12. The Last Carnival

Bonus tracks:
The Wrestler
A Night with the Jersey Devil

(thanks Harry)



And now...Today's highlights (?):

THE WHO- KILBURN 1977

Not a CD, but one of those cool DVD things with the video pictures and the HI FI sound, THE WHO:KILBURN 1977 is a holy grail of sorts for Who fans. This is a powerful performance, one of the last shows with Keith Moon, of which all too little was seen in "The Kids Are Alright." Also included is an earlier gig from 1969. Sounds amazing to me!






BELLE & SEBASTIAN- BBC SESSIONS

The kings of twee are sure to get out of hand crazy on these 14 tracks recorded for the BBC between 1996 and 2001. A 2 CD deluxe edition is also available and features an entire live show from 2001.





ISOBEL CAMPBELL & MARK LANEGAN- SUNDAY AT DEVIL DIRT

Now here's a bunch of cut-ups. This new release is supposed to be "even darker than its predecessor "Ballad Of The Broken Seas." Just run a warm bath and leave a note.




DIDO- SAFE TRIP HOME

First release from the electronic pop chanteuse since 2003. Thank you.


ROD STEWART- THE DEFINITIVE ROD: 1971-2004

Can't be, otherwise it would be called "The Definitive Rod: 1971-1975." Deluxe edition comes with a DVD that includes 14 videos. Tracklist is actually not terrible, and mercifully does not include anything from his standards albums.






BEYONCE- I AM... SASHA FIERCE


This two CD set from the co-star of "Austin Powers: Goldmember," is a concept album. Disc 1 is all about the real Beyonce and Disc 2 is from her alter-ego, Sasha Fierce. You GO girl(s)! I will await the returns and see how this goes for her..them. If it's a success, the first half of next week's new releases will be written by me, and the second half by my alter-ego Clay Topsink.


Here's Ronnie Lane. This should make you feel good.

IN AUSSIE NEWS...Kasey, Shane, and Angus

It's been 30 years since I last saw AC/DC live. It was a sweltering August night and to make matters worse, the venue, NYC's Palladium was without air conditioning. I don't recall many details from that evening, except I don't remember leaving, despite the excruciating conditions. Now, if my seat back is torn, I'm out after the third song. I guess I didn't age well and certainly not as well as Angus Young and the boys. AC/DC's performance last Thursday at Madison Square Garden was loud and sweaty, and the band looked and sounded exactly the same as I (don't really) remember them 30 years ago. Same clothes, same big choruses and the same crunchy rock and roll riffs that have made this band one of the biggest and best live acts in rock n roll history. The set was short and tight and for 90 minutes the Garden threatened to slide off its foundations.







On the other side of the coin from the same side of the world, we have Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson. Here is my good friend, singer-songwriter and the man behind the brilliant release' "The Kunks," John Dunbar with his tale of love and music from down under.


I am a long time sufferer of yougottahearthis-itis. I pity my friends. When I discover a new piece of music I've fallen for, I can't help but want to spread the love. Most times I'm met with indifference, but every now and again I'm a musical Match.com.

A recent infatuation of mine is a record by an Australian husband and wife duo Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson called "Rattlin' Bones." In their homeland Chambers is a successful country singer. Nicholson lead a band called Pretty Violent Stain that sounded like a Crowded House tribute band playing unreleased material and has since put out 2 solo albums that don't sound unlike Neil Finn's 2 solo records. "Bones" is full of strumming acoustic guitars, trilling fiddles, slippery slides and porch foot stomps providing the backbeat . The songwriting is exquisite and the gorgeous vocals are like the Everlys as brother and sister. If their wedded life is half as harmonious as their voices, we could have the antipodean answer to Woodward and Newman.

I held back from spreading the word on this record since it was only out in Australia, but now that Sugar Hill has released it domestically, my campaigning has begun. The duo played the Highline Ballroom in September and the live show was one of the most engaging I've attended in years. Kasey Chambers was flanked by her hubby to the left and her papa on the right. The three of them sat on chairs all night, sipping wine between songs; it made you feel like you were interloping on a private family function. So much so that the Mrs. aired some marital battles with the audience.

She told a tale with hopes of getting the crowd's take on the disagreement. She explained that most couples have their "free pass" celebrity. Meaning that each person can pick one celebrity that, if they ever had the chance to meet, were allowed to have a one night stand without it being defined as cheating. They agreed to not choose Aussie celebrities since there was a chance they might actually run into them at some point. Chambers offered up her go-to guy: Jerry Seinfeld. After announcing the name, a collective groan of disbelief filled the venue. She was shocked at the response. " Come on.... I LOVE him. He's soo funny," she cried in Jerry's defense. Shane Nicholson quickly chimed in. " I have absolutely NO problem with that. He might be THE most non-intimidating man on the planet."

Chambers then shared the top of her hubby's sexy list.... Sheryl Crow. You could see approving nods amongst the males in the crowd and casual shrugs from the ladies. Providing the back story, she continued to tell the crowd the recent backstage argument. Turns out Shane Nicholson has a new record coming out in the coming months and his manager called right before they hit the stage to let him know he's just been offered the opening slot for Sheryl Crow's upcoming tour of Australia. The Highline Ballroom suddenly turned into "The Maury Show" with the collective hiss of the females in attendance. Nicholson claimed that you can't change the rules in the middle of the game and Chambers said that the case was not closed as they went into their next tune. Before playing the album's best track, "One More Year," Chambers said that she loved it so much that if they ever divorced, it's pre-arranged that she gets possession of this song.

Later in the set Chambers shared a charming little tale of parenthood. Telling about the ritual her husband has of singing their kids to bed to the songs of Guthrie, Dylan, and Seeger as opposed to the standard lullaby. The other night their son had a request. "Do the song about the ants," he pleaded. They looked at each other not knowing what he was referring to. " The song about the ants." he kept demanding. Still baffled, their son finally explained, " The one that goes.. The ants are my friends, they're blowing in the wind."

I just caught this announcement.

Shane Nicholson is about to take his 'Familiar Ghosts' on the road to perform live the music of the same-named brand new album he is about to release through Liberation Music.
Shane Nicholson will present his 'Familiar Ghosts' live, as a special guest of John Mellencamp and Sheryl Crow.

Uh-oh. I hope Mellencamp can do some quality C-blocking. Yes, a Crow-Nicholson album could be intriguing, but I'd rather have a sequel to Rattlin' Bones.

Take a look at video for the title track from this wonderful record.

"BAG OF SOUP": THE WEEKEND MX #10

In August of 1992, I bought some tickets to a show at Tramps in NYC that was billed as "A Benefit For Victoria Williams." The headliners were Marshall Crenshaw & Jules Shear, with some special guests that included Bob Mould, Shawn Colvin, and Lou Reed. Victoria Williams needed some help with medical bills, and it was a only a few months later that she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

The evening turned out to be full of surprises. One after another, amazing people graced the stage for mini sets that consisted of 3-4 songs each. The Jayhawks (great), Lucinda Williams (awesome) and an unsigned Jeff Buckley (only artist brought back for an encore. OFF THE HOOK!) all paid tribute. The last set of the evening before Miss Williams took the stage, was by Jules Shear, Marshall Crenshaw and third member, Graham Maby, billed as "Bag Of Soup." The longest set of the evening at a little over 30 minutes, this little super trio wowed the crowd with some fan favorites and a few choice covers.

I've cherished this recording for years. (Thanks Jules, if you're reading. Hope you don't mind me sharing)

SET LIST:

The Sad Sound Of The Wind
She Hates To Go Home
If She Knew What She Wants
Fantastic Planet Of Love
The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore
Julie
If We Never Meet Again
Over The Rainbow

ENJOY.

ZIP FILE HERE

"If You Don't Forget, You'll Die."

I sing and play drums occasionally in a band whose repertoire consists mainly of soul and R&B covers from the sixties, and Wednesday night is our "poker night," when we gather together, toss around some songs, jokes, sneers, vitriol and more. But before I make it to the "Jerk Lounge," the fab studio where we rehearse, I like to sit for an hour, alone, have a drink and a bite and just decompress.

So here I am at the bar of one of my favorite midtown establishments; a comfortable and familiar place. (Thousands of restaurants and bars in NYC, yet I find myself frequenting the same four. I like to go where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came.) Apparently, I was in a zone, as I didn't notice one of the owners, a very French man, standing right next to me. When I awoke, he asked, "You okay?" I laughed and said, "Yeah. Just so much shit going on, or more accurately, not going on," I shrugged, "I just got lost. For a minute there, I almost forgot just how tough things have been."

He put his arms around me, and with that Chevalier voice of his, he offered this, "If you don't forget, you'll die. Let me buy you a dreenk."

Well put, no?

Burning Wood seems to be catching on a bit, and that makes me happy. I don't expect it to save anyone's life, but if for two minutes a day you can get lost, then that is something.

This bit of audio made me very happy yesterday afternoon. CLICK HERE for Bobby Z. and Blossom D.

And finally, I want to mention the passing of one of my favorite rock and roll drummers, the amazing Mitch Mitchell. Of course Hendrix took the spotlight. That makes sense. But few could swing, or funk hard in a hard rock power trio like Mitchell.

If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date - 11/11/08

Can you see me? I'm the one holding the new Taylor Swift CD.

I was all prepared to break the news that this was another light week for worthwhile new releases. Instead, I was going to share a video of Fred Travalena singing "Here's To The Winners," from 1989's Chabad Telethon. But lucky for you, I got the date wrong. Next week is the light week. So let's get to it.





TRACY CHAPMAN- OUR BRIGHT FUTURE
It's been three years since her critically acclaimed 2005 release "Where You Live," and 20 years since I listened to a note of her music. That doesn't mean anything really, she just wasn't my cup of tea.





CHEAP TRICK BUDOKAN (30TH ANNIVERSARY) One of my favorite bands of all time, yet their biggest seller is my least favorite. Plus, this is now the third, possibly fourth version of this live album. This time it's a big box that includes three CDs and one DVD. Two of those CDs are given over to a reissue of 98's The Complete Concert, while the third is devoted to the second show the band gave two nights later at the same venue -- and the DVD captures that same show in a concert originally broadcast on Japanese TV and available commercially here for the first time. Got that? Buy "Next Position Please" instead.



FLAMIN' GROOVIES- THIS IS RED HOT (1969-1979)

First multi-label anthology from this legendary and highly influential Bay Area rock and roll band. Here's a track list for ya:

Love Have Mercy
The First One's Free
Apart From That
Comin' After Me
Second Cousin
Childhood's End
Headin' For The Texas Border
Teenage Head
High Flyin' Baby
32-20
Have You Seen My Baby?
Doctor Boogie
Yesterday's Numbers
Slow Death
Married Woman
Get A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues
Shake Some Action
You Tore Me Down
Yes It's True
I Saw Her
Good Laugh Mun
Yes I Am
First Plane Home
Jumpin' In The Night


HARD SELL PICK OF THE WEEK

GENESIS 1970-1975

It's pretentious and expensive. It's altogether ooky. And it's one of the most anticipated reissues of the year...for me, at least.

Genesis was three bands, not two, as most people like to believe. There was the MTV, Steve Hackett-less, hitmaking machine of the eighties, the underrated "what do we now that Peter is gone" band of the late seventies, and the band that is represented in this monster set. Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, and Steve Hackett created some of the most memorable and treasured albums of the seventies, and this set presents them all in superior sound. Each of the LPs gets remastered for CD and a surround sound 5.1 mix for DVD-A. Each LP now features a wealth of bonus tracks--b sides, live versions and unreleased gems, as well, PLUS, video content that includes rare concert footage and TV appearances. You get, Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Selling England By The Pound, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, and the unjustly tossed aside, pre-Phil Collins, official, full length Genesis debut Trespass. If you call in the next 5 minutes, you will receive this fine potato slicer, absolutely free. (as I said, it's a hard sell)



NEW ORDER REISSUES

Brotherhood, Low Life, Technique, Movement, and Power, Corruption, and Lies all get the deluxe treatment with new remastering and a bonus disc of unreleased tracks and rare remixes. (They're no Genesis, but some of this stuff is great. Some of it.)



THE NITECAPS- GO TO THE LINE

This lost gem of the 80s was on deck for my next "Where Are They Now" post, but those whippersnappers over at Wounded Bird got to it first. I found this about that:

Top-notch production from Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley (Dexy's Midnight Runners, Madness) and the full-time assistance of the Uptown Horns, The Nitecaps had some small claim to fame when they entered the studio; guitarist/vocalist Jahn Xavier had played in The Voidoids, bassist Peter Jordan had been subbing in The New York Dolls. Go To The Line went in a different direction: horn-flavored new wave/pop similar to English Beat and Haircut One Hundred.

I saw these guys at the Peppermint Lounge in 1981 and I was hooked. Nice to see this finally available.



SEAL- SOUL

A covers record that features takes on "A Change Is Gonna Come," "I've Been Loving You Too Long," "If You Don't Know Me By Now," and "Stand By Me." Here is my question- do any singers have a decent record collection, or just the shitty cover records by other singers? Why is it always the same damn songs?



WARREN ZEVON- COLLECTORS' EDITION

Zevon's brilliant debut gets the royal treatment with improved sound and a bonus CD of alternate takes and demos. This is the record with the pre- LInda Ronstadt versions of 'Poor Poor Pitiful Me" and "Carmelita," as well as the absolutely riveting "Desperados Under The Eaves." BUY THIS ONE NOW!!



TAYLOR SWIFT- FEARLESS

This kid's all over the place. Thought I should mentioned it.


And now, without further ado, Mr. Fred Travalena.