If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date -1/13/09

Welcome back, New Releases. This week is not quite as bountiful as I had hoped, but there are a few "cherce" items to talk about, this second week of the new year.



PICK OF THE WEEK

THE BEE GEES- ODESSA (3 CD DELUXE EDITION)


Not quite a concept album, although many perceived it to be, not only upon its release but to this day, 1969's "Odessa" was mainly just a BIG album; a collection of sweeping ballads with big orchestrations sprawled over 4 sides and packaged in red velvet. Admittedly, I had never given enough time to this record in the past and I am a huge Bee Gees fan. It seemed a bit daunting, this big ol' red record of ballads. Avoiding this record made little sense, since nothing the Bee Gees recorded prior to the release of "Odessa" really rocked anyway. Plus, I luff them. This spectacular new reissue from Rhino Records begs for your attention. It got mine.

First the facts- you get remastered stereo and mono versions, as well as a third disc of alternates and demos that are more than just empty sketches. The box, which is indeed red velvet, also comes with a booklet featuring amazing song by song annotation, as well as a poster and a decal.

Excellent songs like "Marley Purt Drive," "Melody Fair," and "First Of May" may seem familiar to even the casual Gibb Brothers' fan, but songs like "Black Diamond," "Lamplight, "I Laugh In Your Face," and "Never Say Never Again," rival the best of the Bee Gees early work. The new remastering is stunning and I can't recommend this new set enough.



DEREK TRUCKS BAND- ALREADY FREE

Guitar phenom and consistent highlight of the Allman Brothers live shows, Derek Trucks, releases his first album of new material since the 2006 release, "Songlines." More song-oriented than his previous releases which relied on improvisation and extended jamming, "Already Free" wouldn't be out of place in a CD carousel alongside Allen Toussaint, Derek & The Dominoes, Bonnie Raiit, and Delaney & Bonnie. Great stuff.








THE BLUE NOTE 7- MOSAIC : A CELEBRATION OF BLUE NOTE RECORDS

On January 13, Blue Note Records will commemorate the label's 70th anniversary with among many other things, a tupperware party hosted by Dave Koz, and this eight-song collection of classic Blue Note material, given a new spin by an all star group that features pianist, Bill Charlap, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, tenor saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, alto saxophonist/flutist Steve Wilson, guitarist Peter Bernstein, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Lewis Nash. (What? No Wayman Tisdale?)








JOSHUA REDMAN- COMPASS

On Redman's new release, the saxman uses a double trio that includes Larry Grenadier, Reuben Rogers, Gregory Hutchinson, and Brian Blade, which actually equals five musicians. (What? NO Wayman Tisdale?)


Here briefly, are a few more CDs being shipped to the coffee shops and nail salons this Tuesday, 1/13/09.

Ravi Coltrane-Blending Times (with guest Charlie Haden)

Eliane Elias- Bossa Nova Stories (Miss Elias' last two releases "Around The City" and "Something For You: Eliane Sings & Plays Bill Evans" were both excellent)

Late Of The Pier- Fantasy Black Channel

Reviews of these releases can be found here.

Finally, here is the EPK (electronic press kit) for Derek Trucks' new release, "Already Free." This will hopefully be enough for you to take the plunge and buy this fantastic new record.