If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date - 3/24/09

JOHN BOUTTE & PAUL SANCHEZ- STEW CALLED NEW ORLEANS

Currently available exclusively at the coolest record store in the world, the LOUISIANA MUSIC FACTORY, long time pals and New Orleans' treasures John Boutte and Paul Sanchez have released a record that is the pure embodiment of the great city it's named after. "Stew Called New Orleans" is a heartfelt, spontaneous, and jovial collection of original songs (as well as 2 choice covers by Paul Simon and Jelly Roll Morton) by two artists who have lived through the best and worst New Orleans has to offer. With the help of another frequent collaborator, the great Leroy Jones on trumpet, Boutte and Sanchez create an album that sounds like Sam Cooke, Dan Hicks, and Louis Armstrong sitting on a back porch, easing the day away. I love these guys!







1990s- KICKS

"Cookies," the Bernard Butler produced debut from this Glasgow group was full of short, sharp bursts of pop excellence recalling the best of 80s new wave. The Suede guitarist is back behind the scenes and on "Kicks" we get more of the same only better. This record is hook-filled, with nods to "Drums & Wires"- era XTC and even a bit of Eno-era Bowie.









CONDO FUCKS- FUCKBOOK

No, this isn't really a new Condo Fucks CD, but a new collection of covers from Yo La Tengo. Artists tackled on this set include The Kinks, The Eels, The Troggs, and Slade. Cool?










THE DECEMBERISTS- THE HAZARDS OF LOVE

"Exciting (?) new concept album (?) from the award winning (?) Decemberists, it's a 17 song suite rooted in ancient language and imagery, yet modern and accessible (?). Lead female vocals (?) are done by Becky Stark of Lavender Diamond (oh boy) , and Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond (oh boy). Also performing are My Morning Jacket's Jim James, Robyn Hitchcock and the Spinanes Rebecca Gates (finally).









PETE DOHERTY- GRACE/WASTELANDS

New solo release from ex-Libertine/ex-Babyshambles/ex-con Pete Doherty. This is actually a not bad, low-key affair that sounds like some of Ray Davies more melancholy tunes.







FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS- SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY: THE BEST OF (2 CDS)

2 CDs? I am pretty sure they only recorded 2 CDs. So what are they saying, EVERYTHING is their best? Am I being grumpy?







ERIC LINDELL- GULF COAST HIGHWAY

Joined by Stanton Moore and Robert Mercurio, the rhythm section behind New Orleans funk outfit Galactic, Lindell makes some subtle changes to his swamp blues sound, and heads into more soulful waters. His best to date features some choice covers of Delbert McClinton, Buck Owens, and Willie Nelson, as well as a dozen original tunes.







PEARL JAM - TEN (DELUXE EDITION)

This now legendary debut from a now legendary band gets its first upgrade, and BOY, what an upgrade! The history making debut of Pearl Jam is being presented in 4 different new and expanded editions! Each edition will include two versions, the remastered original version and a remixed version. It also includes SIX BONUS TRACKS, a 36 page booklet, and a DVD which contains a previously unreleased MTV Unplugged performance from 1992. A bigger and much more expensive version will contain all of that, plus 4 LPs, notes from Eddie Vedder and a 'history making cassette?'" This will retail for $175.00. Seems reasonable in this economic climate, no?




RADIOHEAD EXPANDED REISSUES

The first three releases from Radiohead, "Pablo Honey," "The Bends," and "OK Computer," each get repackaged with an additional CD of b-sides, remixes, and rarities. Even more deluxier editions include a DVD with promo videos and live footage.

Sorry to report, no new Willie Nelson CD this week.

And for those keeping track, here is last night's E-Street Band setlist from the first of two rehearsal shows before the big tour.

Setlist:
Outlaw Pete
My Lucky Day
Night
Out in the Street
Working on a Dream
Johnny 99
I Ain't Got No Home
Good Eye (with Jay Weinberg)
Radio Nowhere (w/ J.W.)
Candy's Room (w/ J.W.)
Because the Night (w/ J.W.)
Mary's Place (w/ J.W.)
The Wrestler
This Life
Long Walk Home
Surprise, Surprise
Badlands
No Surrender
* * *
Hard Times
Mustang Sally (w/ John Eddie)
Thunder Road
Born to Run (w/ J.W.)
American Land (w/ J.W.)
Seven Nights to Rock