Hope you enjoyed your long weekend. Here's what happened while you were gone.
DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY WOMEN- DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY WOMEN
A dream band of sorts for Dave Alvin, or so he claims on the CD jacket, "Guilty Women" features some of the finest names in country, folk and bluegrass--Christy McWilson, Cindy Cashdollar, Nina Gerber, Laurie Lewis, Amy Farris, Sarah Brown, and Lisa Pankratz--revisiting some of Alvin's best known tunes, as well as some originals from the stellar line-up. The long-legged Texan, Miss Marcia Ball also guests. Some great music here, folks.
VARIOUS ARTISTS- MAN OF SOMEBODY'S DREAMS: A TRIBUTE TO CHRIS GAFFNEY
The great singer-songwriter Chris Gaffney lost his battle with cancer last year, and some of his dear friends under the auspices of Dave Alvin, came together to pay tribute to his legacy. Joe Ely, Boz Scaggs, Los Lobos, Peter Case, James McMurtry, John Doe, Dan Penn, and The Iguanas are just some of the artists singing the best of Gaffney's beloved material.
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO- EXPANDED REISSUES
The first two of Escovedo's solo albums, "GRAVITY" and 'THIRTEEN YEARS" get a much needed upgrade. Both now feature new remastering and a bonus CD which includes live & rare material.
(So far, I'm feeling no snark. These releases are genuinely fantastic. Sorry. Where are you, Meanstreets?)
GRIZZLY BEAR- VECKATIMEST
The next big indie thing according to all those damn hipster asspains, "Veckatimest," named after a tiny, uninhabited island off of Cape Cod, features a guest spot from another hipster asspain, neoclassical composer Nico Muhly. My attitude may be unnecessary, but I find the whole indie, hipster, Brooklyn scene really irritating. "My Brooklyn" is all about Lundy's, Randazzo's, Henry Street pizza, the Oceana movie theatre, stickball, Titus Oaks Records, and Ralph Kramden. Not THIS guy:
Why this is Grizzly Bear's fault, I'm not sure. But I need to blame someone.
(ok, i'm back)
MARILYN MANSON- THE HIGH END OF LOW
Just in time. Features the first single, "Arma-goddamn-motherfuckin'-geddon," a Manson original and not the Ian & Sylvia cover.
MANDY MOORE- AMANDA LEIGH
Produced by power-pop icon Mike Viola, Moore's new album was "inspired by her love of Paul McCartney's Ram album, Joni Mitchell, Todd Rundgren, and CSNY." I know you're waiting for it. But it's not gonna happen, readers. There is some fantastic music on this record. Mandy Moore does not try outdo anyone here. Her voice is sweet and confident, and the material truly draws from the influences mentioned. Nice going! Props to Mike Viola.
PHOENIX- WOLFGANG AMADEUS PHOENIX
This is the 4th release from the French Electro-Rockers. Nothing has ever come close to "Everything Is Everything" or "Love For Granted," two songs off of their second album, "Alphabetical," the former, a perfect dance pop hit, and the latter, one of the most beautifully written ballads of the last 20 years. But, after one listen, this new album shows some promise and also boasts my favorite album title of the year....so far.
NOW YOU HAS JAZZ
MILES DAVIS- SKETCHES OF SPAIN 50th ANNIVERSARY
Sony Legacy does it again, with a 2CD expanded version of one of the greatest records of all time, not just of jazz, but of any genre. To celebrate this brilliant collaboration between Miles Davis and Gil Evans, Sony gives us an additional disc of alternates, rehearsal takes and live material.
CHARLES MINGUS- AH UM 50H ANNIVERSARY
What I just said, but this time it's Mingus and Macero, and even more unreleased material.
DAVE BRUBECK- TIME OUT 50TH ANNIVERSARY
What I just said, but this time with a full live disc AND a DVD that features a whole lot of other stuff.
ALSO RELEASED TODAY
THE DEL-LORDS- REISSUES
They are on American Beat, a cool, but no frills label, so there is probably no remastering, but it's still great to see "BASED ON A TRUE STORY," " FRONTIER DAYS," and "JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME" back in circulation.
STEVE LAWRENCE & EYDIE GORME
Like, 400 reissues. "A Room Without Windows" and "What Did I Have That I Don't Have Now" are all you need. Trust me. Two killer songs. Here you go. ZIP FILE
GARY LEWIS & THE PLAYBOYS- COMPLETE LIBERTY SINGLES (2 CDS)
Every A & B side. "Green Grass!" "Everybody Loves A Clown !" "B-sides!"
LUCIANA SOUZA- TIDE
Ms.Souza has yet to release a bad record. Currently, my favorite Brazilian artist. Check out "Brazilian Duos."
NAOMI SHELTON & THE GOSPEL QUEENS- WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, MY BROTHER
Gospel and soul, courtesy of Neal Sugarman and the genius that is Daptone Records.
4 comments:
Jazz is not dead it's just asleep. Wow -- those three reissues made me long for my favorite neighborhood music salon (defunct).
I cut my teeth on that Brubeck disc -- my dad must have been enrolled in a Columbia jazz record club or something. Long after he split, they just kept coming. Take Five among them. I credit him for my love of jazz and literature and my sense of humor. (maybe I'll repost a longer, more maudlin version around Father's Day . . .)
It appears to be a bad week to be broke. The Mingus and Miles - I need them now. Two of my favorite things ever put to vinyl.
Is the Naomi Shelton any good?
Burning Wood, your worst nightmare has returned from Miami....you can't beat that earlybird, all you can eat dinner @ 4:30 PM........
" Roots " rehab serves you well....posts including Dave Alvin, Alejandro Escovedo & the Tribute CD for Austin's Chris Gaffney show you have been making progress...keep up the good work....take it one day at a time......and when you get that urge to post a " bruce " item, don't, lean on me.....
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