If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Street Date - 06/02/09

Before we get to the New Releases. here's an idea:

Does anyone know if Crystal Gayle can still sing? If so, give her a call. Then, call Tom Waits, book 20 or so thousand seaters, hire a small jazz combo and a small string section, and what you have is a great little tour. Crystal comes out and does 20-25 minutes of hits. Tom follows with 30-40 minutes of the same. Then, the two perform the soundtrack of "One From The Heart" in its entirety. A few encores, and Bob's your uncle. When this happens in 2 years and no one gives me any credit, I expect at least two pairs of aisle seats.





Carry on.







JEFF BUCKLEY- GRACE AROUND THE WORLD

Vying for the number one position of "Recording Stars With More Output While Dead Than Alive," here is yet another package featuring live material from the late, great, singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley. This set features a live TV performance of all but one track from the "Grace" record, as well as a DVD with the same and some more. Key words here: "same and some more."





RAY CHARLES- MODERN SOUNDS IN COUNTRY AND WESTERN

The classic record is now expanded to 2 CDs, with Volume 2 appearing on CD for the very first time. ("You Don't Know Me." Just sayin...)





ELVIS COSTELLO- SECRET, PROFANE, & SUGAR CANE

Another record and another direction from the always surprising and rarely disappointing Elvis Costello. Recorded in just 3 days with producer-extraordinaire T-Bone Burnett at the helm, and some Nashville heavyweights such as Jerry Douglas, Jim Lauderdale, and Dennis Crouch on various stringed instruments and vocals, "SECRET, PROFANE & SUGAR CANE" is Bluegrass Noir. Similar in feel, but not necessarily style as the brilliant 'King Of America" album from 1986, Costello proves yet again, there is no genre too daunting, and no song he is incapable of writing. Really a fantastic record.



MARSHALL CRENSHAW- JAGGEDLAND

First record in almost 7 years from one the finest pop singer-songwriters of his day, "JAGGEDLAND" is also Marshall Crenshaw's strongest and most realized record since his now legendary debut. I've been listening to this record for a few weeks now, and it has only gotten better, especially the short, sweet, and beautifully haunting instrumental title track. Pick this one up and find out for yourself how Marshall got his groove back.



CROSBY, STILLS, & NASH- DEMOS

Interesting and disappointing collection of demo versions of classic tracks that are worth one listen and no more. Kind of unnecessary, even as repackaged contract breakers go.





DAVE MATTHEWS BAND- BIG WHISKEY & THE GROOVE GRUX KING

Not a fan and never have been, although the one album I did like, "Stand Up," is the one DMB fans do not. So, as soon as the bad reviews start pouring in for this new one, I will pick it up.





EELS- HOMBRE LOBO

What can I say? I love Mark Oliver Everett, and this new record is a killer. More straightforward than "Blinking Lights...," but no less heartbreaking and intense. "That Look You Give That Guy" is currently my favorite song ever.



GIRL IN A COMA- TRIO BC

New release from Joan Jett discovery is a fun mix of girl group punk, fired-up rockabilly, and balls out rock and roll.




IGGY POP- PRELIMINAIRES

I must admit, Iggy doing a jazz-influenced, French crooner record is about as appealing to me as a French crooner doing a jazz-influenced, French crooner record. But damn if this doesn't work.



NEIL YOUNG- ARCHIVES PART ONE

There's nothing I could say here, that Mike Ragogna hasn't already said in depth on The Huffington Post. Read his detailed review with track listing HERE. And if anyone wants to buy me a copy, I won't refuse, say, the way I would refuse the new DMB album.



ALSO OUT THIS WEEK

FRANZ FERDINAND- BLOOD
Dub versions of songs from their last record. (okay)

COLIN HAY- TOPANGA
Man still at work. (too easy, sorry.)

PAOLO NUTINI- SUNNY SIDE UP
Uomo ancora un lavoro. (troppo facile, spiacente)

RANCID- LET THE DOMINOES FALL
No one does Rancid like Rancid!

UFO- THE VISITOR
British hard-rockers still going strong after 40 years. Singer Phil Mogg still sounds great.