Welcome to today's Short Takes focusing on recent releases from the worlds of stage and screen! First up, the Kritzerland label has announced another three additions to its reissue library of Ben Bagley's Revisited series. Bagley's original Revisited releases brought together all-star casts to explore the lesser-known side of famous songwriters' catalogues, and these three titles are no exception. Frank Loesser Revisited shines a spotlight on a composer-lyricist who has been in the news
“Perry Como’s Olde English Christmas” Comes to DVD with Petula Clark, Leo Sayer
It's been said that there's no place like home for the holidays...and few artists have conjured up that nostalgic warmth as well as Perry Como. For nearly five decades, the beloved Italian-American crooner was a fixture on radio, records, film and, naturally, the medium which seemingly suited the genial, gentle vocalist best: television. Starting with The Chesterfield Supper Club's transition to NBC-TV in the late 1940s, the subsequent debut of The Perry Como Show on CBS-TV in the early 1950s,
He Fought the Law: Now Sounds Celebrates The Bobby Fuller Four on “Magic Touch”
Bobby Fuller has long been known for two things: recording the immortal "I Fought the Law," and being found dead in his car under mysterious circumstances. Finally, thanks to Cherry Red's Now Sounds imprint, Fuller can be appreciated for his musical gifts. Now Sounds has recently compiled Magic Touch: The Complete Mustang Singles Collection (WCRNOW57), a comprehensive and beautiful celebration of Fuller's too-short life and musical career with The Bobby Fuller Four (featuring Jim Reese on
Holiday Gift Guide Review: “In The Heights” and “Be More Chill” Original Cast Albums [Vinyl Editions]
For the Broadway fan on your holiday list this year we thought we would take a look at a couple of vinyl cast albums recently released by Ghostlight Records: In The Heights and Be More Chill. Seven years before he rose to superstardom with Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda premiered his first musical on Broadway with In The Heights in 2008. Miranda, who also starred, wrote the music and lyrics with the book written by Quiara Alegría Hudes. The production was directed by Thomas Kail and
In Memoriam: Nancy Wilson (1937-2018)
Vocalist, activist, storyteller, actress, host and personality of television and radio. All were apt descriptions for Nancy Wilson, but the one she preferred most was, simply, "song stylist." For when Nancy Wilson, who died at the age of 81 on Thursday, stepped up to a microphone, she inevitably made whatever composition she was singing - however familiar - all her own. Wilson's singular style, somehow both smoky and creamy, was rooted in jazz, but incorporated pop, rhythm and blues, and
Holiday Gift Guide Spotlight: Lulu, “Decade 1967-1976”
Lulu (real name: Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie) burst onto the scene in 1964 with her earthy, throaty rendition of The Isley Brothers' "Shout!" The fifteen-year old parlayed that memorable U.K. top ten hit into an international career that remains vibrant and active to this very day. Lulu remained on Decca Records, the home of "Shout!," for a two-year stint, departing the label in late 1966 to sign with producer Mickie Most EMI's Columbia Records arm (not to be confused with the
Just One Look: Linda Ronstadt Releases First Concert Album, “Live in Hollywood”
Despite having recorded over two dozen acclaimed studio albums on labels including Capitol, Asylum, Elektra, and Verve, Linda Ronstadt never got around to releasing a live album. Happily, Rhino Records is rectifying that with the February 1 release on CD, LP, and digital platforms of Live in Hollywood from the legendary songstress. Live in Hollywood was recorded on April 24, 1980 at Television Center Studios in Hollywood for an HBO special in which she was accompanied by a top-tier band that
Let’s Do It Again: Beach Boys Live Rarities Collected on (Another!) New Copyright Extension Release, “On Tour: 1968”
On the heels of two new collections of vault material celebrating the studio outtakes from Friends and 20/20, The Beach Boys have released a further copyright extension release featuring their work onstage. On Tour: 1968 presents 114 tracks recorded on the road in summer and winter 1968. The Beach Boys were on somewhat rocky ground in 1968. Their popularity in the rock sphere was waning and their seemingly diminishing significance in public perception came to a head when The Beach Boys
Yesterday’s Dreams: UMe Releases “Motown Unreleased: 1968” and “In Loving Memory: Expanded Edition” Copyright Extension Collections
In a winter tradition that's as reliable as any, UMe has released the latest in the annual copyright extension series, entitled Motown Unreleased: 1968. The two-part compilation will arrive to digital download and streaming services today, December 14. Between the two volumes, there's a whopping 88 tantalizing, previously unreleased gems from the Motown vault! Motown heavy-hitters, soul superstars, and fan favorites abound on these two collections. There's a wealth of Stevie Wonder rarities,
Release Round-Up: Week of December 14
Welcome to another Release Round-Up. Here's a look at what's coming out today, December 14! Bruce Springsteen, Springsteen on Broadway [2CD] (Columbia) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) Springsteen on Broadway captures songs and selected stories from The Boss' acclaimed, Tony Award-winning engagement on the Great White Way. Mixed by Bob Clearmountain and mastered by Bob Ludwig, the album arrives one day before the closing show, and also just before it's broadcast in full on
Gone So Fast: Omnivore Brings Unicorn’s Lost, Gilmour-Produced Folk-Rock Gems to CD, LP, and Digital
The '70s folk-rock group Unicorn released three albums for EMI during the decade. The recordings were produced by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour and highlighted the band's talent for laid-back folk-rock. Their smooth, Eagles-like sound, Crosby & Nash-esque harmonies, and slick, professional production value could have won them critical acclaim, but history has largely forgotten their lush original material. (Cherry Red's Esoteric imprint has recently taken a look at their core discography.)
Pedal Patter: Omnivore Offers Buck Owens Classics on Tom Brumley Compilation, “Steelin’ The Show”
Buck Owens and His Buckaroos were among the hottest country acts of the 1960s, thanks in no small part to Tom Brumley's masterful pedal steel guitar work. Tomorrow, December 14, Omnivore Recordings will release a new compilation, Steelin' The Show, which collects some of "Tender" Tom Brumley's best work. The collection will be available on CD and through digital download and streaming services. As music historian Scott Bomar notes, Brumley was a true craftsman on pedal steel and dobro. "He
Rhino Presents 150-Song Set of 2000s Hits, A Dozen Other Box Sets Also Available on Streaming
In their first-ever digital-only box set, the music lovers at Rhino have curated That's Aught: The '00s Pop Culture Box, a 150-song collection that celebrates the many sides of that decade of music. From pop and hip-hop, country, pop-punk, soul, dance, and underground music, the selections are as diverse as the decade was. The staff at Rhino have sequenced the selections in more-or-less chronological order, beginning with *NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye" before continuing on to iconic hits from music
The Right Stuff: New Kids’ Breakthrough ‘Hangin’ Tough’ Revisited In 2019 With Remixes, New Tracks
Originally released in 1988, Hangin' Tough was the breakthrough album by pop sensation New Kids On The Block. With such hits as "Please Don't Go Girl," "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," "Hangin' Tough," and "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)," the album garnered critical acclaim, a Grammy nomination, and two American Music Awards (Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group.) It has since sold more than 14 million copies worldwide and been certified 8x Platinum in the U.S. Now,
Holiday Gift Guide Review: Joni Mitchell, ‘Love Has Many Faces’ [8-LP Box Set]
It's coming on Christmas... and just in time for the holidays, Rhino has treated Joni Mitchell fans with a new, 8-LP box set, Love Has Many Faces: A Quartet, A Ballet, Waiting To Be Danced. Previously released in a 4-CD configuration in 2014, this Joni Mitchell-curated collection finds the celebrated songwriter, singer, and visual artist exploring the many contexts and definitions of love. The result is a 53-song, four-act suite that craftily presents some of Joni's best work in a compelling
Holiday Gift Guide Review: R.E.M., “R.E.M. At The BBC”
"We were a fun party band who somewhere along the way learnt how to write songs," Michael Stipe is quoted as saying in the notes to Craft's Recordings new boxset R.E.M. At The BBC. Of course, R.E.M. was much more than that over the course of their nearly 30-year career, going from college underground band to alternative pioneers to global superstars. And with Craft Recordings' new 8-CD/1-DVD box, you can trace that career as seen and heard by UK audiences over the years. The quartet of
Keep That Party Movin’: Legacy Announces CD Reissues, Vinyl Debuts of Three ’00s Prince Titles
In June, Legacy Recordings inked a historic deal with The Prince Estate that marked a new home for much of Prince's legendary music. In August, 23 titles from Prince's catalog were released on streaming platforms, along with a new compilation called Prince Anthology: 1995-2010. Today, The Prince Estate and Legacy Recordings have announced the first in a series of Prince album re-releases on CD and vinyl. It's all part of Legacy's ongoing, definitive catalog reissue campaign. The roll-out of
Goin’ Back: Bruce Springsteen Announces Latest Live Archive Title, “Roxy ’75”
On the heels of the new Songs of the Road collection that brings together picks from Springsteen's live archive, Nugs.net has announced a new installment in their Live Archive series. Roxy '75 presents the full October 18 early show that Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band performed at the famed L.A. venue. The set captures the group in outstanding form performing a setlist that spotlights the Born To Run album along with a string of covers. Among them is a version of Carole King's
Step Into Christmas: Elton John Unveils New Christmas EP With Rare Track
Last month, Elton John ushered in the holiday season when he partnered with retailer John Lewis for an emotional commercial about the gift of music. Now, he's released a Christmas EP called Step Into Christmas. The yuletide gift for his fans puts the spotlight on a certified Christmas classic. The three-track EP includes "Step Into Christmas," the classic track that reached No. 24 in the UK at the end of 1973 and topped the Billboard Christmas singles chart. The original B-side, "Ho! Ho!
Wake The World: The Beach Boys Mine 1968 Vaults for Two New Copyright Extension Titles!
It's become something of an annual tradition, The Beach Boys' copyright extension releases that offer a welcome musical reprieve from the wintery chill outside. Since 2013, The Beach Boys have released rarities from the vault in order to secure the recordings' copyright. As a result, fans have been treated to live rarities from their earliest years, stripped-down sessions, and most recently, outtakes from their Smiley Smile and Wild Honey albums. Now, the time has come again for two more
Release Round-Up: Week of December 7
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! Wings, The Paul McCartney Archive Collection: Wild Life [Various Formats] (MPL/Capitol) 3CD/DVD Box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2LP [Remastered Album + Bonus Audio]: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2CD [Remastered Album + Bonus Audio]: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Wild Life was the first Wings album but third overall by McCartney outside the shadow of his famous band. Paul and his wife Linda teamed up
Something to Sing About: Johnny Mathis and CHIC’s “I Love My Lady” Coming to CD from Second Disc, Real Gone
Johnny Mathis was billed on his very first album as "A New Sound in Popular Song." In the decades since that 1956 debut, the vocalist has always explored new avenues in pop from Latin music to Philly soul. But the most adventurous of Mathis' 60-plus albums may be the one that got away...until now. On February 1, 2019, Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music will proudly present the first-ever standalone compact disc release of I Love My Lady, the remarkable 1981 album by two American
A Granz Old Time: Verve/UMe Honors ‘The Founder’ On New Box Set
On December 7, Verve/UMe will release The Founder, a 4-CD box set in honor of Norman Granz's centennial earlier this year (August 6, 1918). The collection will also be available as a digital download and on streaming services. The set includes 44 tracks, some appearing on CD for the first time ever. It presents a chronological overview of the first two decades of the jazz impresario's impressive career by way of recordings of the musicians he recorded. The booklet includes new liner notes by
Holiday Gift Guide Review: Lefty Frizzell, “An Article from Life: The Complete Recordings”
The music of William Orville "Lefty" Frizzell (1928-1975), one of the most influential honky-tonk singers of all time, has long been a cornerstone of the Bear Family catalogue. The German reissue specialists first compiled the Frizzell oeuvre in 1984 as a 14-LP box set, updating that in 1992 on 12 CDs. Now, more than 25 years later, the Bears have returned to the country-and-western troubadour's career for the most definitive chronicle ever. An Article from Life: The Complete Recordings has
My Love Is Too Much: Vanessa Daou’s “Zipless” Coming to Vinyl
Time heralded it as exquisite, Slant Magazine called it one of the 100 Best Albums of the '90s, and even Alex Lifeson of Rush praised its cross-genre vibe. A touchstone of electronic music, Vanessa Daou's landmark album Zipless: Songs From the Works of Erica Jong will soon celebrate its 25th anniversary with a brand-new reissue. Set to be released this Friday, December 7, on Daou's DRKR Records, in association with KID Recordings, the campaign will mark the album's first time on
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