While we await previously announced titles coming later this month from Dionne Warwick, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., P-Funk offshoot Parlet and more, Real Gone Music is already looking forward to summer’s end with a new release slate due on September 3.

Real Gone is making a couple of very contemporary connections with releases from Claudia Lennear and Ponderosa Twins Plus One.   Lennear, a longtime background singer, recently stepped to the fore as one of the artists featured in director Morgan Neville’s documentary 20 Feet from Stardom.  And the all-but-forgotten Jackson 5 sound-alikes Ponderosa Twins Plus One were sampled by none other than Kanye West on his new album Yeezus.  Add to those a comprehensive collection from musical sweetheart Joanie Sommers (including an unreleased track penned by Burt Bacharach and Hal David), two discs of previously unreleased music from Jefferson Starship, a complete anthology from power-pop icons The Paley Brothers (with a never-before-issued Phil Spector production!), plus more unexpected country and rock-and-roll treats, and you’ve got an idea of what to expect from Real Gone in September!

Hit the jump for the scoop on each title plus pre-order links!

On the brink of the release of 1975’s Red Octopus (featuring Marty Balin’s mega-hit “Miracles”), Jefferson Starship played a controversial concert in New York City’s Central Park to over 100,000 eager fans.  Jefferson Starship: Live in Central Park NYC May 12, 1975 doesn’t feature “Miracles,” but it does feature a wide variety of music from Jefferson Airplane and Starship.  The eight-person band  – then consisting of Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Marty Balin, David Freiberg, Craig Chaquico, Pete Sears, John Barbata and Papa John Creach –  tackles songs from Dragonfly (“Ride the Tiger,” “Caroline”) and Red Octopus (“Play on Love,” “Fast Buck Freddie”) plus Airplane staples like “White Rabbit,” “Somebody to Love” and “Volunteers.”  Live in Central Park looks to paint a vivid portrait of the band’s musically adventurous early days, and photographer Allan Tannenbaum and author Richie Unterberger provide photographs and annotation, respectively, for Real Gone’s first-time release.  The complete concert is presented on 2 CDs as newly mastered by Vic Anesini from tapes provided by the band.

When The Jackson 5 soared in popularity, it seemed like everybody wanted to get in on the act.  But little Donny Osmond wasn’t the only one to channel the J5 sound.  Cleveland’s Ponderosa Twins Plus One consisted of two sets of identical twins (Alfred and Alvin Pelham, Keith and Kirk Gardner) and one friend (Ricky Spicer).  The quintet caught the ear of The O’Jays’ Bobby Massey, who brought the kids to the attention of All Platinum Records’ Sylvia Robinson.  Soon, PT+1 was out on tour with The Moments, The Whatnauts, Lonnie Youngblood and others.   Their first three singles all hit the charts, and their stage act was said to be an exciting one.  But the group’s brief moment in the sun didn’t last, and all five members were out of the music business by 1975. Released in 1971, 2+2+1=Ponderosa Twins Plus One collected the initial six tracks cut with Bobby Massey plus six more produced by All Platinum house producer Michael Burton.  Real Gone has added a further four non-LP singles to this CD debut as bonus tracks. Bill Dahl explains all in his new liner notes, including why current artists – including Kanye West, who sampled the group’s “Bound” – have been drawn to these rare grooves.

In the film 20 Feet from Stardom, Claudia Lennear keeps amazing company, sharing the screen with the likes of Darlene Love and Merry Clayton.  The motion picture tells the tale of Lennear’s close relationship with Mick Jagger, whom she inspired to write “Brown Sugar.”  And Mick wasn’t the only one captivated by Lennear’s beauty and talent.  David Bowie, Leon Russell, Joe Cocker and George Harrison all could be counted in that number.  Yet Lennear only recorded one solo album, 1973’s Phew.  It’s a musically diverse offering from the versatile singer.  She’s joined on Side One by Ry Cooder and the renowned Dixie Flyers, while Side Two paired her with New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint, plus Spooner Oldham and session great Jim Keltner.   Real Gone’s CD premiere includes one non-LP bonus track and new liner notes by Pat Thomas featuring quotes from Claudia.

Lennear is one of three female vocalists being feted by the Real Goners in September.  Jo Ann Campbell‘s day onscreen came in 1959’s Go, Johnny, Go!, an early rock-and-roll film starring the one and only Alan Freed as…Alan Freed!  The famous (and infamous!) disk jockey introduced Campbell as “our little blonde bombshell,” but the bombshell also boasted quite a voice capable of both pop and rock-and-roll.  While Campbell’s Gone and ABC recordings have already been anthologized, her Cameo recordings have been overlooked…until now.  Real Gone continues its partnership with ABKCO (owners of the Cameo-Parkway catalogue) for All the Hits–Her Complete Cameo Recordings.  This new anthology includes the entirety of Jo Ann’s 1962 album All the Hits (in stereo except for her hit “(I’m the Girl from) Wolverton Mountain”) plus seven mono bonus tracks (five singles and two unreleased songs).  This rocking package has been remastered from the original analog master tapes and annotated by Ed Osborne.

Joanie Sommers was one of the earliest stars on the Warner Bros. Records label.  At Warner, she was paired on disc with Edd “Kookie” Byrnes of 77 Sunset Strip (on which she also appeared) and scored her own hits including “One Boy” from Bye Bye Birdie and the Hal David/Sherman Edwards (1776) tune “Johnny Get Angry.”  A versatile artist comfortable with sophisticated adult pop as well as teen rock-and-roll, Sommers’ voice also became well-known for a number of Pepsi singles.  Her Complete Warner Bros. Singles volume has already been released by Real Gone, so the label has turned its attention to her later tenure at Columbia.  Come Alive!–The Complete Columbia Recordings includes the complete stereo version of Joanie’s 1966 album Come Alive!–a title reflecting a Pepsi ad campaign of the era–plus nine non-LP single sides, four of which are previously unreleased!   Real Gone has even thrown in a Pepsi jingle!  The set includes her Top 10 AC version of Hal David and Burt Bacharach’s “Alfie,” and three more songs from the songwriting team.  Joanie starred alongside Rick Nelson in the 1967 ABC-TV musical On the Flip Side, with an original Bacharach/David score, and Real Gone’s new collection features her unique solo versions of three of its songs (one of which has never been released in this version until now).   Joanie’s manager Alan Eichler contributes new liner notes featuring quotes from Sommers, along with never-before-published photographs.

Another Columbia Records artist is recognized with Real Gone’s Original Greatest Hits of Stonewall Jackson. By the time the North Carolina-born singer made it to Nashville in 1956, the string-and-chorus-laden Nashville Sound was taking sway in Music City, but Jackson held true to his honky-tonk roots.  (And yes, his birth name was Stonewall Jackson, and he has claimed to be a descendant of the Confederate general!)  He joined the fabled Grand Ole Opry in 1956, and by late 1958, he was scoring hits like George Jones’ “Life to Go” and John D. Loudermilk’s “Waterloo” on both the country and pop charts.  Real Gone promises Jackson’s top two dozen tracks on this new compilation, each track in its original Columbia recording.  Colin Escott contributes the liner notes.

Last but certainly not least, Real Gone presents The Paley Brothers’ Complete Recordings.  Andy and Jonathan Paley formed The Paley Brothers in 1975, signing with Seymour Stein’s Sire Records label shortly thereafter.  Both already had impressive C.V.s, with Andy having been the lead singer/songwriter of The Sidewinders and also having played with the Modern Lovers; Jonathan was a CBGB’s mainstay with the band Mong.  Real Gone’s new CD includes every track released by the Paleys on Sire, plus 11 previously unreleased bonus tracks!  That adds up to 26 tracks including their entire 1978 self-titled album produced by Earle Mankey, a clutch of singles produced by Jimmy Iovine, a Ramones soundtrack duet, a song released under the name The Young Jacques, and plentiful bonus material.  In the latter category you’ll hear two songs live from Madison Square Garden where the Paleys opened for Shaun Cassidy, and Phil Spector’s production of “Baby, Let’s Stick Together.”  Gene Sculatti’s new liner notes include quotes from the Paley Brothers, plus testimonials from famous friends like Seymour Stein, Brian Wilson and Debbie Harry!

You can order all of the Real Gone releases at the links below!  All are due in stores on September 3.

September 3, 2013 Releases from Real Gone Music

Jefferson Starship, Live in Central Park NYC May 12, 1975 (2-CD Set) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Claudia Lennear, Phew! (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Ponderosa Twins Plus One, 2+2+1=Ponderosa Twins Plus One (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Jo Ann Campbell, All the Hits—Her Complete Cameo Recordings (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Joanie Sommers, Come Alive!–The Complete Columbia Recordings (Amazon U.S. /Amazon U.K.)

Stonewall Jackson, Original Greatest Hits (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

The Paley Brothers, The Complete Recordings (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)