Dusty Springfield, Faithful (Real Gone Music) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Faithful assembles for the first time on one CD all of the masters produced by Jeff Barry (“Chapel of Love,” “Leader of the Pack,” “Sugar, Sugar”) for Dusty Springfield in 1971.  From his home base at New York’s Century Sound, Barry produced thirteen songs for Dusty – twelve intended for album release and one for a non-LP single.  Four songs were released on two 45s, but when Dusty departed Atlantic Records, the remaining tracks were left on the shelf, and thought lost until the CD era.  Faithful presents the 12-song album as originally envisioned (including Barry and Bobby Bloom’s cult favorite “Haunted,” Barry’s “I Believe in You” and Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend”) and also includes the B-side “Nothing is Forever” as a bonus track.  I’ve written the liner notes based on my new interview with Jeff Barry!

Various Artists, Sweet Things from the Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry Songbook (Ace) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Faithful isn’t the only title this week celebrating the musical legacy of Jeff Barry!  Ace collects another volume of Brill Building classics and rarities from Barry and his first wife, Ellie Greenwich, on this new 24-track anthology featuring tunes from Darlene Love, The Crystals, Lesley Gore, Jay and the Americans, The Ronettes, The Paley Brothers, and yes, Dusty Springfield!

Eric Clapton, Forever Man (Reprise)

2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
3-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
2-LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
DD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Eric Clapton’s new anthology – released on the occasion of his 70th birthday – features 51 tracks on three CDs, with one disc dedicated to studio tracks, one to live recordings, and one to his explorations of the blues.  Also available in 2-CD and 2-LP highlight forms, and as a digital download.  Read more here.

Spooky Tooth, The Island Years: An Anthology 1967-1974 (Island) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. )

Universal U.K. offers a 9-CD box set featuring the Island albums by the English rock group Spooky Tooth, including Supernatural Fairy Tales by ART (the band’s earlier incarnation), plus rare and previously unreleased bonus tracks including a full concert from April 1972, recorded in Germany (Disc 9).  The vinyl iteration presents straight reissues of the eight proper albums in replica original packaging. It also includes a full-size repro of the extremely rare ‘Art’ Island promotional poster (designed by psychedelic artists Hapshash and the Coloured Coat) and a download card entitling the purchaser to all the tracks, including the CD version’s bonus material and live concert.  Read more here!

Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Trilogy: Deluxe Edition (Legacy U.K.) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

This set is billed as “the most extensive reissue of the Emerson Lake & Palmer masterpiece to date.”  The 2-CD/1-DVD-A edition of the 1972 prog classic includes remastered album audio, new high resolution stereo mixes, 5.1 surround mixes by Jakko Jakszyk, a previously unheard version of “From The Beginning,” restored artwork, and a 16-page booklet with new liner notes and photos. A U.S. edition, likely to arrive from Razor & Tie, hasn’t been confirmed yet.

Grateful Dead, Dick’s Picks Volume 8 – Harpur College, Binghamton, New York – May 2, 1970 (Real Gone Music) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Real Gone continues reintroducing classic Dick’s Picks entries to the catalogue, including this beloved show of May 2, 1970 on three CDs!

The Kingbees, The Kingbees (Omnivore) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Omnivore remasters and expands The Kingbees’ 1980 roots-rock gem with eight previously unissued demos and live recordings on CD and DD.

Julie Andrews, Don’t Go in the Lion’s Cage Tonight/Broadway’s Fair Julie (El) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Cherry Red’s él Records label two-fers Julie Andrews’ 1962 Columbia Records albums Don’t Go in the Lion’s Cage Tonight (a set of music hall favorites) and Broadway’s Fair Julie (a set of, naturally, showtunes) on one CD (made possible via EU public domain laws) with four bonus tracks from The Boy Friend and My Fair Lady!  Includes “Burlington Bertie from Bow,” “I Feel Pretty,” “A Little Bit in Love” and many more! Look for our review later today!

 

Brinsley Schwarz, Original Album Series (Rhino U.K.) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

The latest additions to Rhino U.K.’s Original Album Series library brings together the first five studio albums from the pub-rockers in Brinsley Schwarz (including Brinsley himself plus Nick Lowe, Bob Andrews, Billy Rankin and Ian Gomm).  The budget set – with no booklet or new remastering – is nonetheless an affordable way to acquire Brinsley Schwarz, Despite It All, Silver Pistol, Nervous on the Road and Please Don’t Ever Change.

Pat DiNizio, The Best of Pat DiNizio (Airline) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

The Smithereens frontman offers a 21-track retrospective with such tracks as “A Girl Like You,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Words of Love” and “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore.”  Note, however, that this anthology features the K-Tel-style note that “some tracks on this album have been re-recorded by the original artist.”

Various Artists, Keep Calm and Salute The Beatles (Purple Pyramid) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

A number of heavy hitters pay tribute to the Fab Four on this compilation produced by Billy Sherwood, including Todd Rundgren (“You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”), Helen Reddy (“All You Need is Love”), Judy Collins (“I’ll Follow the Sun”), Felix Cavaliere (“Ticket to Ride”), Howard Jones (“And I Love Her”) and two late greats, Andrew Gold (“Norwegian Wood”) and, with his last recorded performance, Jack Bruce (“Eleanor Rigby”).

DON’T FORGET TO VISIT OUR JUST-UPDATED RELEASE CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING RELEASE DATES!