Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up!

America, Heritage II: Demos/Alternate Takes 1971-1976 (Omnivore) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

“Today’s the Day” when America continues its archival series of demos and alternates via Omnivore Recordings.  Heritage II, out today on CD, features 13 previously unissued tracks from 1971-1976 including the epic “Jameroony,” the track mix with background vocals only of the hit “Tin Man,” Gerry Beckley’s never-before-heard “Mandy,” and more, with many George Martin production.  Beckley has provided new liner notes.  A vinyl edition will be out on Record Store Day.  Watch this space for our review later today!

Andrew Gold, Something New: Unreleased Gold (Omnivore) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Omnivore premieres 16 previously unreleased recordings from the late singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Andrew Gold.  Something New: Unreleased Gold has solo demos and tracks with a small band including Kenny Edwards, Peter Bernstein, and Gene Garfin.  All tracks date back to 1973 and showcase Gold’s easygoing melodic charm.  Peter Asher provides the new liner notes.  Available on vinyl for Record Store Day.  Stay tuned for our review!

New Riders of the Purple Sage, Field Trip (Omnivore) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Omnivore has a previously unreleased concert from the classic country-rockers New Riders of the Purple Sage.  On August 27, 1972, the band (featuring John Dawson, David Nelson, Dave Torbert, Buddy Cage, Spencer Dryden, and guest pianist Keith Godchaux) shared a double bill with their progenitors and friends in the Grateful Dead at Temple Meadow Veneta, Oregon on what’s now the grounds of the Oregon County Fair.  The benefit concert, or “Field Trip,” for the Springfield Creamery was recorded, and now this release has been mixed and mastered by Stephen Barncard from the original 16-track master tapes.  A 2-LP vinyl release will arrive on Record Store Day.

Jerry Garcia Band, GarciaLive Volume 13: September 16th, 1989 – Poplar Creek Music Theatre (ATO) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

ATO continues its Jerry Garcia live series with this 2-CD installment from September 16, 1989 at Illinois’ Poplar Creek Music Theatre.  For the final night of their longest tour, the band was joined by the E Street Band’s Big Man, Clarence Clemons, who sat in on sax.  Tracks include “I Shall Be Released,” “Someday Baby,” “Let’s Spend the Night Together,” “Tangled Up in Blue,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”

Doug “Cosmo” Clifford, Magic Window (digital release) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Creedence Clearwater Revival drummer Doug “Cosmo” Clifford has dug into the vaults to discover this previously unreleased solo album recorded in 1985 and spruced up for release in 2020 – which just happens to be the 50th anniversary of CCR’s Cosmo’s Factory.  Cosmo was joined by engineer/guitarist Russell DaShiell, bassist Chris Solberg, and rhythm guitarist Rob Polomsky at his Lake Tahoe home for the sessions that became Magic Window.  “The songs all evolved from the groove,” Clifford has stated about the album.  “I grew up in the years when rock was evolving.  Blues, rockabilly, country, rhythm and blues, and folk music were all around me, so I don’t think about genre when I’m writing.  I think about groove.”  The synthesizer sounds and processed vocals firmly root Magic Window in the 1980s, but the songwriting, musicianship, and yes, grooves from this veteran musician are timeless.

Broadway Bounty Hunter: Original Cast Recording (Ghostlight) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Ghostlight Records premieres the original cast album of a new score from the Tony-nominated composer-lyricist of Be More Chill, Joe Iconis.  The wickedly irreverent Broadway Bounty Hunter stars Annie Golden (The Shirts, Hair, Assassins) as an actress named Annie, a “Woman of a Certain Age” (as one song goes) who gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a real-life bounty hunter and kick plenty of ass.  The musical, which played in New York last summer, features a book by Iconis, Lance Rubin, and Jason Sweettooth Williams, and co-stars Brad Oscar (The Producers, Something Rotten!) and Alan H. Green (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sister Act).  Iconis’ score gleefully takes in the sounds of seventies funk, soul, R&B, disco, and pop.  Ghostlight’s cast album is available today on digital platforms.

Various Artists, Ella 100 Live at the Apollo! (Concord Jazz) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Concord Jazz revisits the evening in 2016 when Patti Austin, Cassandra Wilson, Ledisi, Monica Mancini, David Alan Grier, The Count Basie Orchestra, and other artists took the stage to celebrate the centennial of Ella Fitzgerald.  The album has 16 tracks including Austin’s “A-Tisket, A-Tasket,” Austin and Grier’s Porgy and Bess medley, Wilson’s “Cry Me a River,” Mancini’s “Once in a While,” and much more.  Available on CD and digital formats.

Pam Tillis, Looking for a Feeling  (Stellar Cat Records) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Pam Tillis, daughter of country legend Mel and herself a CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and Grammy nominee, is back with her 11th studio album, recorded at various Nashville studios.  Tillis began Looking for a Feeling on analog tape, joined by musicians such as guitarist Pat Buchanan, keyboardist Jim Moose Brown, steel guitarist Dan Dugmore, bassist Glenn Whorf, and songwriter-producer Jimmy Ritchey.  Tillis also recorded with producer Matt Spicher and Joe Pisapia, and the finished album draws on her many influences in country, rock and soul – from Led Zeppelin to Dolly Parton.  Available for download/streaming.

From The Second Disc family to all of you, we wish you health, comfort, and safety during these difficult times. –  Joe, Mike, Sam, and Randy