Welcome to The Weekend Stream, a relaxing weekly review of notable digital-only catalogue titles. There may be no CD or vinyl, but there's plenty of great new/old music to discover! This week, we've got long-lost pop from a teenaged star, a crop of country classics, cool West Coast jazz, freestyle hits, and more!
Nik Kershaw, B-Sides (iTunes / Amazon) and Extended Versions (iTunes / Amazon) (Island)
Island brings two compilations from British singer-songwriter Nik Kershaw to digital services today. B-Sides is just that, collecting nine such cuts from Kershaw while Extended Versions has 30 remixes - almost three hours of music - including versions of many of his most popular hit tunes including "Dancing Girls," "Wouldn't It Be Good," "I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," "Human Racing," "The Riddle," and "Wide Boy."
Mitch Miller and His Orchestra, European Holiday: Expanded Edition (Columbia/Legacy) (iTunes / Amazon)
The 2003 expanded edition of "Sing Along" leader Mitch's 1956 concept album - originally billed as a "Mitch Miller Musical" - featuring Jerry Vale, Jill Corey, and The Michael Stewart Chorus goes digital today. While the lush music is recommended, it's worth a click just to see its beautiful cover, inviting listeners to "follow your heart on a heavenly holiday to all Europe."
The Jets, Believe (MCA) (iTunes / Amazon)
Family band The Jets might be best remembered for their irresistible No. 3 Pop/No. 1 AC/No. 2 R&B hit "You Got It All" - written by Rupert Holmes and sung by 13-year old Elizabeth Wolfgramm. Here's their fourth album, 1989's Believe, featuring another Holmes tune ("Leave It to Me") and a pair from Diane Warren ("The Same Love," a top 20 AC hit, and Karate Kid Part III soundtrack cut "Under Any Moon," with Glenn Medeiros). Blending pop, R&B, and dance, Believe was The Jets' final major label studio album.
Bertie Higgins, Let's Sail Away to Key Largo (iTunes / Amazon) / Forever Casablanca (iTunes / Amazon) / Gold Treasures (iTunes / Amazon) / Rock the Docks (iTunes / Amazon) (Time-Life)
Here's looking at you, kid: Time Life has released four new collections from "Key Largo" singer-songwriter and yacht rock mainstay Bertie Higgins including that 1981 top ten Pop/No. 1 AC hit as well as "Just Another Day in Paradise" and covers of summery tunes such as "Kokomo," "Margaritaville," "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)", and "Volcano." Sit back, pour yourself a cool refreshment, and sail away!
David Clayton-Thomas, David Clayton-Thomas (RCA/Legacy) (iTunes / Amazon)
The Blood, Sweat & Tears' frontman's third eponymous solo album (this time for RCA, following albums of that name for Decca and Columbia) is a showcase for his full-throated soul vocals on both original tunes ("Harmony Junction," "Professor Longhair") and covers ("Can't Buy Me Love," "When Something Is Wrong with My Baby"," "Hernando's Hideaway").
Sammy Davis, Jr., Mood to Be Wooed (Decca) (iTunes / Amazon)
Sam's sublime, intimate 1958 Decca set is among his most highly romantic, featuring his vocals and Mundell Lowe's guitar on such smoky standards as "Bewitched," "Try a Little Tenderness," "This Love of Mine," and "I've Got a Crush on You."
Sarah Vaughan, Sarah Slightly Classical (Roulette/Warner) (iTunes / Amazon)
The jazz chanteuse's 1963 album, featuring arrangements by Marty Manning, takes her commanding vocals in a (slightly) classical direction with unusual if compelling takes on "Be My Love," "Full Moon and Empty Arms," "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life" and "If You Are But a Dream."
Mickey Gilley, Fool for Your Love (iTunes / Amazon) / Too Good to Stop Now (iTunes / Amazon) (Epic/Legacy)
Following last week's bunch, two more titles from country's Mickey Gilley hit digital services today, from 1983 and 1984.
Abbe Lane, Where There's a Man (RCA/Legacy) (iTunes / Amazon)
Singer-actress (and onetime Mrs. Xavier Cugat) Abbe Lane's 1959 RCA long-player Where There's a Man, with arrangements from Sid Ramin, features her saucy vocals on a host of classic songs about, well, men - including "I Must Have That Man," "The Gentleman Is a Dope," "What Is a Man," and "The Man I Love." The concept album begins with Lane proclaiming herself just "A Little Girl from Little Rock" (from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) and ends with her admonition to "Go to Sleep, Go to Sleep, Go to Sleep."
Stefano says
Nik Kershaw wasn't very pleased that UMC went into their archives for these digital remix and B-side releases, but I am utterly happy with it. Sorry Nik...
Ken says
Except for several compilations of his singles Mickey Gilley's catalog has been virtually ignored for reissues. Great to see that they are finally mining the vaults for his original Epic albums. Hope that Epic/Legacy will eventually issue his excellent Playboy LP's [1974-1978] as downloads. Just a couple of those were ever issued on CD (in the UK)
Thanks again for including country releases in this summary!
Brian from Canada says
Bryan Adams also has his second volume of remakes called Classics II out this week. I don't know if it's physical, but it's on digital services.