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/ Joe Marchese

Short Takes: Soundtracks on Tap from Barry, Horner and Mancini

January 25, 2011 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

henry

It's already been a busy week here at Second Disc HQ, and the news just keeps on comin'. Three more soundtracks are due from some of the finest composers in film score history: John Barry, James Horner and Henry Mancini. Before becoming an eminence grise in the world of film scoring, John Barry was best-known as the leader of the John Barry Seven, an association which led him to one of his earliest film projects, the score to the 1960 British film Beat Girl. The long-unavailable soundtrack to

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Categories: News Genre: Soundtracks

Review: The Jayhawks, "Hollywood Town Hall" and "Tomorrow the Green Grass"

January 24, 2011 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

"Please don't call it 'alt-country!'," pleads The Jayhawks' archivist P.D. Larson in the liner notes to the new Legacy Edition of the band's fourth album, 1995's Tomorrow the Green Grass. But whatever you call it, the uniquely American music of the Jayhawks has endured, and is currently being celebrated by American Recordings and Sony/Legacy with two deluxe reissues produced by Larson and John Jackson. The band's major label debut from 1992, Hollywood Town Hall, has been expanded with a clutch

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Categories: Reviews Tags: The Jayhawks

Sail On, Silvergirl: "Bridge" Returns for 40th Anniversary Edition (UPDATED 1/22)

January 22, 2011 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

simon garfunkel bridge

“Bridge Over Troubled Water” began as Paul Simon’s “humble little gospel hymn song.” But upon its release, it quickly took on a life of its own. Simon’s inspirational words and music, Art Garfunkel’s spine-tingling vocal and Larry Knechtel’s majestic piano all contributed to a work that resonated deeply, as a both an epitaph for the 1960s and a reassuring affirmation for a new decade’s beginning. Believe it or not, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is 40 years old; what’s hard to grasp isn’t that

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Categories: News Tags: Simon and Garfunkel

More of Melba: Moore's Epic Debut Due from BBR

January 21, 2011 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

melba 77

By 1978, Melba Moore had already established herself as a multifaceted musical force. After making her Broadway debut as Dionne ("White Boys") in the original Broadway company of Hair, she picked up a Tony Award in 1970 for her performance in Purlie, where she introduced the showstopping "I Got Love." In 1978, she was starring in New York opposite the legendary Eartha Kitt in Timbuktu! and ready to resume her solo recording career. With stints on the Mercury and Buddah labels behind her, she

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Categories: News Tags: Melba Moore

Reissue Theory: Sammy Davis, Jr., Compiled: "Sammy in the Seventies"

January 19, 2011 By Joe Marchese 17 Comments

sammy davis now

Welcome to another installment of Reissue Theory, here we reflect on well-known albums of the past and the reissues they could someday see. Today, we look at a beloved American icon and one of the least anthologized periods of his lengthy career. There may be no figure in American popular culture more maligned in death than Sammy Davis, Jr. The image of the diminutive entertainer, clad in open shirts and bell-bottoms, wearing beads and gold chains, and with an ever-present cigarette dangling

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, CD Genre: Popular Standards/Vocal Tags: Reissue Theory, Sammy Davis Jr.

From "Walter Mitty" to "Inner City": Masterworks Broadway Reissues Due

January 18, 2011 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

originals musical comedy

Sony’s Masterworks Broadway division continues its dig through the vaults of the Columbia and RCA Records labels with three new titles, to be released as CD-Rs exclusively through Arkiv Music or as digital downloads. Today, January 18, sees the reissue of Originals – Musical Comedy 1909-1935, an RCA compilation dating from 1968. This collection remains one of the best ever to anthologize the sound of musical comedy in its earliest days, and is a “Who’s Who” of that golden era. The vaudeville

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Categories: News Genre: Soundtracks

Be Their Baby: Legacy Preps Releases for Crystals, Ronettes and Darlene Love (UPDATED 1/17)

January 17, 2011 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

the very best of the crystals

When Sony announced in September 2009 that rights had been acquired from EMI Music Publishing to reissue Phil Spector's Philles catalogue after years of neglect from the ABKCO label, great anticipation was in the air. A major campaign was planned by Sony's Legacy division with projects in development including "Artist's Playlists, Best-of collections, and first-ever releases of Philles studio rarities - as well as facsimile reproductions of original singles and albums," but since that heady

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Categories: News Tags: The Crystals, The Ronettes

Friday Feature: "Casino Royale" (1967, 2006)

January 14, 2011 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

casino royale david arnold

"The dry riffle of the cards and the soft whirr of the roulette wheel, the sharp call of the croupiers and the feverish mutter of a crowded casino hide the thick voice at Bond's ear which says, 'I will count up to ten.'" So read the blurb on the jacket of the original printing of Ian Fleming's 1953 novel Casino Royale, which introduced Agent 007 to the world. Fleming's novel set the tone for those that followed, introducing the "Bond girl" (Vesper Lynd), the larger-than-life villain (Le Chiffre,

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Categories: News Genre: Soundtracks Tags: Burt Bacharach, Friday Feature

Lowe's "Labour" Not Lost: Reissue Due in March

January 13, 2011 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

nick lowe labour

Nick Lowe never was lacking in confidence. The former Brinsley Schwarz bassist/vocalist had already defined pub-rock as a member of that band, and did much the same for the burgeoning punk movement as producer of Elvis Costello’s first albums. Now he was in the forefront of the so-called “new wave” vanguard, and Lowe realized there was little he couldn’t do. Armed with hubris but with tongue firmly planted in cheek, he named his 1978 Radar Records (U.K.) debut Jesus of Cool. Its artwork depicted

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Categories: News Tags: Nick Lowe

Back Tracks, In Memoriam: Margaret Whiting (1924-2011)

January 12, 2011 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

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In 1997, a musical revue came and went at Broadway's Royale Theatre. The revue, Dream, was a mostly unexceptional journey through the music and lyrics of the legendary Johnny Mercer. Why the "mostly," then? Dream had one very exceptional living link to Mercer, and that was the resplendent Margaret Whiting, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 86 in Englewood, New Jersey. When Mercer (along with Buddy DeSylva and Glenn Wallichs) started Capitol Records in 1942, one of the first artists he

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Categories: News Tags: Back Tracks, Margaret Whiting

Smokey Robinson, Live from Cracker Barrel

January 11, 2011 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

smokey robinson exclusive cd

Great music often turns up in the darnedest places. In addition to eating a hearty meal and browsing a selection of rustic tchotchkes at your local Cracker Barrel, you now can pick up a new CD by none other than Motown legend and the man Bob Dylan once called "America's greatest living poet," Smokey Robinson. Cracker Barrel has long carried a selection of exclusive music; new CDs have been offered from artists like Dolly Parton (who provided Cracker Barrel with an expanded edition of her 2008

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Categories: News Tags: Smokey Robinson

Dave Grusin's "Dry White Season" Revisited

January 10, 2011 By Joe Marchese 1 Comment

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With a cast including Donald Sutherland, Susan Sarandon and Marlon Brando in one of his final film triumphs, 1989's A Dry White Season had the potential to be an instant classic. Yet despite this star-studded assemblage, strong reviews and an impressive pedigree (it was based on Andre Brinks' powerful novel which was banned in South Africa for challenging apartheid), audiences stayed away, and A Dry White Season vanished from theatres. Still, Brando was recognized with a Best Supporting Actor

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Categories: News Genre: Soundtracks

"Stop" the Presses! Classic Hollies on the Way

January 10, 2011 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

hollies 2

Before discovering his golden vocal blend with David Crosby and Stephen Stills, Graham Nash made sweet music with Allan Clarke as a member of The Hollies. With a core lineup of Nash, Clarke, Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliott (with bassist Eric Haydock replaced by Bernie Calvert in 1966), The Hollies possessed arguably the finest harmonies of any British Invasion act, and the band was finally rewarded with a coveted spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. Like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones

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Categories: News Tags: The Hollies

Come and Get Them: Upcoming Releases Due from DeShannon, Nelson and More

January 6, 2011 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

deshannon 2

Britain's Ace family of labels is kicking off 2011 in a big way! Mike filled you in Tuesday about Kent's upcoming I'll Do Anything: The Doris Troy Anthology 1960-1996, and today we turn the spotlight on three more releases due in the U.K. on January 31. Jackie DeShannon remains one of the most beloved voices of the 1960s. DeShannon not only broke barriers as a rare female songwriter in an era when it simply wasn't common, but she was equally comfortable in front of the microphone as a

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Categories: News Formats: CD Genre: Pop Tags: Jackie DeShannon, Rick Nelson

Gold Reissues Coming Soon for Collins, Taylor, Wonder

January 4, 2011 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

stevie fff

Audiophile specialist label Audio Fidelity has announced its initial trio of 24K Gold CD reissues for 2011, and it is comprised of three familiar names, all of whom have previously had titles reissued on the label: Phil Collins, James Taylor and Stevie Wonder. Already having tackled the gold CD of Collins' 1981 solo debut Face Value, Steve Hoffman returns to remaster the artist's 1985 breakthrough, No Jacket Required. Spawning four U.S. Top 10 singles, No Jacket Required was the former

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Categories: News Formats: CD Genre: Classic Rock, Pop, R&B/Soul Tags: James Taylor, Phil Collins, Stevie Wonder

Bon Voyage, Gordon: Anderson Departs Collectors' Choice Music

January 3, 2011 By Joe Marchese 19 Comments

bing sinatra1

In a move that could be acutely felt by reissue enthusiasts, Gordon Anderson has stepped down from his post as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Collectors’ Choice Music, the label and mail order catalogue responsible for many of our favorite reissues. Collectors’ Choice recently launched the expansive Tartare line and the new Bing Crosby Archive Collection, reactivated the Cameo Parkway label, and released diverse fare from artists ranging from Perry Como to Jefferson

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Categories: News Tags: Open Forum

The Year in Reissues, Part III: The Gold Bonus Disc Awards

December 31, 2010 By Joe Marchese 4 Comments

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Well, another New Year is in sight, the CD still isn't dead (told you so!) and celebration is in the air at The Second Disc. Back on December 23, Mike shared The Year in Reissues both here and over with our pals at Popdose. Do not pass go, do not collect 200 bucks until you read these indispensable columns! Are you back with me? Good. Now, I'd like to take this opportunity to take a fun look back at a few of my favorite things via Joe's Gold Bonus Disc Awards! I'm awarding these to the reissues

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Categories: Reviews Formats: Box Sets Genre: Soundtracks Tags: Bing Crosby, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Burt Bacharach, Louis Armstrong, Mr. Mister, Paul McCartney, Perry Como, Ray Charles, Sister Sledge, Tammi Terrell, The Guess Who, The Monkees, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Review: Perry Como, "The Complete Christmas Collection"

December 22, 2010 By Joe Marchese 3 Comments

perry como i wish it could be christmas

They don’t make ‘em like that anymore. I can’t help but think of that old adage whenever I think of Perry Como. The singer was one in a line of great crooners, many of them Italian-Americans. Frank Sinatra, dean of them all and forever the Chairman of the Board, was well-known for his swagger. Tony Bennett is still renowned for the jazz chops he brings as an interpretive vocalist.  Perry Como, though, is perhaps best-known for his quiet gentility. Days after his death in 2001, conservative

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Categories: Reviews Tags: Perry Como

Review: Nat "King" Cole, "Love is the Thing" and "The Very Thought of You"

December 21, 2010 By Joe Marchese 1 Comment

nat cole the very thought

The time is 1957. The place is the corner of Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles, California – the Capitol Tower. And you are there. Such is the magic of Analogue Productions’ pair of hybrid Super Audio CDs, part of the label’s Nat “King” Cole reissue program. Thanks to the gorgeous remastering and improved quality afforded by the format, you’ll hear every breath, as if you were in the studio alongside Cole himself during a recording session. The versatile artist is today remembered for many

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Categories: News Formats: SACD Genre: Popular Standards/Vocal Tags: Nat King Cole

"Genghis Khan" Makes CD Debut Alongside "Casino Royale"

December 21, 2010 By Joe Marchese 1 Comment

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During a time of the year when most labels have wound down their new releases for 2010, Kritzerland has rewarded loyal listeners with a pair of early Christmas gifts. On Monday, the label made available for pre-order its final two releases of the year, and both are doozies. On Friday, we brought you the news of the remastered and expanded Casino Royale soundtrack composed by Burt Bacharach, and yesterday, the label gave official word that Casino will be joined by the first-ever CD release for

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Categories: News Genre: Soundtracks

EXCLUSIVE: Have No Fear, Bond is Here! Expanded and Remastered "Casino Royale" Due

December 18, 2010 By Joe Marchese 1 Comment

casino royale xlg2

Film score fans, you've hit the jackpot! After a successful year of landmark releases such as an expanded edition of Pino Donaggio’s score to Carrie and the remaster and remix of Promises, Promises: The Original Broadway Cast Recording, just to name two, the Kritzerland label is going to the Casino. Of course, I mean Casino Royale. Unlike in most casinos, however, the odds are in the label’s favor, because no film score fan is going to want to be without producer Bruce Kimmel’s deluxe expanded

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Categories: News Genre: Soundtracks Tags: Burt Bacharach

Back Tracks: The Music of the Pink Panther

December 17, 2010 By Joe Marchese 4 Comments

the pink panther2

Back Tracks takes a break from holiday merriment to celebrate the life of Blake Edwards, who died yesterday at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of laughter.“[Sometime] ago when I first began, one of my early films was run at a producer’s home one night, and someone who shall remain nameless for the moment came to me and said, ‘Billy Wilder was there and the saw it and you know what he said? He said, ‘You know it’s shit, but it’s funny shit.’ Now, had anybody else said that – this is proof

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Categories: News Genre: Soundtracks Tags: Back Tracks

Back Tracks: The Christmas Sounds of the Beach Boys

December 15, 2010 By Joe Marchese 2 Comments

beach boys christmas album 530 852

There may be no group more associated with the sounds of summer than The Beach Boys, favorite sons of Hawthorne, California. Yet the boys of summer could also accurately be described as the boys of winter, based on their timeless, perennial music celebrating Christmas. While the entire official Beach Boys Christmas catalogue is based around just one released album and another shelved one, the group's contribution to seasonal music can't be underestimated. On the eve of the group's 50th

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Categories: News Tags: Back Tracks, Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys

Back Tracks: The Christmas Music of Johnny Mathis

December 9, 2010 By Joe Marchese 3 Comments

Today's second installment in a special series of holiday-themed Back Tracks explores the holiday catalogue of legendary Columbia recording artist Johnny Mathis. Earlier this year, Columbia Records released Let It Be Me, a new set by the 75-years-young singer with the smooth voice and big vibrato. This is no small feat considering that Mathis made his Columbia debut in 1956, and other than a brief tenure at Mercury, has remained at the label for the 54 years since. With six decades of LPs in

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Categories: News Tags: Back Tracks

Back Tracks: Andy Williams at Christmas

December 7, 2010 By Joe Marchese 11 Comments

andy williams christmas album11

Welcome to the first installment in a special series of holiday-themed Back Tracks in which we’ll explore an artist’s entire seasonal catalogue! When it comes time each year to create my annual Christmas mix for family and friends, it’s always an uphill battle to not open with Andy Williams’ “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” From the brassy fanfare to the upbeat chorus, it may be one of the ultimate Christmas anthems. This cherished song from the team of Edward Pola and George Wyle

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Categories: News Tags: Back Tracks

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