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/ Joe Marchese

Shatterproof: Cherry Red, RPM Collect Singles From Rockpile's Billy Bremner

November 7, 2018 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

Billy Bremner Singled Out

Billy Bremner is fondly remembered today for his time in Rockpile alongside Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, and Terry Williams, but the estimable singer-guitarist has also brought his talents to recordings by The Pretenders, Carlene Carter, and Shakin' Stevens, and had his own successful solo career.  It's the latter aspect of Bremner's discography that Cherry Red's RPM Records imprint has just chronicled on Singled Out.  This new, 21-track anthology compiles many of Bremner's singles for labels

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Categories: News Formats: CD Genre: Classic Rock, Pop Tags: Billy Bremner

He and Mrs. Jones: Vocalion Adds to Quad Roster with SACDs from Billy Paul

November 6, 2018 By Joe Marchese 1 Comment

Billy Paul War of the Gods and 360 Degrees SACD

The U.K.'s Dutton Vocalion label is continuing to grow its SACD catalogue of quadraphonic releases.  Following recent titles from The Guess Who, Rick Derringer, Stephen Sondheim, and others, Vocalion has just released another batch of vintage quad mixes from the worlds of jazz (George Benson's Body Talk, Weather Report's Tale Spinnin'), rock (the Jim Peterik-affiliated jazz-rock fusion group Chase's Pure Music and Chase), and R&B.  In the latter category comes three albums from Philadelphia

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Categories: News Formats: CD, SACD Genre: R&B/Soul Tags: Billy Paul

Review: John Lennon, "Imagine: The Ultimate Collection"

November 5, 2018 By Joe Marchese 1 Comment

john lennon imagine

You May Say I'm a Dreamer Much like the artist who created it, John Lennon's Imagine has always been an album of contradictions.  While its dreamy, idealized title track has become an anthem for generations, the same LP veers from heartbreaking vulnerability ("Jealous Guy") and expressions of romance ("Oh My Love," "Oh Yoko!") to a withering, personal jab at a friend ("How Do You Sleep") to powerfully pointed social commentary ("Crippled Inside," "I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier Mama I Don't Wanna

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Categories: News Formats: Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray Audio, Box Sets, CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Pop Tags: George Harrison, John Lennon, Phil Spector, Yoko Ono

Review: Bob Dylan, "More Blood, More Tracks: The Bootleg Series Vol. 14"

November 2, 2018 By Joe Marchese 1 Comment

Dylan More Blood More Tracks Cover

Bob Dylan began recording 1975's Blood on the Tracks in much the same manner he had begun 1962's Bob Dylan: inside the studio at 799 Seventh Avenue, New York City, alone at the microphone with just his guitar, a harmonica, and the song.  In '62, the facility was Columbia Studio A, in '75 it was A&R Studios.  In '62, John Hammond was the producer, in '75 Phil Ramone (the R in A&R) was manning the controls as engineer.  Dylan, of course, was a much-changed man, but upon his return to

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Categories: Reviews Formats: Box Sets, CD Genre: Classic Rock, Pop Tags: Bob Dylan

Ticket To Ride: "Carpenters with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra" Arrives In December

November 2, 2018 By Joe Marchese 23 Comments

Carpenters Royal Philharmonic

The music of the Carpenters has long transcended mere nostalgia.  With 20 Billboard top 40 hits including three No. 1s and five No. 2s as well as 15 Adult Contemporary No. 1s, their timeless legacy of song is as resonant today as ever.  Karen's intimate, warm, and soulful voice melded with Richard's rich, sophisticated musical settings to create a sound still unrivaled in popular music.  Now, that sound is getting a little larger.  On December 7, A&M Records will release Carpenters with The

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Categories: News Formats: CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl Genre: Pop Tags: Carpenters, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Magic In The Night: 'Springsteen On Broadway' To Be Released On CD and Vinyl

November 2, 2018 By Joe Marchese 1 Comment

Springsteen on Broadway

"As portraits of artists go," wrote The New York Times' Jesse Green on October 12, 2017, "there may never have been anything as real - and beautiful - on Broadway."  The critic was referring to Bruce Springsteen's performance the evening before on the stage of the intimate, 939-seat Walter Kerr Theatre.  Even before it opened, Springsteen on Broadway became New York theatre's hottest ticket - and most expensive.  Rapturous reviews greeted The Boss' Broadway debut, with most critics marveling at

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Categories: News Formats: CD, Vinyl Genre: Cast Recordings, Classic Rock, Rock Tags: Bruce Springsteen

Visions of Paradise: Moody Blues' "In Search of the Lost Chord" Box Set Coming on Friday

November 1, 2018 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

Moody Blues In Search of the Lost Chord Cover

Following last year's 2CD/DVD reissue of The Moody Blues' 1967 sophomore album Days of Future Passed, UMe is going even more deluxe for the Moodies' next album, 1968's In Search of the Lost Chord.  Tomorrow, November 2, the label will reissue that seminal classic as a 3CD/2DVD box comprising alternate mixes, previously unreleased tracks, and more. Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas, Justin Hayward, John Lodge, and Graeme Edge, working with producer Tony Clarke, constructed In Search of the Lost Chord

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, CD, DVD, DVD-Audio, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Pop Tags: The Moody Blues

Review: "Stax '68: A Memphis Story"

October 29, 2018 By Joe Marchese 2 Comments

Stax 68 A Memphis Story

Otis Redding's "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay," the first Stax single of 1968, should have been a new beginning for the artist and label.  Instead, the posthumous release ushered in a tumultuous year for the Memphis institution.  The death of Redding and members of The Bar-Kays on December 10, 1967 was a tremendous loss for Stax and popular culture, but no one could have predicted the upheaval that would affect Stax and the city of Memphis in the following twelve months.  That time has just

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Categories: Reviews Formats: Box Sets, CD Genre: R&B/Soul Tags: Albert King, Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Sam and Dave, The Staple Singers, Various Artists, William Bell

Say a Little Prayer: Steve Tyrell Expands "Back to Bacharach" For Tenth Anniversary

October 29, 2018 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

Steve Tyrell Back to Bacharach Expanded

Long before he was serenading fans with his expressive, distinctively smoky voice as a modern-day crooner, Steve Tyrell was moving and shaking behind the scenes at Scepter Records.  When not producing singles for Maxine Brown, The Shirelles, Chuck Jackson, or B.J. Thomas, he was working in A&R and promotions alongside Scepter's superstar "triangle marriage" team of Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, and Hal David.  In 2008, with six solo albums then under his belt, Tyrell returned to his roots

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Categories: News Formats: CD Genre: Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal Tags: Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, Herb Alpert, James Taylor, Martina McBride, Patti Austin, Rod Stewart, Steve Tyrell

Good News: Cherry Red, SoulMusic Collect Staple Singers' Epic Years on "For What It's Worth"

October 25, 2018 By Joe Marchese 1 Comment

Staple Singers For What Its Worth

Stop, children, what's that sound?  For nearly half a century, the sound of The Staple Singers was one of tremendous power.  Roebuck "Pops" Staples, daughters Cleotha, Mavis, and (sometimes) Yvonne, and son Pervis raised their voices in song to celebrate the Lord, but also to fight for civil rights and espouse messages of positivity and resilience to listeners worldwide.  At Epic Records, the group transitioned from pure gospel and blues to soul and R&B - a move that would take them to the

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, CD Genre: Folk, Gospel, R&B/Soul Tags: The Staple Singers

Contante & Sonante Celebrates Late Warren Wiebe with Rare Demos From Burt Bacharach, David Foster, More

October 24, 2018 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

Warren Wiebe Original Demos

Talk about a well-kept secret... Throughout his too-short life, vocalist Warren Wiebe (1953-1998) never became a household name.  Yet he was highly successful.  As a background singer, he graced recordings by Johnny Mathis, Paul Anka, Taylor Dayne, and Air Supply.  A true songwriter's singer - able to convey the heart and soul of a song without resorting to self-indulgence - he earned the respect and admiration of a "Who's Who" of songwriters who enlisted him to introduce their songs on

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Categories: News, Reviews Formats: CD Genre: Pop Tags: Burt Bacharach, David Foster, Guy Thomas, Shaun Murphy, Steve Dorff, Tim Feehan, Tom Snow, Tonio K., Warren Wiebe

If I Can Dream: Elvis' Comeback Special Receives Box Set Treatment For 50th Anniversary

October 23, 2018 By Joe Marchese 11 Comments

Elvis Presley 68 Comeback Special 50th

On December 3, 1968, Elvis Presley electrified television audiences with the self-titled special that would come to be known, simply, as The Comeback Special.  Nearly fifty years later, it remains the epitome of his artistry during a period when some would have written him off.  At the time of the NBC-TV broadcast, his most recent single ("Guitar Man") had failed to crack the top 40.  He hadn't had a chart-topper since "Good Luck Charm" in 1962.  He hadn't appeared live onstage since a benefit

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Categories: News Formats: Blu-Ray, Box Sets, CD Genre: Classic Rock, Pop, Rock Tags: Elvis Presley

On Blue Bayou: Royal Philharmonic Re-Teams With Roy Orbison On "Unchained Melodies"

October 22, 2018 By Joe Marchese 4 Comments

Roy Orbison Unchained Melodies

Last November, the late Roy Orbison followed in the footsteps of his fellow Sun alumnus Elvis Presley when his original recordings were given the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra treatment on the set entitled A Love So Beautiful.  On November 16, a little over a year after that successful release, the Orchestra has returned to the Orbison songbook with an all-new collection.  Unchained Melodies: Roy Orbison with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra presents another 15 selections from the famously

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Categories: News Formats: CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Pop, Rock Tags: Roy Orbison

Bip Bop: Paul McCartney's Archive Collection Rolls On with Deluxe "Wild Life," "Red Rose Speedway"

October 19, 2018 By Joe Marchese 11 Comments

Paul McCartney and Wings Red Rose Speedway

2018 has delivered an embarrassment of riches for Beatle fans, including the Ultimate Mixes of John Lennon's Imagine, Paul McCartney's new album Egypt Station, and soon, the super deluxe anniversary box set of The Beatles, a.k.a. The White Album.  Today, McCartney upped the ante further with the announcement of not one, but two, new box sets in his ongoing Archive Collection series.  On December 7, Macca will release deluxe, expanded editions of his first two albums with Wings: 1971's Wild Life

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Categories: News Formats: Blu-Ray, Box Sets, CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, DVD, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Pop Tags: Paul McCartney, Wings

Rush Revisits "Hemispheres" For 40th Anniversary In Multiple Formats

October 18, 2018 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

Rush Hemispheres

The 1978 album Hemispheres from Canadian rock heroes Rush celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and UMe/Anthem is not letting the occasion go unnoticed.  The classic LP is being reissued on November 16 in a variety of formats including a 2CD/1BD/3LP Super Deluxe Edition, standalone 3LP and 2CD Deluxe Editions, and a Deluxe Digital Edition. Hemispheres, Rush's sixth studio album, followed A Farewell to Kings, the band's U.K. breakthrough.  Recorded at Rockfield Studios with engineer Terry

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Categories: News Formats: Blu-Ray, Box Sets, CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock Tags: Rush

How The Story Goes: Cherry Red Collects REO Speedwagon's "Early Years" On New Box Set

October 17, 2018 By Joe Marchese 3 Comments

REO Speedwagon Early Years

When "Keep on Loving You" reached the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980, some listeners could be forgiven for thinking that REO Speedwagon came out of nowhere.  Prior to that seminal power ballad, the Illinois-formed band had never attained a chart position higher than No. 56 ("Time for Me to Fly," 1978).  When the success of "Take It on the Run" (No. 5) quickly followed, it was clear that REO Speedwagon was here to stay.  But their success was hard-earned, and their catalogue already

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, CD Genre: Classic Rock Tags: REO Speedwagon

Lady Soul: Rhino Compiles Aretha Franklin's "The Atlantic Records 1960s Collection," Reissues "This Christmas"

October 16, 2018 By Joe Marchese 4 Comments

Aretha Franklin Atlantic Records 1960s Collection

The legacy of Aretha Franklin lives on, with today bringing announcements of a new pair of releases plus a special digital Christmas single from the forever Queen of Soul. On December 7, Rhino/Atlantic will issue a new vinyl box set.  The Atlantic Records 1960s Collection presents Franklin's first five Atlantic studio albums, plus a bonus LP with 11 demos and outtakes that are making their vinyl debut. Limited to 5,000 copies, the box features each album pressed on 140-gram vinyl and

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Categories: News Formats: Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl Genre: Holiday, Pop, R&B/Soul Tags: Aretha Franklin

Rare Power: Legacy Announces Record Store Day Black Friday Slate with Hendrix, Byrds, Joan Jett, More

October 15, 2018 By Joe Marchese 1 Comment

Joan Jett Bad Reputation

Seven is Legacy Recordings' lucky number for this Black Friday's annual Record Store Day event.  On November 23, the label will release seven titles on limited edition vinyl in a variety of genres reflecting the diversity of the Sony vaults. The offerings are highlighted by an EP of mono mixes from Jimi Hendrix; the vinyl debut of the Legacy Edition of The Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo, coinciding with Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman's current tour celebrating the album; and more vinyl

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Categories: News Formats: Vinyl Genre: Blues, Classic Rock, Country, Pop, Rap/Hip-Hop, Rock Tags: Iggy and the Stooges, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Jett, Muddy Waters, Outkast, Rage Against the Machine, The Byrds

Elvis Costello Deftly Blends Present and Past on "Look Now"

October 15, 2018 By Joe Marchese 4 Comments

Elvis Costello Look Now

Among the credits for Elvis Costello and The Imposters' Look Now is a simple acknowledgment: In Memphis - Mary Isobel O'Brien.  The onetime Ms. O'Brien, of course, is better known as Dusty Springfield, and the credit from Declan MacManus and his band makes clear the inspiration for this stunning assemblage of what the artist, correctly, deems "uptown pop." Dusty in Memphis is one of the benchmarks of that style: pop with a dash of soul, or is it soul with a dash of pop?  It doesn't hurt that

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Categories: Reviews Formats: CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl Genre: Pop, Rock Tags: Burt Bacharach, Carole King, Elvis Costello

Brooklyn Roads: Neil Diamond Looks Back with 50th Anniversary Box of Hits and Unreleased Songs

October 12, 2018 By Joe Marchese 11 Comments

Neil Diamond 50th Collectors Edition

Earlier this year, Neil Diamond was honored with the Grammys' Lifetime Achievement Award. The superstar then made a triumphant return to the stage on July 14 at the Dolby Theatre, sharing a duet with Micky Dolenz on his immortal "I'm a Believer" for the Grammy Salute to Music Legends event. It was a rare and thrilling return to the stage for Diamond following his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease. Now, while he's still promising to keep making music, the singer-songwriter is looking back on his

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, CD Genre: Classic Rock, Pop Tags: Neil Diamond

Big Wheel Keep On Turnin': Creedence Clearwater Revival's Complete Albums Get Half-Speed Mastered For New Box Set

October 11, 2018 By Joe Marchese 3 Comments

CCR Studio Albums Box Cover

50 years ago, John Fogerty, Tom Fogerty, Doug Clifford, and Stu Cook released their first album together as Creedence Clearwater Revival, providing the perfect soundtrack for a tumultuous period in American history.  Over just seven albums issued between 1968 and 1972, the band's rootsy rock-and-roll sensibility yielded such all-time classic hits as "Proud Mary," "Bad Moon Rising," "Green River," "Down on the Corner," "Who'll Stop the Rain," and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain."  To celebrate the

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Pop Tags: Creedence Clearwater Revival

Review: Ramones, "Road to Ruin: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition"

October 10, 2018 By Joe Marchese 2 Comments

Ramones Road to Ruin

The Ramones entered New York's Mediasound Studios in May 1978 with their mission clearly laid out: to achieve radio airplay and mainstream success without sacrificing their punk values.  It wasn't such a far-fetched idea; a love of '60s pop had been ingrained in the band since their debut.  For their fourth album, Road to Ruin, the band would continue on the path blazed on 1977's Rocket to Russia with stronger playing, stronger production, stronger songwriting, bigger hooks, and more varied

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, CD, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Rock Tags: Ramones

Anyone Can Play: Capitol Serves Up 18 Unreleased Tracks on "Glen Campbell Sings For The King"

October 10, 2018 By Joe Marchese 3 Comments

Glen Campbell Sings for The King

This morning, Capitol Records and UMe announced a title that unites two late titans of song.  Glen Campbell Sings for The King arrives on November 16, premiering never-before-released recordings made by Campbell for his friend Presley.  It will be released on CD, LP, digitally, and as a limited edition, 180-gram clear vinyl edition available exclusively at the artist's website. Between 1964 and 1968, Glen was engaged by the songwriting team of Ben Weisman and Sid Wayne to record

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Categories: News Formats: CD, Digital Download, Digital Streaming, Vinyl Genre: Country, Pop Tags: Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell

Record Store Day Black Friday Round-Up: Craft Recordings Unveils Slate of Rock, R&B, Jazz and More

October 9, 2018 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

Collective Soul Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid

Craft Recordings is contributing to the annual Record Store Day Black Friday event, to be held this year on Friday, November 23, with six limited edition vinyl releases.  These include the first-ever vinyl pressings of Collective Soul's smash 1993 debut, Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid, and Violent Femmes' 2005 best-of collection, Permanent Record: The Very Best of Violent Femmes. The label also has a reissue of the self-titled debut from Butch Trucks' pre-Allman Brothers Band group,

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Categories: News Formats: Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Jazz, Pop, R&B/Soul, Rock Tags: Butch Trucks, Collective Soul, Record Store Day, Violent Femmes

Record Store Day Black Friday Round-Up: Run Out Groove Preps Two Limited Edition Releases

October 9, 2018 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

Type O Negative Bloody Kisses

Today is the final day for pre-orders of Run Out Groove's next title: an expanded vinyl edition of Secret Machines' Ten Silver Drops.  Similarly, polls close today for voting on the label's next release.  Will it be an expanded edition of the eponymous album from sixties prog-rockers Ars Nova, the vinyl premiere of Victoria Williams' Water to Drink, or a brand-new rarities collection from Devo?  The choice is yours!  Visit Run Out Groove's website today to place those orders and make those

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Categories: News Formats: Vinyl Genre: Jazz, Rock Tags: Dexter Gordon, Record Store Day, Type O Negative

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