La-La Land Records has three killer early ’90s score expansions on their release schedule this month – and there’s another much-desired title from the ’80s also available to order from the label! First up, La-La Land readies a new remastered and expanded edition of John Williams’ classic score to Jurassic Park. Steven Spielberg’s thrilling adaptation of Michael Crichton’s novel – an action-packed sci-fi flick about a theme park full of cloned dinosaurs that invariably goes wrong – is a modern classic. In addition to a dazzling, Oscar-winning blend of animatronic life-size dinosaurs…
Release Round-Up: Week of July 1
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up featuring a selection of the new titles in stores today! Liza Minnelli, Live in New York 1979 (Second Disc Records/Real Gone Music) 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music 3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music Liza Minnelli’s remarkable album of her record-breaking 1979 Carnegie Hall stand receives its first-ever release to wide retail in two distinctive editions from Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music, both of which are adorned with Andy Warhol’s suitable-for-framing portrait of the artist. Live in New York 1979: The Ultimate Edition will be available…
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Say A Little Prayer: Real Gone’s July 1 Slate Includes Melvin Van Peebles’ “Watermelon Man,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding” Soundtrack, and Two Rock Rarities
Real Gone Music is kicking off its summer slate with another batch of eclectic titles. Tomorrow, Real Gone and Second Disc Records release Liza Minnelli’s Live in New York 1979 on CD and vinyl as well as the soundtrack to Melvin Van Peebles’ groundbreaking comedy Watermelon Man. But that’s not all. Real Gone also has another soundtrack and two hard rock LPs coming your way. First, a refresher on Watermelon Man. In an extraordinary career spanning seven decades, director and “godfather of black cinema” Melvin Van Peebles (1932-2021) only made one studio…
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: Original Soundtrack Recording
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Pumpkin-Shaped LP: Craft Recordings Pumpkin Patch Splatter LP: Craft Recordings Thanks to a new tape discovery, Craft Recordings is able to present the first true, complete soundtrack to It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! The Emmy-nominated 1966 television special was the third overall for Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts series and the second to be holiday-themed, after A Charlie Brown Christmas. Upon its October 27, 1966 premiere, it earned a whopping 49 share in the ratings and was so successful that CBS re-aired it every year through 2000,…
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Intrada’s Spell is Cast with New Expansion of James Horner’s ‘Willow’ Score
Intrada’s newest archival soundtrack release is an exciting one for fans of the late, great James Horner: the label has remastered and expanded his heroic and timeless work for the 1988 fantasy epic Willow. Sort of a Lord of the Rings for beginners (parts were even shot in New Zealand), Willow takes place in a lush fantasy world ruled by the merciless sorceress Bavmorda. She seeks to stop a prophecy that promises her defeat at the hands of Elora Danaan, the infant Princess of Tir Asleen. The baby ends up in the…
Release Round-Up: Week of June 17
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up featuring a selection of the week’s new titles! The Beach Boys, Sounds of Summer: The Very Best of The Beach Boys – Expanded Edition (Capitol/UMe) 3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 6LP Standard: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 1CD (contains CD 1 only): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2LP Standard: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada All Formats (including 2LP and 6LP exclusives): The Beach Boys Official Store Sounds of Summer: The Very Best of The Beach Boys was originally issued in 2003, peaking within the top 20 of the Billboard 200 and remaining on the charts for 104…
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Presumed Excellent: Two Underrated John Williams Scores Get Expanded
For fans of John Williams, the legendary composer’s 90th birthday has marked a fruitful year. A live concert from Berlin recorded in 2021 was released to considerable acclaim, and two studio albums have since followed: A Gathering of Friends, reuniting the composer with cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the New York Philharmonic; and the new Violin Concerto No. 2 and Selected Film Themes, a concert hall collaboration with violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. He’ll next be heard on screen scoring The Fabelmans, a long-awaited semi-autobiographical drama co-written and directed by longtime collaborator Steven Spielberg, and…
It’s a New Release, Charlie Brown! “Great Pumpkin” Arrives on CD, LP From Original Session Masters
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! The Emmy-nominated 1966 television special was the third overall for Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts series and the second to be holiday-themed, after A Charlie Brown Christmas. Upon its October 27, 1966 premiere, it earned a whopping 49 share in the ratings and was so successful that CBS re-aired it every year through 2000, with ABC picking up the tradition after that. Yet despite a beloved score by Vince Guaraldi (who else?), a soundtrack album to Great Pumpkin was never released in any audio format until 2018. …
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The Weekend Stream: June 11, 2022
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! From buckets of EPs by Portishead and the Black Crowes to a deep dive on Judy Garland, you’ll find much to listen to and love. Judy Garland, Recordings from the M-G-M Films (Motion Picture Soundtrack Anthology) (WaterTower) (Apple Music / Amazon) There’s plenty of celebrating the late, great Judy Garland’s centennial this month (her date of birth was yesterday, June 10) –…
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Judy at 100: Garland Centennial Celebrated by Universal Japan and Hit Parade Records; Special Concert Happening THIS WEEKEND in NYC!
Friday, June 10, marks the 100th birthday of Judy Garland. Though the superstar died on June 22, 1969, her legacy burns brighter than ever today. In honor of the Garland centennial, and of Pride Month 2022, a number of releases will soon become available. A very special event is also happening this Sunday, June 5, in New York City. Universal Japan is celebrating Garland’s discography at Capitol Records with a series of ten reissues in the UHQCD format (playable in all CD players) coming on June 8. Judy made her album debut…
Watermelon Man: Music from the Original Soundtrack
Watermelon Skin Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music America Swirl Vinyl: Real Gone Music Color Variant: Barnes & Noble Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records are returning Melvin Van Peebles’ score to his groundbreaking 1970 comedy Watermelon Man back into print for the first time in more than five decades. Watermelon Man shattered conventions with its bitingly satirical story about a white couple, intolerant and obnoxious insurance salesman Jeff Gerber (Godfrey Cambridge) and his seemingly liberal wife Althea (Estelle Parsons). One morning, Jeff awakens to discover that his skin color has changed from…
Love, That’s America: Real Gone, Second Disc Reissue Melvin Van Peebles’ “Watermelon Man” Soundtrack
In an extraordinary career spanning seven decades, director and “godfather of black cinema” Melvin Van Peebles (1932-2021) only made one studio film. 1970’s Watermelon Man shattered conventions with its bitingly satirical story about a white couple, intolerant and obnoxious insurance salesman Jeff Gerber (Godfrey Cambridge) and his seemingly liberal wife Althea (Estelle Parsons). One morning, Jeff awakens to discover that his skin color has changed from white to black-and it’s not a result of his daily tanning routine. Unable to successfully change back, he learns what it’s like to live in America…
The Weekend Stream: May 28, 2022
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 features digital debuts from a country legend, a new theme from a galaxy far, far away and some 21st century hip-hop for your consideration. Roger Miller, A Trip in the Country / Making a Name for Myself / Roger Miller (Capitol Nashville/UMe) A Trip: iTunes / Amazon Making: iTunes / Amazon Miller: iTunes / Amazon A digital rollout big enough…
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The Weekend Stream: May 21, 2022
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! Some classic compilations, a Who-related soundtrack and a posthumous Notorious B.I.G. appearance are all part of the experience this week. Various Artists, The Sound of the R&B Hits (Motown) Original: iTunes / Amazon Deluxe: iTunes / Amazon As a new wave of British rockers from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones and more took the world by storm with their groundbreaking spin on…
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Release Round-Up: Week of May 20
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of titles arriving everywhere today. The Clash, Combat Rock + The People’s Hall: Special Edition (Columbia/Legacy) 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Ranking Roger 7″: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Legacy Recordings will release a 2CD or 3LP expansion of The Clash’s Combat Rock for its 40th anniversary. The album comes with a bonus disc of 12 rare and unreleased tracks curated by the band’s surviving members. The People’s Hall – the…
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Hooray for Hollywood: New Box Set Celebrates 100 Years of The Hollywood Bowl with Sinatra, Bernstein, Doors, Newman, Dudamel, More
2022 marks 100 years of The Hollywood Bowl. The famous amphitheater nestled in the Hollywood hills has hosted luminaries of every genre of music from classical to rock in its instantly familiar bandshell (actually two bandshells, as the first one from 1929 was demolished in 2003 and replaced with a larger model). The Bowl has been featured in movies including the original A Star Is Born, Double Indemnity, Xanadu, and Beaches and cartoons starring Bugs Bunny, Tom and Jerry, and The Pink Panther. Now, its resident orchestra – the prestigious L.A. Philharmonic…
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Long Promised Road: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Lakeshore Records premieres on CD the soundtrack to director Brent Wilson’s acclaimed 2021 documentary about Brian Wilson (no relation). Long Promised Road features 12 previously unreleased tracks including the Carl Wilson-penned title track, the Brian Wilson/Jim James co-write “Right Where I Belong,” a rollicking revival of the Bob Merrill classic “Honeycomb,” and a number of rare tunes recorded in the 1990s by Brian with Andy Paley.
Diamonds Are Forever: Ace Collects Prime John Barry on “The More Things Change”
Ready When You Are, J.B.! John Barry (1933-2011) made his debut as a solo artist for CBS Records with the 1970 album subtitled “John Barry Plays His Great Movie Hits.” The composer and former leader of The John Barry Seven had long been associated with CBS, with the label having released the original cast recording of his West End musical Passion Flower Hotel; soundtrack albums to such films as The Ipcress File, The Chase, The Quiller Memorandum, and The Lion in Winter (for which Barry won an Academy Award); and numerous singles…
Release Round-Up: Week of May 6
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles out today including a very special pair from Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music! Melissa Manchester, Live ’77 (Second Disc Records/Real Gone Music) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music) Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music proudly present the premiere release of Melissa Manchester’s Live ’77, recorded by Arista Records in October 1977 at Gainesville, Florida’s Great Southern Music Hall but unreleased until now! The 21 songs on Live ’77 – the singer-songwriter’s very first live album – include Manchester’s hits…
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The Weekend Stream: April 30, 2022
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’s got live favorites from The Boss, a Record Store Day rarity, a ’90s tribute album to some rock legends and much more. Bruce Springsteen, The Live Series: Songs of Location (Columbia/Legacy) (Apple Music / Amazon) The Thrill Hill Archives have occasionally made some themed Bruce Springsteen playlists available to stream, drawn from various live archival releases issued through Nugs.net. The…
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Release Round-Up: Week of April 29
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of today’s new releases! Neil Young, Official Release Series Volume 4 (Reprise) CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada LP: Greedy Hand Store A new box set brings together three of Neil Young’s ’80s albums, along with a rare EP making its widest release yet. Official Release Series Volume 4 runs the gamut of Young’s eclectic output in the ’80s – likely because it only covers his releases on his longtime home base of Reprise Records. (From 1982 to 1987, Young signed instead to Geffen Records.) The ’80s were a…
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Right Where He Belongs: Brian Wilson’s “Long Promised Road” Soundtrack Comes to CD in June
Long Promised Road, director Brent Wilson’s 2021 documentary film about Beach Boys visionary Brian Wilson (no relation) was described by Variety as “affectionate and satisfying…sentimental at times but often stirringly insightful.” The Hollywood Reporter called it “a portrait of friendship and love as much as it’s about music.” American Songwriter noted that it was “flush with pathos and poignancy…a remarkable documentary that is, at once, both heartbreaking and heartwarming.” By chronicling Brian’s candid conversations while driving through southern California with his friend Jason Fine, the filmmaker vividly examined past and present as…
The Weekend Stream: April 23, 2022
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! Return from your Record Store Day binge and kick back with some exciting finds, from charity rarities to new mixes of old favorites and even a surprising soundtrack find or two! Various Artists, EarthPercent Earth Day Initiative (Bandcamp) Though Bandcamp Friday is back in two weeks, the beloved digital service has partnered with EarthPercent, a charity aiming to connect musicians with meaningful…
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Sheryl: Music from the Feature Documentary
A&M/UMe has a companion album to the documentary Sheryl about the life and career of Sheryl Crow. The film premiered earlier this year at South by Southwest and airs on Showtime beginning May 6. The Sheryl soundtrack features singles and deep cuts drawn mostly from Threads and her first four studio albums for A&M, plus country-flavored albums Detours (2008) and Be Myself (2017), several live tracks (including duets with Sarah McLachlan and Jason Isbell) and three brand-new songs: “Forever,” “Still the Same” and “Live with Me.”
The Weekend Stream: April 16, 2022
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! Ben Folds, It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown (Apple TV+ Original Soundtrack) (Peanuts Productions) (iTunes) Ben Folds has been sort of quiet lately. While the piano-pounding alt-rocker has been livestreaming and podcasting along with being an advocate for orchestras in recent years, he’s only released a handful of singles since 2015’s So There, a collaboration with chamber-pop ensemble yMusic. But that’s about…
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