Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week's lineup includes something for everyone: pop, rock, hip-hop, classic vocals, country, cast recordings, and more! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Howard Jones, Celebrating Together (The 40th Anniversary EP) (Cherry Red) (iTunes / Amazon) Cherry Red continues its long association with Howard Jones (whose
Freak Out in a Moonage Daydream: 'Rock 'N' Roll Star!' Box Chronicles David Bowie's Birth of Ziggy Stardust
Rock 'n' Roll Star! That's the title of the new box set coming on June 14 from David Bowie - and the late artist certainly qualifies. This new 5CD/1Blu-ray collection follows 2019's Conversation Piece (which shed light on the 1968-1969 David Bowie/Space Oddity era) and 2022's Divine Symmetry (which chronicled the twelve months leading up to December 1971's release of Hunky Dory). Rock 'n' Roll Star! takes an in-depth look at Bowie's path to The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders
Release Round-Up: Week of March 22
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Chaka Khan, Chaka (Warner/Rhino) CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Barnes & Noble Chaka Khan announced her solo freedom with "I'm Every Woman," the euphoric opening track on 1978's Chaka. At 25 years old, Khan was already a veteran of the funk-rock band Rufus with
Younger Than Springtime: Light in the Attic Reissues Pete Jolly's A&M Classic "Seasons"
Pianist/organist/accordionist Pete Jolly (1932-2004), born Peter Ceragioli, Jr., made his debut as a leader in 1955 on the RCA label. After moves to labels including Liberty and Columbia, Jolly landed at A&M Records in 1968. Co-founder Herb Alpert - the A in A&M - personally produced or co-produced all three of Jolly's long-players for the Hollywood label. Songs by A&M mainstays such as Roger Nichols, Burt Bacharach, and Antonio Carlos Jobim populated the albums. The third of
Lark Day: Lainie Kazan's 1966-1968 MGM Albums Arrive on Digital Platforms
Here at TSD HQ, we're so excited that the legendary Lainie Kazan's four original MGM Records studio albums have been made available for the first time in almost 60 years that we just couldn't wait for The Weekend Stream! While Lainie may be best known today for her roles in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding film series, My Favorite Year, or television's The Nanny, this quartet of albums from 1966-1968 showcases the stage and screen veteran's indelible artistry as one of popular music's most
No Regrets: Stage Door Premieres Libby Morris' "Edith Piaf, Je Vous Aime..." on CD
The life of French chanteuse Edith Piaf (1915-1963) has been dramatized on stage and screen numerous times over the years, from Pam Gems' play Piaf (productions of which have starred Jane Lapotaire, Elaine Paige, Elena Roger, and Caroline O'Connor) to writer-director Olivier Dahan's film La Vie en Rose (starring Marion Cotillard). This Friday, March 22, Stage Door Records will reissue a well-received Piaf tribute for the very first time on CD. Edith Piaf, Je Vous Aime..., devised and produced
Under Pressure: "Queen Rock Montreal" Arrives on CD, LP, 4K in May
Queen's electrifying 1981 Montreal concert is returning on May 10 in a variety of formats. Queen Rock Montreal, recently released to IMAX cinemas, will arrive in 2CD; 3LP black vinyl; Queen Store-exclusive 3LP transparent blue vinyl; and double 4K UHD and Blu-ray editions from EMI and Hollywood Records (audio) and Mercury Studios (video). Queen Rock Montreal was shot at the 18,000-capacity Montreal Forum on November 24 and November 25, 1981 as Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and
The Weekend Stream: March 16, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week's lineup includes vault rarities from a legendary songstress; remixes of a pop/R&B classic to get you moving on your Peloton; vintage country; and more! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Bruce Springsteen, The Live Series: Songs of Celebration (Columbia/Legacy) (iTunes / Amazon) The title says it all:
Release Round-Up: Week of March 15
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Paul Young, No Parlez: 40th Anniversary Edition (Edsel) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) Edsel revisits Paul Young's 1983 debut LP in a 2CD deluxe gatefold edition. The first disc features the original LP while the second disc has 14 bonus cuts including 7- and 12-inch single versions and remixes. Barbara
Tighten Up: Robinsongs Chronicles Archie Bell & The Drells' Atlantic and PIR Years in New Box
"Hi, everybody! I'm Archie Bell of The Drells, of Houston, Texas!" Archie Bell let the world know exactly who he was as he led his group through the "Tighten Up," his 1968 Pop and R&B chart-topping dance record. He explained to author Fred Bronson that the decision to introduce himself was in response to an unkind remark that "nothing good ever came out of Texas." Bell was determined to prove that the comment was wrong - and prove it, he certainly did. Cherry Red's Robinsongs imprint
Have You Ever Been in Love: Omnivore Reissues Rare Recordings from The Stylistics, Doris Troy
Omnivore Recordings is celebrating legends of soul with a pair of two new releases. In just three albums recorded between 1971 and 1973, The Stylistics - a.k.a. lead singer Russell Thompkins, Jr., Airrion Love, Herb Murrell, James Dunn, and James Smith - positioned themselves at the vanguard of Philadelphia soul, introducing future pop and R&B standards such as "You Are Everything," "People Make the World Go Round" and "You Make Me Feel Brand New" with multi-hyphenate Thom Bell (serving
In Memoriam: Eric Carmen (1949-2024)
Here at The Second Disc, we're shocked and saddened by the passing of Eric Carmen at the age of 74. With The Raspberries and such indelible songs as "Go All the Way," "Let's Pretend," and "I Wanna Be with You," Carmen gave powerful voice to young love and lust; as a solo artist, he brought classical flourishes to the pop chart with "All by Myself" and "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again." He went on to define the '80s as much as he had the '70s with such enduring hits as "Hungry Eyes" and "Make Me
Flesh for Fantasy: Billy Idol Expands 'Rebel Yell' with Unreleased Demos and Outtakes
Hot off the heels of last year's expansion of Billy Idol's self-titled album, the blonde icon is at it again with a 2CD/2LP edition of 1983's Rebel Yell. Available April 26, the deluxe Rebel Yell will pair the original U.S. Top 10 album - which spawned the hit "Eyes Without a Face" and beloved singles "Rebel Yell," "Flesh for Fantasy" and "Catch My Fall" - with a bonus disc featuring seven unreleased demos and outtakes, a modern remix of one track, and on the CD, an assortment of additional
The Weekend Stream: March 9, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week's lineup includes a solo rarity from a beloved songwriter; remixes from a legendary diva; and more! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Madonna, I'll Remember EP (Warner/Rhino) (iTunes / Amazon) Madonna's 1994 hit ballad from the film With Honors, co-written with Richard Page and Patrick Leonard, anchors
In Memoriam: Steve Lawrence (1935-2024)
I can't remember when I first heard the voice of Steve Lawrence - or, for that matter, which voice of Steve Lawrence I first heard. Maybe it was as a child, spinning my mom's old Columbia 45 of "Go Away, Little Girl," the 1962 smash written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin and sung by a smitten young man, his voice sweetly tender. Perhaps it was a few years later as I discovered the original cast recording of Golden Rainbow, a quintessentially brassy, swingin' '60s musical in which Steve (a few
Release Round-Up: Week of March 8
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The Rolling Stones, Live at The Wiltern (Mercury Studios) 2CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 3LP (Amazon Exclusive Black and Bronze Swirl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 3LP Black Vinyl: Amazon
The Need for Speed: La-La Land Debuts Harold Faltermeyer's Score to 'Top Gun'
La-La Land Records continues its hot streak with an expanded score and soundtrack release of one of the biggest blockbusters of the '80s: Harold Faltermeyer's score to the 1986 action classic Top Gun. The 2CD set, limited to 5000 copies, features Faltermeyer's complete, electronic-infused score to Tony Scott's film about a squadron of Navy pilots training in an elite program colloquially known as - you guessed it - Top Gun. Tom Cruise stars as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a talented but reckless
Get Ready: SoulMusic, The Second Disc Reissue Four Late-Period Smokey Robinson and The Miracles Albums
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles became Motown Records' first superstars when the group's 1960 single "Shop Around" ascended to No. 1 on both the Billboard R&B and Cash Box Pop charts and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Motown's first million-selling song, "Shop Around" set the stage for a remarkable string of hits for William "Smokey" Robinson, his wife Claudette, her cousin Bobby, and friends Ronnie White, Pete Moore, and guitarist/honorary Miracle Marv Tarplin. Their recording reign
Rock of Ages: Def Leppard Celebrate 40 Years of 'Pyromania' with New Box Set
Def Leppard's third studio album, 1983's commercial breakthrough Pyromania, is returning from Bludgeon Riffola/UMe (U.S.)/UMR (U.K.) on April 26 in a variety of formats including a 4CD/1Blu-ray Super Deluxe Edition, 2LP and 2CD expanded remasters, and a 1LP half-speed master of the original album. Produced by Mutt Lange, Pyromania broadened the British band's metal sound by embracing a radio-friendly sheen and big, anthemic choruses. Guitarist Pete Willis had already completed recording
Living Proof: Bruce Springsteen to Release New Career-Spanning 'Best Of'
In late 2021, Sony Music announced the acquisition of Bruce Springsteen's entire recorded music and songwriting catalogues in a deal valued by The New York Times as an estimated $550 million. Since then, The Boss has released one new studio album (2022's Only the Strong Survive, reported to be the first volume in a series of R&B covers albums) but no archival projects have emerged. On April 19, Sony will release the first domestic "best-of" compilation for the artist since 2009's Greatest
The Weekend Stream: March 2, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles making digital debuts. This week's lineup includes a solo rarity from a famous lyricist; a celebration of one of music's most famous duos; classic hip-hop; vintage vocals; and more! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Bernie Taupin, Tribe (iTunes / Amazon) Though best-known as Elton John's primary lyrical collaborator, Bernie Taupin released three solo albums (as
Craft Recordings Jazz Round-Up: Label Reissues Titles from Joe Henderson, Ron Carter, Art Pepper, Cannonball Adderley and Bill Evans, More
As 2024 unfolds, it's clear that Craft Recordings is one major destination for jazz. The label's various imprints have readied a number of titles due over the next couple of months from such luminaries as Joe Henderson, Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley, Ron Carter, and many others. Here's a rundown of what's on the schedule! Out March 15 from Jazz Dispensary is an all-analog reissue from tenor saxophone great Joe Henderson (1937-2001). The 1969 classic Power to the People blended hard
Release Round-Up: Week of March 1
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The Who, Live at Shea Stadium 1982 (Mercury Studios) 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada The Who's October 13, 1982 concert at Shea Stadium, the now-demolished, longtime home of the New York Mets, was released on DVD and standard-definition Blu-ray back in 2015. Now,
We Can Make It Together: Real Gone's March Line-Up Includes Steve and Eydie, Hardline, Spineshank, The Donnas, and Fanny
Real Gone again has a wide variety on tap for its March line-up on CD and vinyl. You'll find pop, rock, and heavy metal from the 1950s through the early 2000s in this slate of releases. All of these titles will be available tomorrow, March 1. Last December, a PBS special debuted devoted to the careers and legacy of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. Hosted by their son, David Lawrence, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme: Memories of My Mom and Dad traced the music of the duo over the decades with
Crazy (Over You): Esoteric Expands "Baby James Harvest" With New Stereo and Surround Mixes, More
Esoteric Recordings' refresh of the Barclay James Harvest catalogue has seen deluxe expansions of most of the prog-rock heroes' classic-era albums. In fall 2023, Esoteric got around to the band's fourth and final album for EMI's Harvest Records. 1972's Baby James Harvest, often considered a weak link in a strong run of LPs, can now be reevaluated in a 4CD/1Blu-ray edition containing the remastered original stereo mix; a new stereo mix; copious bonus tracks; a full concert in mono and stereo;