Review: David Bowie, "Rock 'N' Roll Star"

By Joe Marchese | June 18, 2024 | 5 Comments

"So Long, '60s," David Bowie proclaims on the first track of the new 5CD/1BD Parlophone box set Rock 'N' Roll Star.  Strumming his 12-string at a San Francisco Holiday Inn, the future superstar was embracing the new decade and its immense possibilities: "I'll kick you in the ass, you rascal, you!"  Its verse melody and […]

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Country Survivor: Iconoclassic Preps Another Unreleased Jimi Jamison Album, in a Different Genre

By Mike Duquette | June 18, 2024 | 2 Comments

Iconoclassic Records will celebrate the life of former Survivor and melodic rock singer Jimi Jamison with its second release of previously unreleased material this summer: a country-flavored recording from 2007, entitled Jimmy Wayne Jamison. For much of rock band Survivor's tenure - particularly a stellar run from 1984 to 1989 - Jimi Jamison was its voice: […]

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Promised Land: 'Memphis' Box Set Celebrates Elvis' Connection to a Legendary Rock City

By Mike Duquette | June 17, 2024 | 7 Comments

On July 18, 1953, an 18-year-old truck driver from Tupelo, Mississippi named Elvis Presley walked into the Memphis Recording Service at Sun Records. He paid $3.98 to record a double-sided acetate, allegedly a belated birthday gift for his mother. Thus began not only an incredible singing career that changed the edifices of popular music, but […]

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Road to 'Sugarland': La-La Land Records Premieres John Williams' First Score for a Steven Spielberg Film

By Mike Duquette | June 17, 2024 | 0 Comments

Legendary composer John Williams' personal and professional relationship with director Steven Spielberg has yielded 30 film scores, including Oscar-winning soundtracks to JAWS (1975), E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) and Schindler's List (1993), three of Williams' five Academy Award wins in a career that's seen more nominations than anyone currently alive and only less total than Walt Disney. But Williams' […]

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The Weekend Stream: June 15, 2024

By Mike Duquette | June 15, 2024 | 1 Comment

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. Pop goddesses, rock gods, one classic crooner and remixes aplenty are what you'll find this week! Mariah Carey, Rainbow (25th Anniversary Expanded Edition) (Columbia/Legacy) (iTunes / Amazon) The Elusive Chanteuse's seventh album […]

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