Review: Santana and The Isley Brothers, “Power of Peace”
In 1965, Hal David first made the observation, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love…it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” Over fifty-two years later, there’s still just too little love, and it’s a situation which Carlos Santana has aimed to remedy. The guitar hero was inspired by seeing the velvet-voiced Ron Isley, longtime lead singer of The Isley Brothers, performing with Burt Bacharach in a 2004 television special promoting their collaborative album Here I Am. Santana envisioned working with Isley, and although it’s taken more than…
She’s a Rainbow: ABKCO Preps 50th Anniversary Box Set For The Rolling Stones’ “Satanic Majesties Request”
The Rolling Stones aren’t the first band one might think of in connection with the Summer of Love and the blossoming sound of psychedelia. Yet the Stones spent much of 1967, on and off, recording the album that became Their Satanic Majesties Request. Wholly unique in the band’s catalogue, it fused the band’s gritty sensibility with psychedelic effects, more lavish instrumentation, and experimental sounds. Underscoring its nature as a conceptual work, it was also the first album by the Stones to feature identical track listings on both sides of the Atlantic. Now,…
Review: Arthur Alexander, “Arthur Alexander [Expanded Edition]”
If the influence of Arthur Alexander on rock-and-roll is ever in doubt, one need only look at the list of artists who have recorded his songs – a list that includes The Beatles and The Rolling Stones just for starters. Though the R&B singer-songwriter (“You Better Move On,” “Anna (Go to Him)”) never became a household name in the vein of Otis or Sam or The Wicked Pickett, he nonetheless left behind a treasure trove of varied recordings. Now, the Alabama native’s 1972 self-titled Warner Bros. album has arrived on CD in…
Review: Ramones, “Leave Home: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition”
The sophomore album from Forest Hills, Queens, New York’s Ramones, Leave Home, arrived in January 1977 on Sire Records, just months after the April 1976 release of the band’s self-titled debut. Despite the title, however, Leave Home didn’t mark a large stylistic leap or departure for the young punks out of their comfort zone. On closer inspection, however, it continued the growth of the band. Forty years later, it’s easier to hear that progression than ever, thanks to a new, 3-CD/1-LP set from the Rhino label (R2 559753). In addition to a…
Review: Elvis Presley, “A Boy From Tupelo: The Complete 1953-1955 Recordings”
It’s hard to believe – impossible, even – but Elvis Aron Presley once was just A Boy from Tupelo. The once and future King’s transformation from modest beginnings to international superstar has never been more vividly traced than on the new 3-CD box set from RCA and Legacy. A Boy from Tupelo: The Complete 1953-1955 Recordings is a trip back in time to the birth of rock-and-roll (destination: Memphis) featuring every one of Elvis’ known Sun Records masters and outtakes, as well as his four earliest, privately-pressed sides, plus vintage radio and…
Release Round-Up: Week of July 28
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up! Elvis Presley, A Boy From Tupelo – The Complete 1953-55 Recordings (RCA/Legacy) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K.) A Boy From Tupelo: The Complete Recordings 1953-1955 journeys back to the birth of rock-and-roll to feature, on three CDs and digitally, every known Elvis Presley Sun Records master and outtake. In addition, the collection also contains Elvis’ four earliest, privately-pressed sides, and vintage radio and concert performances from the period, for a total of 73 tracks – including one previously unreleased, newly-discovered recording, “I Forgot to Remember to Forget” from the Louisiana Hayride, Shreveport,…
Turn to Stone: Electric Light Orchestra’s “Out of the Blue” Returns to Vinyl with Picture Disc
Electric Light Orchestra’s sprawling seventh studio album Out of the Blue landed with four sides melding impeccably-crafted, widescreen pop and symphonic rock. Written and produced by Jeff Lynne, the LP went multi-platinum and introduced some of the band’s most enduring songs including “Turn to Stone,” “Sweet Talkin’ Woman,” and most especially, “Mr. Blue Sky.” It’s returning to vinyl on September 29 from Legacy Recordings in a new picture disc edition. This 2LP collector’s picture disc edition of Out of the Blue was remastered from the original master tapes and includes a digital download of…
Sirius-ly Expanded: Legacy Plans ‘Eye in the Sky’ Box from Alan Parsons Project
The eye in the sky is still looking at you… On November 17, Legacy Recordings will issue a 35th anniversary box set celebrating The Alan Parsons Project’s 1982 Eye in the Sky. The album, which yielded the APP’s biggest hit single with its title track as well as the classic instrumental “Sirius,” will be enhanced for this expansive 3-CD/1-BD/2-LP/1-Flexidisc release with rare and previously unreleased material. Perhaps the pinnacle of the collaboration between Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson, the Alan Parsons Project’s sixth album (and fifth on Arista Records) employed a variety…
Party, Party: Big Break Reissues, Expands “The Best of Eruption”
Following last year’s expanded reissues of the group’s first two albums, Big Break Records has returned to the catalogue of Eruption with another title from the soulful disco group. The Best of Eruption was originally released on the Hansa label in 1981, but BBR’s new iteration has happily upped the track listing from 14 to 19 selections to provide a fuller overview of Eruption’s positively volcanic legacy in disco, pop, soul, funk, and R&B. Founded in the United Kingdom in 1969 by members of African and Caribbean descent, the group (originally named…
Motörhead Go “Under Cöver” With New Compilation in September
The spirit of Motörhead lives on with a rockin’ collection of the band’s various cover songs due in September. Under Cöver compiles 11 of the band’s cover songs from the last 25 years of their career–featuring the band’s most consistent lineup of late frontman/bassist Lemmy Kilmister, guitarist Phil Campbell and drummer Mikkey Dee. Only a handful of the covers (including interpretations of Judas Priest, The Rolling Stones, Twisted Sister, Metallica and others) were released on studio albums, with many making their appearances either as bonus tracks or compilation songs. But it wouldn’t…
Rhino Plans Plush Box Set for Stone Temple Pilots’ ‘Core’
Rhino Records will celebrate Stone Temple Pilots’ debut album with a multi-format reissue this fall. Core introduced the world to STP’s raw fusion of grunge and album-oriented rock, a combination the band said was intentional. “You know how when you listen to a Led Zeppelin album, you listen to the entire album, not just the odd song?” bassist Robert DeLeo asked of Core. “We wanted to make a record like that. We wanted to create a vibe which would run right through the whole album.” DeLeo, his older brother Dean on guitar…
Still Beatin’: Hits, Rarities Abound In New European Huey Lewis Collection
Fans looking for a wildly thorough compilation for pop-rock band par excellence Huey Lewis & The News–or those hunting for rarities in the wake of their 30th anniversary edition of Sports that may have left fans wanting–have got some unlikely good (pardon the pun) news coming out of Europe. An entry on the San Francisco bar band in Universal Music’s triple-disc Collected series looks to be not only a deep dive into the band’s hits and favorites from their debut album in 1980 to the release of 2010’s Stax covers album Soulsville,…
Get Happy! Judy Garland’s “Soundtracks” Offers 48 Classic Songs On Two CDs
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley once again, as Mint Audio Records has today announced its newest release – a 2-CD collection celebrating the soundtrack performances of the legendary Judy Garland. Soundtracks features 48 original Garland recordings recorded between 1929 and 1961, including four outtakes. These include many of her most beloved cinematic songs, as well as some surprises, including: “(Dear Mr. Gable) You Made Me Love You” (The Broadway Melody of 1938) “Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart” (Listen, Darling) “Over The Rainbow” (The Wizard of Oz) “Danny Boy” (Little…
Give Your Propers: New Aretha Franklin Project Combines Classics with New Orchestral Backing
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Aretha Franklin’s arrival at Atlantic Records in 1967 after departing Columbia Records. Her twelve year-tenure there would produce some of the most iconic soul and R&B recordings of all time. To celebrate this anniversary, Rhino Records is taking a cue from the Elvis Presley playbook and combining her classic vocals with new orchestral backing tracks. A Brand New Me: Aretha Franklin with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will hit stores on November 10 in three formats: CD, LP and digital download. The CD version features fourteen tracks. …
Tickle Me: Edsel Reissues The Alan Price Set’s Decca Recordings, Featuring Early Randy Newman Songs
Alan Price’s early accomplishments with The Animals would have been enough to ensure the keyboardist-composer-arranger’s place in the rock and roll pantheon, but happily, Price’s solo work has endured just as strongly over the years. Price publicly announced his departure from the group on May 5, 1965, and just a few months later in September, he introduced his new band, The Alan Price Set. Edsel has recently restored the early recordings of The Alan Price Set into print on a 3-CD collection, Twice the Price: The Decca Recordings. This collection brings together…
There’s No Need To Argue: Real Gone’s September Slate Concludes with Expanded DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince and a Two-fer from Ornette Coleman
We’ve told you about the first batch of Real Gone Music’s releases for September, including the Second Disc Records collection of Melissa Manchester’s Arista singles. Now, we’ve got the final two releases on Real Gone’s September slate to share. First up, due on September 8, is an expanded edition of 1988’s He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper from DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. The group began when Will Smith (“The Fresh Prince”) and Jeff Townes (“DJ Jazzy Jeff”) met at a party where Townes was acting as DJ. Smith stepped…
White Punks On Disc: The Tubes’ A&M Albums Collected in New Box
The U.K. Caroline label will bring together the first five albums by art-punk act The Tubes in one collection next month. The A&M Years features all the long-players recorded by the quirky San Francisco group, founded by vocalist Fee Waybill, guitarists Bill Spooner and Roger Steen, keyboardists Vince Welnick and Michael Cotten, bassist Rick Anderson and drummer Prairie Prince. Known for their off-the-wall stage shows (many directed by future choreographer to the stars/High School Musical director Kenny Ortega) and biting lyrics, The Tubes had minor hits on A&M in the U.S. (“Don’t Touch…
See Clearly Now: SoulMusic Anthologizes Johnny Nash, Labelle, Teena Marie, Angela Bofill
SoulMusic Records, in association with Cherry Red Group, has recently continued its Classic Artist Anthology Series with another round of titles from bona fide R&B legends including Labelle, Angela Bofill, Johnny Nash, and the late Teena Marie. Before reinventing themselves as purveyors of funky cosmic soul, Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash, and Nona Hendryx had comprised three-fourths of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, alongside future Supreme Cindy Birdsong. In 1971, the streamlined trio ditched their supper-club stylings for an earthier look, and released their first of two albums on the Warner Bros. label. …
Release Round-Up: Week of July 21
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up! Ramones, Leave Home: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Sire/Rhino) 3CD/1LP box set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K. 1CD remaster: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K. A new 3CD/1LP edition of Ramones’ 1977 sophomore album boasts the album in original and newly-remixed form, as well as a 33-track disc loaded with previously unreleased session material and a 1977 CBGBs concert recording! In addition to the above material on CD, the new album mix by original engineer Ed Stasium is included on vinyl. Read…
BREAKING! Second Disc Records, Real Gone Music Celebrate Melissa Manchester with “The Complete Arista 7″ Singles”
“Please, don’t let this feeling end…” The sentiment of that famous lyric is one shared by listeners every time Melissa Manchester begins to sing. From her earliest pop hits through her recent triumphs on the jazz charts, Manchester’s voice has always resonated with warmth and power. In 1975, she was one of a handful of select talents chosen by Clive Davis to inaugurate his Arista Records label, and during her near-decade on the label, the fiercely independent artist established herself as both a singer and songwriter nonpareil. On September 8, the very…
Interpol ‘Admire’ Third Album On 10th Anniversary CD/DVD Set
While Interpol have dutifully supported the 15th anniversary of their debut album Turn On the Bright Lights (which was reissued for its 10th anniversary) with a tour, they’re also going to revisit their third album and major label debut, Our Love to Admire, with a 10th anniversary package. Released in the summer of 2007, Our Love to Admire found the New York City band moving from Matador to Capitol and expanding their sonic palette. “We had keyboards on from the start which we’ve never done before,” guitarist Daniel Kessler told NME at the time….
Keats and Yeats Are On Your Side: The Smiths’ ‘The Queen is Dead’ to Be Expanded
The Smiths’ The Queen is Dead–a towering album of ’80s British rock and arguably the definitive statement by the Manchester band–will be reissued and expanded October 20. Produced by frontman Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr with assistance from engineer Stephen Street, The Queen is Dead has become quintessential Smiths: packed with biting, witty lyrics and catchy, densely layered instrumental hooks (thanks not only to Marr but bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce). While Morrissey and Marr have both proclaimed Strangeways, Here We Come (1987) to be their favorite of their albums,…
The Thrill of the Hunt: Real Gone’s September Slate Begins with “Predator” on Vinyl Plus Duane Eddy RCA Singles and Grateful Dead
While we are now in the height of the summer heat, Real Gone is looking ahead to the fall. The label has announced the first part of its release slate for September of this year and it is another eclectic mix of titles. First up is a title from the artist most people consider to be the greatest rock-instrumentalist of all time: Duane Eddy. Guitar Star: The Complete RCA Singles A’s and B’s collects all 22 single sides Eddy recorded for RCA Victor in the early to mid-1960s on CD, and is…
Back to the Temple of Love: Sisters of Mercy Plan Vinyl Box of “Some Girls Wander By Mistake”
A quarter century after The Sisters of Mercy chronicled their early singles on the compilation Some Girls Wander By Mistake, an expanded edition will be released in September as a vinyl box set. Some Girls Wander By Mistake originally collected the band’s independently-released material from 1980 to 1983. The single material on 1980’s “Anaconda,” 1982’s “Body Electric” and Alice EP and 1983’s “Anaconda,” “Temple of Love” and The Reptile House EP all feature on this set, released by EastWest and Elektra in 1992–two years after the band’s most recent album, 1990’s Vision…
Disney’s Legacy Collection Swings Back to Life with “Robin Hood” (UPDATED 7/18)
UPDATE (7/18/2017): Attendees of last weekend’s D23 Expo at Anaheim got the opportunity to purchase Robin Hood: The Legacy Collection ahead of its August 4 release date! It includes not only the complete songs and score by George Bruns, Roger Miller, Johnny Mercer and others, but five unreleased demos and a complete 1974 album of Robin Hood songs and new material sung by jazz legend Louis Prima, the voice of King Louie in Disney’s 1967 feature The Jungle Book! Full track list and pre-order links are below! ORIGINAL POST (5/23/2017): Golly, what…