It's fair to say that Ben Sidran has had a career unlike any other. The author of five books, record label proprietor, radio and television host, singer, songwriter, pianist, teacher, and eternal hipster has played as part of The Steve Miller Band (and co-wrote "Space Cowboy"), produced records for Mose Allison, Rickie Lee Jones, and Diana Ross, and performed with Van Morrison and Georgie Fame. Along the way, he's recorded for Capitol, Blue Thumb, Arista, A&M, and Windham Hill. Sidran
Review: Ben Folds, "Brick: The Songs of Ben Folds 1994-2012"
Upon its release in August 1995, the eponymous debut of Ben Folds' quirkily-named trio sounded like nothing else you might have found in the racks of your local Tower, HMV, or Sam Goody. Filled with rich melodies, inescapable riffs, the most aggressive piano this side of Jerry Lee Lewis, and a youthful dose of attitude, Ben Folds Five channeled Todd Rundgren, Elton John, and Queen - with a dash of Randy Newman here and George Gershwin there. Now, more than 23 years later, the (sorta) angry
Robinsongs Round-Up, Part Two: Spotlight on Bar-Kays, Lakeside, and Crown Heights Affair
We previously filled you in on Robinsongs' recent releases from The Whispers, Midnight Star, and Shalamar. Today, we're looking at the Cherry Red imprint's 2018 reissues dedicated to three more vintage R&B groups: The Bar-Kays, Crown Heights Affair, and Lakeside. As One/Nightcrusing/Propositions/Dangerous brings together The Bar-Kays' four Mercury Records albums originally released between 1980 and 1984 on a 2-CD set. The band had gotten its start at Stax Records and had just scored a
Release Round-Up: Week of May 4
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! Frank Sinatra, Standing Room Only (Capitol/UMe) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) This new 3-CD, book-style box set from Capitol/UMe features three spectacular live concerts from three decades of Frank Sinatra's storied career, including the January 28. 1966 second show with The Count Basie Orchestra and conductor Quincy Jones at The Sands in Las Vegas, making its CD debut; and two previously unreleased shows: October 7, 1974 at
Ace Spotlight, Part Two: The Detroit Emeralds' "Westbound Singles" and Northern Soul Rarities
Welcome to Part Two of our Ace Records Round-Up! If you missed Part One's spotlight on releases from Clarence Carter and James Carr, just click here! Abe Tilmon, Iry Tilmon, and James Mitchell, a.k.a. The Emeralds, hailed from Little Rock, Arkansas, but once the vocal trio moved to the Motor City in 1967, they rechristened themselves The Detroit Emeralds and signed to Ed Wingate's waning Ric-Tic label. It proved an auspicious start when their debut single, "Show Time," made No. 22 on the
'S Wonderful: Verve/UMe Reissues 'The Astaire Story'
A beloved collaboration between Fred Astaire and a clutch of legendary jazz musicians, The Astaire Story, is being rediscovered on CD for its 65th anniversary. "The history of dance on film begins and ends with Astaire," Gene Kelly once declared. The versatile performer, born Frederick Austerlitz in 1899, revolutionized the way footwork was shown on screen in more than two dozen films, with everyone from Rudolf Nuryev to Michael Jackson citing him as an influence. But Astaire was a capable
Release Round-Up: Week of September 29
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! David Bowie, A New Career in a New Town (1977-1982) (Parlophone) 11CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K. 13LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada / Amazon U.K. The third release in Parlophone's series of chronological box sets dedicated to the music of David Bowie, A New Career in a New Town (1977-1982) closes the book on the legendary artist's RCA career. It follows 2015's Five Years (1969-1973) and 2016's Who Can I Be Now? (1974-1976),
Scream
Epic and Legacy collect some of Michael Jackson's darkest songs on a new compilation. Scream features the title duet with Janet Jackson alongside The Jacksons' "This Place Hotel," Rockwell's "Somebody's Watching Me," and the King of Pop's solo songs like "Leave Me Alone," "Threatened," "Dirty Diana," and of course, "Thriller." One previously unreleased track, a new mash-up of "Dangerous" and "Blood on the Dance Floor," is included. Available on CD on September 29, and glow-in-the-dark double
BREAKING! A Song Worth Singing: Johnny Mathis Special Airs This Saturday, New Box Set Arrives
Johnny Mathis is currently touring the U.S. on his Voice of Romance tour - and indeed, for over 60 years, that appellation has been apt. This Saturday evening, June 10, Mathis is coming to your own city, courtesy of Public Television and TJ Lubinsky's TJL Productions' popular and long-running My Music series. Yes, this Saturday is Johnny Mathis Night, because that's when Public Television stations nationwide will air Wonderful! Wonderful!, a concert film featuring all of Mathis' beloved
What the World Needs Now: The Isley Brothers, Santana Team For New Studio Album "Power of Peace"
Two legendary musical forces are teaming up this summer to celebrate the eternal Power of Peace during the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. On August 4, The Isley Brothers and Santana will join forces for their first full-length collaboration. Power of Peace arrives on that date from Legacy Recordings, featuring Ronald and Ernie Isley joined by Carlos and Cindy Blackman Santana tackling a number of classic rock and R&B standards which have inspired them over the years. This all-new
A(nother) Taste of Honey: Herb Alpert Continues Reissue Series THIS FRIDAY
Last September, Herb Alpert delivered a major catalogue campaign with 25 classic titles on CD (plus a few select vinyl releases) from his solo and Tijuana Brass discographies. Now, that campaign is continuing this Friday, February 24, with another three rare titles coming back to CD in newly-remastered editions from the original analogue tapes! The new titles, all housed in digipaks, are: Herb Alpert/Hugh Masekela (1978) - Soul, funk and jazz meet up on this first collaboration and fusion
Cool It Now: New Edition Digital Reissues (And More) Unveiled
Ahead of an officially-sanctioned TV biopic of the lives and careers of New Edition, Universal Music Enterprises has digitally expanded four of the group's studio albums plus an additional four spin-off projects. The band's classic-era output for MCA Records, New Edition (1984), All for Love (1985), Heart Break (1988) and the reunion album Home Again (1996), as well as Bobby Brown's Don't Be Cruel (1988), Bell Biv DeVoe's Poison (1990) and 1990 solo albums by members Johnny Gill and Ralph
It's Too Late To Stop Now: Ted's Year in Review, And A Look Ahead
In the early days of the New Year, we've announced our annual Gold Bonus Disc Awards, and have also shared Mike's selections for the Reissues of the Year! Today, Ted takes a turn with a look at his own, wide-ranging personal music diary, or Best of 2016 - plus a look at what he's most anticipating in the months to come! We hope you'll discover a favorite of your own! You'll find selected links below for further reading. 2016 was a richly diverse year for music. But before taking a look at
You're In Love: Wilson Phillips' Debut Is Newly Expanded
To the average person in the 1990s, "Wilson Phillips" might've sounded like a sleepy suburban drugstore by name alone. But that moniker belied a tremendous amount of second-generation talent--and huge pop hits, to boot. Now, U.K. label Caroline is reissuing the group's 1990 self-titled debut as a generously expanded 2CD set. The trio of Carnie and Wendy Wilson and Chynna Phillips marked an incredible culmination of talent passed down from several of the most luminary musicians of the '60s.
Review: "Unsung Sherman Brothers: Song Scores from Three That Got Away"
How often does one get the opportunity to hear a never-before-released score from one of the most beloved songwriting teams of all time? How about three unreleased scores, then? And what if one of those scores featured seven never-before-heard performances from Sammy Davis, Jr.? Indeed, such opportunities are rare...making Kritzerland's new release of Unsung Sherman Brothers all the more special. This delectable and tuneful collection premieres rare demo recordings of three unproduced scores
Special Book Review: Thomas Dolby's Memoir "The Speed of Sound"
When a music fan thinks of Thomas Dolby, the first thing that springs to mind is probably "She Blinded Me With Science," his classic 1982 new wave hit. He has been labeled as a "one-hit wonder" by several music trade publications and programs. (He actually charted three Hot 100 hits in the United States and sixteen Pop hits in the United Kingdom.) However, as is usually the case in real life, there is much more to his story...and that story is told in Dolby's just-released autobiography, The
Release Round-Up: Week of September 30
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! The Rolling Stones, The Rolling Stones in Mono (ABKCO) CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada The Rolling Stones in Mono captures, on 15 CDs or 16 LPs, the original mono albums released on both sides of the Atlantic between 1964 and 1969 including the exceptionally rare mono editions of Their Satanic Majesties Request (1967), Beggars Banquet (1968) and Let It Bleed (1969). Exclusive to
Human Nature
Herb Alpert's new Human Nature looks to be an exciting set even by the high standards of the eternally youthful trumpeter. His fourth album in three years, Human Nature features five original songs plus reworkings of Steve Porcaro and John Bettis' "Human Nature" (the 1983 Michael Jackson hit), Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Alfie" and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," and a world premiere composition from Bacharach and Elvis Costello, "Look Up Again."
For Now, For Always: A Second Disc Interview! Bruce Kimmel Announces "Unsung Sherman Brothers"
"In every job that must be done/There is an element of fun/You find the fun and snap!/The job's a game!" For more than fifty years, the tuneful team of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman found the fun in their own job: songwriting. Together, "The Boys" penned memorable hits by Annette Funicello and Ringo Starr, defined the sound of Disneyland with unforgettable songs like "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" and "It's a Small World," and made timeless movie magic with Mary Poppins,
A Taste of Honey: 25 Herb Alpert Albums Come to CD on September 9
Herb Alpert is about to release his latest studio album, Human Nature, on September 30, and it looks to be an exciting set even by the high standards of the eternally youthful trumpeter. His fourth album in three years, Human Nature features five original songs plus reworkings of Steve Porcaro and John Bettis' "Human Nature" (the 1983 Michael Jackson hit), Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Alfie" and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," and a world premiere composition from Bacharach and Elvis Costello,
Too Hot! Big Break Collects Heatwave On "Always and Forever"
Heatwave was a band like no other. American vocalists Johnnie Wilder Jr. and his brother Keith Wilder joined with British singer-songwriter-keyboardist Rod Temperton, Swiss bassist Mario Mantese, Czechoslovak drummer Ernest "Bilbo" Berger, and Jamaican guitarist Eric Johns to form this truly international cadre of first-class R&B purveyors. Thanks to a string of hits including "Boogie Nights," "Always and Forever" and "The Groove Line," the seductive grooves of Heatwave ruled both the
Release Round-Up: Week of February 26
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up filled with deluxe reissues on vinyl and CD, box sets, new releases from veteran artists, and more! Michael Jackson, Off the Wall (Epic/Legacy) CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada The King of Pop's 1979 Epic solo debut Off the Wall is revived for 2016 with an additional DVD or BD of Spike Lee's acclaimed new documentary about the making of the album, Michael Jackson's Journey from
Off The Wall [CD/DVD and CD/BD]
The King of Pop's 1979 Epic solo debut Off the Wall is revived for 2016 with an additional DVD or BD of Spike Lee's new documentary about the making of the album, Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall. No additional audio tracks are included.
Ease On Down! Motown Unveils Lost Diana Ross Album For Digital Release
On the eve of NBC's new production of The Wiz next week, Motown/UMe have dug into the vaults to release a lost album of songs from the Broadway musical by Diana Ross. The pairing, of course, is no mistake: the 1975 Tony Award-winning "super soul musical" was adapted into a film in 1978, with Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell and original cast member Ted Ross as Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion, respectively. Produced by Motown and directed by Sidney Lumet, with a young
Say, Say, Say! The Second Disc's Essential RSD Black Friday 2015 Release Guide
From all of us here at Second Disc HQ to all of you, we hope you're enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving in the company of family and friends. Of course, from this day which conjures nostalgic and warm feelings comes a celebration of a different kind with this year's annual Black Friday - the day for consumers to start off the holiday shopping season on a mad, frenetic note. But 2015 is just in the latest year in which numerous retailers in the U.S. have made headlines by blackening Thursday, or
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