The Grammys are happening! On February 13! As usual - well, at least since the 1990s - there will be a CD compiling the highest-profile nominees. It now has a track list and cover art. It's a pretty solid cross-section of the best-known artists, songs and nominations. Of course, there are some hilarious questions to ask about the track list. Why are nine of these songs from 2009? (That's probably due to eligibility requirements.) Did we really need to put the censored version of Cee-Lo's catchy
Friday Feature: "TRON"
One of the most-talked about film scores on the market right now is the score to TRON: Legacy, composed by French electronic act Daft Punk. Everything about it is delightfully unconventional: it's a score for a Disney blockbuster - a sequel to a cult classic released nearly 30 years ago - composed by two killer musicians best known for making fresh music through technological, not organic means. But the hybrid electronic/orchestral score is a knockout, arguably a serious Oscar contender and one
In Case You Missed It: Good Charlotte, Compiled
Feeling old and/or nostalgic? Pop-punk outfit Good Charlotte have a greatest-hits compilation due out in the U.K. on January 31 - and it already came out in Australia back in November. Good Charlotte - led primarily by twin brothers Joel and Benji Madden - were one of many bands in the early 2000s that played really cleanly-produced, semi-angsty, occasionally-dance oriented punk for the Hot Topic set. The brothers Madden were also known for dating a bevy of young beauties including Paris
More Howard Jones Reissues on the Way
Note: in my haste I forgot to accredit the fine Addicted to Vinyl for first mentioning the Wounded Bird reissue of The 12" Album, which in turn led to my checking for new remasters and having something to report. Thanks, guys! The Howard Jones box set from late last year, which compiled remasters of Humans Lib and Dream Into Action alongside a bonus disc of vintage live cuts - was a fun if light tribute to one of the more underrated artists of the '80s. Happily, Jones' independent label, Dtox
Come and Get Them: Upcoming Releases Due from DeShannon, Nelson and More
Britain's Ace family of labels is kicking off 2011 in a big way! Mike filled you in Tuesday about Kent's upcoming I'll Do Anything: The Doris Troy Anthology 1960-1996, and today we turn the spotlight on three more releases due in the U.K. on January 31. Jackie DeShannon remains one of the most beloved voices of the 1960s. DeShannon not only broke barriers as a rare female songwriter in an era when it simply wasn't common, but she was equally comfortable in front of the microphone as a
Doris Troy to Be Rediscovered on New Compilation
Interest in Doris Troy was piqued late last year, when her one LP for Apple Records was included in EMI's series of Apple reissues. Now, U.K. label Kent is offering fans another step in discovering the "Just One Look" singer on CD: I'll Do Anything: The Doris Troy Anthology 1960-1996. This heavily-packed single-disc anthology includes an equal amount of hits and rarities, from Troy's early years as a little-known soul singer on many small labels, to her beloved time on Atlantic in the
The Show That Never Ends: ELP Catalogue Moving Abroad with New Compilation
One of the big music business stories today is that Pink Floyd ended their disputes with EMI and signed a new deal to keep their catalogue with the beleaguered label. However, another '70s rock group - the prog-rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer - recently jumped from one label to another, and the first fruits of their new partnership are about to be released. ELP inked a worldwide deal with Sony in March - having initially signed with Island/Manticore in the U.K. and Cotillion/Atlantic in
Three Santana Remasters Coming from Friday Music
Carlos Santana won the adulation of a new generation with the pop crossover album Supernatural in 1999 - then promptly lost it by making a bunch of increasingly flabby and self-indulgent records. Friday Music takes us to a simpler time - the early 1980s - with three forthcoming Santana remasters. The Swing of Delight (1980), Zebop! (1981) and Shangó are being remastered and reissued on January 25. (Friday Music lists them as 30th anniversary editions, which is of course only technically true
Cherry Red Preps Joe Cocker Reissue, Kiki Dee Compilation
Some more goodies are coming out of the Universal vaults from the Cherry Red label group. The T-Bird label is reissuing Joe Cocker's Sheffield Steel from 1982. Like most Joe Cocker records, the iconic singer lays down great versions of rock and soul covers (written by luminaries including Randy Newman, Jimmy Webb and Steve Winwood). Unlike most Joe Cocker records, Sheffield Steel is heavy on reggae, with instrumental contribution from Sly and Robbie and guest vocals from Jimmy Cliff and Robert
Hot Chocolate Discography Warming Up from EMI
EMI must believe in miracles, because they've prepped a set that combines all of the studio albums by pop group Hot Chocolate. The Brixton-based band, fronted by Jamaican singer Errol Brown, first gained prominence for one single on The Beatles' Apple label, a reggae-fied cover of "Give Peace a Chance." (That song, credited to "The Hot Chocolate Band," was resurrected on last year's Come and Get It: The Best of Apple Records compilation.) Several Top 10 hits followed - in fact, the band had at
Bon Voyage, Gordon: Anderson Departs Collectors' Choice Music
In a move that could be acutely felt by reissue enthusiasts, Gordon Anderson has stepped down from his post as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Collectors’ Choice Music, the label and mail order catalogue responsible for many of our favorite reissues. Collectors’ Choice recently launched the expansive Tartare line and the new Bing Crosby Archive Collection, reactivated the Cameo Parkway label, and released diverse fare from artists ranging from Perry Como to Jefferson
The Year in Reissues, Part III: The Gold Bonus Disc Awards
Well, another New Year is in sight, the CD still isn't dead (told you so!) and celebration is in the air at The Second Disc. Back on December 23, Mike shared The Year in Reissues both here and over with our pals at Popdose. Do not pass go, do not collect 200 bucks until you read these indispensable columns! Are you back with me? Good. Now, I'd like to take this opportunity to take a fun look back at a few of my favorite things via Joe's Gold Bonus Disc Awards! I'm awarding these to the reissues
Review: James Brown, "The Complete James Brown Christmas"
What artists do you associate with Christmas? The Beach Boys? Andy Williams? Perry Como? How about James Brown? That last one isn't a name one might immediately associate with the holiday season, outside of December 25, 2006 being the day of his death. But Brown cut no less than three holiday albums during his career, and for the first time, Hip-o Select has compiled those LPs (and more, naturally) into a two-disc set, The Complete James Brown Christmas (Polydor/Hip-o Select B0014791-02). The
Reissue Theory: The Beatles at Christmas
Welcome to another installment of Reissue Theory, where we reflect on well-known albums of the past and the reissues they could someday see. With one day before Christmas, the discussion turns to a long-lost Yuletide treasure still unreleased on CD - the release of which would be...Fab. One of the most common complaints about the hype about The Beatles on iTunes was the lack of vault material beyond the Washington, D.C. concert on film. Live at the Hollywood Bowl, any of the U.S. albums -
Review: John Williams, "Home Alone: Expanded Original Motion Picture Score"
When you discuss the best modern entry into the Christmas music canon, most discussion centers on Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You." The 1994 song did a fantastic job of paying tribute to the always-excellent A Christmas Gift to You from Phil Spector (1963), bringing the Wall of Sound to the '90s, and it's lived on for over 15 years. One Yuletide tune that deserves your attention from earlier in that decade, however, is "Somewhere in My Memory," the heartwarming main theme from
Going Back to "Liverpool"
Earlier this year, ZTT's ongoing reissue campaign gave us a 25th anniversary edition of Welcome to the Pleasuredome, the hit LP from U.K. dance-pop act Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Next year, ZTT and Salvo Music are releasing a similarly expanded version of Liverpool, Frankie's follow-up and finale. By the album's release in late 1986, England was suffering from serious Frankie overexposure. Their singles were everywhere - "Relax," "Two Tribes" and "The Power of Love" had all topped the U.K.
Fly Him to the Moon
Nobody's denying the greatness of Rod Stewart's early career, both with The Faces and on his own. But since 2002, the man can't stop putting out MOR albums devoted to The Great American Songbook. And it's inspired a host of copycats, from Barry Manilow to Phil Collins. Not content with his five(!) Songbook LPs, J Records will release The Best of The Great American Songbook next year. It's a no-frills collection of the highlights of all those albums and will probably sell a million copies to the
John Barleycorn Must Be Expanded
Well, at least it will be expanded. Traffic's John Barleycorn Must Die (1970) is coming out as a double-disc deluxe edition in February. Originally intended as Steve Winwood's first solo album after the dissolution of Blind Faith, John Barleycorn became a reunion project for Traffic and spawned several well-known songs including "Glad" and "Empty Pages." It was also the highest-charting album of Traffic's career in the U.S., hitting No. 5. A previous reissue in the U.K. in 1999 added two
Back Tracks: The Clash
Where were you when you first heard The Clash? If you can't answer that question because you've never heard them, then consider this your Christmas present. The London-based punk band accomplished much in their decade-long tenure, including some of the best albums of the genre. Though they enjoyed the fruits of a major label, they stayed true to their ethos, keeping prices low for albums, tickets and souvenirs (reportedly, the band forfeited royalties on sprawling triple-album Sandinista! in
Review: Perry Como, "The Complete Christmas Collection"
They don’t make ‘em like that anymore. I can’t help but think of that old adage whenever I think of Perry Como. The singer was one in a line of great crooners, many of them Italian-Americans. Frank Sinatra, dean of them all and forever the Chairman of the Board, was well-known for his swagger. Tony Bennett is still renowned for the jazz chops he brings as an interpretive vocalist. Perry Como, though, is perhaps best-known for his quiet gentility. Days after his death in 2001, conservative
Review: Nat "King" Cole, "Love is the Thing" and "The Very Thought of You"
The time is 1957. The place is the corner of Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles, California – the Capitol Tower. And you are there. Such is the magic of Analogue Productions’ pair of hybrid Super Audio CDs, part of the label’s Nat “King” Cole reissue program. Thanks to the gorgeous remastering and improved quality afforded by the format, you’ll hear every breath, as if you were in the studio alongside Cole himself during a recording session. The versatile artist is today remembered for many
"Genghis Khan" Makes CD Debut Alongside "Casino Royale"
During a time of the year when most labels have wound down their new releases for 2010, Kritzerland has rewarded loyal listeners with a pair of early Christmas gifts. On Monday, the label made available for pre-order its final two releases of the year, and both are doozies. On Friday, we brought you the news of the remastered and expanded Casino Royale soundtrack composed by Burt Bacharach, and yesterday, the label gave official word that Casino will be joined by the first-ever CD release for
Tim Buckley's Debut to Be Expanded (UPDATED 12/18)
Rhino is releasing Tim Buckley's debut album for Elektra next week, sources confirm. Buckley was all of 19 years old when he recorded his debut LP in 1966 with Elektra founder Jac Holzman co-producing and a stunningly strong group of session players backing him up (Lee Underwood on guitar, Jim Fielder of Blood, Sweat and Tears on bass, Van Dyke Parks on piano and Mothers of Invention drummer Billy Mundi). Though critics never gave him scores of attention, he is now widely regarded as one of the
Review: "Super Mario History 1985-2010"
It's a credit to one's abilities as a composer when people all over the world can vocalize the instruments that play your songs. Every hook The Beatles got on the radio proved their expertise at this. Plenty of album-oriented rock bands have accomplished similar feats. In terms of worldwide appeal, however, Koji Kondo may have them all beat. Though few know his name, a simple vocalization - "Doo-doo-doo-do-do-DOOT" - solidifies his status as a legend. And to think, his most successful music
Back Tracks: The Music of the Pink Panther
Back Tracks takes a break from holiday merriment to celebrate the life of Blake Edwards, who died yesterday at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of laughter.“[Sometime] ago when I first began, one of my early films was run at a producer’s home one night, and someone who shall remain nameless for the moment came to me and said, ‘Billy Wilder was there and the saw it and you know what he said? He said, ‘You know it’s shit, but it’s funny shit.’ Now, had anybody else said that – this is proof
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