Are you ready for the country? In 1984, Neil Young certainly was. His Geffen Records debut, Trans, had just a couple of years earlier plunged Young into a “high tech” world of vocoders, synthesizers and dance beats while the singer ruminated about “The Computer Age,” “Computer Cowboy” and “Transformer Man.” 1983’s Everybody’s Rockin’ was an exercise in recreating rockabilly, with Young’s band billed as The Shocking Pinks. Originals like “Kinda Fonda Wanda” blended right in with covers of
BREAKING NEWS! Great, Big, Beautiful Tomorrow Brings First Disney-Intrada Releases
71 years ago, a little cricket named Jiminy reassured children everywhere that "when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true" in Walt Disney's film Pinocchio. Well, the dreams of many film score collectors and Disney enthusiasts are indeed coming true thanks to tonight's announcement by Intrada Records. The California label, a 25-year veteran in the soundtrack business, put to rest weeks of rumors and tonight confirmed a new partnership with The Walt Disney Company. The inaugural title in
Benson, Hubbard, Turrentine On June Slate From CTI Masterworks
Earlier this year, Universal and Hip-o Select released a bold orange box set containing the first 6 LPs on the Impulse! label, all of which were produced by Creed Taylor. The ambitious producer didn't stay long at Impulse!, however, departing for the greener pastures of Verve, then A&M, where he founded his CTI label. Following a highly successful series of CTI albums under the A&M imprimatur, Taylor's mini-kingdom went the independent route and along the way practically defined the
He Shall Be Levon: Helm Two-Fer Brings Together Rare Solo LPs
Though The Band remains a likely candidate for Group Least Likely to Reunite, Levon Helm hasn’t been resting on his laurels. After a 25-year year hiatus from his career as a solo artist (during which time he participated in the recording of three Band albums sans Robbie Robertson and successfully underwent treatment for throat cancer) Helm returned to recording with 2007’s acclaimed Dirt Farmer. Since then, he’s maintained a busy live schedule, and last month’s Ramble at the Ryman preserved a
Reissue Theory: Michael Jackson, "Bad: The Remixes"
Welcome to another installment of Reissue Theory, where we focus on notable albums and the reissues they could someday see. As the world reflects on the two-year anniversary of the loss of the King of Pop, we take a look at some of Michael Jackson's most accessible vault material and envision a simple way of getting some of that material into the awaiting arms of the public. It's hard to believe Michael Jackson's been gone two years this Saturday. We've all mourned together, and we've all
Gentle On His Mind: Two Early Glen Campbell Classics Reissued By BGO
It’s knowing that your door is always open and your path is free to walk/That makes me tend to leave my sleepin’ bag rolled up and stashed behind your couch… For nearly fifty years, many of us have opened our doors to Glen Campbell on record and on television. So it came as a shock that, just two months before the release of what’s being billed as his final studio recording, Campbell announced that he has been diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. The beloved singer and
Queen Adopts iTunes LP for Reissues - But Who Else Does?
At first I thought there wasn't much to post about this article from MusicWeek. Queen and Universal are throwing their support behind the iTunes LP for the band's upcoming reissues (the next batch of which is out next week). Big deal, right? But then I thought about a few paragraphs from the middle of the piece, that really seem to tell a more intriguing story than the idea of a band trying to promote their catalogue titles: Universal’s commitment to iTunes LP could prove a shot in the arm for
"Kryptonite" to Be Reissued - That's What I Said, Now
It appears 20th anniversary music reissues come in threes. Yesterday had words on Nirvana's Nevermind and U2's Achtung Baby; now, there's word from Legacy Recordings that August will see an expanded edition of...Spin Doctors' Pocket Full of Kryptonite. Sure, giggle all you want, but it's hard to deny that Spin Doctors had quite a moment in the sun in the early 1990s. Formed in New York City in the late '80s, Spin Doctors were initially known more for their jam-friendly live shows (often
Reissue Theory: Bette Midler, "The Divine Miss M"
Welcome to another installment of Reissue Theory, where we take a look at notable albums and the reissues they may someday see. Long before "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "From a Distance," Bette Midler was blazing a path like few others before or since with her blend of outrageous comedy, musical invention and pure showmanship. Yet despite a treasure trove of unreleased material, Midler's platinum debut, The Divine Miss M, has never been expanded on CD. What might such a reissue be
La-La Land Preps Reissues for Goldsmith and Trevor Jones Plus Titles for Comic-Con
La-La Land Records released its newest titles yesterday featuring some A-list composers - all the while, as always, amid speculation for their next releases at the San Diego Comic-Con. This week's releases were Bad Girls by Jerry Goldsmith and The Sender by Trevor Jones. Bad Girls, a Western about a quartet of prostitutes (Andie MacDowell, Drew Barrymore, Mary Stuart Masterson and Madeline Stowe) on the run in Texas after a justifiable homicide and subsequent jailbreak. The score boasted the
Teen Spirit, Redux: "Nevermind" to Be Expanded for 20th Anniversary
Back in April, in a Back Tracks post commemorating Nirvana on the occasion of Kurt Cobain's passing, we declared it "inconceivable that the powers-that-be at Geffen/UMe wouldn't be thinking of reissuing [breakthrough album Nevermind] for the two-decade mark (especially with the exact anniversary falling in November, just in time for the box set frenzy associated with the fourth quarter)." At the time, the band's Hormoaning EP had received a domestic vinyl reissue for Record Store Day and 20th
Lowe and Edmunds, Live: Rockpile "Live at Montreux" Arrives On CD
Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Billy Bremner and Terry Williams, individually, are among the most accomplished artists to come out of the "pub rock" scene. Joined as Rockpile, they are a true rock legend. Though the band only recorded one album, 1980's Seconds of Pleasure, under its own name, the Rockpile sound is instantly recognizable. It graced solo LPs by Edmunds and Lowe as well as tracks by Mickey Jupp and Carlene Carter (then Lowe's wife). Eagle Records will on August 22 release on CD the
Review: Sam Cooke, "The RCA Albums Collection"
In 1963, RCA Victor dubbed its young star Sam Cooke “Mr. Soul” as the title of his latest LP. Today, few would argue with that appellation as we remember the roof- (and consciousness-) raising “A Change is Gonna Come,” the ultimate festive anthem “Havin’ a Party” or the bluesy R&B “Chain Gang.” But Mr. Soul, the album, offered a more complex portrait of the artist, offering “These Foolish Things,” “I Wish You Love” and “Cry Me a River” alongside Ahmet Ertegun’s “Chains of Love,” Johnny
Reissue Theory: The Smiths, "The Queen is Dead"
Welcome to another installment of Reissue Theory, where we take a look at notable albums and the reissues they may someday see. Has the world changed or have we changed? Whatever the answer, The Smiths' The Queen is Dead, which recently hit the quarter-century mark, is a classic of British rock - and, like all of The Smiths' albums, it would make a prime candidate for a deluxe reissue. It wouldn't be enough to someday see remasters of The Smiths' core discography (the four studio albums, the
We Remember Clarence
Clarence Clemons wasn’t born in New Jersey, but he might as well have been. Those of us who hail from the Garden State are used to the “What exit?” jokes, but truth to tell, we can identify those exits by the great musicians who lived in those towns off the Garden State Parkway or New Jersey Turnpike. One such towering talent was our favorite adopted son Clarence, who had an early job counseling troubled children in Newark (Parkway Exit 145), participated in one of his first recording sessions
All Eyez on Him: Tupac Catalogue Gets Digital Reissue for Rapper's 40th Birthday
He would have turned 40 this year - as of last week, in fact. His death nearly 15 years ago is still one of rap's greatest unsolved murders (and is still a hot topic). Now, Universal is digitally releasing five albums by Tupac Shakur this summer - their debuts in the digital realm. 2Pacalypse Now (1991), Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. (1993), his sole, self-titled album with the Thug Life collective (1994), Me Against the World (1995) and the posthumous R U Still Down? (Remember Me) (1997) will
ICON and On and On
UPDATE 6/20: With a day before these sets are to hit stores, here's the post with the track list for the one compilation that hadn't been confirmed at the time - an incredibly slight collection for Steve Winwood. Just Steve Winwood. Not Traffic or anything else. Make of that what you will. Original post: The latest batch of ICON titles hasn't even hit stores yet, but yet another assortment of them has been announced for release next month. While, as always, there's not much in the way of
Sinatra on Screen: Rare Dramatic Scores By Bernstein and Antheil Arrive From Kritzerland
When Frank Sinatra won the Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor for 1953’s From Here to Eternity, it was the “comeback” story of the year. As Sinatra was earning plaudits in Hollywood, he was also beginning the most significant chapter of his recording career at Capitol Records, recording his Capitol debut Songs for Young Lovers in November 1953. After his triumph as Maggio in From Here, Sinatra’s Hollywood career was riding high, as he embarked on a number of high-profile dramatic films.
Review: Two By Richard Rodgers, "On Your Toes" (1952) and "Carousel" (1955)
June is busting out all over, and so is the music of Richard Rodgers. Then again, the work of the composer (1902-1979) is always busting out all over. Even in 2010, Rodgers had the third most-covered song of the year, according to ASCAP. The song was "My Funny Valentine," with lyrics by Lorenz Hart, and it was written in 1937, proving that Richard Rodgers' music is, indeed, timeless. Masterworks Broadway, drawing from Sony Music Entertainment's Columbia and RCA Victor vaults, has been a leading
Review: Ozzy Osbourne, "Blizzard of Ozz: Expanded Edition" and "Diary of a Madman: Legacy Edition"
There's something wonderful about seeing things in a different light than before. Some of us go through our lives thinking certain things are one way, when others might see the same thing in a totally opposite way. If those two sides see eye-to-eye, though? It's a beautiful thing. I'd like to think that there's a bit of that eye-to-eye business with Epic/Legacy's new reissues of the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. New fans who pick these packages up will learn that there is so much more to the
Original Grand Funk Compilation Receives CD Debut in July
To commemorate that American band, Grand Funk Railroad, Capitol/EMI Iconoclassic is putting the band's first compilation on CD for the first time anywhere, 40 years after its original release. Mark Don & Mel 1969-1971 captures Grand Funk Railroad's early years over what was originally four sides of vinyl, featuring tracks taken from the band's first five studio LPs and a live album. The band had yet to reach its commercial peak with 1973's We're An American Band and its chart-topping title
Next Wave of Hendrix Reissues to Feature Archival DVDs
Looks like the expansions of Hendrix in the West and the Winterland box that Joe filled you in on this week aren't the only projects coming from Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings in the coming months! Hendrix's estate just announced two DVD reissues that will be joining the September 13 release lineup - a new presentation of Hendrix's Isle of Wight show from 1971 on DVD, and another DVD of Hendrix's appearances on The Dick Cavett Show. The expanded DVD of Blue Wild Angel: Live at the
Review: Paul Simon, "Live Rhymin'" and Expanded, Remastered Studio Works (1972-1975)
Paul Simon may have titled his latest studio album So Beautiful or So What, but the same name could apply to his catalogue relaunch at Legacy Recordings. So Beautiful has been hailed as a return to form for Simon, writing with a guitar for the first time in many years. A timely reminder of that form and of the style Simon both recalls and updates on the new disc can be rediscovered on these four reissued titles. Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon, Live Rhymin’ and Still Crazy After All
Reissue Theory: Two for the Big Man
Welcome to another installment of Reissue Theory, where we focus on notable albums and the reissues they could someday see. As we wish a speedy recovery to one of rock's most beloved sidemen, we present a special look at a rare moment in the spotlight for the Big Man, Clarence Clemons. To many, the saxophone is just one of those embellishments that can can spice up a pop song or dull its taste. It's hard to deny, however, the tastiness of a tune garnished with the saxophone work of Clarence
Rhino Handmade Going to "Bradley's Barn" (UPDATED)
Another Rhino Handmade title is coming out this summer - a two-disc expansion of Bradley's Barn, the seminal 1968 album by The Beau Brummels. Considered one of the first early successes of the burgeoning San Francisco music scene in the '60s, The Beau Brummels were early adopters of the British Invasion sound on their first two hit singles, "Laugh, Laugh" and "Just a Little." By the time the band released their psych-folk classic Triangle in 1967, the band, originally a quintet, was reduced to
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