Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes' ties with Cleveland ran deep. The New Jersey group, which burst onto the scene with 1976's roof-raising LP I Don't Want to Go Home, was supported early on by Cleveland audiences and radio. The big, brassy band led by Southside Johnny Lyon and championed by "Miami Steve" Van Zandt was signed to Epic by A&R man Steve Popovich, now-legendary record man and founder of Cleveland International Records. In 2017, the frontman remembered Popovich in an
Prince, Do Me, Baby (Demo) (NPG/Warner) (iTunes / Amazon / Spotify) A surprise release on Thursday for the 40th anniversary of Prince's Controversy (1981), the Prince Estate has issued a demo recording of "Do Me, Baby," recorded during the studio sessions for Prince's self-titled sophomore album in 1979. (As such, it sounds less like a demo and more like a studio version in league with that album.) It's a fascinating recording that again highlights The Purple One's genius - and it's also
In the 1980s, after a successful run as a key member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band as well as a key architect of the rock-and-soul-infused "Jersey Shore sound," Steven Van Zandt struck out on his own. A new box set from UMe will showcase his solo evolution. The singer/songwriter/producer/guitarist's RockNRoll Rebel - The Early Work will collect five of Little Steven's solo works on colored vinyl - Men Without Women (1982), Voice Of America (1984), Freedom - No Compromise (1987),
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Cleveland's rock scene during the '70s was largely championed by Steve Popovich, a former Cleveland resident who ended up being the head of A&R at Epic. In mid-1976, he left the corporate rock world and headed back home to Cleveland, where he set up Cleveland International Records, part record label, part management company, part marketing consulting group. Throughout the '70s, Cleveland
"Cleveland Rocks" is the name of one of Ian Hunter's best-loved compositions. First released in 1979, it's since became the de-facto anthem of the city, a rock proclamation whose title has always rung true. Cleveland's rock scene during the '70s was largely championed by Steve Popovich, a former Cleveland resident who ended up being the head of A&R at Epic. In mid-1976, he left the corporate rock world and headed back home to Cleveland, where he set up Cleveland International Records, part
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! Ann-Margret, The Definitive Collection (Real Gone) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) Real Gone has a new compilation from the one and only Ann-Margret. The Definitive Collection features 30 of the flame-haired singer/actress's songs from her 1961-1966 tenure on RCA Records and includes standards, pop, soundtrack recordings and collaborations with Al Hirt and Elvis Presley! This title was previously issued as a digital-only entry in
Official word has just come out about Real Gone's titles for March and, as usual, the line-up boasts an eclectic group of releases including a number of comprehensive double-CD sets! First up is a compilation featuring liner notes from our very own Joe Marchese. The Definitive Collection from Ann-Margret features 30 of the flame-haired singer/actress's songs from her 1961-1966 tenure on RCA Records and includes standards, pop, soundtrack recordings and collaborations with Al Hirt and Elvis
When Bruce Springsteen gave the green light to officially release his 1973 recording of “The Fever” on 1999’s 18 Tracks, The Boss’ decision was rightfully greeted with acclaim. But many of us Jersey boys were in on a secret: Bruce wrote it, but “The Fever” belonged to Southside Johnny Lyon and his Asbury Jukes. Springsteen’s torrid evocation of a burning blue-collar romance, as produced by “Miami” Steve Van Zandt, was the centerpiece of the band’s 1976 Epic Records debut I Don’t Want to Go
Playlist, Legacy Recordings’ series of single-disc anthologies spotlighting “The Hits plus the Fan Favorites,” keeps on rollin’ with a new, typically eclectic group of artists covering a wide swath of genres and styles. Today, May 21, Legacy releases volumes in the series dedicated to the best of R&B (Diana Ross, Donna Summer), pop (Billy Ocean), country-and-western (Chet Atkins, Patty Loveless, Restless Heart, Mindy McCready), Latin jazz (Tito Puente) and the many strains of rock
The Beach Boys, Live: The 50th Anniversary Tour (Capitol) Brian, Mike, Al, Bruce and David may not be touring again anytime soon, but at least we now have two discs of live memories to play. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.) Townes Van Zandt, The Late Great Townes Van Zandt / High, Low and In Between (Omnivore) You heard the demos, now rediscover these great country albums, on CD or vinyl! Late Great CD (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.), LP (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.) High, Low CD (Amazon U.S. / Amazon