The horrific events unfolding in Afghanistan over the past several weeks, a continuing pandemic, devastation in the wake of Hurricane Ida and wildfires in California, and an escalating wave of violent crime gripping America can collectively feel overwhelming to be sure. Leave it to a diverse field of great artists to lift us up with song via a range of long-lost treasures and reissues as well as a long-awaited new studio album.
Title: The Capitol Session '73 (Tuff Gong / Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Bob Marley and The Wailers, Peter Tosh, Joe Higgs
Tell me more: On the eve of global super stardom, Bob Marley and The Wailers performed a closed-door set at Capitol Records Tower in Los Angeles in October 1973. Nearly a half century after the performance featuring Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Joe Higgs, Aston Barrett, Carlton Barrett and Earl "Wya" Lindo was captured via four cameras, the performance is coming to DVD+CD, colored 2LP vinyl, digital and audio CD (the latter format reviewed here) on Sept. 3. The footage was long considered lost until a freelance researcher uncovered a few frames. After more than 20 years, the complete film was found, restored and remastered. A single listen to the audio recording reveals the exhaustive efforts that included a search of archives and storage units in New York, London, San Diego and beyond was worth the effort. Marley is rightfully considered reggae's most influential and important artist; all of the Jamaican artist's strengths as a singer, songwriter, musician and band leader are on display across The Capitol Session '73. After Tosh (who would soon embark on his own successful career) sings the opener "You Can't Blame The Youth," Marley takes the reins for a compelling set of timeless protest- and social justice-minded classics. The intoxicating "Slave Driver," rhythmic "Burnin' & Lootin'," entrancing "Stir It Up," defiant "No More Trouble" and explosive closer "Get Up Stand Up" make for a magical trip back to the metamorphosis of a legend. Information: bobmarley.com.
Title: Little Girl Blue (BMG)
You might like if you enjoy: Nina Simone, Dorothy Donegan, Mary Lou Williams
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/composer/virtuoso pianist Nina Simone burst on the world in 1959 with the release of Little Girl Blue. Only 25 at the time, her brilliant debut has been newly remastered and reissued; it is available via vinyl, audio CD and digital platforms. Listening to the timeless album today is still an astonishing experience, all the more impressive when you learn that the 11 tracks on the disc were recorded in a single 14-hour recording session where she was accompanied by Jimmy Bond (bass) and Albert "Tootie" Heath (drums). While the future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer performs a lone original work on "Little Girl Blue" (the dashing instrumental "Central Park Blues"), her fleet take on Duke Ellington's swinging "Mood Indigo," refined reading of Arthur Hamilton's "He Needs Me," buoyant jazz-meets-Baroque "Love Me or Leave Me" and the classical music-flavored title track — the latter which creatively incorporates the traditional Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas — all showcase her signature contralto vocals and improvisational talents at the keyboard. Several of her best-known recordings are also on the album; her evocative version of "I Loves You, Porgy" (a major hit at the time of the album's release) and joyful "My Baby Just Cares For Me" are truly remarkable. Information: bmg.com and amazon.com.
Title: Starting Now (Abe's Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Toad the Wet Sprocket, Pete Yorn, Del Amitri
Tell me more: Toad the Wet Sprocket is back with their first new studio album since 2013 — the 10-track masterwork Starting Now — that also happens to be one of the best new albums I've heard in 2021. The Santa Barbara-spawned heroes don't tinker too much with their signature sound blending folk and alternative rock styles but now that it's 2021 the trio uses its musical voice in the service of songs aimed at the here and now. The events of 2020 and 2021 have made most of us rethink our own lives and the world itself and singer-guitarist Glen Phillips, bassist Dean Dinning and lead guitarist Todd Nichols capture and explore those forces brilliantly on Starting Now. Take "Hold On," where singer Phillips delivers a poignant plea: "I need a little bit of hope, one ray of light / need just enough peace to make it through the night." In the glorious title track Phillips delivers a more hopeful message as he sings: "I've wasted years, won't waste another instant / I fed my fears on things that haven't been yet / Well hope don't mean you sit there, just waiting for the changes / It's fighting for the long shot / It's getting in the trenches." The songs are uniformly strong on "Starting Now." The yearning "Transient Whales," Americana-styled "In the Lantern Light," experimental "Dual Citizen," affecting climate change warning-aimed "Fever" and soulful "Best Of Me" (the latter featuring guest vocalist Michael McDonald) are among my other favorites on the terrific return. Information: ToadTheWetSprocket.com.
Titles: Sweet Rosie Jones; I've Got You on My Mind Again; Tall Dark Stranger (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Dwight Yoakam, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard
Tell me more: Beginning earlier this month and continuing through Oct. 1, Omnivore Recordings is in the midst of reissuing nine albums featuring Buck Owens and His Buckeroos. The albums are being released in their original configurations on audio CD and Digital (in both standard and high resolution); each has been mastered from the original analog tapes by Michael Graves and produced for release by Grammy-winner Cheryl Pawelski, and all feature expanded artwork and new liner notes from Owens biographer Randy Poe.
One of the reasons Owens was so successful can be heard across the myriad of reissues; his musical approach was straightforward with his signature baritone vocals used to propel songs featuring winning story lines and clever wordplay, catchy vocal choruses ( with two-part vocal harmonies featuring his guitarist Don Rich) and nuanced musicianship from his terrific Buckeroos.Sweet Rosie Jones was the troupe's third album of 1968; 10 of the 12 songs on the set were written or co-written by Owens. The title track, a lovely acoustic ballad, hit number 2 on the country singles chart; the parade of other great cuts on the disc includes the uptempo "Hello Happiness, Goodbye Loneliness," high-flying "If I Had Three Wishes," twangy delight "The Heartaches Have Just Started" and authentic cover of Merle Haggard's "Swinging' Doors."
Another 1968 release, I've Got You on My Mind Again, featuring outstanding tracks including the catchy "Let the World Keep On a Turnin'" (a hit duet with Buck's son Buddy Alan) and tuneful "I Wanna Be Wild and Free" and "Sing a Happy Song." Originally released in September of 1969, Tall Dark Stranger, features the album's enticing hit title track that was a number 1 on the singles chart as well as the mournful "White Satin Bed (co-written with Gene Price) and captivating "Across This Town and Gone." Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Robert Kinsler
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