This column features a wide-ranging mix of fantastic audio titles available now including the latest reissues featuring the music of Kelly Willis, Sorrows, NRBQ, Uncle Walt's Band, the Cowsills and Jimmie Dale and the Flatlanders. Both Omnivore Recordings and Big Stir Records release many of the greatest and most important reissues on a consistent basis and this column features a number of those two labels' recent audio releases that are more than worthy of adding to any music lover's home library.
Title: What I Deserve — 25th Anniversary Edition (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Nanci Griffith, The Jayhawks, Jennifer Hanson
Tell me more: Celebrated Americana-country artist Kelly Willis' acclaimed 1999 album What I Deserve has been reissued as a deluxe expanded edition on CD and vinyl; the edition also includes five previously unissued tracks recorded live on Nov. 14, 1999 on Mountain Stage. The album's musical and lyrical strengths shine as strong now as they did at the time of the disc's release. Early highlights include the irresistible opener "Take Me Down," countrified "Heaven Bound," confessional "Talk Like That" and "Not Forgotten You." Later gems include "Wrapped" (an excellent romance-minded track written by Bruce Robison), tender "Cradle Of Love," emotive take on Nick Drake's "Time Has Told Me" and the Appalachia-tinged "Happy With That" (the latter a song Willis co-wrote with the Jayhawks' Gary Louris). The packaging includes lyrics as well as new liner notes from Peter Blackstock (No Depression, Austin American-Statesman). Information: omnivorerecordings.com.
Title: Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Knack, the Plimsouls, the Kinks
Tell me more: More than four decades after New York City power pop quartet Sorrows recorded their third album in a single night back in 1981, the LP has finally been released courtesy of Big Stir Records. Now the inspired album featuring the talents of Arthur Alexander (vocals, guitar), Joey Cola (vocals, guitar), Ricky Street (vocals, bass) and Jett Harris (drums) can be heard in its entirety; music fans can only marvel at the power of a recording made 44 years ago that showcases a troupe that was masterfully blending power pop, new wave and punk genres with a signature sound that was definitely the band's own. The explosive opener "Never Mind," poignant light speed take on the Rolling Stones' "Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?," glorious melodic rocker "Out Of My Head," rockabilly-fueled "Let Me Know" and the fiery instrumental "Slo' Surfin'" are early standouts on the disc. An ambitious tribute to John Lennon titled "Cricket Man," infectious new wave rocker "Just One Fool To Blame," euphoric power pop cut "Too Much Love," a bona fide punk rock reading of Eddie Cochran's "Something' Else" and genuinely tender "Love Ain't Nothin' (Without You)" thrill on the latter half of the 14-track LP. Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrrow closes out with Sorrows' blistering cover of the Pirates' "You Don't Own Me." Information: bigstirrecords.com.
Title: Brass Tacks (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: NRBQ, R.E.M., Buck Owens
Tell me more: NRBQ has been releasing top-tier albums since 1969, with virtuoso musicianship, far-flung songcraft and genuine ambition a distinctive feature across the band's impressive discography. Last year saw the release of a 10th anniversary deluxe reissue of NRBQ's Brass Tacks, featuring the original album along with three bonus tracks. This stellar set includes a wide range of great material including the joyful opener "Waitin' On My Sweetie Pie," satirical "Greetings From Delaware" addressing the dangers of racking up credit cards, the Buck Owens-flavored "Fightin' Back" featuring Casey McDonough's wry vocals, Terry Adams' romantic "Sit In My Lap," jazzy "Places Far Away" rooted in the Lydian scale that Adams had written as a teenager decades earlier, the reflective roots rocker "This Flat Tire," the sparkling love song "Can't Wait To Kiss You," and harmonies-filled "I'd Like To Know." This being NRBQ, surprises elevate the musical proceedings at every turn; just listen to the group's wonderfully cheerful take on "Getting To Know You"from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "The King and I." The album also includes informative liner notes from John DeAngelis. Information: omnivorerecordings.com.
Title: Thought You'd Never Ask: The Complete 1975 Armadillo Records Recordings (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: David Ball, Uncle Walt's Band
Tell me more: A groundbreaking Americana trio featuring Walter Hyatt, Champ Hood and David Ball, Uncle Walt's Band were among the most popular artists in Austin, Texas' burgeoning music scene in the 1970s and early '80s. Thanks to their strong songwriting and performance skills, as well as their intricate three-part vocal harmonies and blending of genres in their approach, they were a major influence on the celebrated likes of Lucinda Williams, Marcia Ball, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Lyle Lovett. Now comes the release of Thought You'd Never Ask: The Complete 1975 Armadillo Records Recordings, a new collection featuring 22 tracks — including early versions of tracks that would appear on future Uncle Walt's Band releases. Three of the selections on Thought You'd Never Ask appeared as bonus material on Omnivore's 2019 expanded edition of the band's self-titled debut but the other 19 tracks are previously unissued. The warmth and authenticity of the trio can be heard across the essential collection, ranging from the rich opener "Beauty In The Flesh," Americana-styled "Say Goodbye" and heartfelt "Deeper Than Love" to the uptempo rootsy folk rocker "Getaway," an intoxicating take on the traditional favorite "Midnight Special," wistful "As The Crow Flies" and captivating "Whatever Reason." Thought You'd Never Ask: The Complete 1975 Armadillo Records Recordings also includes new liner notes from renowed journalist and producer Bill Bentley. Information: omnivorerecordings.com.
Title: Global (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: The Cowsills, The Continental Drifters, The Bangles, Badfinger
Tell me more: Great voices. Wonderful songs. Creative arrangements. Top-notch musicianship. The Cowsills' 1998 Global (their first album of new material in nearly three decades) was reissued via a restored and remastered edition late last year. Appearing for the first time on vinyl, as well as via audio CD and on digital, Global also features three bonus tracks. The jangly harmonies-drenched opener "What About Love," evocative "Under The Gun," soaring "What I Believe," beautifully heart-wrenching "Is It Any Wonder?" and the rollicking bonus track "Maybe It's You" are among my favorites on the LP. Guests on the disc include Vicki Peterson (The Bangles, Continental Drifters), Berton Averre (The Knack), Peter Holsapple (The dB's, Continental Drifters) and John Stamos. A 12-page booklet includes updated artwork and new liner notes from Brett Milano and Bob Cowsill. Information: omnivorerecordings.com.
Title: All American Music (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Jimmie Dale, Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, Old Crow Medicine Show
Tell me more: Jimmie Dale and the Flatlanders were a legendary troupe that featured Jimmie Dale Gilmore on lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, as well a Joe Ely (vocals, harmonica, guitar) and Butch Hancock (harmony vocals, guitar, harmonica, banjo). Recorded back in 1972 and scheduled for release the following year, the group's All American Music was put on hold and went unissued — save for a few copies that were released on 8-Track. It wasn't until 1980 when a compilation released in the U.K. collected all the known Flatlanders material for release. Fast forward 45 years and now Omnivore Recordings has collected every recording from the band (including from an out-of-print German collection) and released the outstanding 18-track All American Music. Under the direction of Grammy winner Cheryl Pawelski, the collection was mastered by Grammy Award winner Michael Graves; the packaging features liner notes from author Colin Escott. The acoustic-styled band's old-time sound is a delight that enthralls with a single listen. Highlights include the authentic "The Heart You Left Behind," sumptuous "She Had Everything," lovely "Tonight I Think I'm Gonna Go Downtown," uptempo "Rose From The Mountain," wonderfully off-kilter "Stars In My Life" and gorgeous "I Know You." As Escott notes: "More than a half-century later, The Flatlanders' original music still sounds fresh. It was truly a sound like no other." Information: omnivorerecordings.com.
Robert Kinsler
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