New music: Johnny Marr, Sarah Borges, Urge Overkill, Scorpions, Natalie Cole

Johnny Marr, Sarah Borges, Urge Overkill and Scorpions are back with outstanding new studio albums. Also worth celebrating is the 30th Anniversary Edition of Natalie Cole's acclaimed Unforgettable...With Love available now.

Artist: Johnny Marr

Title: Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 (New Voodoo/BMG)

You might like if you enjoy: The Smiths, Johnny Marr, New Order, The The

Tell me more: Since Johnny Marr embarked on his bona fide solo career in 2013 with the release of his debut effort The Messenger, the British singer-songwriter/guitar master has carved out an essential new chapter in his career that builds on his immense contributions with The Smiths, the Pretenders, The The, 7 Worlds Collide, Modest Mouse and more. Add to that growing legacy the release of his ambitious new album Fever Dreams Pts 1-4. The 16-track album — which runs more than 72 minutes — finds Marr at the top of his game using his sharp vocals, signature guitar work and honed songcraft in the service of another truly incredible album. The thrilling opener "Spirit Power & Soul," hypnotic "All These Days," 1980s-meets-2022 "Hideaway Girl" and fiery modern rocker "Tenement Time" are among the thrilling early entries on the must-hear collection. The second half of the album continues to showcase Marr's razor-sharp approach as evidenced by the spellbinding "The Speed of Love," infectious "Night and Day," driving "The Whirl" and meditative closer "Human." Information: JohnnyMarr.com.

Artist: Sarah Borges

Title: Together Alone (Blue Corn Music)

You might like if you enjoy: Rosanne Cash, Aimee Mann, Sarah Borges

Tell me more: Years from now music historians will likely shine a reflective light on the myriad of masterworks created amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic that stopped the world in its tracks in early 2020. Among the albums deserving of their future attention —  and ours now —  is Sarah Borges' excellent Together Alone. Recorded remotely with her longtime producer Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, Together Alone features 10 original songs anchored by Borges' marvelous talents as singer, songwriter and guitarist. The lead-off track "Wasting My Time" sets up the lyrical themes and inviting soundscape to come with Borges singing: "It's been a while now since I've seen my friends / Don't know when I'm gonna see 'em again / Without them around / It's harder to pretend that I know where I'm going." The buoyant rocker "Lucky Day," rootsy "Wouldn't Know You" (featuring nice lead guitar work and piano playing from Amber), poetic "13th Floor," rollicking "You Got Me On The Boat" and introspective "Together Alone" are among the great songs on the disc. Ambel's liner notes add insight into the challenges and rewards of the way that Borges and a cast of great players —  including members of NRBQ and The Bottle Rockets — were able to complete the recording of this superb album. Information: bluecornmusic.com.  

Artist: Urge Overkill

Title: Oui (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: The Replacements, Husker Dü, Weezer

Tell me more: Back with their first new album since 2011's Rock & Roll Submarine, Chicago-based Urge Overkill's Oui marks a wonderful addition to the discography of the Nash Kato- and King Roeser-led troupe. The duo's loose and energetic Rolling Stones-on-steroids approach shines across the long-awaited album. Urge Overkill's parade of killer cuts on Oui includes a sparkling reworked version of George Michael's Wham!-era "Freedom," the tuneful "I Been Ready," rapid-fire "Forgiven," wistful "Litany" and crunchy "Won't Let Go." Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.  

Artist: Scorpions

Title: Rock Believer (Spinefarm)

You might like if you enjoy: Deep Purple, Scorpions, UFO

Tell me more: Crank it up. Famed German rockers Scorpions are back with the pedal-to-the-metal Rock Believer, created during the global pandemic in Hanover. The venerable hard rock quintet fires through 11 melody-minded rockers including the opening sortie "Gas In The Tank," ripping "Roots In My Boots," soaring "Shining Of Your Soul," poignant "Seventh Sun," inspired "Peacemaker" and lovely closer "When You Know (Where You Come From)." Many of the songs celebrate the band's strong ties with their fans and the music they play; there is a growing appreciation of their lasting place 55+ years into their marathon rock 'n' roll run (the band has reportedly sold more than 100 million records since 1972). Indeed, on the title track lead vocalist Klaus Meine sings: "Scream for me screamer / I'm a rock believer / like you just like you / Come on scream for me screamer / I'm a rock believer, like you just like you." The audio CD release is packaged in a 4-panel digipak and comes with a 16-page booklet. Information: scorpions.com. 

Artist: Natalie Cole

Title: Unforgettable...With Love [30th Anniversary Edition] (Craft Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Natalie Cole, Nat King Cole, David Foster

Tell me more: Long before she recorded Unforgettable...With Love at the dawn of the 1990s, Natalie Cole had often been encouraged to complete a collection of songs that had been recorded by her late father Nat King Cole. Unforgettable...With Love was ultimately Natalie Cole's most successful album, selling more than seven million copies and earning the artist a number of Grammys including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance for the title track. Now the 1991 album has been newly remastered and sounds better than ever. Natalie Cole brings her own signature style to classic material, her soprano bringing technical precision and emotional warmth to uptempo numbers ("Route 66," "This Can't Be Love," "Orange Colored Sky"), slower nuggets ("Mona Lisa," the jazzy "That Sunday That Summer," the gorgeous ballad "Too Young") and many of the most beloved songs of the 20th century (notably Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," George and Ira Gershwin's "Our Love Is Here To Stay," Irving Gordon's "Unforgettable" and Nat King Cole's own "Straighten Up and Fly Right"). In addition to the inclusion of all 22 selections featured on the original release, the 30th Anniversary Edition of Unforgettable...With Love includes two bonus tracks ("At Last" and "Cottage For Sale"). A wonderful 24-page booklet includes extensive liner notes and historical photos of Natalie Cole with her legendary father. Information: CraftRecordings.com.

Robert Kinsler

Celebrated artists make eagerly-awaited returns

Fall 2015 has revealed a number of exciting returns for classic artists, including long-awaited returns by Jeff Lynne's ELO and British pop-rock outfit Squeeze, as well as high-profile releases from Canadian rocker Bryan Adams, German hard rock outfit Scorpions and a solo album from ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons.

Artist: Jeff Lynne's ELO
Title: Alone in the Universe (Columbia)
You might like if you enjoy: Traveling Wilburys, ELO
Tell me more: For the better part of the 1970s and '80s, the Electric Light Orchestra – better known as ELO – thrilled rock fans with dozens of spectacular hits including "Evil Woman," "Turn to Stone," "Don't Bring Me Down," "All Over the World" and "Mr. Blue Sky." When the band folded in 1986, lead singer/guitarist/songwriter Jeff Lynne became busy working as a producer for the likes of George Harrison and Roy Orbison, and a key member of supergroup of the Traveling Wilburys seemingly put an end to ELO. With 2015 being a year chalk full of amazing returns (Blur, the Zombies, Squeeze, Duran Duran), an amazing full-length disc from Jeff Lynne's ELO has to be heard to be believed. An acclaimed producer, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Lynne displays his myriad of talents across Alone in the Universe, a disc where he masterfully handles the majority of duties on his own. Lynne can still unleash shimmering symphonic epics (including the wonderful single "When I Was a Boy" and swirling "The Sun Will Shine On You"), but some of the most sterling songs here include the confessional ballad "All My Life," yearning "I'm Leaving You" and reflective title track. Here in the U.S., there is a deluxe edition of Alone in the Universe that includes two bonus tracks. Information: jefflynneselo.com.

Get 'Jeff Lynne's ELO - Alone In The Universe' (Amazon U.S. Deluxe Exclusive) here



Artist: Squeeze
Title: Cradle To The Grave (Caroline)
You might like if you enjoy: Crowded House, Squeeze
Tell me more: Featuring Squeeze's first new album of new material since 1998, the newly-released Cradle To The Grave finds Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook and company forging ahead even while celebrating their storied melodic and literate style that yielded a slew of classics in the 1970s and '80s. The songs here blend power pop and melodic rock, adorned with lovely harmonies and creative arrangements that enhance each song's core power (many of the tales here honest chronicle middle age). "Happy Days" is as exhilarating as its title; the ambitious Beatles-styled "Sunny" and Americana-tinged "Haywire" are the creative equal of Squeeze classics such as "Tempted," "Black Coffee in Bed" and "Cool For Cats." A thrilling return to be sure. Information: squeezeofficial.com.

Buy 'Cradle To The Grave' here



Artist: Bryan Adams
Title: Get Up (UMe)
You might like if you enjoy: Jeff Lynne, Bryan Adams
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter Bryan Adams' latest album Get Up was produced by legendary Jeff Lynne (Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, George Harrison), and the project is something that ultimately stretches the reach of Adams' sincere style of rock 'n' roll. Some of the songs here incorporate elements of classic rock stretching back to the genre's roots (particularly the 50s-flavored "You Belong To Me" and Beatles-mining "Don't Even Try"), while "Go Down Rockin'" captures the spirit of the Ontario, Canada native's classic '80s works. The lovely "Yesterday Was Just a Dream" is a wonderful track that is as contemporary and affecting as anything Adams has ever recorded. Information: BryanAdams.com.

Get 'Get Up' here


Artist: Scorpions
Title: Return To Forever (Legacy)
You might like if you enjoy: Scorpions, AC/DC
Tell me more: AC/DC isn't the only classic hard rock band to have silenced the naysayers in 2015. Germany's Scorpions - who remarkably have been together for 50 years - have issued one of their best-ever discs. Return to Forever features the blend of strong riffs, melodic heavy metal and power ballads that marked the band's wave of top-selling albums issued throughout the 1980s and early '90s. Singer Klaus Meines remains a wonder, his voice able to convey youthful abandon as well as more mature emotions. "House of Cards" is the band's most compelling ballad since 1990's classic "Wind of Change." Rockers need not worry; the pumping "All For One," "Going Out With a Bang" and "House of Cards" are among the bona fide hard rockers on the album. The straight-forward and aptly-titled "Rock 'n' Roll Band" sums up the 5 decade career of one of the globe's most enduring hard rocking outfits. Information: the-scorpions.com.

Purchase 'Return To Forever' here



Artist: Billy Gibbons and the BFG's
Title: Perfectamundo (Concord Records)
You might like if you enjoy: ZZ Top, Los Lobos
Tell me more: While ZZ Top front man Billy Gibbons' distinctive vocal growl and blistering lead guitar work will quickly be recognized on Perfectamundo, the first-ever solo album from Gibbons stands apart in style from his role in his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band. Here Gibbons' musical stamp is mixed with a decidedly Cuban flair courtesy of his musical collaborator Martine "G.G." GuiGui. The festive, dance-minded affair blends blues, Latin rhythms, rap, Carribeano and other exotic elements. Infectious and authentic, highlights include the Mexicano-blues rocker "Got Love If You Want It" and percussion-anchored "Sal Y Pimiento." Information: billygibbons.com.

Get 'Perfectamundo' here

Robert Kinsler

Sights and Sounds: The Scorpions celebrate 50 years with range of forthcoming releases

As hard as it is to believe, German hard rockers The Scorpions are celebrating 50 years of music making.

Here are two media releases focusing on upcoming titles coming via DVD, Blu-ray, vinyl and digital platforms next month...

The Scorpions "Forever And A Day"

coming to DVD, Blu-ray and digital platforms on November 27, 2015

The new fully authorized Scorpions documentary Forever and a Day is wrapping up its theatrical run and will come to DVD, Blu-ray, and digital platforms on November 27th (in German with English subtitles). The movie takes a look at the German hard-rock legends' long career, while focusing on the band's Final Sting trek, which initially was intended to be a farewell tour.

As the film shows, during the 2011-2012 tour, the band members were so energized by the response from fans that they decided to scrap their retirement plans. Founding Scorpions guitarist Rudolf Schenker says that if you watch Forever and a Day, you can see the veteran rockers come to the realization that they weren't ready to call it quits.

Schenker explains, "Seeing all these old fans, the new fans coming, everything was sold out, and getting told by the fans what the music means for them, then we more and more" understood that the time wasn't right for the band to retire.

Among the interesting career highlights covered in the movie is The Scorpions' historic 1991 visit to the Kremlin in Moscow to meet Mikhail Gorbachev. The band presented the then-Soviet president with a gold record for its hit ballad "Wind of Change," which celebrated the end of the Cold War.

Describing "Wind of Change" as "the soundtrack of the most peaceful revolution on Earth,"Schenker says The Scorpions' visit with Gorbachev was "something very special" since they were the first, and possibly the only, Western band ever invited to the Kremlin. He adds that The Scorpions are still friendly with Gorbachev, who makes an appearance in Forever and a Day commenting about the group and the impact of "Wind of Change."

The Scorpions recently wrapped up the 2015 U.S. leg of its 50th anniversary tour, which also is in support of their latest studio album, Return to Forever. With regard to the band's future, longtime Scorpions guitarist Matthias Jabs says, "It doesn't look like the end is near. You know, we keep ourselves open now. We tried the farewell tour, and we [called] it afterwards the 'went well' tour."

The Scorpions will finish the year with a series of European dates in November and December, with more to come in February and March of 2016, including a run of shows in their homeland.Jabs says the band also plans to play more U.S. shows in May, and may visit South America and China as well. Check The-Scorpions.com for the group's confirmed itinerary.

Pre-Order:  http://bit.ly/1QxzzKB

 

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1k7P3L3

The Scorpions celebrate 50 years by rocking like a hurricane on three new vinyl reissues, all due Nov. 6, 2015

1982’s Blackout, 1984’s Love at First Sting and 1985’s double-LP World Wide Live to be re-released on remastered 180-gram vinyl to mark milestone occasion

Legendary German heavy metal band Scorpions were formed in 1965 by founding member Rudolf Schenker in Hanover, and along with longtime vocalist Klaus Meine and guitarist Matthias Jabs, have forged one of the most remarkable careers in rock ‘n’ roll history. Earlier this year the band released their brand-new album Return to Forever, and now Universal Music Enterprises is reissuing three of the group’s classic albums – 1982’s Blackout, 1984’s Love at First Sting and 1985’s double-LP World Wide Live – on remastered, high-grade, 180-gram vinyl on November 6, 2015.

The band Rolling Stone once dubbed “The Heroes of Heavy Metal” achieved their biggest commercial successes with these three albums, which is saying something in a career that has seen them sell millions of records worldwide, with six of their singles going No. 1 in different countries around the world. The band has achieved several major honors, including a star on the Hollywood Rock Walk and a World Music Rock Legend Award, among many accolades.

Blackout is the eighth Scorpions studio album, but first breakout success, released in 1982, with its famous cover featuring a bandaged self-portrait of artist Gottfried Helnwein, a character portrayed by Rudolf Schenker in the music video for “No One Like You” and an indelible T-shirt image for Scorpions fans around the world. Produced by frequent collaborator Dieter Dierks, the album was certified platinum in 1984, having peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard 200, while going No. 1 in France, No. 11 in the U.K. and Top 10 in Germany. Vocalist Klaus Meinke underwent surgery on his vocal cords right before recording was to begin, and demos were recorded by Don Dokken, though none of those appeared on the final album. The first single, “No One Like You,” went to No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart and No. 65 on The Billboard Hot 100.  AllMusic called it “the band’s best record ever… it has more energy than anything else they have ever released.”

Love at First Sting, the follow-up to Blackout, was released in 1984, making history as one of the first digitally recorded hard rock records.  The album was the group’s most successful ever in the U.S., peaking at No. 6 on The Billboard 200 and reaching triple-platinum status in 1995, thanks to the metal anthem, “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” which went to No. 25 on The Billboard Hot 100, with “Still Loving You” going to No. 64 in the States, No. 14 in Germany and No. 3 in France. The album went to No. 4 in France, No. 6 in Germany, No. 9 in Switzerland, No. 17 in the U.K. and Sweden and No 19 in Austria. Also included are the tracks “Coming Home,” “Big City Nights” and “Still Loving You.”

World Wide Live, reissued as a double-LP, first came out in 1985 and documented several stops on the band’s world tour, including shows at the Sports Arena in San Diego, the Forum in Los Angeles, Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA, Bercy in Paris and Sporthalle in Cologne, West Germany. And while the original release boasted 15 tracks, this two-record set features all 19 tracks, including “Another Piece of Meat,” “Six-String Sting” and “Can’t Get Enough” parts 1 and 2. The album peaked at No. 17 on The Billboard 200, and went to No. 4 in Germany and Austria and hit the Top 10 in Sweden, earning platinum in the States and Canada, and going gold in both Germany and France.  Allmusic called it the band’s best live album and a “must for their fans.” Rolling Stone praised World Wide Live as “four solid sides of adrenaline-injected metal.”

TRACK LISTINGS

Blackout (1982)

A1. Blackout
A2. Can't Live Without You
A3. No One Like You

A4. You Give Me All I Need

A5. Now!
B1. Dynamite
B2. Arizona
B3. China White
B4. When The Smoke Is Going Down

Love at First Sting (1984)
A1. Bad Boys Running Wild
A2. Rock You Like A Hurricane
A3. I'm Leaving You
A4. Coming Home
A5. The Same Thrill
B1. Big City Nights
B2. As Soon As the Good Times Roll
B3. Crossfire
B4. Still Loving You  

World Wide Live (1985)
A1. Countdown **

A2. Coming Home **

A3. Blackout *
A4. Bad Boys Running Wild **
A5. Loving You Sunday Morning **
A6. Make It Real **
B1. Big City Nights **

B2. Coast to Coast **
B3. Holiday **

B4. Still Loving You  *
C1. Rock You Like a Hurricane **
C2. Can't Live Without You **

C3. Another Piece of Meat **

C4. Dynamite *

D1. The Zoo *
D2. No One Like You  *

D3. Can't Get Enough (Part I) **
D4. Six String Sting **
D5. Can't Get Enough (Part II)

*   World Wide Live version

** Live at Love At First Sting Tour