Title: The Bottom Line Archive: In Their Own Words with Vin Scelsa (BFD/Red)
You might like if you enjoy: Lou Reed, Kris Kristofferson
Tell me more: Lovers of great songs and the artists who create them will want to grab a copy of an essential new two-disc audio collection highlighting music and discussion with legendary songsmiths Lou Reed and Kris Kristofferson. Recorded at the Bottom Line in Greenwich Village in New York on February 2, 1994, the The Bottom Line Archive: In Their Own Words with Vin Scelsa title finds Scelsa discussing the genesis and influences that gave rise to songs with each of the artists, with both Reed and Kristofferson taking turns playing acoustic versions of many of their classics. To the lone accompaniment of their acoustic guitars, Reed performs some of his best-known cuts including "Sweet Jane," and "Romeo Had Juliet" while Kristofferson thrills the intimate audience with beloved works such as "Sunday Morning Coming Down/The Pilgrim," "Help Me Make It Through the Night" and "Me and Bobby McGee." Each artist also performs a favorite from another songwriter, with Kristofferson tackling Leonard Cohen's "Bird on a Wire" and Reed performing Smokey Robinson's "Tracks Of My Tears." Information: BottomLineArchive.com.
Title: We're All In This Together (Provogue)
You might like if you enjoy: Joe Bonamassa, Sonny Landreth, Edgar Winter, Charlie Musselwhite, Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Tell me more: A slew of the world's greatest living blues rockers join singer-guitarist Walter Trout on the aptly-titled We're All In This Together, an amazing 14-track disc with a different guest artist paired with Trout on each track. What makes the album so extra special is how wonderful each of the performances capture the style of the guest joining Trout. Kenny Wayne Shepherd teams with Trout on the fiery shuffle "Gonna Hurt Like Hell," both guitar heroes shredding up a storm. Louisiana slide guitar legend Sonny Landreth enhances the beautiful Southern rocker "Ain't Going Back" with his vocals and guitar work; harmonica great Charlie Musselwhite blasts on the Chicago blues-flavored "The Other Side of the Pillow." And so it goes with artists including Warren Haynes, Eric Gales, Robben Ford, Edgar Winter, Joe Bonamassa and others. But at the end of the day it is Walter Trout who is the star here, having brought together this amazing cast of top-tier players into a cohesive project that shines with its perfect mix of song craft and virtuoso musicianship. Information: MascotLabelGroup.com.
Title: Signs (Concord Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Jonny Lang, Gregg Allman
Tell me more: Jonny Lang is back with another set of impassioned and powerful songs delivered via blues, rock and soul on his latest album Signs. With Lang's tandem skills as lead guitarist and great singer as the anchor, the eclectic range of musical styles works well everywhere. The soulful and lyrically reflective "What You're Made Of," swirling rocker "Bitter End," inspired gospel-tinged "Into the Light" and tender ballad "Bring Me Back Home" are among the many standouts on the disc. The spirit of early Mississippi blues is captured on "Wisdom" with Lang's raspy vocals and blazing guitar layered atop a hypnotic beat; closing out the disc is the genre-defying "Singing Song," a lovely song that celebrates the enduring connection each generation has with song. Information: JonnyLang.com.
Title: Hippopotamus (BMG)
You might like if you enjoy: Sparks, Thomas Dolby, the Cars
Tell me more: Forty-five years into their singularly adventuresome trajectory, art rockers Sparks (brothers Ron and Russell Mael) continue to break new ground with intoxicating, intelligent and inviting music via their 22nd studio album Hippopotamus. The sweeping baroque "Missionary Position," haunting "Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me)," and synth pop number "Bummer" are among the riveting songs where Russell's falsetto vocals and Ron's accomplished keyboard talents lure in the listener. Sparks albums are always marked by original acerbic lyrics that provide more than enough intellectual food for thought and "Hippopotamus" is no exception; "Scandinavian Design," the cinematic "What The Hell Is It This Time?" and "So Tell Me Mrs. Lincoln Aside From That How Was the Play?" challenge with their skewed take on the world. Information: allsparks.com.
Robert Kinsler
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