Artist: The Doors
Title: The Doors: Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: The Doors
Tell me more: The Doors remain one of rock's most groundbreaking and original bands of any era. So anytime new music emerges from The Doors' short but prolific career there is a bona fide reason to celebrate. The last known unseen performance of The Doors in existence has been released, and it truly offers up an astounding experience for discerning fans of the Los Angeles-spawned quartet. The Doors: Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 features the group coming out on stage at 2 a.m. on Aug. 30, 1970 in a performance that featured an understandably-reserved Jim Morrison (the singer had been the focus of a well-publicized obscenity trial in Miami). But while Morrison spends most of the set positioned close to his microphone and rarely even opens his eyes, the concert itself is bolstered by the power of the band's songs, strength of the musicianship and Morrison's emotive vocals. Highlights include a driving "Break On Through (To The Other Side)" and a 14-minute take on "Light My Fire." In addition to the concert film, there is a bonus featurette titled "This Is The End" anchored by 17 minutes of interviews conducted by the film's original director (Academy Award-winner Murray Lerner) with guitarist Robby Krieger, drummer John Densmore and original Doors manager Bill Siddons. There is additional archival interview footage with the late keyboardist Ray Manzarek from 2002. The Doors: Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 is available on Blu-ray+CD (the version reviewed here), as well as on DVD+CD and via Digital Video. Information: TheDoors.com.
Title: Mood Indigo: The Complete Bethlehem Singles (BMG/Bethlehem)
You might like if you enjoy: Nina Simone
Tell me more: Remastered in 2017 and released earlier this month, the 14 tracks on Mood Indigo: The Complete Bethlehem Singles celebrate the 60th anniversary of Nina Simone entering Manhattan's Beltone Studios to record her debut album Little Girl Blue for Bethlehem Records. Only 25 at the time, the North Carolina native was already a talented singer blessed with a rich voice and virtuoso skills at the keyboard to match. At the session she recorded what would be her first hit "Porgy (I Loves You, Porgy)" and a wide range of other material showcasing her already-keen musical talents. Take the buoyant "Love Me or Leave Me," where her contralto soprano and baroque-meets-jazz piano skills are blended artfully. She could also deliver moving and hushed ballads, as evidenced by her version of Rodgers & Hart's "Little Girl Blue" and an ambitious instrumental interpretation of the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein show tune "You'll Never Walk Alone." On the rousing jazz-meets-blues instrumental "African Mailman," she pounds on the keys and conjures up a storm accompanied by bassist Jimmy Bond and drummer Al "Tootie" Heath. The newly-issued collection comes just in time to celebrate Simone's upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 14. Sadly, Simone died at the age of 70 in April 2003. Information: bmg.com.
Title: Altered Sweet (Futureman Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet, Lannie Flowers, Lisa Mychols
Tell me more: Available as a 2-disc audio CD set or as a digital album, Altered Sweet is a wonderful tribute to singer-songwriter-guitar great Matthew Sweet. The shimmering, well-crafted and melodic songcraft associated with Matthew Sweet is on display everywhere here. Lisa Mychols kicks things off with an ace take on "Looking at the Sun" and the power of the selections rarely falters. Standouts on the first half of the disc include Greg Pope's creative "Not When I Need It," Chris Richards & the Subtractions' tender "Someone to Pull the Trigger," simple friend's delightful baroque pop-mining "Sick of Myself," Michael Simmons' faithful take on "Heaven and Earth" and The Hangabouts' expert reworking of "When I Feel Again." The latter half of the rewarding 27-track collection includes a rocking take on Sweet's beloved 1991 hit "Girlfriend" courtesy of Michael Carpenter, Nick Piunti's contagious "Behind The Smile," and Arvidson & Butterflies' dashing "Byrdsong." Things wrap up with the Popdudes' affecting Americana-tinged ballad "I Almost Forgot." Information: https://futuremanrecords.bandcamp.com/
Title: Black Panther (Original Score) (Hollywood Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Hans Zimmer
Tell me more: Yours truly is anxious to see the new Disney-Marvel superhero film "Black Panther," not only because of the parade of strong reviews but because I've been thoroughly enjoying Swedish composer Ludwig Göransson's score for the box office smash. Some of the selections are weighted in favor of traditional African percussion and vocal styles (the exhilarating "Wakanda Origins," luxurious "Wakanda," genre-defying "Wake Up T'Challa"), while others draw comparisons with Hans Zimmer's modernistic blend of symphonic and rock elements (the edgy "Royal Talon Fighter," sweeping "A New Day"). Overall, the music here is dramatic and provides an exciting listening experience. Information: Disney.com.
Title: Hangman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Varèse Sarabande Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Dead Can Dance, Hans Zimmer
Tell me more: Although the film "Hangman" didn't score well with critics, the original motion picture for the American crime thriller is first rate and well worth discovering. Composer Frederik Wiedmann has crafted an especially potent work presented via 21 tracks on a single disc. The self-titled theme is bolstered by a strong sense of urgency; "Suicide Attempt" - featuring the haunting soprano of Ayana Haviv - recalls vocalist Lisa Gerrard's memorable work with Dead Can Dance. Other tracks such as the unsettling "Underneath The Cross," lovely "An Old Case," spellbinding "Archer" and tense "No Rest" bristle with sonic firepower. Information: VareseSarabande.com.
Robert Kinsler
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