Title: Waiting: The Van Duren Story (Original Documentary Soundtrack)
You might like if you enjoy: Big Star, Alex Chilton, Paul McCartney
Tell me more: Wow! Before listening to the recently-issued Waiting: The Van Duren Story I had not ever heard of Van Duren despite his links with Big Star (he was in Baker Street Regulars, a post-Big Star band with Chris Bell and Jody Stephens) and Memphis' famed Ardent Studios. Blessed with a voice that recalls the best of a youthful Paul McCartney and "In Color"-era Cheap Trick singer Robin Zander, Van Duren shines across the new collection that compiles fabulous studio and live cuts recorded between 1975 and 1986. A wonderful vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Van Duren's songwriting also astounds. The gems here include the piano-anchored "Grow Yourself Up" and tender jazz-tinged "Waiting" (both off Van Duren's 1978 solo debut LP "Are You Serious?), melodic rocker "Make A Scene" (off Van Duren's 1979 disc "Idiot Optimism") and previously-unreleased power pop standout "Andy, Please" (featuring Jody Stephens on drums and backing vocals). The special collection also includes several great live tracks, with the McCartney-flavored "Yellow Light" showcasing Van Duren's soulful vocals. You can learn more about this wonderful album as well as the related documentary about Van Duren on the Omnivore Recordings website. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Title: Leaving On A Jet Plane (Varèse Sarabande Records)
You might like if you enjoy: John Denver, Dan Fogelberg
Tell me more: Before his successful solo career in the 1970s, singer-songwriter John Denver was a member of two talented singing groups in the late '60s. A member of the Mitchell Trio and Denver, Boise & Johnson, a dozen tracks captured between 1967 and 1968 from those two ensembles are featured on the aptly-titled Leaving On A Jet Plane. In addition to the original versions of his songs "Leaving on a Jet Plane" (there are two different versions of that classic) and "Take Me To Tomorrow," the stellar track listing includes the beautiful "Baby, That's Where It Is" and English music hall-flavored "Like To Deal With the Ladies As Sung In The Shower Accompanied By a Twenty-Seven Piece Band" (both featuring the Mitchell Trio), and a previously-unissued version of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" and Tom Paxton's tender "Victoria Dines Alone" (courtesy of Denver, Boise & Johnson). The buoyant version of the Denver-penned "Take Me To Tomorrow" is among this writer's favorite cuts on the collection. The audio CD version also includes insightful liner notes penned by Mike Ragogna and historic photos of Denver from that era. Fans of the late Denver will want to seek out this terrific dozen-song set. Information: VareseSarabande.com.
Title: While You Were Out (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Soul Asylum, Husker Dü, the Replacements
Tell me more: Fans of Minneapolis-spawned rockers Soul Asylum can celebrate the release of Omnivore Recordings' While You Were Out, a killer title that features Soul Asylum's final two indie releases (1986's While You Were Out and the 1989 EP Clam Dip & Other Delights). Stuffed to the max with 24 tracks encompassing both of the original Twin/Tone Records releases as well as previously-unissued bonus tracks, the sound here blends the fury of punk and hard-charging indie spirit of the area's best-known proponents (notably the Replacements and Husker Dü). Listening to the blistering-meets-artful "Freaks," melodic punk rocker "Carry On," anthem "Crashing Down" and genre-splitting "Just Plain Evil" is to hear a band on the verge of Grammy-winning and widespread acclaim via early '90s hits such as "Runaway Train" and "Somebody to Shove." Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Title: The West Wing: Original Television Soundtrack (Varèse Sarabande Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Television and movie soundtracks
Tell me more: Those who were not able to get the special limited edition two-disc The West Wing soundtrack released as part of Varese Sarabande Records' "We Hear You" series several years ago are in luck. The record label has just issued a single-disc version of "The West Wing: Original Television Soundtrack" featuring composer W.G. Snuff Walden's memorable music for the long-running series. The full-length collection includes an impressive 29 tracks, all of which helped enhance the series (that won nine Emmy Awards at the end of its debut season in 2000 including Best Drama Series). Information: VareseSarabande.com.
Robert Kinsler
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