Title: Where The Action Is (Cooking Vinyl)
You might like if you enjoy: The Waterboys, World Party, Psychedelic Furs
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter Mike Scott and his outstanding group known as the Waterboys have returned with another must-hear album (Where the Action Is) of literate and lusty rock. Since forming the band in Scotland in the early 1980s, Scott has written and recorded heartfelt original material tinged with classic rock, folk, Celtic and alternative styles to give his material a diverse and enchanting sweep. Few songwriters tap into the day-to-day experience of living life itself like Scott, whose lyrics resonate with the power of rock's all-time greats; listen to the tear-inducing folk rocker "In My Time On Earth" and lyrics-driven "Ladbroke Grove Symphony" to get an instant feel of Scott's brilliance. Ever the sonic explorer, Scott dips back to the poetry of Robert Burns (1759-1796) for the Celtic "Then She Made the Lasses O," and even offers up a full-on rap selection via "Take Me There I Will Follow You" and seemingly proves nothing is out of reach. Information: MikeScottWaterboys.com.
Title: Please Come Home (Last Music Co.)
You might like if you enjoy: Jimmie Vaughan, Kid Ramos, The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Tell me more: The new Jimmie Vaughan album Please Come Home is a thrilling and joyful celebration of the blues. On the new album, the famed singer-guitar great pays tribute to 11 classic blues tracks with a group of like-minded players who conjure up magic as they revisit timeless material penned by the celebrated likes of Lloyd Price, Lefty Frizzell, T-Bone Walker and more. Vaughan showcases his strong baritone vocals and sharp skills on guitar everywhere, from the buoyant "Just a Game" and dual saxophone-anchored "No One To Talk To" to the instrumental gem "Hold It" and disc-ending "Baby, What's Wrong," the latter bolstered by plenty of Vaughan's signature lead guitar work. Vaughan is currently on tour and has a number of upcoming dates including at the Hollywood Bowl with Buddy Guy and Charlie Musselwhite on Aug. 7, 2019. Information: jimmievaughan.com.
Title: The Secret (Frontiers Music Srl)
You might like if you enjoy: The Alan Parsons Project, ASIA
Tell me more: Alan Parsons has explored a myriad of corners of the music universe over the past 50+ years, scoring success as engineer, producer and recording artist. Parson's new album The Secret is a celebration of the symphonic and progressive rock elements that are clearly a big part of his musical DNA — after all, Parsons was an assistant engineer on The Beatles' final two albums and served as an engineer on Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon." The wistful and melodic track "As Lights Fall" is an early highlight on the disc, with Parson's inviting vocals positioned amidst an inviting pop sheen. Jason Mraz makes a strong guest turn via the '70s style nugget "Miracle." The McCartney-esque "Fly to Me" and probing orchestra-draped "Beyond the Years of Glory" are among the glowing cuts that appear on the last half of the disc. Other high-profile guest include original Foreigner singer Lou Gramm, ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro and founding Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. Information: AlanParsons.com.
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| From left: The Stray Cats are Brian Setzer, Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker. Photo credit: Russ Harrington. |
Title: 40 (Surfdog Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Stray Cats, Lee Rocker, rockabilly
Tell me more: The Stray Cats have returned with the aptly-titled 40, a celebratory album that finds the rockabilly heroes rocking with the excitement and firepower that marked their introduction to the world in the early '80s. The stripped-down approach displayed across the Peter Collins-produced album shines a welcome lights on the talents of singer-guitarist Brian Setzer, bassist-singer Lee Rocker and drummer-singer Slim Jim Phantom. There is an obvious musical chemistry when they perform the dozen cuts on the album, and the New York-spawned trio have returned with some great original tracks to show off their musical chops. While the Stray Cats certainly revisit the classic rockabilly sound that put them on the map (just listen to the blistering "Three Time's A Charm" or playful "That's Messed Up"), they explore new ground on the moody surf guitar-adorned "Cry Danger," which features some of Setzer's most innovative guitar work in memory. Other great cuts on the set include the high-flying "Cat Fight (Over a Dog Like Me)," moody instrumental "Desperado" and edgy closer "Devil Train." Information: StrayCats.com.
Title: California Son (BMG)
You might like if you enjoy: Morrissey, The Smiths
Tell me more: When it came time for singer Morrissey to record a full-length album of songs by other artists it should have come as little surprise it would be no average covers project. On his latest album California Son, the former Smiths frontman has dipped back to the lesser-known reaches of the 1960s and '70s covering mostly under the radar cuts from legends such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Dionne Warwick as well as obscure cult heroes including Jobriath, Tim Hardin and Phil Ochs. Even discerning music aficionados will find themselves discovering new songs courtesy of this dozen-track set. Morrissey's voice tackles each song with artful candor; the euphoric "Morning Starship," dreamy "Don't Interrupt the Sorrow" and politically-charged take on Ochs' "Days of Decision" are among the seldom heard masterworks reintroduced here. Those looking for a familiar track should immerse themselves in Morrissey's stellar version of Roy Orbison's operatic epic "It's Over," as well as an inspired run through Gary Puckett and the Union Gap's "Lady Willpower." Information: MorrisseyOfficial.com.
Robert Kinsler
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