Title: Directly From My Heart: The Best of the Specialty & Vee-Jay Years (Specialty Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Little Richard, early Beatles, Fats Domino
Tell me more: Listening to the wide-ranging 2015 Little Richard collection Directly From My Heart: The Best of the Specialty & Vee-Jay Years is to be transported to rock 'n' roll's earth-shattering infancy. Little Richard is heard on 64 tracks spanning 1956 to 1965, singing poignant ballads such as the bluesy "Wonderin'," dynamic "Without Love" and R&B standout "Maybe I'm Right," as well as songs mining Mississippi blues ("Goin' Home Tomorrow") and the Memphis sound ("I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got Me"). Along the way Richard is featured tackling soul – notably "I'm Just a Lonely Guy (All Alone)" and "You Better Stop." But the parade of hits featured across the seminal three-disc collection is the box set's ace play, with timeless rockers such as "Tutti Frutti," "Kansas City," Ready Teddy," "Rip It Up" "Long Tall Sally" and "Lucille" resonating with the force of the ages. Information: ConcordMusicGroup.com.
Title: Looking for a Feeling (Stellar Cat Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Rosanne Cash, Grace Potter, Lorrie Morgan
Tell me more: Pam Tillis brings her wonderful soprano and exceptional songwriting talents to her 11th studio album Looking for a Feeling. The dozen tracks reveal themselves to the listener via a rich soundscape spanning from potent highs to artful restraint (notably the gorgeous Joe Pisapia-penned "Better Friends" and her own "Last Summer's Wine"). On the aptly-titled "Dolly 1969" Tillis uses a mix of spoken word and playfully-sung vocals to pay tribute to one of her earliest music heroes; the simmering bluesy country rocker "Demolition Angel," ballad "My Kind of Medicine," shimmering styles-blending gem "Burning Star" and disc-ending Americana-soaked instrumental "Better Friends Reprise" additionally showcase the depth of the album. Honored in 1994 with the Country Music Association's "Female Vocalist of the Year," Tillis' voice is elevated amidst a talented parade of players including guitarist Pat Buchanan, keyboardist Jim Moose Brown, steel master Dan Dugmore and others. Information: pamtillis.com.
Title: CHICKABOOM! (Outside Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Wanda Jackson, Nikki Lane, Peggy Lee
Tell me more: Able to blend rockabilly, soul, Western swing, country and early rock 'n' roll into something decidedly her own, Tami Neilson has a large voice able to navigate and master those styles and more on her most recent full-length release CHICKABOOM! Neilson's booming soprano is used in the service of 10 songs that make for a fun and involving listen. The rock 'n' soul kiss-off "Call Your Mama" kicks things off with a bang. There is a playful and welcome devil-may-care spirit enhanced by Neilson's delivery and sharp lyrics. The catchy "16 Miles of Chain" has an early '60s vibe," as does the beautiful duet "Any Fool With a Heart" where she shares lead vocals with her brother Jay Neilson. The explosive gospel-meets-soul "Sister Mavis" and dreamy cowboy western stylings of "Sleep" close out this inspired affair. Information: tamineilson.com.
Title: Old Forgotten Altars: The 1960s Demos (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Buddy Ford Stewart, the Kingston Trio
Tell me more: A collection of demo recordings captured by master singer-songwriter John Stewart when he transitioning from his role as a member of the Kingston Trio to a solo career are featured on a fantastic new collection. Old Forgotten Altars: The 1960s Demos features 18 tracks recorded between 1965 and 1968, including three duets with Buddy Ford Stewart along with a bonus track recorded at his home in 1959. John Stewart — perhaps best known as the writer of the Monkees' "Daydream Believer" — displays a stellar command of song craft across this set, all the more amazing given these are mostly acoustic-styled demo recordings featuring a basic presentation of vocals and acoustic guitar. The songs are uniformly strong and affecting; high points include the lovely "Children of the Morning" (which did wind up as the title track on a Kingston Trio 1966 LP), lovely "The Pirates of Stone County Road," literate "One Tiny Grain of Sand," previously-unheard song "July, You're a Woman" and enthralling "Big Sur." Particularly powerful is "Lock All The Windows," whose acoustic ascent is as majestic as it is sparse. Insightful liner notes and archival photos fill a wonderful 12-page booklet that comes with the title. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Robert Kinsler
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