While live concerts have mostly been relegated to a thing of the past since the global pandemic struck in March, the parade of top-tier titles released in 2020 has helped offset the sting of life without concerts. Look no further than newly-available releases from The Rolling Stones, Flying Colors, NRBQ and William Shatner that captivate during an uncertain year...
Title: Steel Wheels Live – Atlantic City, New Jersey (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker
Tell me more: While The Rolling Stones had to postpone their 15-date "No Filter" tour of North America this year because of the coronavirus outbreak, fans of the British rockers can catch up on the band's historic legacy via the newly-released Steel Wheels Live – Atlantic City, New Jersey multiple format title. The previously-unreleased December 1989 concert film is the latest release from the Rolling Stones' rich archives; it has been completely restored, remixed and remastered – it looks and sounds great. The performance is a fine one to be sure, with the band's marathon-length set a mix of hits and choice selections (including "Mixed Emotions" and "Rock and a Hard Place") off their acclaimed comeback Steel Wheels album released a few months before the concert date. The fast-moving set includes a fiery "Bitch," R&B-flavored "Harlem Shuffle," playful "Miss You," freewheeling "Can't Be Seen" (featuring Keith Richards' lead vocals), magnificent "Gimme Shelter" and many more. As if the Stones' talents alone were not great enough the special night featured some high-profile guests joining Richards, Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, and Bill Wyman; Guns N' Roses' singer Axl Rose and guitarist Izzy Stradlin joined the band for their first-ever live performance of "Salt Of The Earth" (from 1968's Beggars Banquet album); Eric Clapton unleashes some impressive guitar work on "Little Red Rooster" before bluesman John Lee Hooker takes center stage for an inspired "Boogie Chillen." Backing vocalist Lisa Fischer and saxophone master Bobby Keys shine throughout the show. Information: Eagle-Rock.com.
Title: Third Stage: Live in London (Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group)
You might like if you enjoy: Asia, Kansas, Steve Morse
Tell me more: Acclaimed prog-rock supergroup Flying Colors has issued a wonderful deluxe collection Third Stage: Live in London, a five-disc set that includes a full December 2019 concert on two audio CDs, the full show on DVD, along with a bonus Morsefest show and four music videos on DVD, and a blu-ray with the same contents as both aforementioned DVDs in high definition. That impressive limited edition yearbook package is equaled by the performance and song craft displayed by guitar master Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs, Deep Purple, Kansas), bassist Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band), keyboardist-vocalist Neal Morse (Spock's Beard, Transatlantic), drummer-vocalist Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) and lead singer-rhythm guitarist Casey McPherson (Alpha Rev) across their actual performance. This is a stellar and spellbinding concert thanks to astounding tracks such as the enthralling opener "Blue Ocean," magnificent "A Place In Your World," dazzling hard rocker "More," melodic acoustic rock offering "You Are Not Alone," elevated "Infinite Fire" and anthemic sing-along "The Storm." Information: FlyingColorsMusic.com.
Title: In • Frequencies (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: NRBQ, Carbon Leaf, Brian Wilson
Tell me more: Although groundbreaking Louisville, Kentucky-spawned troupe NRBQ has been recording and releasing music since the late 1960s the band waited until 2020 to issue their first-ever set of rarities and outtakes. In • Frequencies fully delivers on the promise of a stockpile of hidden gems finally seeing the light of day. A brief instrumental recording captured at a soundcheck in 1968 ("Dogwood Winter") opens the collection and the diversity and adventuresome spirit of NRBQ is displayed with equal aplomb on the more than dozen tracks that follow. The band's mastery of an infinite of genres is exhibited; jazz ("Get Real," "Love Came To Me"), swing revival ("That's All"), progressive folk ("Sho' Need Love,"), R&B (the New Orleans-mining "We'll Make Love"), power pop ("It's a Wild Weekend"), art damage ("Everybody's Smokin' "), country blues ("Sourpuss") and genre-defying nuggets ("Orioles," "Let Me Tell You 'Bout My Girl") resonate across the myriad of styles and decades represented. All but four of the selections on In • Frequencies are previously unissued. The packaging includes insightful liner notes, commentary and photographs. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Title: The Blues (Cleopatra Records)
You might like if you enjoy: William Shatner, Ritchie Blackmore, Sonny Landreth, Brad Paisley
Tell me more: Released on Oct. 2 via Cleopatra Records, William Shatner's ambitious The Blues features the legendary star offering up reworked versions of blues classics with a heavy dose of firepower from the acclaimed likes of guitar greats Ritchie Blackmore, Sonny Landreth, Brad Paisley, Pat Travers and Tyler Bryant. Those familiar with Shatner's past albums know his signature style includes dramatic spoken word backed by well-known musicians eager to help elevate the proceedings. That formula works especially well across "The Blues," with "Sweet Home Chicago" (featuring Paisley's unleashed shredding), the reflective Chicago-styled ballad "I Can't Quit You Baby" (with guitarist Kirk Fletcher), "Born Under a Bad Sign" (Bryant's fretwork shines here) and rowdy "I Put a Spell On You" (with Travers) among the fun remakes. My favorite tracks are Shatner's introspective take on Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" (with Landreth killing it with his slide guitar), an especially nuanced reading of the B.B. King classic "The Thrill Is Gone" (with Blackmore and his wife, vocalist Candice Night, elevating the version to lofty heights), poetic "In Hell I'll Be In Good Company" (with Albert Lee) and confessional disc-closing "Secrets and Sins." Information: CleopatraRecords.com.
Robert Kinsler
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