Any week where I can champion new audio releases covering the far-flung genres of Renaissance music, Southern rock, chamber-pop folk and indie rock is a great one.
Title: Nature's Light (earMUSIC)
You might like if you enjoy: Ritchie Blackmore, Blackmore's Night, Renaissance music
Tell me more: Those wondering if there is any sonic bridge between the Renaissance era (1400-1600) and modern rock music need listen no further than Blackmore's Night, the troupe led by multi-instrumentalist Ritchie Blackmore and singer/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night. Nature's Light marks the collective's first new album in six years; a long wait to be sure but the new 10-track LP fully immerses the listener in a sound that blends past and present music making with artful sublimity. The range and scope of wonderful songs and instrumental pieces on the LP includes the Celtic-flavored "Feather In The Wind," gorgeous Blackmore-penned instrumental "Darker Shade Of Black" (bolstered by an especially-melodic electric guitar solo), traditional "Going To The Faire," triumphant title track and evocative "Second Element." Those who miss Blackmore's signature rock guitar work with Deep Purple and Rainbow will want to revel in "Der letzte Musketier," an instrumental confirming that the 75-year-old British legend is still one of the world's most gifted guitar heroes. Released on March 12, Nature's Light is available on multiple formats including audio CD, digital, vinyl, as well as a strictly-limited 2CD hardcover media book with a bonus disc of selected songs from the group's extensive back catalogue. Information: blackmoresnight.com.
Artist: The Black Crowes
Title: Shake Your Money Maker (Target Exclusive) (UMe)
You might like if you enjoy: The Black Crowes, The Rolling Stones, Humble Pie
Tell me more: One of the first great albums of the '90s and a bona fide rock classic of the era, the Black Crowes' Shake Your Money Maker has been reissued and has never sounded better. Rock radio still features a trio of the album's gems (the rocking "Jealous Again" and "Hard To Handle" along with the sweet Southern blues-rock ballad "She Talks to Angels") in regular rotation, but the disc's strength extend to the ragged British blues cut "Twice As Hard," Rolling Stones-styled "Sister Luck" and "Thick N' Thin" and others. In addition to the original remastered album that occupies disc 1, a second disc includes a number of unreleased songs and B-sides (a cover of Humble's Pie's "3- Days in the Hole" and horn section-draped "Hard To Handle" are particularly notable). Rounding out the 3-disc version I have (available for $20.99 on retail giant's Target.com website) is a previously-unreleased 1990 Atlanta concert recording that fully captures the energy of the quintet led by brothers Chris and Rich Robinson. There are several other configurations of the reissue available including a limited edition money green colored vinyl LP version on sale at Amazon.com. Information: TheBlackCrowes.com.
Title: Down Where the Valleys Are Low: Another Otherworld for Judee Sill (StorySound Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Judee Sill, Courtney Barnett, Lorenzo Wolff
Tell me more: Music aficionados will be forgiven if they are not familiar with the entrancing music of the late singer-songwriter Judee Sill, who passed away in November 1979 at the age of 35. Although Sill was David Geffen's first signing to his Asylum label in the early '70s, her eponymous 1971 debut and 1973's Heart Food failed to achieve the success of titles from other Asylum artists including Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne and Joni Mitchell. Producer/multi-instrumentalist Lorenzo Wolff — who was first introduced to Sill in 2010 on a playlist created by tour-mate Henry Wolfe — has crafted a compelling and affecting tribute to Sill titled Down Where the Valleys Are Low: Another Otherworld for Judee Sill. Wolff has gathered different lead singers for each of the seven songs of the wide-ranging tribute. Singer Mary-Elaine Jenkins' melancholy vocals lift the magnificent title track. Bartees Strange brings his rich baritone to the soaring Americana-styled "The Pearl." The diversity of the selections is electrifying; the experimental "Crayon Angels" (featuring vocalist Grace McLean), lush "The Kiss" (featuring singer Emily Holden) and haunting "There's a Rugged Road" (with Osei Essed on lead vocals) are among the other elegant Sill-penned songs on the Wolff-produced collection. Information: StorySoundRecords.com.
Title: Wolf Song (Melody Duncan)
You might like if you enjoy: Cowboy Junkies, First Aid Kit, Brandi Carlile
Tell me more: A talented singer, songwriter and fiddler, Melody Duncan's newly-released Wolf Song was also recorded and produced by the Atlanta, Georgia-based artist in her home studio. The disc is beautiful throughout, the 11 songs probing the world with an intimate and personal touch. Evoking the feeling of being in the home studio with Duncan amidst the creation of her recordings, the blend of sonic intimacy and personal songcraft is remarkably in tune with our times. "Lonely" shines with elements including vocal layering, piano and whistling surrounding Duncan's slightly raspy (but lovely) vocals. The straightforward acoustic jewel "Over The Hill" is sparse with her voice accompanied by a lone guitar, but the power of her reflective message about facing each and every challenge is a powerful one to be sure. Just as mighty are her introspective baroque folk originals "Reunion" and "Campfire" that follow. The aptly-titled "Rain Storm" is one of the most interesting disc-ending tracks in memory, a reminder of nature's unparalleled power and humanity's own gift to treasure the sounds that lurk all around us. Information: MelodyDuncanMusic.com.
Title: Waterways (Rare Rock Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Belltower, The Church, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Doves
Tell me more: Jody Porter — acclaimed as the lead guitarist of Fountains of Wayne — is back with his latest solo effort (Waterways). The sound across the 12-track album is lush and inviting, Porter's euphonious voice is emotive and the musicianship is sharp and stylish. Highlights abound; the dreamy "Moonbeam Reach" draws favorable comparisons with the wistful work of The Church and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Elsewhere the disc's expansive riches include the driving "Sunsick Moon," indie rocker "Girl From The Other Side," dreamy "Crashland" and power pop-mining "Neverlasting Love." Several stellar cuts round out the set including the swirling "Synching Ships," experimental rocker "Masters At Work" and enchanting "WaterwaysPt2." The wonderful-sounding album was produced by Porter and Fountains of Wayne drummer Brian Young. Information: https://jodyporter1.bandcamp.com.
Robert Kinsler
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