Countless hours of great listening await those who pick up any of these new releases!
Countless hours of great listening await those who pick up any of these new releases!
Title: Now and Then (UMe)
You might like if you enjoy: Al Green, Smokey Robinson, The Spinners
Tell me more: Paul Stanley's Soul Station is no publicity ploy. The KISS frontman's love of soul music dates back before the Starchild's New York-spawned band hit rock and roll pay dirt in the early '70s. I caught Stanley and his top-tier Soul Station back in 2016 at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA and was blown away (read my review of that concert HERE). Now, the ensemble's long-awaited full-length debut (Now and Then) has been released and it fully delivers on the magic I witnessed five years ago. Stanley revisits a slew of soul classics with faithful and affecting renditions; these include a wonderful take on the Al Green 1972 classic "Let's Stay Together," romantic reading of the Miracles' 1965 hit "Ooo Baby Baby" and an emotive version of the Spinners' 1972 R&B favorite "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love." Even more impressive are the five originals that equal the might of the reworked covers. The instantly-infectious "I, Oh I" is particularly stunning and is one of those ear candy cuts that you hear and can't get out of your head. The wistful "Save Me (From You)," lovely "Lorelei" and shimmering "Whenever You're Ready (I'm Here)" — the latter a duet with soprano Crystal Starr — are other welcome originals on Now and Then. Stanley's full voice is consistently on the mark, and his mellifluous falsetto adds another key element in the enchantment displayed across the release — his versions of the Temptations' "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" and the Stylistics' "You Are Everything" are particularly impressive with Stanley utilizing his high-flying falsetto as the centerpiece of both songs. Stanley’s amazing group includes: Rafael “Hoffa” Moreira (guitar & backing vocals), Sean Hurley (bass), Alex Alessandroni (Musical Director, keyboards), Ely Rise (keyboards), Eric Singer (drums & backing vocals), RayYslas (percussion), Gavyn Rhone (backing vocals), Crystal Starr (backing vocals) and Laurhan Beato (backing vocals) and Jon Pappenbrook (lead trumpet). Information: PaulStanley.com.
Title: Zoom In (UMe)
You might like if you enjoy: Ringo Starr, The Beatles, Steve Lukather
Tell me more: Ringo Starr has rewarded fans with Zoom In, a high-energy disc which packs plenty of punch over the course of five songs. Starr's "Peace and Love" mantra plays out via a mix of positive and uplifting tracks that aim to find the best in humanity whilst bringing us all together. He has plenty of illustrious help from friends this time around. Starr turns in a terrific lead vocal performance for "Here's To The Nights," with an army of greats joining in for the big choruses (Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Jenny Lewis, Lenny Kravitz, Chris Stapleton, Ben Harper and many more). The bluesy "Zoom In Zoom Out" finds Doors guitarist Robby Krieger adding some tasty fret work with his slide while Benmont Tench (of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers fame) plays piano and organ. The reggae original "Waiting For the Tide to Turn" is a fantastic song that captures the unease of our times, Starr's baritone and Zelma Davis' soaring backing vocals casting hope with their tandem delivery. "Not Enough Love in the World" is bolstered by guitar great Steve Lukather's flashy lead work, along with a sweeping arrangement from keyboardist Joseph Williams. Starr's wonderful drumming is heard across the disc, his signature creativity behind the kit always in the service of the song and the talented players around him. Information: RingoStarr.com.
Title: No Matter What - Revisiting the Hits (Cleopatra Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, Rick Springfield, Matthew Sweet, Todd Rundgren
Tell me more: Badfinger was one of the best British bands to emerge in the late 1960s, and was the first group signed by the Beatles' Apple label in 1968. Joey Molland — the last surviving member of the power pop quartet's classic line-up that also included Pete Ham, Tom Evans and Mike Gibbins — has joined forces with an eclectic, top-tier group of guests to record new versions of Badfinger's most beloved songs. Early highlights on the No Matter What - Revisiting the Hits include a faithful take on the "No Matter What" featuring Mark Stein (of Vanilla Fudge fame), "Come and Get It" (featuring keyboardist great Rick Wakeman), the psychedelic-styled "I Don't Mind" (with Carl Giammarese) and baroque-flavored version of "Day After Day" (featuring Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson along with Terry Reid & the Manchester String Quartet). The delights on the last half of the essential collection include Rick Springfield on the tuneful tour de force "Love Is Gonna Come At Last," power pop hero Matthew Sweet joining forces with Molland on an electrifying "Baby Blue," "Suitcase" with slide guitar master Sonny Landreth adding a Delta bluesy feel to the track, and the rootsy "Sweet Tuesday Morning" featuring finger style guitar virtuoso Albert Lee. The album closes strongly with Todd Rundgren bringing his signature touch to the reflective "Without You." Information: CleopatraRecords.com.
Title: Solitary Company (Fluff & Gravy Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Townes Van Zandt
Tell me more: Joshua Tree-based Son of the Velvet Rat is the memorable moniker for singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Georg Altziebler and his wife, singer/multi-instrumentalist Heike Binder. Altziebler's deep lead vocals and the otherworldly sound that is created when Binder joins in with her backing vocals is a perfect fit with the mix of European folk and rootsy Americana musical forces that blend on their new album Solitary Company. Altziebler's poetic lyrics somehow capture the expansive feel of the Mojave Desert, adding additional power to the vivid songs. The sparse title track recalls some of Neil Young's beautiful Harvest-era acoustic gems, although it is enhanced by violin, viola and cello that bring symphonic flourishes to the acoustic soundscape. The driving "Stardust," haunting "When The Lights Go Down" (awash with accordion and moments of glorious fuzz guitar), romantic "11 & 9," rootsy folk rocker "The Only Child" and riveting "Remember Me" are among the wonderfully immersive originals on this bewitching album. Information: SonOfTheVelvetRat.com.
Title: Zack Snyder's Justice League (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Watertower Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Junkie XL, Howard Shore, Hans Zimmer
Tell me more: Not only is the four-hour epic "Zack Snyder's Justice League" one of the most exciting superhero films in memory, but the equally ambitious 54-track Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for the film really showcases the creative might of composer Tom Holkenborg much like the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy did for Howard Shore. The current version of "Justice League" streaming on HBO Max blows away the 2017 version of the film; Holkenborg's score clearly outdistances the soundtrack used in the previous version of the film. This is a sweeping sonic experience that embraces the listener with every frame of the film, and is equally effective as a listening-only experience. The secret is that Holkenborg utilizes his instincts drawn from his hands-on experience working in rock, electronica, world music, classical, and more; he is able to effortlessly blend together the best of those sonic spheres across the marathon-length Zack Snyder's Justice League score. The cinematic "A Hunter Gathers," beautiful "Migratory," Neo-classical "World Ending Fire," dark-to-bright "No Dog, No Master," symphonic "Cyborg Becoming / Human All Too Human," 13-minute electronica rock blast "We Do This Together" and poignant "The Foundation Theme" are among the many high marks on this brilliant soundtrack. In addition to Holkenborg's astonishing score, there are several new songs featured in the film that appear on the collection; the Celtic-mining "Song To The Siren" from singer Rose Betts and striking "Hallelujah" performed by Allison Crowe. Information: watertower-music.com.
Robert Kinsler
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