Legendary names and rising newcomers are showcased via a fistful of terrific new releases.
Title: Frampton Forgets The Words (Universal Music Enterprises)
You might like if you enjoy: Peter Frampton's 2007 album "Fingerprints," Steve Lukather, Craig Chaquico
Tell me more: The Peter Frampton Band's long-awaited album Frampton Forgets The Words arrives on April 23 and the disc was well worth the wait. The 10 instrumental versions simultaneously showcase the masterful craft of the songwriters who created the original iconic versions while shining a bright light on Peter Frampton's stellar guitar work along with the top-tier talents of his four-man band. Among the instruments used by Frampton on the collection is the artist's beloved 1954 Les Paul Phenix — which was lost in a plane crash in 1980 and recovered more than 30 years later. Frampton's fret work is expressive, no matter whether he is engaged in moments of blazing speed or measures of relative calm when his sparse finger work enhances the tender elements of a specific arrangement. Among my favorites of Frampton's interpretations is an amazing six-minute take on Radiohead's "Reckoner," his guitar playing totally locked in with the rich soundscape created by his band mates (keyboardist-guitarist Rob Arthur, bassist Steve Mackey, drummer Dan Wonciechowski, guitarist Adam Lester); just listen to the impressive build and sudden chilling ebb of the track's potent close. These same lofty heights are achieved on an ambitious reading of the David Bowie classic "Loving The Alien," a decidedly-original rendition of the Sly and the Family Stone 1973 hit single "If You Want Me to Stay" and subtle sonic exploration of the 1982 Roxy Music gem "Avalon." Elsewhere Frampton and company rework classic tracks from George Harrison, Lenny Kravitz, Stevie Wonder and others. Co-produced by Chuck Ainlay and Frampton, Frampton Forgets The Words is a true celebration of the artist's legacy as one of rock's all-time great guitar masters. Information: Frampton.com.
Title: Dance Songs for Hard Times (Thirty Tigers)
You might like if you enjoy: Moreland & Arbuckle, The Record Company
Tell me more: The challenging and unprecedented era of COVID-19 has yielded a growing number of top-flight musical releases. Add to that list the Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band's aptly-titled Dance Songs for Hard Times. Indeed, the hard-charging country blues trio created and recorded the wonderful album amidst a number of challenges chronicled with candor across the 11-track LP including financial hardship ("Ways and Means," "Dirty Hustlin'"), human connections in an age of quarantine (the trance blues nugget "No Tellin' When" and rollicking "Nothing's Easy But You and Me") and an end to hard times (the uplifting "Come Down Angels"). Fiery and raucous at every turn, the rapid-fire "Rattle Can," exhilarating "I'll Pick You Up," rockabilly-styled "Too Cool To Dance" and searing blues cut "Sad Songs" are other must hears on the album. Information: BigDamnBand.com.
Title: Game Dirt (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Big Star, Neil Young, Band of Horses, Michael Gurley
Tell me more: The new Chris Church album Game Dirt isn't just good, it's great. The Lenoir, North Carolina-based indie hero produced and wrote all 13 tracks on the disc; what's more he plays all the instruments on Game Dirt too. The songs have a palpable depth and real world feel that extends from the effusive melodies and arrangements to the intense lyrics and Church's dynamic vocal powers. The parade of winning songs kicks off with the catchy countrified opener "Learn" and soars via subsequent jewels like the reflective rocker "Fall," alt country mining "Lost" and "Smile," spellbinding "Trying" (my favorite track on the LP), exhilarating indie rocker "Hang" and lovely "Sunrise." Information: chrischurch1.bandcamp.com.
Title: Something Wonderful: Peggy Lee Sings The Great American Songbook (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Peggy Lee, Johnny Mercer, Doris Day
Tell me more: Peggy Lee, born in May 1920, was an exceptional singer, songwriter and actress who enjoyed a long career spanning from 1936 to 1995. Her vocals were subtle and ideally suited to the recording studio as well as the intimacy afforded by radio broadcasts. The new compilation Something Wonderful: Peggy Lee Sings The Great American Songbook is a two-CD, 40-song collection that includes dozens of previously unissued performances from the singer's 1951-1952 radio program. On the new collection Lee uses her signature soprano to deliver a number of Great American Songbook classics; the wistful "Come Rain Or Come Shine," lively "That Old Black Magic," haunting "My Funny Valentine" and zesty version of Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin" shine on disc one. Disc two features Lee singing some of her own originals, (the cheerful "It's a Good Day" and playful "Whee Baby" are particularly memorable), the gorgeous "Skylark," extraordinary "Unforgettable," wondrous "All Of Me" and other classics. There are plenty of terrific duets too featuring some of the 20th century's greatest songwriters; the buoyant "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" with Johnny Mercer, a wide-ranging medley with Matt Dennis ("We Belong Together/Angel Eyes/Let's Get Away From It All"), an extended medley with Hoagy Carmichael that includes "Georgia On My Mind" and mini-set with Frank Loesser that includes "Jingle, Jangle, Jingle" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside" all add to the magic of this marvelous collection. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Robert Kinsler
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