Four must-hear titles are featured in my column this week.
Title: Burn (Atlantic Curve)
You might like if you enjoy: Dead Can Dance, Sigur Rós, Howard Shore's "Lord of the Rings" soundtracks, Moby
Tell me more: The new full-length collaboration from Dead Can Dance's Lisa Gerrard and Jules Maxwell titled Burn is a beautiful listen, seamlessly blending sounds spanning the globe and time itself. Gerrard – one of the world's great singers – has joined forces with Maxwell and English producer James Chapman (also known by his moniker "Maps") to craft seven intoxicating compositions that truly immerse the listener. Choral, symphonic and electronica soundscapes converge on the marvelous opener "Heleali (The Sea Will Rise)," with several layers of Gerrard's vocals layered around her primary vocal track. The driving "Aldavyeem (A Time To Dance)" recalls the art rock of Radiohead, while the soaring "Orion (The Weary Huntsman)" somehow spans opera and Neo-classical on its magnificent trajectory. On the title track Gerrard and Maxwell both sing, their triumphant tandem voices artfully dueling with another line sung by Gerrard alone. This is a opulent and sumptuous listening experience from start to finish. Information: https://orcd.co/lisajulesburn.
Title: Where Have You Gone? (UMG Nashville)
You might like if you enjoy: Alan Jackson, Merle Haggard, George Jones
Tell me more: Armed with one of country music's best voices, Alan Jackson brings his signature vocals to the expansive 21-track collection Where Have You Gone? – an album collectively celebrating authentic country music with a master's touch. Indeed, on the opening cut "Where Have You Gone," Jackson sings: "Sweet country music, where have you gone? / Sweet country music, please come back home" with emotional authenticity and a timely aim. Elsewhere his rich baritone mines love (the tender "I Can Be That Something," joyful fiddle- and piano-adorned "Where the Cottonwood Grows," the rowdy "Livin' On Empty"), drinking ("Wishful Drinkin'," "Beer:10") and a fusion of those matters (the lovely "Way Down In My Whiskey," literate "The Boot," touching "So Late So Soon" and "I Was Tequila"). On "Things On Matter," he addresses the fragility of life with a particularly affecting touch, while a father's love is expressed on the beautiful "You'll Always Be My Baby." Other great tracks on the collection include the rip-roaring "Back," bonus track "That's The Way Love Goes (A Tribute to Merle Haggard)" and confessional "The Older I Get." Information: AlanJackson.com.
Title: At The BBC (Island/UMe)
You might like if you enjoy: Amy Winehouse, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
Tell me more: Featuring the late British singer Amy Winehouse at the height of her vocal powers, the three-disc At The BBC (available on audio CD and vinyl) features more than three dozen tracks recorded between 2003 and 2007. The soulful "Stronger Than Me" (captured on a Jools Holland TV appearance in 2003) kicks off the far-flung set. That powerhouse performance proves to be the first of many with Winehouse's signature contralto impressing on each track of the collection. The dynamic "Take The Box" (from 2004's Mercury Prize Awards) with her vocals spanning from the lower to higher reaches of her vocal register, jazzy "Teach Me Tonight" (from a 2004 appearance on Jools Holland) and blues-styled "Rehab" (from a 2006 performance) are early high marks. The magic displayed on the essential collection continues courtesy on the buoyant jazz offering "Tears Dry On Their Own," a bewitching cover of the '60s Motown standard "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Don't Go To Strangers" (a duet with Paul Weller), the rhythm and blues foray "October Song," reggae-tinged "Just Friends" and lavish "Love Is a Losing Hand" and "I Should Care." Sadly, Winehouse joined the so-called "27 Club" with her death of alcohol poisoning on July 23, 2011. "At The BBC" is an amazing salute to her remarkable talent. Information: AmyWinehouse.com.
Title: Yesterday's Tomorrow: Celebrating the Winston-Salem Sound (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Let's Active, early R.E.M., dB's
Tell me more: It's great when an album immediately reminds you how much fun rock and roll can be. A new titled Yesterday's Tomorrow: Celebrating the Winston-Salem Sound does just that. The album was recorded live at the Ramkat on May 12, 2018 and documents a one-time celebration of a relatively small city in North Carolina and its tremendous impact on indie rock. To be sure the performances by indie heroes Chris Stamey (the dB's), Mitch Easter (Let's Active), Don Dixon, Peter Holsapple (the dB's), Will Rigby (the dB's), Lynn Blakey and many others on the disc are inspired and will lead listeners to pursue more exploration of under-the-radar acts such as Sacred Irony, Rittenhouse Square, Little Diesel and Sneakers. But this album is no mere stepping stone; it bristles and shines with nearly two dozen stellar performances. The propulsive rocker "Hot Smoke & Sassafras" dazzles with its garage rock attack and Baroque instrumental guitar break; "Reptilian Disaster" is just as powerful with Easter unleashing a creative flurry of lead guitar work. Just listen to the fiery "Yesterday's Tomorrow" (amazing with its mix of incredible lead guitar, strong lead vocals from Doug Davis and rollicking attack from the rhythm section). Various styles are highlighted on the disc, albeit with a decidedly indie approach; hard rock ("Black Death"), jangly power pop ("S'il Vous Plait," "Condition Red," "Ruby"), indie alt-rock ("Every Word Means No," "Kissy Boys"), blues ("Think") and classic rock (takes on the Beatles' "Got to Get You Into My Life" and Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed," both featuring Dixon) are all magnificent. The package contains detailed liner notes by Stamey and a 24-page color history booklet with rare photos and details about the 2018 event and artists celebrated on the wonderful title. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Robert Kinsler
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