The return of Deep Purple as well as essential reissues from singer-songwriter Colin Blunstone and Buck Owens and the Buckeroos as well as tribute to the late country music star Walter Hyatt are definitely worth adding to your music library.
Title: Turning To Crime (earMUSIC)
You might like if you enjoy: Deep Purple, Steve Morse, Ian Gillan, Peter Green
Tell me more: Deep Purple is back with Turning To Crime, the classic hard rock troupe's first ever album featuring a full track listing covering other artists' songs. The new album is also the third release in a must-hear series of titles produced by Bob Ezrin that has marked a successful new chapter for Deep Purple (singer Ian Gillan, bassist Roger Glover, drummer Ian Paice, keyboardist Don Airey, guitarist Steve Morse). It should come as little surprise that the 12-track "Turning To Crime" celebrates Deep Purple's signature sound while also creatively honoring the classics revisited on the disc. A driving take on Love's "7 And 7 Is" kicks off the album, the rousing cover enhanced by Morse's guitar and Airey keyboards. Other early standouts on the album include a playful take on the Ray Charles favorite "Let The Good Times Roll," and potent versions of the Peter Green-penned "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" and "Oh Well," the latter shining a welcome light on Gillan's powerful vocals and Morse's breathtaking lead guitar playing. The magic continues with a psychedelia-tinged reading of the Yardbirds' "Shapes Of Things," amped cover of Bob Seger's "Lucifer," and burning take on Cream's "White Room." A dazzling eight-minute medley caps the album with selections pulled from the far-flung likes of Freddie King, Booker T. and the M.G.'s, Allman Brothers and Led Zeppelin revisited. Other artists covered on the album include Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, Bob Dylan, Little Feat and Jimmy Driftwood. Information: Deep-Purple.com or ear-music.net.
Title: One Year: 50th Anniversary Edition (Sundazed Music)
You might like if you enjoy: The Zombies, Colin Blunstone
Tell me more: Originally released in November 1971, singer-songwriter Colin Blunstone's One Year was The Zombies lead vocalist's solo debut; Blunstone's Zombies band mates Rod Argent and Chris White co-produced the album. Now comes the outstanding 50th Anniversary Edition of the classic LP that immerses the listener in the artist's enthralling mix of neo-classical, rock, jazz and Baroque pop. In addition to the original album track listing, the reissue includes 14 previously unreleased recordings and nine unrecorded compositions. One of rock's greatest singers, Blunstone's soaring and mesmerizing vocals shine across the collection. The reissue is a joy with the uptempo "She Loves The Way They Love Her," classical music-mining "Misty Roses" (featuring Zombies bassist Chris White on classical guitar) and "Smokey Day," jazz-tinged Baroque rock classic "Caroline Goodbye," and buoyant "Mary Won't You Warm My Bed" all early delights on the disc. The gorgeous "Her Song", soaring "Say You Don't Mind," flamenco guitar-adorned "I've Always Had You," touching "I'm Coming Home" and dark "Sing Your Own Song" (the latter a song written in response to Blunstone reading about his own death in Rolling Stone) are among the late-title highlights. The physical release — available on audio CD and vinyl — includes never-before-seen photos and new liner notes penned by Blunstone. Information: ColinBlunstone.net.
Artist: Buck Owens and the Buckeroos
Titles: Your Mother's Prayer; The Kansas City Song; I Wouldn't Live in New York City; In the Palm of Your Hand; Ain't It Amazing, Gracie; (It's a) Monster Holiday (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Dwight Yoakam, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard
Tell me more: Back in June of this year, Omnivore Recordings announced the reissue of remastered editions of nine outstanding Buck Owens and the Buckeroos album titles spanning 1968 to 1974. For fans of the legendary and beloved country music artist, these titles are crucial. In August I reviewed the first trio of these special editions and am going to highlight the other six in this week's column.
Originally released in early 1970, Your Mother's Prayer features a gospel-centered approach highlighted by the beautiful title track (bolstered by classical and pedal steel guitar textures), the swinging "That Old Time Religion," the affecting "In God I Trust" and lively "That Sunday Feeling." Owens wrote or co-wrote seven of the 11 tracks on an album that ranks among the best country music gospel albums of all time.
Released in July 1970, The Kansas City Song, features 10 infectious songs showcasing Owens' strong songcraft, signature vocal and the top-tier musical talents of guitarists Don Rich and Doyle Holly, drummer Jerry Wiggins, keyboardist Earl Poole Ball, bassist pianist Jim Shaw and pedal steel legend Buddy Emmons. Standouts include the rousing title track, tender ballads "Bring Back My Peace Of Mind," "I'd Love To Be Your Man," melodic "Amsterdam" and poignant "Black Texas Dirt."
Released at the end of 1970, each song on I Wouldn't Live in New York City focuses on a different city. The concept album reached #12 on the country album charts and is a wonderful listen. The comedic "I Wouldn't Live in New York City (If They Gave Me The Whole Dang Town)" was recorded live on the streets of The Big Apple. Other memorable originals on the disc include the wistful "Reno Lament," beautiful "The Wind Blows Every Day In Chicago," church bells-bolstered "(It's A Long Way To) Londontown" and Latin-fused "Santa Domingo."
Released in January 1973, In the Palm of Your Hand proved to be another hit for the prolific Owens. Featuring 10 tracks, standouts on the set include the romantic title track, country rock-tinged "Made In Japan," yearning "Sweethearts In Heaven" and bittersweet "Arms Full Of Empty."
Released a mere two months after In the Palm of Your Hand, Ain't It Amazing, Gracie continued Owens' creative and commercial success courtesy of 10 indelible tracks. The pretty "Long Hot Summer," a shining cover of Home Joy's "Streets of Bakersfield," colorful "Your Monkey Won't Be Home Tonight" and sorrowful "Old Faithful" are among the terrific cuts on the album.
Issued in 1974, (It's a) Monster Holiday was Owens and his Buckeroos' 23rd Top 10 country album. The album features a rich mix of humorous tracks (the title track, "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch"), uptempo material ("Stony Mountain West Virginia," "Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'," "Pass Me By (If You're Only Passing Through)") and lush ballads ("Amazing Love," "I Love," "You're Gonna Love Yourself in the Morning"). The album also features "On the Cover of the Music City News," a clever re-write by Owens and Shaw of Shel Silverstein's "Cover of the Rolling Stone."
The Omnivore Recordings reissues have been released in their original configurations on audio CD and Digital (in both standard and high resolution); each has been mastered from the original analog tapes by Michael Graves and produced for release by Grammy-winner Cheryl Pawelski, and all feature expanded artwork and new liner notes from Owens biographer Randy Poe (the author of "Buck 'Em! The Autobiography of Buck Owens"). Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Title: Mighty Fine: An Austin City Limits Tribute to Walter Hyatt (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: David Ball, Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, Uncle Walt's Band
Tell me more: During the late 1970s and early '80s, Uncle Walt's Band (David Ball, Champ Hood, Walter Hyatt) was one of the most popular artists in Austin, Texas. The South Carolina-spawned trio issued several self-released titles before breaking up in 1983. Even after the acclaimed trio broke up and Hyatt returned to Nashville with his wife, Heidi, he remained a fixture on the country music scene and even produced Lyle Lovett's 1990 major label debut "King Tears." Hyatt also recorded several solo albums, including 1993's Music Town. Sadly, Hyatt died in the May 11, 1996 ValueJet Plane crash that took the lives of all passengers and crew. Lovett subsequently helped organize tribute concerts to benefit Hyatt's wife and children; now tracks from a 1997 "Austin City Limits" Tribute to Hyatt have been released; the title (Mighty Fine: An Austin City Limits Tribute to Walter Hyatt) features 11 tracks from the original broadcast and six additional tracks not shown on the television special. Additionally, four previously-unissued Hyatt recordings — including the timely "In A Christmas Dream" — are included as bonus tracks. The wonderful release features a diverse lineup of artists who worked with or were influenced by Hyatt including Lovett, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Marcia Ball, Junior Brown, Shawn Colvin, and his Uncle Walt's Band mates Ball and Hood. "Mighty Fine" is available on audio CD and via Digital. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Robert Kinsler
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