A marvelous new tribute to Badfinger singer-songwriter Peter Ham, as well as the release of long lost recordings featuring Melanie and Victoria Hallman are available now.
Title: Shine On: A Tribute to Pete Ham (Y&T Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, Matthew Sweet, Shelby Lynne, The Beatles, power pop, The Georgia Satellites
Tell me more: Badfinger lead singer/multi-instrumentalist Pete Ham was among the great rising stars of the early 1970s. Indeed, the man born Peter William Ham's parade of enduring hit originals include "No Matter What," "Day After Day" and "Baby Blue"; he also co-wrote the ballad "Without You," a hit for Harry Nilsson. Sadly, Ham died by suicide on April 24, 1975 at the age of 27 in the wake of band- and record label-related issues including financial woes. Now the Welsh artist is the focus of an ambitious and well-deserved tribute album released by Y&T Music titled Shine On: A Tribute to Pete Ham. Featuring 35 new recordings of songs written or co-written by Ham, proceeds from the project will go to Mental Health America of Southeast Florida. The charitable aim of the project is enhanced by the strength of the diverse field of artists who revisit Ham classics on the two-disc Shine On. The jangly opener "No More" features the strengths of singer Mary Lee Kortes and guitar ace Eric Ambel. Ex-Georgia Satellites lead singer Dan Baird offers up a truly rollicking take on "I Can't Take It." Andrew Hyra revisits "Shine On" via a poignant Americana-flavored reading adorned by nice harmony vocals and the slide guitar work of John Keane. Rising Cuban rockers Sweet Lizzy Project perform a stirring cover of "Perfection." Shelby Lynne's original interpretation of "Day After Day" is as dramatic as it is beautiful. Mary Lou Lord's emotive vocals capture the romantic loss at the center of the melodically sumptuous "Baby Blue." Dennis Diken (of Smithereens fame) covers the wistful Baroque pop track "Dennis." Legendary singer Melanie is featured on a sorrowful "Without You." Power pop hero Ken Sharp conjures up the spirit of Badfinger via his outstanding take on "Just A Chance." Indeed, there are so many strong versions of Ham's sterling songs showcased across this essential collection. Information: ytmusiconline.com.
Title: The Magic Bus (Y&T Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Melanie, Joan Baez, late '60s and early '70s folk
Tell me more: The last several years have seen a number of rediscovered lost and rare recordings from legendary artist reissued for today's discerning listeners. Add to that list The Magic Bus, a live radio show captured in April 1971 featuring acclaimed singer-songwriter Melanie. The audio CD release features the complete radio program showcasing the acclaimed New York songstress interviewed by the late Curtis Schwartz at WBUS in Miami, Florida; the restored and remastered program also features Melanie's performance of 10 songs during her appearance. Accompanied by her own acoustic guitar, Melanie performs moving versions of the lovely "Poet," tender "Six String," driving "Center of the Circle," bluesy "Some Say I Got Devil" and other favorites. Information: ytmusiconline.com.
Title: From Birmingham to Bakersfield (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Buck Owens, Susan Raye, Juice Newton
Tell me more: Omnivore Recordings continues its ongoing campaign of restoring and reissuing true sonic treasures. Singer Victoria Hallman is featured on From Birmingham to Bakersfield, a lost Buck Owens-produced album from 1982 featuring the promising singer who began her singing career at age four and was featured as a part of Owens' celebrated touring band. The never-released album will appeal to fans of '70s and '80s country music with Hallman's soprano a perfect fit with the infectious country-pop material featured across the disc. The track listing is mostly uptempo and buoyant, with "You're My Favorite Song," "Bottle Up My Tears," "Please Please Me" and "24 Hour Woman" among the shining tracks on the collection. Bonus tracks include several demos from 1980 (including an infectious version of Merle Haggard's "Mama Tried"). Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Robert Kinsler
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