This column features a wide-ranging mix of fantastic new audio releases, as well as a reposting of my review of Joey Molland's final studio album released in 2020. Sadly, Molland passed away on March 1.
Title: The Elvis Presley Connection, Vol. 4: 28 Roots and Covers of Elvis Presley (Bear Family Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Elvis Presley, Jerry Reed, Charlie Rich, Ray Charles, Bobby Darin
Tell me more: Fans of early rock, blues, country and Americana music will be thrilled by the wide range of incredible recordings featured on The Elvis Presley Connection, Vol. 4: 28 Roots and Covers of Elvis Presley. The compelling title covers Presley's creative period spanning from 1967 to 1967, with the King of Rock and Roll's cover versions of previously released songs and originals arranged in chronological order. This period included Presley's legendary NBC-TV '68 Comeback Special, his ambitious Memphis sessions and the 1969 stage comeback in Las Vegas.
The 76-minute collection features a stellar array of artists performing original and cover versions of well-known songs recorded by Elvis Presley between 1967 and 1969; this includes some demos — a number of them available on audio CD for the very first time. Among the notable artists featured on the early part of the collection are Jerry Reed (whose driving rockabilly-minded "Guitar Man" and bluesy "Big Boss Man" kick off the disc), Charlie Rich (who offers up a decidedly uptempo take on "Big Boss Man"), Don Gibson (whose tender ballad "Just Call Me Lonesome" captures the emotion of Presley's approach), Andy William delivering a bewitching "You'll Never Walk Alone," Mac Davis (whose soulful "A Little Less Conversation" is a delight) and LaVern Baker's joyful gospel track "Saved."
The magic on The Elvis Presley Connection, Vol. 4 continues via wonderful offerings from Vern Stovall (whose countrified "Long Black Limousine" was tracked in 1961), Ned Miller's Buddy Holly-minded "From A Jack to a King," Mac Davis' emotive sumptuous reading of his own "In The Ghetto," Mark James' symphonic "Suspicious Minds," Neil Diamond's glorious "And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind" and Johnny Tillotson's tender ballad "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'." The disc closes with a moving take by Chuck Jackson of Burt Bacharach's soulful "Any Day Now (My Wild Beautiful Bird)." The 36-page color booklet contains rare photos and insights about the recordings, as well as detailed liner notes by Presley expert Helmut Radermacher. The Elvis Presley Connection, Vol. 4: 28 Roots and Covers of Elvis Presley is one of the most exciting titles of early 2025. Visit HERE to learn more about this essential title.
Title: The Dynamo Hymn (Kool Kat Musik)
You might like if you enjoy: Pugwash, The Beatles' "White Album," Badfinger, World Party
Tell me more: Fans of 1960s-infused baroque pop, melodic rock and soaring songcraft will want to get the self-tiitled debut from the Dynamo Hymn. Released as a download-only release in 2024, Kool Kat Musik has now released the nine-track The Dynamo Hum on audio CD. Featuring the original songs of singer-bassist Shaun McGee of Pugwash fame, The Dynamo Hymn shines across its intoxicating run. Opening with the reflective Baroque-styled gem "Ardy's Waltz," the album's magic continues with a wide-range of winning tracks including the freewheeling folk rockers "The 3rd Time 'Round" and "Just A Matter Of Time," swirling "Satellite," psychedelic rocker "Colours," genre-defying nugget "It's Too Late" and sumptuous closer "Without." Also key to the Dynamo Hymn's powerful artistry are the talents of guitarist/keyboardist Tosh Flood, drummer Joe Fitzgerald and multi-instrumentalist Duncan Maitland— all of whom who had also previously played with Pugwash. Information: koolkatmusik.com.
Title: Etta James Rocks (Bear Family Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Etta James, Billie Holiday, Little Richard
Tell me more: Etta James Rocks is an essential new 79-minute collection that takes a deep dive into the most rocking recordings tracked by singer Etta James early her career. The tracks featured on the title were collected from the Modern/Kent and Chess/Argo archives and collectively highlight the Los Angeles native's ability to triumph when singing R&B, jump, hard blues, doo-wop, hot soul and emotive ballads. The rollicking self-penned "Tough Lover" kicks off the title, an infectious rocker recorded in 1956 that recalls the spirit and sound of Little Richard's best hits. The energy and power of the recordings thrills across the length of the set; "Dance With Me, Henry," "W-O-M-A-N," aptly-titled "Next Door To The Blues," the early hit "Good Rockin' Daddy," bluesy "Spoonful" (the latter a wonderful duet with Harvey Fuqua) and "The Wallflower (Roll With Me Henry)" are early standouts. A fervid take on Willie Dixon's "I Just Want To Make Love To You," the New Orleans-flavored "Market Place," jump blues gem "Good Lookin'," the fiery live track "What'd I Say," rousing "Strange Things Happening" and the 1955 rockabilly romp "That's All" are among the terrific cuts that propel Etta James Rocks on its last half. Etta James Rocks includes 29 selections; what's more the marvelous digipak package housing the audio CD includes an informative 36-page booklet with Bill Dahl's liner notes, archival photographs and ephemera. Information: www.bear-family.com.
Artist: Max Hightower
Title: Nothin' But the Truth (MoMojo Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Tinsley Ellis, Bob Margolin
Tell me more: Blues singer/guitarist/harmonica great Max Hightower has released Nothin' But the Truth, a dozen-track album that masterfully blends Southern blues, New Orleans funk and R&B into an authentic mix. Hightower's considerable skills as well as those of Brandon Phelps (drums), Steadman "Fleetwood" Williams, Sr. (bass), Big Jon Atkinson (lead guitar), James Beaumont (sax), Rob Davis (keyboards, backing vocals) and others bring the original material to life. Standouts include the rousing opener "Double Bubble," R&B nugget "It's On Me," funkified "Here She Comes," the bluesy ballad "My Baby & Me" (the latter bolstered by Hightower's blues harp), gritty "Thick Jello" and jazz-tinged instrumental closer "Assmoghraph." Information: momojorecords.com and maxhightower.com.
Title: Be True To Yourself (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, the Beatles
Tell me more: Classic rock aficionados often cite the story of Welsh/English rock band Badfinger as one of the era's most tragic tales. Despite being the first non-Beatles artist signed to Apple Records and scoring a number of timeless hits (including "Come and Get It," "No Matter What," "Day After Day," and "Baby Blue"), the band was struck with the suicide of several members (Pete Ham in 1975, Tom Evans in 1983) and sudden death of Mike Gibbins following a brain aneurysm in 2005. Sadly, singer-guitarist Joey Molland — the band's last surviving member of the quartet's classic early '70s lineup — passed away at the age of 77 on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Molland released his first album of new material (Be True To Yourself) in nearly 10 years on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. And what a glorious collection of power pop it is. Lovingly produced by Mark Hudson (who also co-wrote the tracks with Molland), Be True To Yourself explodes with tunefulness, exceptional song craft and undeniable hooks associated with Badfinger's best recordings. The shimmering "Better Tomorrow," Beatlesque "Rainy Day Man," dreamy "Heaven," melodic power pop ballad "Loving You" and chamber pop foray "Be True To Yourself" only begin to paint a sonic picture of the magic displayed across "Be True To Yourself." Among the notable names contributing to the recording are Julian Lennon (who also took the amazing front and back cover photographs seen on the album), Micky Dolenz, Jason Scheff and Steve Holley. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Robert Kinsler
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