In this column I preview highly-anticipated albums from Collective Soul and a collaboration between GA-20 and Charlie Musselwhite both due Friday, July 31, as well as the newly-released Brad "Guitar" Wilson LP Boundless.
Title: Touch and Go (Fuzze-Flex Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Cars, Collective Soul, Devo
You might like if you enjoy: The Cars, Collective Soul, Devo
Tell me more: Collective Soul is back with another masterful album, Touch and Go (due July 31), loaded with winning original material that is bolstered by undeniable choruses, tight arrangements, lead vocalist Ed Roland's signature vocals and strong performances. Inspired by groundbreaking New Wave rock, notably The Cars, this album blends the best of the late 1970s and early '80s with Collective Soul's masterful modern rock touch. Catchy material to be sure, Touch and Go's standouts include the Cars-flavored opener "Rainbow," wistful synth-swept "Eye On You," dance-minded new wave rocker "Uh Oh," delightfully Devo-ish "Fun," dreamy "Feel" and anthemic album closer "Love Your Way." My favorite track is the sumptuous "All My Days On Thru," which soars and captures the euphoria of romantic bliss perfectly.
Originally released earlier this spring as part of Record Store Day, Touch and Go will now be available globally via all digital outlets, as well on CD and 180-gram teal-marble colored vinyl. Collective Soul is currently on tour, and is scheduled to perform at Humphreys Concerts By The Bay in San Diego on Sept. 25, and at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, AZ on Sept. 26. Information: collectivesoul.com.
Title: Blues Now (New West Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, James Harman
You might like if you enjoy: Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, James Harman
Tell me more: Now 82, beloved Mississippi blues harmonica legend Charlie Musselwhite impresses on the three advance tracks from the 10-track disc Blues Now where the Grammy winner has joined forces with the stellar Boston-based trio GA-20. The strength of the album (set for release on Friday, July 31) may well be rooted in the straightforward recording of the album; in early 2025 GA-20 booked six days of studio time at Rare Signals in Cambridge, MA and collected some of their favorite songs originally recorded by Elmore James, Junior Wells, Eddie Taylor, Jimmy Reed and even a couple of cuts off Musselwhite's own 1968 debut Stand Back! The idea was to record the songs quickly and capture the energy of Musselwhite's celebrated debut but with a contemporary spin. Listening to the initial trio of cuts from the Matthew Stubbs-produced Blues Now it's clear this was a mission fully accomplished. Indeed, blues lovers will want to hear the joyfully infectious Chicago blues cut "I Can't Hold Out," stylish take on Reed's 1962 ballad "I'll Change My Style" bolstered by Musselwhite's signature harmonica magic, and the fiery "Crazy Love." Blues Now is available across digital platforms, on audio CD, standard black vinyl and several limited edition color vinyl formats. GA-20 will perform at the Blues Heritage Festival in Tucson, AZ on Nov. 7, and at Tumbleroot Brewery in Santa Fe, NM on Nov. 8. Information: ga20band.com.
Title: Boundless (Cali Bee Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Robert Cray, Tommy Castro, CCCCC
You might like if you enjoy: Robert Cray, Tommy Castro, CCCCC
Tell me more: Singer-guitarist Brad "Guitar" Wilson showcases his distinctive style blending rock, blues, jazz and R&B on the newly-released Boundless. The songs were recorded in Hollywood, California's Musician's Institute Studios, Central California's Mondragon Studios, and at ICP Studios in Brussels, Belgium. Highlights include a reworked reading of the Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell penned B.B. King classic "The Thrill Is Gone," blues-rock take on the 1961 Ray Charles hit "Hit the Road Jack," original Heartland-flavored rocker "Gonna Stay Or Go," a wonderful cover of Tears For Fears' Everybody Wants To Rule The World" (the latter enhanced by Wilson's sharp lead guitar playing), Americana sortie "Wild and Free," jazzy "San Francisco Nights" and smooth "Blues Magic." Information: bradwilsonlive.com.
Robert Kinsler
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