New music: Pete Ham tribute, Sam Barber, Carmen Ratti Band

In this column, I review three outstanding new audio titles available now.

Artists: Mike Delevante, Pezband, Sharp Pins, Bill Lloyd, more
Title: Just Look Inside The Cover — Songs Of Pete Ham (Y&T Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Guided by Voices

Tell me more: Beloved Welsh singer-songwriter Pete Ham was only 27 when he tragically took his own life on April 24, 1975. Despite his death at such a young age, the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of Badfinger left an incredible legacy and has undeniably influenced countless artists over the past 50 years. Now a special tribute album titled Just Look Inside The Cover — Songs Of Pete Ham further celebrates Ham's timeless talent; this unique album features songs that were only previously released as home demos and never recorded by Badfinger. The songs are treasures to be sure, and those Ham-penned compositions are bolstered by a wide range of artists who bring magic across the 22-track collection. Early standouts on the marathon-length tribute include the melodic opener "A Lonely Day" performed by Mike Delevante, Pezband's wonderfully Beatlesque "Tulip," Eric Dover's rollicking "Leaving On A Midnight Train," Bill Lloyd's luxurious "Our Song," Rob Bonfiglio's soaring harmonies-filled "Hand in Hand" and Mary Karizen's genre-defying delight "Dawn." Fans of Badfinger will love The Fraternals' anthemic power pop sortie "Catherine Cares." The collection's parade of treasures continues via Tobin Sprout's tender "Keep Your Country Tidy," Humbert's affecting "Little Mary," The Parlophonics' joyful "Make Me Feel Good," Richard Barone's mellifluous "I'm Only Human," Mark Healey's wistful "It Doesn't Really Matter" and Ron Griffiths' soulful "Take Good Care of My Baby." Another top-flight track on the disc is Bob Jackson's "Just Look Inside The Cover," a track that could have been a hit in the 1970s or '80s, and is deserving of airplay aplenty in 2026. Released on June 19, Just Look Inside The Cover is one of the greatest and most essential collections of early 2026. Information: ytmusiconline.com. 

Artist: Sam Barber
Title: Broken View (Atlantic Outpost)
You might like if you enjoy: Noah Kahan, Tyler Childers

Tell me more: Sam Barber's second studio album, Broken View, finds the rising young Americana singer-songwriter exploring the world around him with uncanny depth and artistry. Only 23, Barber has quickly become one of his generation's most acclaimed artists; last month he won "Breakthrough Country Artist" at the 2026 American Music Awards. Broken View is an album whose songs have a palpable power that hit their mark with a single listen and Barber's authentic vocals fully bolster the 13 originals on the disc. The biting aptly-titled opener "Borrowed Time," introspective roots rocker "Far Past" examining an imperfect relationship, emotional "Just A Kid," lost love-minded title track, yearning "All For You," emotional "Satellite" and gorgeous "I Will Follow" are among the stellar songs on the outstanding album. Barber will spend much of the rest of 2026 on tour, and upcoming dates include at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on July 18, and at Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, AZ on Dec. 11. Information: sambarbermusic.com.

Artist: Carmen Ratti Band
Title: Come to Me (MoMojo Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Janiva Magness

Tell me more: San Francisco Bay Area's Carmen Ratti Band featuring singer Jill Dineen has released the blues album Come to Me, an 11-track disc that showcases the troupe's energetic blend of electric blues and roots music. Formed in 2018, the ensemble artfully infuses gospel, soul, rock blues and even funk into material on the disc. The album features a slew of great tracks including the driving soul gem "Get In Line," the nuanced ballad "Come to Me," Southern-styled blues sortie "I Can See," gospel ballad "Blessing In The Blues," Southern rock-tinged "Coming Down" and R&B "Pretty Good Man." In addition to Carmen Ratti (vocals, guitar) and Dineen (lead vocals), the band includes Tony "Macaroni" Lufrano (organ, piano), Steve Hazlewood (bass) and Randy Hayes (drums). Information: carmenrattiband.com.

Robert Kinsler

New music: Kacey Musgraves, The Knack, Duke Robillard

In this column I showcase the latest album releases from celebrated country music great Kacey Musgraves, power pop heroes The Knack and legacy blues singer-songwriter/guitar master Duke Robillard.

Artist: Kacey Musgraves
Title: Middle of Nowhere (Lost Highway/Interscope)
You might like if you enjoy: Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Willie Nelson, Billy Strings

Tell me more: Kacey Musgraves is back! The acclaimed country music artist's seventh studio album has been met with widespread acclaim and for good reason. The 13-track album chronicles life's ups and downs with authenticity, heart and an infectious musical soundscape that will keep discerning listeners coming back again and again. There are so many highlights on the album, country music lovers will want to dive into the track listing with abandon. Musgraves wrote many of the songs after a painful divorce and period of isolation so the songs have a heft that will resonate with a single listen. The reflective ballad "Back On The Wagon," accordion-drenched two-stepping duet with Willie Nelson titled "Uncertain, TX," steamy "Mexico Honey," irresistible "I Believe in Ghosts" and aptly-titled "Loneliest Girl" are among the great originals on the disc. The playful "Horses and Divorces" is a winning duet teaming the top-tier vocal talents of Musgraves and Miranda Lambert. Based on the strength of her fantastic performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April, fans will want to catch her in concert this fall. Musgraves' forthcoming "Middle of Nowhere" Tour includes dates in Phoenix, AZ on Oct. 17 and in Los Angeles on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19. Information: kaceymusgraves.com. 

Artist: The Knack
Title: Knackology: The Zen Recordings (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Cheap Trick, The Knack, Badfinger, Matthew Sweet

Tell me more: The power and excitement of The Knack's explosive power pop-meets-New Wave sound shines across the 19 studio, live and demo tracks featured on the newly-released Knackology: The Zen Recordings. From the ferocious opener "Let Me Out" (recorded live in Los Angeles in 1978), intoxicating rockers "Pop Is Dead" and "Ambition" (the latter two cuts from the band's essential 1998 LP Zoom) to a terrific cover of Badfinger's 1970 Pete Ham-penned hit "No Matter What," a breezy 1973 demo of "That's What The Little Girls Do," power pop perfection courtesy of "Can I Borrow A Kiss" and a hard rocking "Shine" captured at Leeds in 1991, magic abounds on this must-have collection. Among the other standouts are energetic live takes on some of The Knack's most beloved originals; inspired readings of "(She's So) Selfish" and "My Sharona" captured at a concert in Mountain View, California in June 1994 as well as the affecting "One Day At A Time" recorded in 2002 will thrill new and long-time fans of the Doug Fieger-led troupe. Mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Michael Graves, the package also includes liner notes from Grammy-winning set co-producer Lee Lodyga. Information: omnivorerecordings.com. 

Artist: Duke Robillard and His All Star Band
Title: Blast Off! (Nola Blue Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Dr. John, Tommy Castro, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Allen Toussaint

Tell me more: Duke Robillard, who recently celebrated his 77th birthday, is firing on all cylinders across his latest album Blast Off! Indeed, the legendary singer-songwriter/guitar great along with his All Star Band explore his love of blues, soul, R&B, jazz and more American roots genres across the 12-song collection. The album's parade of inviting cuts includes the exuberant Floyd Dixon-penned opener "When I Get Lucky," the jump blues sortie "I'll Be Glad When You're Dead (You Rascal You)," Chicago blues-styled ballad "Feel My Cares" showcasing Robillard's guitar chops and signature vocals, the instrumental swing foray "Play Boy Hop," soulful "Confusion" and lead guitar-anchored instrumental blues track "Galactic Grease." The album was produced by Robillard, and was recorded and mixed by John Paul Gauthier at Lakewest Recording in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Information: nolabluerrecords.com. 

Robert Kinsler

Omnivore Recordings announces The Knack's 'Knackology: The Zen Recordings' out May 8

Big news for fans of The Knack and power pop. A wonderful proponent of power pop and melodic rock, the Los Angeles-based band was formed in 1978 and released a number of great albums. "Knackology: The Zen Recordings" sounds like an essential title to add to your collection...Robert Kinsler

Omnivore Recordings Announces The Knack’s Knackology: The Zen Recordings Out May 8 19-Song Collection Features Rare Studio, Live and Demo Recordings from the “My Sharona”  Hitmakers

March 17, 2026: Today, Omnivore Recordings announces Knackology: The Zen Recordings, a special 19-song collection from The Knack. Out May 8, the release features rare studio, live and demo recordings — including their classic cover of Badfinger’s “No Matter What” and other hard-to-find performances — mastered by multiple Grammy-winning engineer Michael Graves, with liner notes from Grammy-winning set co-producer Lee Lodyga.   Principal songwriter and vocalist Doug Fieger of The Knack created Zen Records as an outlet for new Knack material, as well as early recordings, demos, and more in order to get them into the public ear. Omnivore Recordings has been honored to have a decade-plus relationship with Zen Records.   Knackology: The Zen Recordings collects 19 classic Knack performances. From pre-Get The Knack demos (“That’s What The Little Girls Do”), to a live “Let Me Out,” Knackology shows the band’s genesis. Follow that with more performances of hits across the globe, including “Good Girls Don’t,” “Baby Talks Dirty,” “One Day At A Time,” and — naturally — “My Sharona,” and feel the live power that caused a bidding war for their debut, and how it never relented onstage throughout their tenure.   Also included are studio tracks from their releases Zoom (which Fieger called their best album) and Normal As The Next Guy, showcasing that they were never truly that “one hit wonder” label they had been slapped with. Add in rarities like their cover of Badfinger’s “No Matter What” (originally released on a Badfinger tribute) and you have a total Knack education and experience.   Knackology: The Zen Recordings is more than just a compilation. It is both an introduction and refresher course to one of the world’s most important, impressive, and irreplaceable bands.   Pre-order here: http://www.omnivorerecordings.com/shop/knackolog   Knackology: The Zen Recordings: 1. Let Me Out (Live In Los Angeles, 1978) 2. Pop Is Dead 3. (She’s So) Selfish (Live At Mountain View, California, June 10, 1994) 4. Ambition 5. That’s What The Little Girls Do (Fieger/Averre Demo) 6. Les Girls 7. Rock & Roll Is Good For You (Fieger/Averre Demo) 8. Can I Borrow A Kiss 9. Oh Tara (Live From The Rock ’n’ Roll Fun House) 10. Normal As The Next Guy 11. Shine (Live At Leeds, 1991) 12. Good Girls Don’t (Live From The Rock ’n’ Fun House) 13. No Matter What 14. Love Is All There Is 15. One Day At A Time (Live From The Rock ’n’ Roll Fun House) 16. Seven Days Of Heaven 17. Harder On You (Demo) 18. Baby Talks Dirty (Live From The Rock ’n’ Roll Fun House) 19. My Sharona (Live At Mountain View, California, June 10, 1994) Credit: Randee St. Nicholas For more information about Omnivore Recordings, visit their website.

'Play On: A Raspberries Tribute' coming Sept. 12; Rick Springfield, Lou Gramm, John Waite, Marshall Crenshaw & more featured!

A stellar lineup of top-tier musicians are slated to appear on a forthcoming two-disc tribute to Raspberries. The news of the upcoming release of Play On: A Raspberries Tribute comes on a particularly notable day; today (Aug. 11, 2025) would have been Raspberries lead singer/keyboardist/guitarist Eric Carmen's 79th birthday....Robert Kinsler

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – PLAY ON: A RASPBERRIES TRIBUTE

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER LOU GRAMM (FOREIGNER), RICK SPRINGFIELD, JOHN WAITE, VICKI & DEBBI PETERSON (BANGLES), MARSHALL CRENSHAW, BIRD STREETS AND THE LEMON TWIGS ARE AMONG THE ARTISTS FEATURED ON “PLAY ON: A RASPBERRIES TRIBUTE.”

"Raspberries is the sound of love at first sight."

Slated for release on September 12^th, 2025, Play On: A Raspberries Tribute (Think Like A Key) is a new tribute album celebrating power pop icons, Raspberries with a blockbuster 37 tracks covering almost the entirety of the group's four-album catalog.

Assembling chart-topping legends (four of whom scored # 1 records), indie favorites, and rising stars, the 2-CD set features Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Rick Springfield, John Waite, Vicki and Debbi Peterson (Bangles), The Lemon Twigs, Marshall Crenshaw, Kasim Sulton and Willie Wilcox (Utopia), Cherie Currie (The Runaways), The Chefs (featuring Stan Lynch from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Dan Baird of Georgia Satellites,) The Hudson Brothers, Shoes, and Karla DeVito (Meat Loaf), among those paying homage to the '70s power pop heroes.

Rick Springfield headlining a night of fun-filled melodic rock at
Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA on Aug. 2, 2018. 
Photo: Robert Kinsler

"I loved the Raspberries and how they blended pop with the darker Small Faces screaming and always loved Eric's writing, not just the power pop, but the ballads too. His voice could kick ass on both!"–Rick Springfield

The project has received the blessing of the band, with Raspberries founding member Jim Bonfanti providing drums on four tracks

("I Wanna Be With You," "Tonight," "If You Change Your Mind," and "I Don't Know What I Want") and Eric Carmen who contributed the classic count-in on "Tonight."

Ken Sharp and Fernando Perdomo produced the compilation. Housed in a deluxe 6-panel digipak with a 20-page booklet featuring liner notes by renowned music journalist Howie Edelson, offering his spirited take on the band's enduring legacy, Play On: A Raspberries Tribute proves that great pop-rock is truly eternal.

   Strictly limited to 200 copies, the Play On exclusive bundle—available only through the label’s website                                       (tlak.rocks/playon)—includes:

• 2 collectible Raspberries postcards signed by band members Dave Smalley and Scott McCarl
• An exclusive 7" 45 RPM vinyl single with picture sleeve featuring “Go All The Way” by Rick Springfield b/w “Tonight” by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Lou Gramm (Foreigner)

All profits from the 7” will benefit the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation animal rescue (www.lindablairworldheart.org).

Alongside Badfinger and Big Star, Raspberries are hailed as the architects of power pop. Tallying the smash hits "Go All The Way," "I Wanna Be With You," "Let's Pretend," and "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)," the group's electrifying sound was a thrilling combination of Beatlesque and Beach Boys melodicism hot-wired to the slashing power chord dynamite of The Who and Small Faces in one incredible package. Unabashed fans of the band include John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Stanley (KISS), Tom Petty, Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), and Axl Rose (Guns N' Roses). Springsteen cited the band as a pivotal inspiration when writing and recording 1980's The River. Decades later, he penned the liner notes for the Raspberries Live On Sunset Strip CD/DVD, sharing his love for the band.

The 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy spotlighted the band's biggest hit, "Go All The Way," introducing Raspberries to a new generation of music fans. 2025 saw the publication of a new super-sized 820+ page edition of Overnight Sensation: The Story of Raspberries by New York Times best-selling author Ken Sharp. 

Pre-sale: 8/12 (tlak.rocks/playon)

Street date: 9/12

AUDIO TEASER:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2KUH3d_ZIc

TRACKLISTING

DISC ONE

1.  “Go All The Way” - Rick Springfield

2.   “I Wanna Be With You” - Vicki and Debbi Peterson (The Bangles)

3.   “Let’s Pretend” - The Lemon Twigs

4.   “Come Around And See Me” - Katie Ferrara

5.   “Goin’ Nowhere Tonight” - The Caulfields

6.   “Don’t Want To Say Goodbye” - Robin Taylor Zander

7.   “Might As Well” - Jesse Bryson feat. The Kennedys

8.   “It Seemed So Easy” - The Spongetones

9.   "I Saw The Light" - Adelaide Estep

10 “Ecstacy” - Eric Dover (Jellyfish/Imperial Drag) feat. Eric Singer of KISS on drums

11 “On The Beach” - Darian Sahanaja (Brian Wilson band)

12 “If You Change Your Mind” - Ken Sharp

13 “Nobody Knows” - Chris Price

14 “I Reach For The Light” - Bird Streets

15 “Drivin’ Around” – Popdudes

16 “Hard To Get Over A Heartbreak” - P-Hux

17 “Waiting” - Olivia Rubini

18 “I Can Remember” - Karla DeVito (Meatloaf)

DISC TWO

1.   “Tonight” - Lou Gramm (Foreigner)

2.   “Play On” - The Lemon Twigs

3.   “I Don’t Know What I Want” - John Waite

4.   “Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)” – Shoes

5.   “All Through The Night” - The Hudson Brothers

6.   “Should I Wait” - Marshall Crenshaw

7.   “Cry” - Kasim Sulton (Utopia)

8.   “Making It Easy” – Brasko

9.   “Last Dance” - Evan Stanley

10 “I Can Hardly Believe You’re Mine” - John Powhida

11 “Rose Colored Glasses” - Rob Bonfiglio (Brian Wilson band)

12  “I’m A Rocker” - Ken Sharp (feat. Wally Stocker of The Babys)

13  “Party’s Over” - The Chefs (feat. Stan Lynch from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Dan Baird of Georgia Satellites)

14  “Cruisin’ Music” - Ronnie D’Addario

15  “Starting Over” - Tori Holub

16  “Hands On You” - Cherie Currie (The Runaways)

17  “Every Way I Can” - The Toms

18  “With You In My Life” - Willie Wilcox (Utopia)

19  “Please Let Me Come Back Home" - Bambi Kino (feat. members of Nada Surf and Guided by Voices)

New Music: Badfinger, Blue Öyster Cult, Ringo Starr

Essential new titles featuring power pop legends Badfinger, genre-defying rockers Blue Öyster Cult and beloved singer-drummer Ringo Starr are reviewed this week.

Artist: Badfinger
Title: Head First (Y&T Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, The Beatles
Tell me more: Rock's most tragic tale likely involves power pop pioneers Badfinger, a British troupe that scored a handful of enduring singles ("Come and Get It," "No Matter What," "Day After Day," "Baby Blue") before financial and personal struggles led to the suicide death of 27-year-old leader Pete Ham in 1975. But now the band's shining legacy returns via the release of their long-lost album Head First 50 years after the disc's original recording in 1974; the new collection features Ham's final studio recordings and is definitely a welcome addition to Badfinger's stellar discography. For years, the master tapes for the Head First sessions were believed to have been lost. However, the recent rediscovery of the original multi-track tapes allowed for the mixing and mastering process of the tracks 50 years after they were recorded in the Apple Recording Studio on Savile Row in London. The parade of soaring originals on Head First includes the melodic opener "Lay Me Down," biting "Hey Mr. Manager," glorious harmonies-drenched "Turn Around," acoustic "Back Again," lovely "Keep Believing," Beatlesque "Moonshine," and ambitious rock opus "Passed Fast." Information: badfingerlibrary.com.

Artist: Blue Öyster Cult

Title: 50th Anniversary Live — Third Night (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

You might like if you enjoy: Blue Öyster Cult, classic rock

Tell me more: In September 2022, classic rock greats Blue Öyster Cult thrilled fans with a once-in-a-lifetime trilogy of sold-out concerts, each dedicated to one of the beloved genre-defying band's first three albums. Founding member Albert Bouchard (drums, vocals) joined the original core duo of Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser (lead vocals, lead guitar) and Eric Bloom (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) along with Richie Castellano (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Danny Miranda (bass) and Jules Radino (drums, percussion) at each of the special performances. Now the third night of the concert series has been released courtesy of Frontiers Music; 50th Anniversary Live — Third Night is available on audio CD and vinyl as well as via DVD and Blu-ray. The concert recording is outstanding, with the early part of the set presenting the 1974 album Secret Treaties in its entirety. Standouts from that album's performance include the rocking opener "Career Of Evil" (whose lyrics were penned by punk rock poet Patti Smith), the jazz-meets-prog rock gem "Subhuman," hard charging rocker "Dominance and Submission," and an extended version of the dazzling "Flaming Telepaths." The marathon-length show also provides BÖC time to perform stellar takes of long-time favorites "Burnin' For You," "Godzilla," "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and the set-closing "Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll." Among the most spellbinding tracks on the live set is "I Love The Night," an atmospheric rock ballad featuring Roeser's signature lead guitar work and top-tier vocals. Information: http://www.blueoystercult.com/.

Artist: Ringo Starr

Title: Look Up (Lost Highway)

You might like if you enjoy: Ringo Starr, T Bone Burnett, Buck Owens

Tell me more: Ringo Starr is back with one of his most delightful solo efforts, the country music-focused Look Up. Produced and co-written by T Bone Burnett, the album features a rich mix of tracks ranging from the infectious opener "Breathless" (featuring guitarist Billy Strings) and the buoyant title track anchored by Starr's emotive lead vocals to the sorrowful "Time On My Hands" and rockabilly mining "Never Let Me Go." Other standouts include the beautiful ballad "I Live For Your Love" (the latter bolstered by Molly Tuttle's vocal harmonies and mandolin playing), country rocker "Rosetta" (featuring Tuttle and the Southern blues duo Larkin Poe), shimmering "String Theory" and reflective self-penned "Thankful" (the latter featuring Alison Krauss' harmony vocals and Paul Franklin's pedal steel guitar). Recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles in 2024, the 11-track disc marks a welcome return by one of rock music's most iconic names. Information: ringostarr.com.

Robert Kinsler

New music: Tinsley Ellis, Kevin Burt & Big Medicine, Pete Ham tribute

New albums from blues great Tinsley Ellis, singer-songwriter/guitarist Kevin Burt and late Badfinger frontman Pete Ham are worth exploring. 

Artist: Tinsley Ellis

Title: Naked Truth (Alligator Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Robert Johnson, Leo Kottke, Keb' Mo'

Tell me more: Atlanta-based blues guitar great/singer-songwriter Tinsley Ellis is heard in a decidedly different light on his latest full-length album titled Naked Truth. Ellis' 21st album remarkably marks the celebrated bluesman's first-ever solo acoustic album; after hearing the marvelous dozen-track collection fans will be wondering what took so long. Armed with his top-tier talents as both singer and guitar player, Ellis' collection additionally benefits from a riveting authenticity that draws favorable comparisons with the classic recordings of beloved heroes including Robert Johnson, Son House, Muddy Waters and Leo Kottke. Indeed, the album was recorded live in the studio with Ellis playing his 1969 Martin D-35 and his 1937 National Steel O Series guitars. The disc opens with the fiery Delta track "Devil In The Room," an infectious and toe-tapping blues gem adorned with his artful slide work. A cover of Son House's "Death Letter Blues" genuinely taps into the spirit of the anguished original. Other standouts on Naked Truth include the rhythm-fueled instrumental Silver Mountain, playful take on Willie Dixon's "Don't Go No Further," luxurious take on Kottke's elegant "The Sailor's Grave On The Prairie," intense "Horseshoes and Hand Grenades" and sumptuous closer "Easter Song." This writer's favorite selection is the gentle Skip James-inspired original "Windowpane," which is bolstered by Ellis' falsetto vocals and nuanced fretwork. Ellis is currently on tour in support of Naked Truth; check out his upcoming tour dates HERE. Information: alligator.com.

Artist: Kevin Burt & Big Medicine

Title: Thank You Brother Bill: A Tribute to Bill Withers (Gulf Coast Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Bill Withers, Aaron Neville, B.B. King

Tell me more: The spirit and music of the late Bill Withers shines across Kevin Burt and his band Big Medicine's new album Thank You Brother Bill: A Tribute to Bill Withers. The carefully selected track listing of 13 songs is presented via affecting and original versions showcasing Wither's timeless song craft as well as the stellar talents of Burt (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica), Scot Sutherland (bass), Ken Valdez (lead/rhythm guitar, backing vocals) and Eric Douglas (drums, percussion). Burt's resonant and soulful baritone vocals are the perfect fit with Withers songs; the performances captured at The Sound Box Recording Studio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa absolutely soar across the disc. The funk-tinged opener "Who Is He (and What Is He To You)?," electrifying soul sortie "World Keeps Going Round and Round," nuanced "Just the Two of Us" (the latter bolstered by Burt's sublime harmonica play), electric blues mining "Ain't No Sunshine," explosive "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh" and mournful "Hope She'll Be Happier" are among the impressive cuts on the terrific album. Information: kevinburtmusic.net.

Artist: Pete Ham

Title: Gwent Gardens (Y&T Music)

You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, Paul McCartney, The Beatles

Tell me more: Although it has been nearly 50 years since his premature death at the age of 27 in April 1975, Pete Ham's legacy as the principal singer-songwriter of 1970s power pop great Badfinger shines bright. Now a treasure trove of newly-discovered home demos recorded between 1966 and 1972 — many of them songs that were never recorded or released by Badfinger or that group's earlier incarnation The Iveys — have been gathered together for release on an essential limited edition audio CD titled Gwent Gardens issued by Y&T Music. The tracks on the physical special CD version of Gwent Gardens set for release on March 8, 2024 will also be available via all streaming services on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. 

The impressive demos feature Ham performing with guitar or piano accompaniment; the prolific artist often double-tracked his vocals to add heft to the recordings. The 18-track collection begins with the poignant "The Day Begins," where Ham's signature vocals deliver a beautiful and yearning original. Equally poignant is the lovely "Let The Sun Shine Through," which is bolstered by Ham's falsetto vocals and several overdubbed instrumental tracks to showcase his vision for a full band version of the melodic gem. The parade of terrific songs includes the John Lennon-flavored "Love Will Be," tuneful rocker "I'm Only Human," evocative "I Miss You," Baroque mining "Little Mary" and "Scarlett Willow," soulful "Think It Over" and irresistible "Something On My Mind." 

Editor's note: 2023 also saw the release of a special Pete Ham tribute album, Shine On — A Tribute to Pete Ham. That album featured 35 artist covering all of Ham's compositions recorded by Badfinger. Among the artists paying tribute to Ham on the title are Shelby Lynne, Dan Baird, Melanie, Dennis Diken, Sweet Lizzy Project, Stan Lynch & The Speaker Wars, and many more. Read Robert Kinsler's review of that album HERE. Information: ytmusiconline.com.

Robert Kinsler