Music Gift Guide: Tears For Fears, Cat Stevens, 'Ready Steady Go!', Mike Viola

With Hanukkah already here and Christmas fast approaching, here is a roundup of a number of special titles that will make great gifts for discerning music lovers.

Artist: Tears For Fears

Title: The Seeds Of Love - Super Deluxe Edition (UMe/Virgin)

You might like if you enjoy: Tears For Fears, The Beatles' "Abbey Road" and "White Album" 

Tell me more: Tears For Fears' brilliant third album The Seeds Of Love was released more than 30 years ago but sounds better and more relevant than ever. A recent reissue of the classic is available in several different configurations ranging from a two-disc audio CD set to a Super Deluxe Edition box set that consists of four CDs and one Blu-Ray which collectively tells the story of how this four-years-in-the-making album from Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith came to be. The recently-issued expanded Super Deluxe Edition reissue of the 1989 masterwork is truly a joy. Indeed, the box set includes 22 previously-unissued tracks from demo sessions, live jams and studio sessions. The material here spans the sonic landscape; the jazz-meets-rock "Bad Man's Song," soul-styled "Advice for the Young at Heart," genre-blending "Standing on the Corner of the Third World," gorgeous "Famous Last Words" and mind-blowing Beatlesque title track sound better than ever. Additional gems include a slew of 45's and B-sides; the adventuresome world music-minded "Tears Roll Down," experimental "My Life in the Suicide Ranks" and jazzy rocker "Always in the Past" are among this writer's favorites. Information: TearsForFears.com.

"Tea For The Tillerman" 50th Anniversary Super
Deluxe Edition

Artist: Yusuf / Cat Stevens

Titles: Mona Bone Jakon: 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition; Tea For The Tillerman: 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition (A&M/UMe)

You might like if you enjoy: Cat Stevens, Yusuf, Don McLean, Elliott Smith 

Tell me more: Back in 1970, rising artist Cat Stevens released not one, but two impressive albums. Fast forward 50 years to 2020 and both of those now-legendary LPs — Mona Bone Jakon and Tea For The Tillerman (released just months apart in 1970) — have been released at expanded 50th anniversary editions. While this year has certainly been a complete downer in terms of live music (let's face it, live-streaming can't replace the concert going experience), the parade of noteworthy expanded and special reissues has been spectacular as personified by these terrific and in-depth dives into the artistry of Cat Stevens (who changed his name to Yusuf following his conversion to Islam in December 1977); they are truly must-haves for fans of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter. 

Mona Bone Jakon: 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition

The 2020 remasters of the original albums are incredible; there are also wonderful new 2020 mixes of each album as well. Listening to even well-known tracks such as "Wild World," "Father and Son" and "Where Do The Children Play" (from Tea for the Tillerman), and "Lady Darbanville," "Maybe Your Right" and "I Think I See The Light" (on Mona Bone Jakon) is to seemingly rediscover the beloved songs for the first time. Mona Bone Jakon includes 24 previously unreleased songs, and Tea for the Tillerman features 21 unreleased tracks alongside a number of other rarities. The multi-format releases were released Dec. 4, 2020. For more information on the Super Deluxe Edition box set versions of each of these albums, visit the artist's website. Information: CatStevens.com.

Title: Ready Steady Go!: The Weekend Starts Here (BMG)

Author: Andy Neill

Publisher: BMG Books

You might like if you enjoy: 1960s music, art and fashion, the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, British rock 'n' roll

Tell me more: "Ready Steady Go!: The Weekend Starts Here" is a comprehensive and definitive must-have book by author Andy Neill that provides an in-depth look at the pioneering 1960s British music TV show that hosted the era's greatest names beginning in August 1963. Weighing in at 6 pounds, the 268-page hardcover edition is beautifully  illustrated with a wealth of amazing images (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Zombies, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and countless more!) — most never previously seen — and exclusive essays that provide more appreciation of the 173 episodes aired over the show's three-and-a-half-year run. Insights from the illustrious likes of Manfred Mann, Mick Jagger, Bill Wyman, Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent and Ray Davies bolster the fast-moving read. A guide also provides details on each of the episodes. Information: bmg.com.

Artist: Mike Viola

Title: Godmuffin (Good Morning Monkey / Grand Phony Music)

You might like if you enjoy: Damon Albarn, Alex Chilton, Pete Yorn, Candy Butchers 

Tell me more: Anchored by one of the most bewitching singles in memory — the melodic "Ordinary Girl" — Mike Viola's new album Godmuffin quickly reveals its greatness beyond that undeniable cut. With its indie rock spirit, real life warmth and incredible song craft, the parade of great songs includes the lush Americana-tinged opener "Creeper," probing "We May Never Be This Young Again," biting "Drug Rug," tuneful "All You Can Eat" and gentle closer "That Seems Impossible Now." If Bruce Springsteen came of age a generation later he may well have penned "Superkid II, Trying To Do The Thing That I Thought I Was Born To Do," a brilliant original. Never heard of Viola? You have heard him; it was his top-tier lead vocals on the Oscar-nominated "That Thing You Do" title track from Tom Hanks' 1996 hit film and other cuts featuring the fictional band the Wonders heard in the movie. Information: MikeViola.com.

Robert Kinsler

Titles shed light on seminal studios, Taylor Guitars, King of Pop, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and more

Last year saw the release of a slew of noteworthy new books focused on much-loved corners of the music universe, including British recording studios, Southern California-based Taylor Guitars, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and more. Here is an overview of several of the essential titles now available.

 

Title: The Great British Recording Studios (Hal Leonard Books)
Author: Howard Massey

Tell me more: Fans of the Beatles and other bands who comprised the British Invasion won't be the only ones interested in grabbing "The Great British Recording Studios." With a foreword by Sir George Martin's providing a kick-off, Howard Massey's wonderful book provides an in-depth review of the growth of England's recording studio industry following World War II, and looks at specific facilities including Abbey Road (EMI Studios), Decca, IBC and others. There are specifics about equipment used at the various studios and key recordings that were made at each. There are also stories from some of the sessions and a myriad of other points about the British studios that are detailed enough to thrill audiophiles and musicologists, but readable enough for the music fan without the technical background of a studio engineer or record producer. There are a wealth of historical color and black & white photos captured inside the studios too. Information: greatbritishstudios.halleonardbooks.com.

Purchase 'The Great British Recording Studios' here

 

Title: The Taylor Guitar Book (Backbeat Books)
Author: Teja Gerken

Tell me more: Neil Young, Jason Mraz, Damon Albarn, Zac Brown and Dave Matthews are among the countless musicians who play Taylor guitars. Now the story of Taylor Guitars (based in San Diego, CA) is revealed via the wonderful Teja Gerken-penned "The Taylor Guitar Book." Founded in 1974 (long after companies such as Gibson, Fender, Guild, Martin and Rickenbacker had seemingly cornered the market), Taylor has grown to be among the leaders of the industry while attracting the loyalty of guitarists around the globe. This colorfully-illustrated 160-page book will appeal to both casual and hardcore fans of Taylor-made acoustic and electric instruments. Information: backbeatbooks.com.

Get 'The Taylor Guitar Book: 40 Years of Great American Flattops' here

 

Title: Michael Jackson FAQ (Backbeat Books)
Author: Kit O'Toole

Tell me more: Writer Kit O'Toole has taken a straight-forward, but effective path in providing a bigger picture of Michael Jackson's long career, which included the King of Pop's work and influence in the worlds of music, film, dance and pop culture. Looking at a long career spanning his work with the Jackson 5, the Jacksons and groundbreaking solo career, Jackson's work with Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, and even his posthumous successes (notably the 2009 documentary film "This Is It") are also covered by O'Toole in an illustrated book stretching across 464 pages. Information: backbeatbooks.com.

Buy 'Michael Jackson FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the King of Pop' here

 

Title: Billie Holiday: The Musician and the Myth (Viking)
Author: John Szwed

Tell me more: A former professor of music and director of the Center for Jazz Studies at Columbia University, John Szwed proved to be the perfect author to pen the well-researched and involving "Billie Holiday: The Musician and the Myth." Released in paperback in early 2015, the biography sheds light on Holiday's groundbreaking role as jazz singer and early champion in the fight against racism. What emerges is that despite the troubles and challenges Holiday faced in her all-too-brief life (the New York native died at the age of 44 in 1959) was she was an artist of tremendous talent who influenced countless contemporaries and musical descendants. Information: penguinrandomhouse.com.

Buy 'Billie Holiday: The Musician and the Myth' here




Title: Sinatra: The Chairman (Doubleday)
Author: James Kaplan
Tell me more: At 992 pages, the hardcover edition of James Kaplan's "Sinatra: The Chairman" picks up where the author left off with 2010's "Sinatra: The Voice" and fully paints a portrait of the 20th century icon beginning with the day after he picked up his Academy Award in 1954 (for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "From Here to Eternity"). This biography is a ripe with insights into Sinatra's last act ("Ol' Blue Eyes" died in 1998, but would have celebrated his 100th birthday on Dec. 12, 2015) that was filled with incredible highs and lows. It takes a lot to capture one of the last century's most dynamic and significant entertainers, and Kaplan has done that masterfully in "Sinatra: The Chairman." Information: penguinrandomhouse.com.

Purchase 'Sinatra: The Chairman by James Kaplan' here

 

Title: Don't All Thank Me At Once: The Lost Pop Genius of Scott Miller (125 Books)
Author: Brett Milano

Tell me more: In a world filled with under-the-radar musical heroes, few loom larger than Scott Miller. A groundbreaking indie rocker who fronted Game Theory in the '80s and The Loud Family in the '90s. Although Miller's insightful and intelligent style of literate songcraft has drawn comparisons with the celebrated likes of Elvis Costello and Big Star, his lost place is just now being fully realized thanks to several recent (and upcoming) reissues as well as Brett Milano's fantastic appreciation "Don't All Thank Me At Once: The Lost Pop Genius of Scott Miller" released in October 2015. Information: 125records.com.

Buy 'Don't All Thank Me At Once: The Lost Pop Genius of Scott Miller' here

Robert Kinsler