Eclectic Range of Releases Close Out 2018

Although 2018 is in the history books, there are several late-year releases worthy of attention. The latest releases from country music supergroup Pistol Annies and Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry, as well as important deluxe reissues from English rockers the Kinks and bluesman Henry Townsend are available now.

Artist: Pistol Annies
Title: Interstate Gospel (Sony Music Nashville)
You might like if you enjoy: Kacey Musgraves, Pistol Annies, Ashley Monroe
Tell me more: Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley have each carved out successful solo careers in country music so when they join forces as Pistol Annies expectations are high. On the celebrated trio's third full-length studio set Interstate Gospel there is an honesty and depth across the 14-track album that fully delivers on the talents of the three singer-songwriters. While never abandoning the greater sonic template associated with contemporary country music, Pistol Annies offer up original songs of empowerment and independence from a welcome feminine perspective. The freewheeling "Stop Drop and Roll One," lovely "Best Years of My Life," buoyant "Got My Name Changed Back," and introspective "When I Was His Wife" and "Cheyenne" leave their mark via undeniable song craft and telling lyrics. In addition to confessional tales of lust, regret and love gone mostly wrong, there are uptempo proclamations of faith ("Interstate Prelude," "Interstate Gospel") and a particularly affecting look at the challenges of life on the farm ("5 Acres of Turnips"). It doesn't hurt that Lambert, Monroe and Presley have voices that shine and soar with every stellar turn. Information: PistolAnnies.com.

Artist: The Kinks
Title: The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society (Sanctuary Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Kinks, Blur, the Zombies' "Odessey and Oracle"
Tell me more: The 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of the Kinks' 1968 masterwork The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society is amazing. It features both stereo and mono mixes from the HD masters, bonus tracks and a previously-unreleased new single titled "Time Song." The two-disc audio CD version reviewed here also comes with a 20-page booklet and extensive liner notes. Lead singer-songwriter Ray Davies penned a slew of outstanding nostalgia-drenched songs exploring life and death, growing up and growing old, and wove those works together via a mix of musical styles that work perfectly. Indeed, pop-rock ("Starstruck"), psychedelia ("Wicket Annabella"), blues ("Last Of The Steam-Powered Trains"), chamber pop ("Big Sky," "Village Green"), and an intoxicating dose of British Music hall ("Sitting By The Riverside," "All Of My Friends Were There") are among the styles used by the Kinks on the wide-ranging title. Casual rock fans who only know the Kinks via the band's radio hits should consider delving into this wondrous title that was sadly overlooked at the time of its release in November 1968. Information: abkco.com.

Artist: Henry Townsend
Title: Mule (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Big Joe Williams, Pinetop Sparks, Sonny Boy Williamson
Tell me more: Armed with a potent baritone voice and keyboard and guitar skills to match, Henry Townsend's talents shine across the expanded reissue of his 1980 album Mule. The late bluesman was born in 1909 and his spirit and sound emerge as fresh and enthralling today as when the disc was recorded nearly 40 years ago. Townsend's recording career dated back to the early 1930s and Mule marked an effort to put Townsend front and center on a full-length recording. The album is worth discovering, with the artist artfully pounding away on keyboards and plucking on guitar across the disc. As detailed in the album liner notes, Townsend would improvise while recording; the result is the performance of tracks that are vibrant and fully unique. The Delta-flavored "Tears Come Rollin' Down," rollicking piano-anchored "It's A Hard Road To Travel," spot on "Talkin' Guitar Blues" and the joyful romp "The Other Night" (a bonus track) ring out with an immediacy and power that are as much a tribute to Townsend as American blues music itself. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Bryan Ferry and his Orchestra
Title: Bitter-Sweet (BMG)
You might like if you enjoy: Roxy Music, The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, DeVotchKa
Tell me more: Bryan Ferry and his Orchestra are casting new light on the music of Roxy Music and some of Ferry's solo works via the aptly-titled Bitter-Sweet. Fans of the early 20th century British Music hall genre will be find that aplenty on "Bitter-Sweet." Ferry's work on the LP was inspired by his role with the Sky Atlantic/Netflix television series "Babylon Berlin" (a show set in the 1920s and based on the books authored by Volker Kutscher). The pensive "New Town," yearning "Bitter Sweet," gorgeous "Zamba" and ambitious instrumental "Limbo" are among this writer's favorites on the sweeping collection. Information: BryanFerry.com.


Robert Kinsler

New albums: Paul Kelly, the Shelters, Don DiLego, 10,000 Maniacs

A multifaceted view of the modern-day rock landscape is revealed via a crop of excellent summer 2016 releases including the latest releases from Paul Kelly and Don DiLego, as well as the debut from the Shelters and a live collection from 10,000 Maniacs.

Artist: Paul Kelly
Title: Seven Sonnets & A Song (Cooking Vinyl)
You might like if you enjoy: Leonard Cohen, Neil Finn
Tell me more: One of the world's most interesting and talented songwriters, Australia-based Paul Kelly has surprised yet again with his newly-released Seven Sonnets & A Song, an ambitious collection anchored by original songs created using six William Shakespeare sonnets. The Clown's Song ("O Mistress Mine") from the Bard of Avon's "Twelfth Night" as well as a lyrical work penned by Shakespeare contemporary Sir Philip Sidney titled "My True Love Hath My Heart" (the latter featuring soprano Vika Bull on lead vocals) round out the wonderful collection. The splendid verse is adorned with Kelly's lush soundscapes which range from jazz ("Sonnet 138) and folk ("Sonnet 73," "O Mistress Mine") to Americana ("Sonnet 18") and piano-anchored ballads ("Sonnets 44 & 45"). Information: paulkelly.com.au.

Artist: The Shelters
Title: The Shelters (Warner Bros. Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Tom Petty, Mudcrutch, Tommy Keene
Tell me more: It has become cool for rock 'n' roll to be fun again. Just listen to the great self-titled debut album from Los Angeles rockers the Shelters. Like Ireland's Strypes, the Shelters have dipped back into the past to conjure up rock that thrives on cool hooks and great riffs. What sets apart the Shelters is the quartet (singer-guitarist Chase Simpson, singer-guitarist Josh Jove, drummer Sebastian Harris and bassist Jacob Pillot) also incorporates Laurel Canyon harmonies (just listen to "Liar" and the shimmering psychedelic rocker "Gold") and folk rock touches (as evidenced by "Nothin' in the World Can Stop Me Worryin' 'Bout That Girl") into its sonic brew. "Rebel Heart," and "Surely Burn" are among the rockers that burst out of the gate and impress with the power of their rocking ancestors. Information: warnerbrosrecords.com or thesheltersmusic.com.

Artist: Don DiLego
Title: Magnificent Ram A (One Little Indian/Velvet Elk)
You might like if you enjoy: The Decemberists, Dandy Warhols, the Shins
Tell me more: Don DiLego's Magnificent Ram A is eclectic, beautiful and never less than involving for lovers of smart contemporary rock. "Karma King" explodes with a symphonic approach. The beautiful "A Wishful Poem" is just lovely, but rooted in the baroque folk rock that has yielded stunning efforts from Portland's Shins and Decemberists. Other songs are bolstered by the same buoyant approach, but are rooted in other sounds. The sing-along "Drive Like Pirates," rootsy acoustic ballad "Go Pack Your Suitcase" and anthemic Americana opus "Russin in Place with a Desperate Heart" are other strong tracks. Information: dondilego.com.


Artist: 10,000 Maniacs
Title: Playing Favorites (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: 10,000 Maniacs, the Corrs
Tell me more: Recorded live on Sept. 13, 2014 in its hometown of Jamestown, New York, 10,000 Maniacs' Playing Favorites finds the enduring ensemble playing a mix of original favorites and artful covers. The 14-song disc allows plenty of time for the six-member troupe (joined by five guest players) to showcase its style blending alternative and college rock with folk rock. Standouts include spirited takes on band hits ("What's The Matter Here," "Like the Weather," "Trouble Me") and a joyful take on Bryan Ferry's Roxy Music hit "More Than This" and fiddle-anchored version of the Patti Smith/Bruce Springsteen rocker "Because the Night." Information: omnivorerecordings.com.

Robert Kinsler

Tune-In: Coachella Live Stream on YouTube begins today!

Not headed out to Indio, California today to thrill to the sights and sounds Coachellafest? No worries thanks to YouTube's coverage of Coachella live. Here is the official media release...

ZZ Ward's Coachella set will be webcast
today live at 3:30 p.m. (Pacific Time).

No wristband? No problem! You can live stream Coachella on YouTube all weekend long.

Tune in to Coachella LIVE on YouTube presented by T-Mobile. For the fourth year in a row, the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival will stream live from Indio, Calif. on Coachella’s official YouTube channel.

Starting today (Friday, 4/11, at 3:30 p.m. PT), you can watch performances from more than 70 acts, including Lorde, Bryan Ferry, The Replacements, Arcade Fire and Beck. And with three-hour late night blocks from EDM superstars like Skrillex, Martin Garrix, Zedd, Dillon Francis, Duck Sauce and more, your party can keep going well into the night. Plus,Jason Bentley, DJ, music director and host of KCRW’s internationally acclaimed “Morning Becomes Eclectic” will host, bringing you artist access and exclusive interviews throughout.

And, this year, we have a special surprise to bring you even closer to Coachella: Chvrches, Zedd and other artists will jump into fans’ Google+ Hangouts live from backstage. Check the schedule on the Coachella YouTube channel for artist meet-and-greets. Start a Hangout with your friends, and when the time comes, it may bring you face-to-face backstage and directly into the Coachella webcast!   

It all begins today at 3:30 p.m. PT, so stay tuned to Coachella’s YouTube channel for the latest schedule and meet-and-greet updates!

Source: http://youtube-global.blogspot.com/2014/04/no-wristband-no-problem-you-can-live.html

OutKast, Arcade Fire, Muse, the Replacements among big names to perform at Coachella

Coachella 2012: Sunset is always magical at Coachella.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Tonight it's official. The lineup for the two-weekend 2014 edition of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is set and once again an exciting and wide-ranging mix of artists will perform in Indio this spring.

As had been anticipated, a reformed OutKast will perform, as will Canadian indie rock troupe Arcade Fire, British trio Muse and Minneapolis, Minnesota's mighty reunited Replacements. The festival, which will be held April 11-13 and again April 18-20 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, will feature a number of other influential artists. Among my favorite acts set to perform are Bryan Ferry, Pet Shop Boys, Foster the People, Beady Eye, Trombone Shorty, Laura Mvula and the Cult.

Although the majority of tickets have already been sold for the two weekends, those remaining tickets are scheduled to go on sale tomorrow (Jan. 10) at the official Coachella Web site. 

You can see everyone who is playing courtesy of the official Goldenvoice poster featured below…

Sights and Sounds: Bryan Ferry, Elvis Costello and the Roots, Leagues

Here are the latest noteworthy items to hit my inbox...

EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS

 

BRYAN FERRY

LIVE IN LYON

 

~DVD, BLU-RAY, AND DELUXE EDITIONS OUT SEPTEMBER 24~

 

 

New York, NY (September 9, 2013)— Eagle Rock Entertainment is proud to announce the release on September 24 of Bryan Ferry’s Live In Lyon on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Formats. Additionally a Deluxe Edition is available on each format, boasting a 72 page hardback edition with embossed front cover and bonus CD of the concert [Pre-book Order Date September 6, MSRP $24.98 Blu-ray, $14.98 DVD, $69.98 Blu-ray/CD, $59.98 DVD/CD]. 

 

From his earliest recordings with Roxy Music at the beginning of the 1970s, Bryan Ferry has established himself as one of the most iconic musicians and innovative songwriters to emerge in popular music. This spectacular performance, which was part of his worldwide Olympia tour, was filmed on July 25, 2011 at the ancient Roman amphitheatre in Lyon, France as part of the Nuits de Fourviere Festival.

 

Live In Lyon shines with tracks from across Ferry’s 40-year career including classic Roxy Music songs, solo hits and his renowned interpretations of classic songs. Tunes such as “Slave To Love,” “Oh Yeah!,” “Let’s Stick Together,” “Love Is The Drug,” “Don’t Stop The Dance,” “Avalon,” “Like A Hurricane,” “Sign Of The Times,” “If There Is Something,” “Jealous Guy,” and “My Only Love,” are all delivered with the style and panache that is uniquely Bryan Ferry.

 

Live In Lyon also includes “The Making Of Olympia” film as a bonus feature. This brilliant documentary unveils the recording of the Olympia album with previously unseen interviews and performances with guest artists including Nile Rodgers, Dave Stewart, Marcus Miller, David Gilmour, Flea and The Scissor Sisters.

 

Live In Lyon is a music experience no Bryan Ferry fan should be without.

 

Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and Digital Media in the world.  Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition and 3D programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide.  Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Hamburg.

 

 

Follow Eagle Rock Entertainment at:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/EagleRockEnt

Twitter: www.twitter.com/EagleRockNews

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/eaglerocktv

 

 

TRACK LISTING

1) I Put A Spell On You  

2) Slave To Love  

3) Don’t Stop The Dance  

4) Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues  

5) If There Is Something  

6) Make You Feel My Love  

7) You Can Dance  

8) Alphaville  

9) Reason Or Rhyme  

10) Oh Yeah!  

11) Like A Hurricane  

12) Tara*  

13) Bitter-Sweet  

14) Avalon*  

15) My Only Love*  

16) What Goes On  

17) Sign Of The Times  

18) Love Is The Drug  

19) All Along The Watchtower  

20) Let’s Stick Together  

21) Hold On I’m Coming  

22) Jealous Guy

* = tracks not on CD.

ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ROOTS

‘WISE UP GHOST’

Eagerly-Awaited Collaborative Album Out

Next Week; Stream NOW via NPR.org

“A cauldron full of powders and potions, frogs and fingers.” –Elvis Costello

“A moody, brooding affair, cathartic rhythms and dissonant lullabies.” –Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson

“A spacious, genre-bending funk set with a political charge.” –Rolling Stone

“One of the landmark albums of the year.” – MOJO

September 9, 2013 - New York, NY - Elvis Costello and The Roots will be releasing their highly anticipated collaborative album entitled Wise Up Ghost exclusively via Blue Note Records next Tuesday September 17^th, 2013. The collection can be streamed exclusively via NPR.org, now. PRESS HERE to listen!

The existence of the record was first revealed by ?uestlove as an aside during an interview with Billboard Magazine in January. A small number of test pressings were distributed as white labels on Record Store Day on the 20^th of April.

Most of the sessions took place in secret at Feliz Habitat Studios in the dead of night, while others were in plain sight at Costello’s Hookery Crookery Studios. The collection promises to be one of the most unexpected and surprising releases of 2013.

In addition to the Roots crew and friends, the record features a guest vocal appearance on “Cinco Minutos Con Vos” from La Marisoul, lead singer of the Los Angeles group, La Santa Cecilia.

The album was produced by longtime Roots associate, Steven Mandel together with Elvis Costello, and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson.

About Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello began working as a professional musician 35 years ago, shortly after the release of his first album, “My Aim Is True”. He has made more than 27 studio records, three live albums and numerous guest appearances on stage, studio and screen as well as working as a record producer, bit-part actor and composing music for television drama and dance performance. He has toured the world with The Attractions, The Imposters and the pianist, Steve Nieve, performing with symphony and jazz orchestras as well as in solo performance. His catalogue of songs includes collaborations with Paul McCartney, Allen Toussaint and Burt Bacharach with whom he won a Grammy for “I Still Have That Other Girl” from their 1998 collaboration, Painted From Memory. Costello’s songs have been recorded by George Jones, Chet Baker, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Dusty Springfield and Robert Wyatt. Elvis Costello and The Attractions were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. In the same year he was awarded ASCAP’s prestigious Founder’s Award. His last record was 2010s National Ransom, produced by T-Bone Burnett. Between 2008 and 2010, Costello was the host of twenty episodes of the interview and music show, “Spectacle” on the Sundance Channel.

About Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson

Drummer, DJ, producer, culinary entrepreneur, author and member of The Roots - Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson, is the unmistakable heartbeat of Philadelphia’s most influential hip-hop group. He is also the Musical Director for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon where his beloved Roots crew serves as the house band. The musician’s indisputable reputation has also landed him musical directing positions with everyone from D'Angelo to Eminem to Jay-Z. In addition, the artist will release his first memoir, Mo’ Meta Blues: The World According to ?uestlove, on June 18^th.

About The Roots

Formed in 1987, in Philadelphia, PA, the legendary Roots Crew, consists of Black Thought (MC), Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson (drums), Kamal Gray (electronic keyboards), F. Knuckles (percussion), Captain Kirk Douglas (electronic guitar), Damon Bryson (sousaphone) and James Poyser (electronic keyboard). Having previously released twelve projects, The Roots have become one of the best known and most respected hip-hop acts in the business, winning four Grammys, including “Best R&B Album” for Wake Up!, “Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance” for “Hang in There” (with John Legend) and “Best Group or Duo R&B Vocal Performance” for “Shine.” The ensemble was most recently nominated for “Best Rap Album” for the 2011 release of undun. This brings the band’s GRAMMY nomination count to twelve. Additionally, The Roots have also become the faces of Philly’s “Fourth of July Jam,” an annual concert held during the Fourth of July with the biggest names in music, and “The Roots Picnic,” a yearly star-studded mix of musicians, that has become a celebrated institution during awards season. Recently The Roots were named one of the greatest live bands around by Rolling Stone, became the official house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon where they currently perform every Monday- Friday.

 

LEAGUES ANNOUNCE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER TOUR TO SUPPORT YOU BELONG HERE

Album Debuted on Billboard at #1 Alternative New Artists Chart 
and #12 Heatseekers Chart

Single “Spotlight” featured in National Ad campaign for Bose Noise Cancellation Headphones, ABC’s Gray’s Anatomy and 2014 FIFA Video Game Soundtrack
 

NASHVILLE, TN –  KCRW “Artist You Should Know” Leagues have announced a two month tour in October/ November to support their debut You Belong Here.

Released in March 2013, Esquire notes in its “15 Music Artists To Watch in 2013,”  “somehow what starts like The Strokes and finishes like The Rapture doesn’t sound even a millisecond past its sell-by date.”
 
A testament to the staying power of Leagues’ music, in time when your release date may also be your expiration date.
 
The trio of Tyler Burkum (guitar), Thad Cockrell (vocals) and Jeremy Lutito (drums) garnered critical notice with the release of its 2011 self-titled EP. Independent Weekly, calls the music, “…indie-imbued pop-rock…coats the handclaps and harmonies of classic power pop with a modern gloss…leveraging the vintage feel of its soaring melody with a snappy rhythm and layers of chiming guitars and rousing horns,” while American Songwriter magazine heralds, “Leagues seem to have struck a nice balance between indie and classic rock.”
 
With You Belong Here, Leagues silences skeptics and drawn widespread critical acclaim. KCRW named the band an “Artist You Should Know,” heralding, “it took about 45 second for me to fall in love with Leagues’ forthcoming full length debut,” while WXPN World Café featured the band in their “World Café: Next” series, declaring, “the album plays like a collection of singles, each track as catchy as the next.” Additionally, the official music video for the album’s first single, “Spotlight,” premiered at MTV Hive with more than 145,000 views on YouTube, currently. The video can be viewed/embedded here: goo.gl/gzykn.

In October, Leagues begin the first leg of their U.S. tour with special guests The Dig. Further November dates TBA.