Last-Minute Gift Guide: Outstanding Music and Movie Titles

With Christmas and Hanukkah fast approaching — both arrive on Dec. 25 this year —here is an eclectic list of great new music and film titles available now. 

Multi-Format Titles

As The Rolling Stones were prepping to headline two nights at legendary Wembley Stadium in June 1999 — the band's first London concerts in four years — they announced a surprise show at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire for June 8, 1999. A truly intimate crowd of only 1,800 fans were on hand to hear The Rolling Stones perform a wide-ranging set of enduring hits as well as rarely-performed gems over an unforgettable 96 minutes. "Welcome to Shepherd's Bush," Mick Jagger notes to kick off the event. "I've been waiting to say that for a little bit." On Dec. 6, 2024, Mercury Studios released the concert film "Welcome to Shepherd's Bush" via multiple formats that fully capture the amazing once-in-a-lifetime show. (The title reviewed here marks the first ever 4K UltraHD release and includes a Dolby Atmos sound option). "Welcome to Shepherd's Bush" is also available via 2LP black vinyl package, direct-to-consumer two-LP set in 180-gram white vinyl, Blu-ray+2CD, and via a 2CD limited edition package of only 15,000 worldwide.

While Stones fans will be thrilled with the fiery versions of hits including "It's Only Rock 'N' Roll (But I Like It)," "Honky Tonk Women" (the latter featuring guest Sheryl Crow), and trio of crowd-pleasing classics ("Tumbling Dice," "Brown Sugar" and "Jumpin' Jack Flash"), the real thrill of the title is the inclusion of so many seldom-heard nuggets. Indeed, the set includes the only known performance of "Moon Is Up" (from the band's Voodooo Lounge album), a stellar track bolstered by a melodic chorus that features Jagger on blues harp. "Melody" (from Black and Blue) is performed for only the second time ever, and another welcome rarity includes the catchy blues rocker "Brand New Car" bolstered by Ronnie Wood's wah pedal adorned guitar work. 

Keith Richards is featured on lead vocals on two strong performances ("You Got The Silver," "Before They Make Me Run"), and other highlights from the concert include the rollicking show opener "Shattered," freewheeling rocker "Respectable," and driving version of the classic "Route 66." Information: mercurystudios.co.

Artist: Chicago & Friends

Title: Live At 55 (Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Chicago, Robin Thicke, Robert Randolph, Chris Daughtry, Steve Vai

Tell me more: Available via Blu-ray+2CD, 4K UHD, 2CD, 3LP, digital audio and digital video, "Live At 55" celebrates the 55th anniversary of the release of Chicago's groundbreaking double-platinum debut album Chicago Transit Authority. A 160-minute concert event recorded in front of an enthusiastic audience in Atlantic City, NJ over two nights, wonderful new concert film finds the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers joined by a number of musical stars including Robin Thicke, Chris Daughtry, Steve Vai, VoicePlay, Judith Hill, Robert Randolph and Christone "Kingfish" Ingram. The concert features Chicago performing cuts from the Chicago Transit Authority album, as well as many of their biggest hits and "unplugged" a cappella arrangement of their material. The final selection, "25 or 6 to 4," features the complete parade of guests joining the band to perform the rocker. Information: mercurystudios.co.

Audio Titles

Artist: Mark Farner

Title: Closer To Home (Righteous Rock Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Mark Farner, Grand Funk Railroad

Tell me more: Mark Farner, the original lead singer of Grand Funk Railroad, is back with a marvelous new 10-song album showcasing his top-tier talents as singer, songwriter and guitarist. Along the fiery "Anymore" and authentic title track, there is a new 55th anniversary version of the beloved number 1 hit "I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home)." Farner's new album is produced by Mark Slaughter, who also co-wrote and contributed guitar and bass playing on the disc. Closer To Home is available on audio CD and on red vinyl. Information: markfarner.com.

Artist: Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band

Title: Dirt On My Diamonds Volume 2 (Provogue)
You might like if you enjoy: Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Joe Bonamassa

Tell me more: One of the greatest blues-rock guitarists of our time, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and his amazing band (including first rate lead singer Noah Hunt) are back with a follow-up of 2023's Dirt On My Diamonds Vol 1. Available on digital, audio CD and via a limited edition 180 gram "Blue Marble" vinyl LP, Dirt On My Diamonds Volume 2 is loaded with infectious material ranging from the grooving opener "I Got A Woman" and Southern fried "The Middle" to the funky New Orleans-flavored "Pressure." Information: mascotlabelgroup.com.

Artist: The Blasters

Title: The Complete Concert (Liberation Hall)
You might like if you enjoy: The Blasters, Dave Alvin

Tell me more: Captured live during the Blasters' first-ever international tour in May 1982 at the Venue in London, England, only six of the songs were previously released via a 12-inch vinyl EP later that same year. Now Liberation Hall has released the complete concert, a raucous celebration of the celebrated rockabilly band's 

';mngreatness. Phil Alvin (vocals, guitar), Dave Alvin (lead guitar), Bill Bateman (drums), John Baez (bass guitar), Lee Allen (tenor sax) and Steve Berlin (baritone sax) perform a slew of great cuts including "Crazy Baby," "American Music" and "Marie Marie" sure to please fans of the Blasters. Information: TheBlasters.com.

Artist: Blue Moon Marquee

Title: New Orleans Sessions (Blue Moon Marquee)
You might like if you enjoy: Fats Domino, Geno Delafose

Tell me more: Listening to Blue Moon Marquee's New Orleans Sessions is to be transported to another place and time. The JUNO-Award winning British Columbia-based indie blues duo (A.W. Cardinal and Jasmine Colette) have released a joyful 10-track album crafted over a mere two days positioned one year apart! The result is an energetic romp through the sounds forged in the early 20th century. Standouts include the driving Memphis Minnie sortie "Black Rat Swing," bewitching "Trickster Coyote" and Delta blues-minded "Some Ol' Day." Information: bluemoonmarquee.com.

Movie Titles

Film title: A Christmas Carol (VCI Entertainment)

You might like if you enjoy: A Christmas Carol, classic holiday films of the 1950s

Tell me more: The finest cinematic adaptation of English author Charles Dickens' classic 1843 novella "A Christmas Carol" remains the 1951 film starring Alastair Sim as "Scrooge." Now the bona fide classic has been released in a wonderful Blu-ray + DVD package. In addition to the outstanding and deeply affecting film itself which truly is one of the great films of the 1950s, there are a myriad of bonus features that make this a fantastic addition to any film lover's home library. A introduction from Leonard Maltin, "Silent Dickens" (a collection of early examples of Dickens on film), "Alastair Sim Version: Too Good to be Shown only at Christmas Time" and more. Information: amazon.com or vcientertainment.com.

Film title: The Dead Don't Hurt (Shout! Studios)

You might like if you enjoy: Classic and modern westerns, actor Viggo Mortensen, actress Vicky Krieps 

Tell me more: There are not enough great westerns produced nowadays, so the arrival of "The Dead Don't Hurt" (out now on Blu-ray courtesy of Shout! Studios) is all the more reason to celebrate. The film is set in 1860s San Francisco, where independent Vivienne Le Coudy (Vicky Krieps) finds herself drawn to Danish immigrant Holger Olsen (Viggo Mortensen) and accompanies him to his Nevada homestead. When Olsen goes off to serve in the Civil War, Le Coudy must survive on her own. And when Olsen returns the couple have to face new challenges. The film is ultimately a compelling portrait of a woman determined to stand strong in a 19th century society dominated by men. Information: shoutfactory.com.

Robert Kinsler

'Chicago & Friends In Concert' Nationwide & Canadian Film release on April 18 and April 21, 2024

Fans of Chicago will want to get this on their calendar...Robert Kinsler

 

FANTRACKS DIGITAL, ICONIC EVENTS RELEASING AND MERCURY STUDIOS PROUDLY CELEBRATE THE THEATRICAL DEBUT OF CHICAGO & FRIENDS IN CONCERT -NATIONWIDE & CANADIAN FILM RELEASE APRIL 18 AND APRIL 21- FIND THEATRE LOCATIONS & TIMES HERE WATCH THE TRAILER Chicago & Friends In Concert - Film Official Trailer

Hailed as one of the "most important bands in music since the dawn of the rock and roll era.” New York (March 20, 2024) – The theatrical release of Chicago & Friends in Concert will premiere on April 18 and April 21, in select theatres via Iconic Events Releasing, Mercury Studios and FanTracks. “This concert film is a unique approach to any of our previous live performances,” said Chicago founding member Lee Loughnane. “We very rarely play with guest artists, much less seven of them. It was very interesting to work with each guest and experience their interpretations of our music.” Chicago, the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band with more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, bring their iconic sound to moviegoers across North America in this 2½ hour cinematic event. Recorded this past November at Ovation Hall at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ in front of a live audience of 10,000 fans over two nights, the band was joined by special guests Robin Thicke, Chris Daughtry, Steve Vai, VoicePlay, Judith Hill, Robert Randolph and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. Each performance is visualized in vibrant video and animation. This once-in-a-lifetime event showcases Chicago’s greatest hits and celebrates their 55th Anniversary of their groundbreaking Double-Platinum debut album, CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY. The film also captures the “unplugged” a capella arrangements and re-imagined Chicago's hits in an emotionally moving centerpiece. Chicago & Friends In Concert’s Executive Producer Barry Summers worked directly with co-producer, Chicago’s Lee Loughnane, and each special guest on song selections. Loughnane also acted as music director and managed the post-production audio mix. Barry Summers, Award Winning Producer & Creator of the Decades Rock LIve series of which this film is the latest, exclaims “We are very excited to be presenting "Chicago & Friends in Concert" 4K UHD Dolby 5.1 at cinemas in North America. Ty Roberts, CEO, FanTracks added “We are thrilled to showcase the Decades Rock Live series in theatres which brings multiple generations together to celebrate iconic music.” The Decades Rock Live Chicago & Friends production was filmed on a custom-built LED stage set with nine 4K cameras. This film premiere contains Chicago’s greatest hits and classics with each visualized in all original full length animations shown against an amazing custom LED backdrop. Visit HTTPS://CHICAGOANDFRIENDSINTHEATRES.COM for theaters and showtimes near you. ABOUT CHICAGO The legendary rock and roll band with horns, Chicago, came in as the highest charting American band in Billboard Magazine's Top 125 Artists of All Time. Chicago recently received The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the GRAMMYS and was previously inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame in 2014. Band members Robert Lamm and James Pankow have been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017. Further to that, the band has 21 Top 10 singles, five consecutive Number One albums, 11 #1 singles and five Gold singles, with a total of 48 Gold and Platinum awards. The original three band members are Robert Lamm on keyboards and vocals, Lee Loughnane on trumpet and vocals and James Pankow on trombone. The band line-up also includes Ray Herrmann on woodwinds, Walfredo Reyes Jr. on drums, Neil Donell on vocals, Ramon "Ray" Yslas on percussion, Tony Obrohta on guitar, Loren Gold on keyboards and vocals, and Eric Baines on bass and vocals. ABOUT FANTRACKS FanTracks Digital LLC is a live streaming company with fan engagement at its core, connecting fans, bands and venues. The company provides subscription and pay-per-view streaming live music events, studio grade video production, short form original contenand digital merchandise. FanTracks operates its own B2B and B2C platforms focused around music genres for artists and brands. The platform provides fans high-quality, carefully curated, and professionally produced live shows. In August 2022 FanTracks acquired jazzed, the immersive live-streaming app uniquely curated from the best in jazz, soul and blues to jazz-inspired superstars, thereby adding experienced management in music, entertainment and technology to its leadership team, who are trailblazers in creating new experiences with artists. Fantracks Live STORE – Fantracks Shop for merchandise for Chicago & Friends. About Iconic Events Releasing: Iconic Events Releasing is reinventing event cinema - focusing on bringing fans closer to the content that they love. Offering a variety of one-of-a-kind live and captured entertainment events in movie theaters nationwide, Iconic Events Releasing creates unique experiences by taking audiences behind the scenes and offering intriguing extras, audience Q&As, backstage footage, and interviews with cast and crew creating the ultimate VIP experience. Theatrical releases range from live sports (UFC Live) to classic anime (AX Cinema Nights) to music (David Bryne, David Bowie, Chicago & Friends in Concert), documentaries (The Lost Weekend), horror films (Terrifier Franchise), and faith-focused features (God of Heaven and Earth). The Iconic Events Releasing’s team is comprised of industry experts with over 80+ years of content acquisition, distribution and marketing, publicity, and sponsorship experience. To learn more visit https://iconicreleasing.com/about-us/ About Mercury Studios: Mercury Studios is a full-service production studio originating, producing, selling, distributing, and investing in scripted, unscripted, and live content. Editorially independent Mercury Studios is powered by Universal Music Group and represents the world’s leading catalogue of music-related content. Current and recent projects include If These Walls Could Sing, the untold story of the world-famous Abbey Road Studios, directed by celebrated British photographer and filmmaker Mary McCartney for Disney+; This Town, a six-part series for the BBC from writer, creator and executive producer Steven Knight; Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop, a feature documentary from Oscar-winning director/producer Joseph Patel (Summer of Soul), adapted from Vikki Tobak’s best-selling book; “My Life as a Rolling Stone,” a four-part docuseries of intimate portraits of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts; Shania Twain: Not Just a Girl, a career documentary about the superstar that is available on Netflix; and Mars, a short film based on an original universe and characters created by Yungblud, starring Yasmin Finney, that premiered at the London Film Festival. Mercury Studios’ Miles Davis: Birth of The Cool was recently honored with two Emmys for Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary and Outstanding Sound. ZZ Top: That Little Ol' Band from Texas also received a 2021 Grammy Award nomination for Best Music Film. The feature documentaries are part of the Mercury Studios library, consisting of over 5,000 hours of programming. Visit Mercurystudios.co for more information.

New Music: Studio Returns, Live Sets and Retrospectives

Eagerly-awaited returns from Styx, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Robert Lamm and Richard X. Heyman add additional depth to the career of each of the legendary artists.

Artist: Styx
Title: The Mission (UMe)
You might like if you enjoy: Styx, Rush, Queen
Tell me more: Just half way through 2017, the year has already been marked by a number of long-awaited returns including Fastball, Little Steven, Chuck Berry and Ride. Count Styx as the latest rock artist to return with a powerful new album that equals some of the band's best work. Recorded over the last three years, The Mission is the first new Styx studio album since 2003; the new LP is a compelling concept album centered around the technological challenges and human costs of an ambitious interplanetary journey. Several of the songs equal standouts on the band's best albums (Crystal Ball, The Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight). The gorgeous "Locomotive" explores the complex relationship between father and son; the progressive rock-styled "The Greater Good" is an eloquently-detailed exchange between two astronauts as they hope their actions will advance their mission even if their lives are lost. The songs may be built around a trip into the cosmos, but the emotions and marvelous music making will connect firmly with listeners here on Terra Firma. Styx will perform at Agua Caliente in Rancho Mirage, CA at 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15. Information: StyxWorld.com.

Artist: Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow
Title: Live In Birmingham 2016 (Eagle Rock)
You might like if you enjoy: Rainbow, Deep Purple
Tell me more: Ritchie Blackmore's exceptional guitar work during his years with Deep Purple and Rainbow has long established him as one of the best and most influential lead guitarists in the history of rock. Since the late 1990s, Blackmore has focused mostly on performing traditional British folk music. However, in June 2016, Blackmore revisited his illustrious past when he teamed with singer Ronnie Romero, keyboardist Jens Johansson, drummer David Keith and bassist Bob Nouveau for a trio of live showcases; the two German shows at Loreley and Bietigheim were used to compile the concert film Memories In Rock released by Eagle Vision in November 2016. Now, the full audio recording from Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow's Live In Birmingham 2016 performance in Great Britain is out on on a two-CD set. The performance delivers bona fide live versions of Blackmore's best known rock material including classics from Deep Purple ("Highway Star," Perfect Strangers," "Soldier of Fortune," "Smoke on the Water") and Rainbow ("Man on the Silver Mountain," Since You Been Gone") that fully deliver on the power of the original studio versions. Information: Eagle-Rock.com.

Artist: Robert Lamm
Title: Time Chill: A Retrospective (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Chicago, Bill Champlin
Tell me more: Even casual fans of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist Chicago's '70s work will enjoy immersing themselves in Robert Lamm's Time Chill: A Retrospective. Lamm is a founding member of Chicago and songwriter of "Saturday in the Park," "Beginnings" and "25 or 6 to 4." Collecting highlights from his solo career spanning 1999 to 2012 (including four previously-unreleased tracks), "Time Chill: A Retrospective" highlights the jazz, pop, chill and other styles Lamm has explored over the past two decades. The breezy "Angels Fly," which recalls the Euro pop of the 1960s, the Bossa nova-flavored "Sing To Me Lady" and techno-funk "Sleeping In the Middle of the Bed" are early nuggets on the 15-song collection, while the jazzy "Send Rain," potent 9/11-inspired jazz-meets-blues "Everyday, It's Always Something" and affecting ballad "Standing At Your Door" impress later. Additionally, Chicago fans will likely appreciate the chill-styled JVE remix of "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Richard X. Heyman
Title: Incognito (Turn-Up Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet, Todd Rundgren, the Jayhawks
Tell me more: Master singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Richard X. Heyman is back with his 12th album, this one featuring an outstanding batch of 14 must-hear original songs. Incognito is an album that grabs the listener on first listen, with literate tales that are melodic, adorned with shimmering harmonies and infectious guitar-anchored hooks that outdistance the majority of his power pop contemporaries. In a better world, the title track "Incognito," "A Fool's Errand" and "Her Garden Path" would be all over the radio. Heyman can conjure up firepower to spare, as evidenced by the driving "Chalk It Up" and soulful "Terry Two Timer." And Heyman's skills to create and craft wistful songs bolstered by melodic rock are as strong as any artist in memory (just listen to the yearning Americana-tinged "And Then" and "Gleam"). A masterwork from start to finish. Information: richardxheyman.com.


Robert Kinsler

Sights and sounds: Dolly Parton, The Rolling Stones, Chicago

I'm catching up and sharing information that landed in my inbox last night and this morning...

Dolly Parton announces 'My People Fund'

Fund will provide monthly assistance to those who lost homes in wildfires

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (November 30, 2016) – In a video message released this evening, Dolly Parton announced a new effort by The Dollywood Company and The Dollywood Foundation to establish a fund to assist the victims of the Great Smoky Mountain wildfires in Tennessee. The new My People Fund will provide $1000 each month to Sevier County families who lost their homes.

“I’ve always believed charity begins at home and my home is some place special,” Parton explained. “That’s why I’ve asked my Dollywood Companies—including the Dollywood theme park, and DreamMore Resort; my dinner theater attractions including Dixie Stampede and Lumberjack Adventure; and my Dollywood Foundation—to help me establish the My People Fund.

“We want to provide a hand up to those families who have lost everything in the fires. I know it has been a trying time for my people and this assistance will help get them back on their feet.”

Anyone who would like to contribute to the My People Fund may visit dollywoodfoundation.org.

More information on the program will be released on Friday, December 2.

‘The Rolling Stones Olé Olé Olé!: A Trip Across Latin America’ to Rock U.S. Cinemas for One Night on December 12

 

Experience the Legendary Tour on the Big Screen Monday, December 12, 2016 at

8 p.m.; Tickets on sale now at www.FathomEvents.com and participating Theater Box Offices

 

A road movie that celebrates the revolutionary power of Rock n’ Roll, “The Rolling Stones Olé Olé Olé!: A Trip Across Latin America” is an exhilarating and vivid documentary that follows the Stones’ tour of early 2016 through 10 Latin American cities. It combines electrifying live performances from across the tour and from their historic tour finale as the first-ever rock band to perform to an audience of 1.2 million in Havana, with an intimate insight into the world of the Rolling Stones. This event also features an exclusive introduction from the band and two full-length bonus performances from the Argentinian tour date.

 

In partnership with Eagle Rock Entertainment, Fathom Events is set to bring “The Rolling Stones Olé Olé Olé!: A Trip Across Latin America” to cinemas nationwide for one night on Monday, December 12, 2016 at 8 p.m. local time.

 

Tickets for “The Rolling Stones Olé Olé Olé!: A Trip Across Latin America” can be purchased beginning Thursday, November 10, 2016 online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in nearly 300 movie theaters. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

 

Throughout the documentary, the viewer gets an inside look at the interworking of the creation of the historic Cuba show, through interviews with the tour promoter, management, production and logistics managers, and the band members themselves. Fans will see Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood mesmerize their generations of fans with performances of classic hits from their extraordinary catalog such as, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “It's Only Rock 'n Roll,” “Wild Horses,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Sympathy For The Devil,” “Paint It Black” and “Miss You.”

 

Directed by Paul Dugdale, produced by Sam Bridger and shot throughout February and March 2016, the documentary is produced by JA Digital in co-production with Eagle Rock Films for Eagle Rock Entertainment and Promotone.

 

“Even after 50 years, the Rolling Stones remain one of the most iconic and influential rock bands of all time,” Fathom Events CEO John Rubey said. “We are proud to partner with Eagle Rock to bring this historic documentary to cinemas and fans across the country.”

 

CHICAGO II: STEVEN WILSON REMIX The Iconic Group's Timeless Classic Has Been Remastered  To Reveal Unprecedented Clarity And Definition Available On CD From Rhino On January 27

LOS ANGELES - More than 40 years after its debut, Chicago II still sounds like nothing else. Released in 1970, Chicago's second album brims with confidence and inspiration as it draws on everything from orchestral music to heavy rock. Although it never affected the record's popularity - it peaked at #4 on the album chart and spawned a trio of Top Ten hits - many fans have longed for a more-nuanced mix. That wish is about to come true with a new stereo version created by British musician and producer Steven Wilson.   CHICAGO II: STEVEN WILSON REMIX will be available January 27 on CD for $14.98. The newly remixed album will also be released as a double-LP set later next year for $31.98.   Chicago II has been remixed before, but never like this. For the first time, a stereo remix from the 16-track multi-track tapes made it possible for Steven Wilson to bring out elements that were muffled or submerged in the mix. The result is a new stereo version of Chicago II that boasts clearness, punch and definition that it didn't have before.     Wilson explains: "Working with high-resolution 96K/24 bit digitally transferred files, I had every element from the recording sessions isolated, which meant I was able to rebuild the mix from the drums upwards, recreating as closely as I could the equalization, stereo placement, reverbs, other effects, and volume changes of each individual instrument or vocal - but at the same time looking to gain definition and clarity in the overall sound." In 1969, Chicago recorded the band's follow-up to their debut album, Chicago Transit Authority(voted 2014 into the Grammy Hall of Fame). When it arrived in January 1970, Chicago II became an instant sensation. Principal composers, James Pankow and Robert Lamm, emerged further as the band's source of Top Ten hits for the group, including "Make Me Smile" and "Colour My World," as well as "25 or 6 to 4," which peaked at #4 and has become one of the band's signature songs. Terry Kath, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, Walter Parazaider, also Danny Seraphine and Peter Cetera ... somehow found time (while touring the world behind  the success of "CTA") to prepare another double LP album.    "So rich was their creative seam at the time that, like their debut, and the album that followed this one, it was a two record set," says Wilson.  "In fact, with unprecedented boldness the run of double albums was only broken by their fourth which was a quadruple (live) set!  I consider all of these albums to be classics, but perhaps Chicago II is the pre-eminent masterpiece. It's got everything: moments of tender beauty to power riffs and scorched-earth jazz-rock, catchy melodies and gorgeous vocal harmonies.  When I first heard it as a teenager I was captivated by the mixture of jazz, blues, pop, classical, progressive and heavy rock styles, including both improvisational elements and intricate arrangements, and by songs written and sung by several different members, all with their own unique personality. How could that possibly hang together?!  But it does, and brilliantly so."     The album, which was certified platinum by the RIAA, soon after its release, also highlighted some of the band's most ambitious work, such as the 13-minute song cycle "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon," composed by James Pankow, as well as "Memories Of Love," a Terry Kath song, arranged for orchestra by Peter Matz. Chicago's lasting musical impact was recognized in April of 2016, with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

CHICAGO II Track Listing: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. "Movin' In" "The Road" "Poem For The People" "In The Country" "Wake Up Sunshine" "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon" 1. "Make Me Smile" 2. "So Much To Say, So Much To Give" 3. "Anxiety's Moment" 4. "West Virginia Fantasies" 5. "Colour My World" 6. "To Be Free" 7. "Now More Than Ever"  7. 8. 9. "Fancy Colours" "25 Or 6 To 4" "Memories of Love"  1. "Prelude" 2. "A.M. Mourning" 3. "P.M. Mourning" 4. "Memories Of Love" 10. "It Better End Soon"  1. "1st Movement" 2. "2nd Movement" 3. "3rd Movement" 4. "4th Movement" 11. "Where Do We Go From Here"

Music Worth Buying episode: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2016 discussion

Yesterday (Dec. 17, 2015), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the Class of 2016 including Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, Steve Miller and N.W.A. Watch the latest episode of MUSIC WORTH BUYING where TJR and Robert Kinsler discuss those artists, as well as some of our favorites on the ballot who didn’t get in:

Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, Steve Miller and N.W.A. set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Here is today's breaking music news. 

Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, Steve Miller and N.W.A. have been announced as next year's inductees into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Cheap Trick one of artists set to enter The Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

I think this is a pretty good selection, that honors a variety of styles and makes up for lost time in getting some pretty well-known and/or groundbreaking names into the Hall. In particular, I am very happy with the long-overlooked inclusion of Cheap Trick and Deep Purple. Cheap Trick blended power-pop and late '70s hard rock styles together masterfully, taking up the torch from Big Star and ultimately influencing a slew of other artists. Cheap Trick continues to move ahead, and the band is set to release its next studio album Bang Zoom Crazy... in 2016. 

Deep Purple was one of the seminal and pioneering British heavy metal bands. 

There will likely be a number of questions about what members of Deep Purple will be on hand at the ceremony, but my hope is that guitarist Ritchie Blackmore will be on hand and actually perform. It is sad that long-time band keyboardist Jon Lord passed away in 2012 and didn't live long enough to receive the honor in person.

In terms of Chicago, I loved the band's early albums (those covering the period of 1969 - 1972) but can't say I am a big fan of their subsequent music. Steve Miller is someone I consider to be a sadly-overlooked rock artist, who has enjoyed a well-deserved return this decade with the blues-styled gems Bingo! (2010) and Let Your Hair Down (2011).

With the exception of N.W.A., I have seen all of the artists set to be inducted a number of times and several of them are still worth checking out in concert if you have the chance.

Later today, TJR and yours truly plan to shoot an in-depth analysis on the artists who will be inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and we'll get that episode of MUSIC WORTH BUYING posted this week.

Robert Kinsler

Chicago XXXVI NOW Album Review

Listen to more samples and get NOW here

Sights and Sounds: Chris Isaak, R.E.M., Jack's Mannequin, Joe Cocker, Chicago

Lots of news to share regarding upcoming releases, including several scheduled to arrive in October...



Chris Isaak's 'Beyond The Sun' - The Record He's Always Wanted To Make - Available October 18, 2011

After more than a quarter century into his career, Grammy nominated Chris Isaak has finally created the album he’s always wanted to make. Beyond the Sun, Isaak’s first Vanguard Records release out Oct. 18th —is truly a labor of love. As a child spinning his parents 45s in their Stockton, California home, this deeply committed artist has been obsessed with the glory days of Memphis’ Sun Studio and the visionary artists who got their starts there—including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis—all of them discovered and nurtured by the late, great Sun Records founder Sam Phillips.

Now, at long last, Isaak has acted on this lifelong obsession, magically recapturing the transformative hepcat brilliance of the classic sides cut by these greats at Sun with Phillips during the mid-’50s and ‘60s, while also getting down to the heart and soul of his own deeply rooted musical identity. “I did this because I love this music—that’s the entire reason,” Isaak explains. "These guys discovered this music for us and we had to rediscover it. There’s no way to do it exactly like they did it, so you’ve gotta give a little bit of your own take on it.”

Mostly recorded at Memphis’ Sun Studio with his longtime band, Chris and his bandmates hit the bulls-eye on these tunes. This handpicked collection includes “Trying To Get To You,” “It’s Now or Never,” “So Long I’m Gone,” “Ring of Fire,” “Dixie Fried,” "Pretty Woman,” and a blistering rendition of “Miss Pearl” by the nearly forgotten Sun artist Jimmy Wages. Both before and during the sessions, Chris penned some original tunes in the spirit of these sacred texts – “Live It Up” and on the second disc “Lovely Loretta.”

Beyond the Sun will be available in both the 14-song standard set as well as a deluxe package that includes the bonus disc with additional 11 tracks. A 2 LP vinyl edition of the deluxe package will be available in November.

Exclusive pre-order packages are available now at www.ChrisIsaak.com.



R.E.M. Caps Its 31-Year Recording Career With Its First-Ever Definitive Greatest Hits Album, Due From Warner Bros. Records on November 15, 2011

After R.E.M. ignited the blogosphere on September 21st with the news that they had decided to "call it a day as a band" via a statement on their website, the beloved band have announced that they will release their final album, R.E.M., Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage, 1982 - 2011, on Warner Bros. Records on November 15, 2011. The album is a 40-song career-spanning retrospective that collects, for the first time ever, songs from R.E.M.'s entire back catalog, including the pioneering American band's years on both the IRS label (1982 to 1987) and Warner Bros. Records (1988 to 2011). The album is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. A brand-new song, "We All Go Back To Where We Belong," goes to radio and will be available for sale on October 18, 2011.


R.E.M. formed in 1980 when singer Michael Stipe met guitarist Peter Buck in an Athens, GA, record store where Buck worked. After recruiting bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry, R.E.M. released its first single, "Radio Free Europe," in 1981, followed by 1982's Chronic Town EP, capturing the imagination of a new generation of music lovers and bringing "guitar pop back into the underground lexicon," as All-Music put it. Widely credited with inventing the college-rock genre, R.E.M. became the most influential American alternative rock band in history -- inspiring such artists as Sonic Youth, Pavement, Nirvana, and Radiohead -- for achieving multi-platinum mainstream success while maintaining their distinct identity.

Over the course of its career, the band has released 15 studio albums: Murmur (1983), Reckoning (1984), Fables of the Reconstruction (1985), Life's Rich Pageant (1986), Document (1987), Green (1988), Out of Time (1991), Automatic For The People (1992), Monster (1994), New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996), Up (1998), Reveal (2001), Around the Sun (2004), Accelerate (2008), and Collapse Into Now (2011). They have sold more than 85 million albums worldwide.


"Working through our music and memories from over three decades was a hell of a journey," says Mike Mills of choosing the songs that appear on R.E.M., Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage, 1982 - 2011. "We realized that these songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together."


In addition to liner notes written by band members Berry, Buck, Mills, and Stipe, the album also features three new songs that R.E.M. finished after they completed their last album, Collapse Into Now: "A Month of Saturdays," "We All Go Back To Where We Belong," and "Hallelujah," which were recorded over the summer in Athens with Accelerate and Collapse Into Now producer, the estimable Jacknife Lee. The band came roaring back with those two albums in the last two years, achieving some of the best reviews of their career and enabling them to go out at the top of their game.

The track-listing for R.E.M., Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage, 1982 - 2011 is as follows:

Disc 1:
Gardening At Night
Radio Free Europe
Talk About The Passion
Sitting Still
So. Central Rain
(Don't Go Back To) Rockville
Driver 8
Life And How To Live It
Begin The Begin
Fall On Me
Finest Worksong
It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
The One I Love
Stand
Pop Song 89
Get Up
Orange Crush
Losing My Religion
Country Feedback
Shiny Happy People


Disc 2:
The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
Everybody Hurts
Man On The Moon
Nightswimming
What's The Frequency, Kenneth?
New Test Leper
Electrolite
At My Most Beautiful
The Great Beyond
Imitation Of Life
Bad Day
Leaving New York
Living Well Is The Best Revenge
Supernatural Superserious
ÜBerlin
Oh My Heart
Alligator_Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter
A Month of Saturdays
We All Go Back To Where We Belong
Hallelujah




Jack's Mannequin to release 'People and Things' on Oct. 4, 2011



Jack's Mannequin will release the band's People and Things on Oct. 4, and will celebrate release week by hosting several unique events. On Monday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m., Jack's Mannequin will host a film screening at the Angelika Theatre in New York City to present short films for each of the songs on People and Things. The 11 short films were commissioned to provide an artistic visual counterpart to the album and were each directed by a different independent director.

The screening event will be followed by a stripped-down performance by frontman Andrew McMahon. Tickets for the screening sold out in record time, but the short films will also be premiering on YouTube at the same time as the theater event. The film for the track "Television" (which recently premiered on Entertainment Weekly) is up on YouTube now.

For more information on all things Jack's Mannequin, including the band's upcoming tour dates, visit: http://www.jacksmannequin.com



Rock legend Joe Cocker preps new album 'Hard Knocks' for release by 429 Records on Nov. 22, 2011

Joe Cocker is without a doubt, a true musical legend. With 40 years and counting as a major player in the music business, the singer with that unmistakable bluesy soul voice has earned countless accolades for his artistry - Grammys, Golden Globes, Academy Awards and platinum selling albums worldwide. The iconic singer is now signed to 429 Records in North America and is gearing up for the release of “HARD KNOCKS”—his 21st album. “HARD KNOCKS” is a collection of 9 all new songs plus a cover version of the Dixie Chicks’ “I Hope.” Produced by Matt Serletic (Matchbox 20, Carlos Santana), “HARD KNOCKS” has the timeless “Cocker” sound fusing soul, pop and rhytm and blues into an undeniably infectious mix of a singularly unique contemporary style. “HARD KNOCKS” will be available on 429 Records on November 22nd.

The recording sessions took place in Serletic’s own Emblem studios in Los Angeles involving a host of acclaimed musicians like Ray Parker Jr., Tim Pierce and Joel Shearer on guitar, Josh Freese, Matt Chamberlain and Dorian Crozier on drums, Chris Chaney on bass and Jamie Muhoberac on keyboards. The songs were mixed by Chris Lord-Alge and mastered by Bob Ludwig. Songwriters Kara Dioguardi of recent American Idol fame and Marc Broussard have contributed songs to the collection.

Says Cocker, “I don’t really know what you would call this album: ‘rock/pop’? It’s a little more pop than I’ve been into for quite a while so it would scare me sometimes. I would do the basic tracks and then Matt would go away and do some of these overdubs and he had all these electronic things on there. It was sometimes like ‘Oh, my god!’. But I wanted to work with Matt very much. And I always knew what kind of record we would be making.”

Track listing:

1) Hard Knocks
2) Get On
3) Unforgiven
4) The Fall
5) So It Goes
6) Runaway Train
7) Stay The Same
8) Thankful
9) So
10) I Hope

For more information, visit: http://www.429records.com/sites/429records/429details/d_joecocker.asp


Chicago Releases Very Special Christmas Record, 'O Christmas Three,' On October 4

Features Dolly Parton, America, Steve Cropper, and BeBe Winans

Chicago, the legendary "rock and roll band with horns" who Billboard has called the top American rock group of all time, will release a brand new Christmas record on October 4, 'O Christmas Three,' their 33rd record and third album of holiday music. The album features special guests Dolly Parton, America, Steve Cropper, and BeBe Winans, and was produced by veteran producer Phil Ramone, one of the most respected and prolific music producers in the recording industry (Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Madonna, Elton John, Paul McCartney).

'O Christmas Three' features original Chicago members Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow and Walt Parazaider. The band is joined by Dolly Parton on Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time," America on "I Saw Three Ships," BeBe Winans on "Merry Christmas Darling," and celebrated guitarist Steve Cropper on "Rockin' And Rollin' On Christmas Day," a new song co-written by Loughnane.

"I think this Christmas album will be enjoyed by young and old alike," Loughnane said. "It was an exciting project to put together. I hope that our fans and other people who just happen to hear the album will feel that energy," Lamm added.


Clear Channel's top-rated New York City radio station, WLTW-FM, will host a special listening party for the new record on November 28th at NYC's BB Kings Blues Club, where Chicago will perform highlights from 'O Christmas Three.' It will also serve as a benefit for Musicians On Call, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities.

With constant touring - they've never missed a year - and sell-out shows all over the world, Chicago's musical proficiency is at a zenith. "I think the band is playing better than we ever have before," Loughnane said. Regarding the famous horn section, Parazaider added: "There is a magic. I liken it to a spiritual wire. Lee's here, Jimmy's here, I'm here, and that spiritual wire just passes through all three of us."

'O Christmas Three' will be available on the band's web site site, iTunes, and Amazon.com. A music video of one of the songs will soon be up on the band's official website.

O Christmas Three track listing:
1) Wonderful Christmas Time (featuring Dolly Parton)
2) Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
3) I Saw Three Ships (featuring America)
4) Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays
5) What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
6) It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
7) I'll Be Home For Christmas
8) On The Last Night Of The Year
9) Merry Christmas Darling (featuring Bebe Winans)
10) Rockin' And Rollin' On Christmas Day (featuring Steve Cropper)
11) My Favorite Things
12) O Christmas Tree
13) Jingle Bells
14) Here Comes Santa Claus/Joy To The World

Chicago is the first American rock band to chart Top 40 albums in five different decades. In Billboard Magazine's list of Top 100 artists of all time, Chicago came in at #13, the highest charting American band. Lifetime achievements include a Grammy Award, multiple American Music Awards, record sales of more than 100 million an incredible 25 of their 32 albums have been certified platinum, and the band has a total of 47 gold and platinum awards.

Other Chicago news:

For the last two years, the band has joined forces with the American Cancer Society to create "Sing With Chicago," a highly successful promotion that has raised tens of thousands of dollars to fight breast cancer, in which winning bidders sing the hit song "If You Leave Me Now" with the band at every concert. The proceeds from this year's "Sing With Chicago" promotion will be raised in the name of Paqui Kelly, the wife of Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly, who is battling breast cancer.

As Jimmy Pankow says, "ideas are always going." Known for their original and innovative music style, Chicago released an exciting Latin music project of 12 of their greatest hits called 'Chicago ¡Exitos!' earlier this year. They hired New York producer and arranger John Van Eps, who gathered the best Latin arrangers, musicians and singers that he could find and created amazing Latin style versions of Chicago's hits, Some of the Latin music styles featured on the record are Latin Pop, Bomba, Afro, Songo, Cha Cha, Mozambique, Joropo, Mambo, Merengue and Dancon.

Information: http://www.chicagotheband.com/