New music: The Rolling Stones, Charley Crockett, 'American Cosmic Revival, Vol. 2'

In this column, I celebrate the latest returns from The Rolling Stones, Charley Crockett and an essential tribute to "Cosmic American Music" spearheaded by alt country champion Christian Parker.

Artist: The Rolling Stones
Title: Foreign Tongues (Capitol)
You might like if you enjoy: The Rolling Stones

Tell me more: Against all odds — and time itself — The Rolling Stones are back. More than 60 years after emerging from the early '60s London music scene, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers returned on July 10 with their 25th studio album, Foreign Tongues. Produced by Andrew Watt, the new star-studded followup to the band's 2023 album Hackney Diamonds features musical contributions from the illustrious likes of Cure frontman Robert Smith (vocals, guitar), Steve Winwood, keyboardist Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), drummer Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Bruno Mars, Sir Paul McCartney and more. The album even features a track recorded with the late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts just prior to his death in 2021! Is this a top-tier return from the English band featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood? Definitely. The 14-track album is loaded with the band's signature brand of blues-influenced rock and roll. Just listen to the rowdy "Mr. Charm" featuring Jagger's rapid-fire vocals, the rousing blues-rock gem "Rough And Twisted" adorned with some killer blues harmonica, the shimmering instant classic "In The Stars," R&B-flavored "Jealous Lover" (the latter showcasing Jagger's terrific falsetto vocals) or countrified "Ringing Hollow" to feel the spirit of the so-called "greatest rock and roll band in the world" rear their glorious head in 2026. Other terrific cuts on the LP include the propulsive '80s-tinged rocker "Never Wanna Lose You" featuring backing vocals from Smith, the tender "Covered In You" and "Back In Your Life," and infectious dance-fueled "Side Effects." The album closes out with a delightfully raw slide guitar heavy reading of Chuck Berry's 1958 classic "Beautiful Delilah." Information: rollingstones.com.  

Artist: Charley Crockett
Title: Clovis (Atlantic Outpost)
You might like if you enjoy: Hank Williams, Michael Ubaldini, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard

Tell me more: Originally released on April 28, 2026 — and then pulled from all streaming services because of record company-related legal issues on May 7 — Charley Crockett's 17th studio album Clovis was re-released by Atlantic Outpost on July 3 in time for America's 250th Birthday. The 14-track LP is a true return to form for the Texas native. Recorded in a mere six days in Clovis, New Mexico (March 21-26, 2026) while Crockett, his entire band and album producer Shooter Jennings were sick with COVID-19, the album is a true celebration of Crockett's neotraditional country approach. The album is outstanding, bolstered by a parade of winning originals spanning from the driving opener "The Hallelujah Trail" (co-written by Jennings and Crockett) to the outlaw country-mining closer "Waylon Rides Again." Among this writer's favorite tracks on the disc are the Waylon Jennings-flavored "Down by Law," the soulful romance-themed "Image of a Woman," rowdy country rocker "Eagle and the Crow," autobiographical "Country Music," tender "Last Night at the Alamo" and deeply affecting cover of Johnny Cash's 1958 original "Don't Take Your Guns to Town." Information: charleycrockett.com.

Artists: Christian Parker, Earl Poole Ball, Patrick Cleary, Jay Dee Maness
Title: American Cosmic Revival Vol. 2: Miles From Nowhere (Subcat Records / Edgewater Music Group)
You might like if you enjoy: Gram Parsons, Michael Ubaldini, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Merle Haggard, Gene Clark, Bob Dylan

Tell me more: In the late 1960s and early '70s, Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman were among the principal artists who crafted music that blended country, folk and rock music into what would soon be dubbed "Cosmic American Music." Indeed, that movement influenced a number of other music icons including The Eagles, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Poco, Michael Ubaldini, First Aid Kit and even The Rolling Stones. Now New York-based singer-guitarist Christian Parker has released an ambitious tribute to the beloved musical tradition with an illustrious cast of players including pianist Earl Poole Ball (whose career includes work with Parsons, Johnny Cash, The Byrds and the International Submarine Band) and pedal steel guitar player Jay Dee Maness (a founding member of the International Submarine Band and later a member of the Desert Rose Band). The mix of wonderful selections include a bewitching take on the Parsons-Hillman composition "Wheels," an emotive reading of the countrified ballad "She Once Lived Here," wistful Americana take of the Gene Clark-Bernie Leadon co-write "Train Leaves Here This Morning," soaring version of the Everly Brothers' beautiful "So Sad," and touching rendition of Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December." Closing out the fantastic collection is a touching rendering of The Rolling Stones' classic "Wild Horses." Information: christianparker.com or subcat.net.

Robert Kinsler

New music: Johnnie Johnson, Cheap Trick, Florence + The Machine, The Flashcubes

In this column I feature a review of a full-length album featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Johnnie Johnson as well as advance singles from Cheap Trick, Florence + the Machine and The Flashcubes.

Artist: Johnnie Johnson

Title: I'm Just Johnnie (Missouri Morning Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Chuck Berry, Bruce Hornsby, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Rivers
Tell me more: More than two decades after his death at the age of 80, legendary rock 'n' roll pianist Johnnie Johnson's final collection of new recordings will be released by Missouri Morning Records on Aug. 29. The terrific Gene Ackmann-produced collection kicks off with the uptempo blues blaster "I'm Just Johnnie," featuring Johnson on lead vocals and piano. The inspired collection continues with a slew of great tracks including the Chicago-blues flavored "I Get Weary" (featuring St. Louis singer Charles Glenn), a buoyant "Every Day I Have the Blues" with Johnson sharing both lead vocals and masterful piano playing duties with Bruce Hornsby, and a lively take on "Let The Good Times Roll" featuring vocalist Kenny Rice and slide guitar virtuoso Bonnie Raitt. Late disc standouts include the blues-meet-jazz nugget "Three Handed Woman," the nuanced instrumental "Blues In G," and aptly-pegged "Johnnie Johnson Blues." The two-disc set includes a second disc of interviews with Johnson and Radio Hall of Fame and SiriusXM DJ Pat St. John discussing Johnson's career in one of the last interviews he gave before his passing on April 13, 2005. Johnson's signature piano playing is heard on a parade of Chuck Berry's beloved originals including "Maybellene," "Roll Over Beethoven," "Nadine," "Brown-Eyed Handsome Man," "Carol" and Too Much Monkey Business." Berry and Johnson played and toured together on and off, from 1952 until 1973. Information: johnniejohnson.net.

Advance Singles

Artist: Cheap Trick

Single title: "Twelve Gates" from the forthcoming album All Washed Up (BMG)

You might like if you enjoy: Cheap Trick, The Smithereens, The Beatles
Tell me more: Cheap Trick's shimmering new single "Twelve Gates" is the first music off the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band's forthcoming 21st studio album All Washed Up (arriving via BMG on Friday, Nov. 14). The song is a sumptuous listen, with singer Robin Zander's signature tenor vocals draped in a Beatlesque soundscape sure to please fans of the band. The 11-track All Washed Up will be available digitally as well as on standard black vinyl and audio CD. A limited-edition exclusive "Orange Marble" LP variant of the album, limited to 1,000 units, will be available to pre-order via the band's new D2C store. Information: cheaptrick.com.

Artist: Florence + the Machine

Single Title: "Everybody Scream" is the title track off Everybody Scream (Republic Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Florence + the Machine, Lady Gaga, Danny Elfman
Tell me more: "Everybody Scream" is the title track from the sixth album from Florence + the Machine. The album is set for release on Oct. 31. The dramatic single, as well as an accompanying video directed by Autumn de Wilde are available now. Florence Welch wrote and produced the album over the past two years with a close-knit circle of collaborators. Listen to the single via the following link: https://florence.lnk.to/everybodyscream-song. For more information or to pre-order Everybody Scream, visit florenceandthemachine.net.

Artist: The Flashcubes

Single Title: "If These Hands" (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, Raspberries
Tell me more: Syracuse, New York-based power pop legends are set to issue the infectious new single "If These Hands," a track set for release on Aug. 29 as part of the highly-anticipated Make Something Happen! A Tribute to the Flashcubes. "If These Hands" and several other Flashcubes recordings will appear alongside 21 covers of their classics by other artists on the set coming courtesy of Big Stir Records. Information: BigStirRecords.com.

Robert Kinsler

Catching up on 2021 gems: 'West Side Story Soundtrack,' Chuck Berry, Inhaler, Legendary Shack Shakers, Sara Petite

Here are a handful of 2021 releases I somehow missed featuring in my column last year that are worth hearing.

Artist: Various artists

Title: West Side Story -- Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Hollywood Records)

You might like if you enjoy: West Side Story, composer Leonard Bernstein, Broadway musicals

Tell me more: One of the standout films of 2021, director Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" has come out as an outstanding companion 21-track soundtrack. Featuring music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, "West Side Story" is widely regarded as a a groundbreaking musical because of the creators' advances in music as well as bringing a gritty realism to musical theater upon its release in the late 1950s. Vocals on the soundtrack are provided by the stars of the new film, including Ansel Elgort, Rachael Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist and Rita Morena — the latter who played Anita in the 1961 film adaption. The powerful on-screen performances by the cast translate well on the audio CD. Gustavo Dudamel conducted the New York Philharmonic Orchestra during 2019, with additional recording completed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The mix of jazz, Latin rhythms, classical orchestrations and broadway sensibilities is a delight across the soundtrack. The fully-illustrated booklet features photographs from the film, lyrics for the songs and liner notes from music consultant John Williams. 

Read a review of the film from reviewer Jack Lyons on the Desert Local News HERE. For more information on "West Side Story," click HERE. 

Artist: Chuck Berry

Title: Live from Blueberry Hill (Dualtone Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Chuck Berry

Tell me more: Pulled from live performances recorded at the 340-person capacity St. Louis venue Blueberry Hill between July 2005 and January 2006, Chuck Berry's Live from Blueberry Hill is a wonderful way to rediscover the Father of Rock & Roll. There is a joyful spirit across this collection of live tracks (Berry passed away at the age of 90 in March 2017). The freewheeling "Roll Over Beethoven," driving "Let It Rock" (featuring his daughter Ingrid Berry blasting away on harmonica), the spirited "Carol"/"Little Queenie" medley, rollicking "Around And Around" and disc-ending rocker "Johnny B. Goode" are among the terrific tracks on the album. "Bio" is a fascinating bluesy track where Berry poetically recalls his modest roots and magical rise. Information: Dualtone.com. 

Artist: Inhaler

Title: It Won't Always Be Like This (Interscope)

You might like if you enjoy: U2, Simple Minds, Keane

Tell me more: Fans of U2, Keane and Coldplay will love Inhaler's debut album It Won't Always Be Like This. Featuring singer-guitarist Elijah Hewson (the son of U2 lead singer Bono), bassist Robert Keating, guitarist Josh Jenkinson and drummer Ryan McMahon, the Irish band delivers an album filled with winning and soaring anthems. The propulsive "My Honest Face," reflective "Slide Out The Window," bouncy "Cheer Up Baby" and expansive "My King Will Be Kind" are early disc nuggets. The album's power continues via late standouts "When It Breaks," "Totally," "Who's Your Money On? (Plastic House)" and "In My Sleep." Released in July 2021, the album entered the Irish Albums Chart and the UK Album Chart at number one. Information: www.inhaler.band.

Artist: Legendary Shack Shakers

Title: Cockadoodledeux (Alternative Tentacles Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Old Crow Medicine Show, Legendary Shack Shakers, J.D. Wilkes

Tell me more: Celebrating a 25 year run, J.D. Wilkes wanted to go all out to mark his Legendary Shack Shakers troupe on Cockadoodledeux. The 12-track set takes the listener on a tour of styles from across the country and Americana sonic universe. In addition to Wilkes, the talents of band mates guitarist Gary Siperko, bassist Fuller Condon and drummer Preston Corn are featured; notable guests include Jello Biafra, Chris Scruggs (Marty Stuart's Fabulous Superlatives), Cajun fiddler "Hillbilly" Bob Prather, dobroist Jack Martin and bassist Morgan Jahnig (Old Crow Medicine Show). The psychedelia meets spaghetti western-flavored cover of "Rawhide," Western swing nuggets "Tickle Yore Innards" and "I Told You So," Texas-fried "Godforsaken Town," tender "They Won't Let Me Forget (All The Things I Can't Recall)," wry "I Don't Remember Loving You" and Celtic-tinged closer "Farewell Ye Rovin' Eyed Girls" are among the fantastic tracks on the album. Information: AlternativeTentacles.com. 

Artist: Sara Petite

Title: Rare Bird (JTM Music)

You might like if you enjoy: Rosanne Cash, Whitney Rose, Brandi Carlile

Tell me more: Released in early 2021, songstress Sara Petite's sixth album Rare Bird magically delivers a batch of songs wrapped up with a perfect mix of heartland rock and Americana — each song bolstered by musical grace and bona fide power. There is a depth here that is the equal of the seasoned songcraft and nuanced arrangements found on all 11 of the album's tracks. The mystery and immediacy of love takes center stage on "Feeling Like an Angel." The wonderfully confessional acoustic rock foray "Scars" finds the artist revealing "I've learned to live with me." The tender "Floating with the Angels" is adorned by pedal steel and fiddle. Other standouts on the LP include the heartfelt "I Just Keep Moving On," rocking "The Misfits" and genre-defying "Working on a Soul." Information: SaraPetite.com.

Robert Kinsler

‘Chuck Berry 1970s ES-355’ available worldwide; to honor the Rock and Roll legend, Gibson is releasing Chuck Berry’s favorite ES-355 Guitar in Wine Red

Today marks what would have been Chuck Berry's 95th birthday. Gibson has announced the release of a very special limited edition of the 'Chuck Berry 1970s ES-355' instrument. When I last caught Berry in concert in July 2010 he was playing his beloved instrument, as you can see in the photos directly below...Robert Kinsler

Chuck Berry performing with his beloved Gibson
 at the Hootenanny Festival in July 2019.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Chuck Berry with lucky fans at the Hootenanny 
Festival in Orange County, CA in July 2019.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

Gibson Custom Shop: ‘Chuck Berry 1970s ES-355’ Available Worldwide, via www.Gibson.com   To Honor the Rock and Roll Legend, Gibson Is Releasing Chuck Berry’s Favorite ES-355 Guitar in Wine Red, On October 18, His 95th Birthday    ‘Chuck Berry: Live From Blueberry Hill’ New Live Album Available For Pre-Order via Dualtone Records (Here)

Above: Chuck Berry with his 1970s ES-355 in Wine Red Photo credit above only: Danny Clinch. Watch the interview with Charles Berry Jr. at Blueberry Hill: HERE.     "If you were to try to give rock and roll another name, you might call it  Chuck Berry."--John Lennon   NASHVILLE, TN (October 18, 2021) For the past 127 years, Gibson--the iconic American instrument brand--has been synonymous with creating and shaping sound across genres of music and generations of players. Today, Gibson Custom Shop has announced the release of the limited-edition Chuck Berry 1970s ES-355 in Wine Red. A founding father of Rock and Roll, Chuck Berry’s stagecraft and musicianship laid the foundation for nearly every genre of rock and popular music. His playing, showmanship, and catalog of music helped inspire and launch many musicians’ careers, and countless players shared the stage with him for unforgettable performances. Ever present alongside Chuck onstage were his Gibson guitars. His favorite go-to guitar, a 1978 Gibson ES-355has now been meticulously crafted for fans to experience in the Chuck Berry 1970s ES-355, now available worldwide at www.gibson.com.    “Of all the guitars my dad played, the 1978 ES-355 by far was his go-to. The guitar traveled the world with my Dad for over 36 years,” says Charles Berry Jr. (Chuck’s son).“His last album Chuck and the new live album Chuck Berry: Live From Blueberry Hill were recorded with the Gibson Wine Red ES-355. It’s a real road warrior and Gibson has done a brilliant job making this run of excellent big bodies. Like his original, these new ones resonate to the point you can actually feel them singing. It’s a True Tone MONSTER! Tom Murphy’s mad scientists in the Murphy Lab have aged them wonderfully. Put on the Captain's hat, attach the conduit connector (if you dare), turn it up to 11 and rip!”   To honor Chuck Berry’s legacy, Gibson Custom Shop has made sure every aspect of construction and appointments is historically correct, including aged gold hardware, a Maestro Vibrola, Grover tuners, a Varitone switch, and a classic split diamond headstock inlay. The striking Wine Red finish features Murphy Lab custom aging, giving it the look and feel of the 1978 original.    Only 100 Chuck Berry 1970s ES-355 guitars will be hand-made by the expert luthiers and craftspeople of the Gibson Custom Shop as part of this very special limited run. Gibson went to great lengths to source Chuck’s favorite Captain’s hat which he wore on and off the stage. Chuck’s Captain’s hat is included in the custom case, along with hisinnovative finger holder--an electrical conduit strap--which allowed him to play his ES-355over and behind his head.   Watch the interview with Charles Berry Jr. filmed on location in Chuck Berry’shometown of St. Louis, MO at the famed local music venue and local landmark,Blueberry Hill, HERE.

Click on the photo above to play the interview with Charles Berry Jr.   Chuck Berry played over 200 shows during a special residency at Blueberry Hill in St. Louis and the new live album CHUCK BERRY: LIVE FROM BLUEBERRY HILL will showcase those concerts for the first time. The songs include some of Chuck’s fan favorites including “Roll Over Beethoven” Rock And Roll Music,” “Johnny B. Goode,”and more. The band for the live recordings featured Chuck Berry (Vocals, Guitar), Charles Berry, Jr. – (Guitar), Ingrid Berry (Harmonica), Robert Lohr (Piano), Jimmy Marsala (Bass) and Keith Robinson (Drums). Pre-order the new live album which will be released December 17 on CD/Digital and April 15 on Vinyl via Dualtone Records and listen to one of the songs “Carol/Little Queenie” now, HERE.   His stage bravado gripped audiences from the jump and never let up over his 64-year career, Charles Edward Anderson Berry had a gravitational pull all his own. Chuck was charming, soft spoken and determined to succeed in an era that wasn’t kind to Black artists. His first chart appearance, “Maybellene” on the storied Chess Records label arguably created the term “cross-over”, ushering in a style of music to the mainstream that never betrayed its blues, swing, and country DNA, connecting with young audiences who were starving for something different: Rock and Roll.   Unlike many of his contemporaries, Chuck Berry wrote his own songs. Not just any songs mind you; songs that were clever and relatable. Songs that resonated deeply with America’s youth. But as extraordinary as Chuck’s songwriting and performance craft were, at the end of the day it was that guitar phrasing that set his music apart: the boogie woogie roll...those double stops…and those multi-string bends coursing through his pickups that willed Rock and Roll into existence.    Every rock guitar player of any stature has borrowed much from Chuck. He created the blueprint all of us have followed since he first slung a Gibson around his neck. And when he passed, Chuck Berry left the stage the way he took it, with little compromise and few regrets. And along for that ride, his most prized possession was his Gibson ES-355.

Above: the Gibson Chuck Berry 1970’s ES-355 in Wine Red. Chuck Berry 1970's ES-355 spec sheets: HERE.

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