Title: British Blues Explosion Live (J&R Adventures)
You might like if you enjoy: Traffic, the Yardbirds, Ten Years After, early Led Zeppelin
Tell me more: Filmed in front of a capacity crowd at the Greenwich Music Time event at the Old Royal Naval College in England on July 7, 2016, Joe Bonamassa's aptly-titled British Blues Explosion is a true celebration of the English discovery and masterful reworking of American blues into a new rock 'n' roll movement personified by the Yardbirds, Rolling Stones, Ten Years After and Led Zeppelin. Backed by a phenomenal four-man band, Bonamassa revisits many of the era's works with jaw-dropping live renditions. Bonamassa and company tear up the Willie Dixon-penned Chicago blues classic "Let Me Love You Baby," with Bonamassa's dazzling lead guitar work celebrating the genre while infusing a modern-day power to the song. He delves into the shades of the movement with a Southern-fried "Mainline Florida," the heavy blues rocker "Spanish Boots," and a mostly-faithful take on the Eric Clapton original "Motherless Children." Led Zeppelin fans will thrill at his fusing of that band's "Tea For One" with Dixon's "I Can't Quit You Baby" and a potent version of "How Many More Times." Bonamassa is one of the world's greatest-ever blues-rock guitarists and his playing and singing across the concert recording is both inspired and flawless. "British Blues Explosion Live" is available on a number of formats, including Blu-ray, DVD and audio CD. The blu-ray reviewed here includes a slew of awesome extras including a rousing Chicago blues reworking of George Harrison's "Taxman" performed live at the historic Cavern Club. Information: JBonamassa.com.
Title: Synthesis Live (Eagle Vision)
You might like if you enjoy: Heart, Evanescence
Tell me more: In recent years the celebrated likes of Deep Purple, Tommy Shaw of Styx, Jeff Lynne's ELO and Cheap Trick (performing the music of the Beatles) have all performed live with orchestras and released the ambitious undertakings on audio CD or DVD. Evanescence is the latest rock ensemble to perform with an orchestra and that November 2017 performance is now available to own via Synthesis Live (available on DVD+CD, Blu-ray+CD and via digital formats). Singer-keyboardist Amy Lee's far-reaching soprano and talents at the grand piano are showcased fully across the new release. Performing 19 songs spanning Evanescence's history, highlights include the soaring "Never Go Back," "Bring Me to Life" and "My Immortal." On the Blu-ray reviewed here, a concept video for the original track "Hi-Lo" featuring Lee joined by famed violinist Lindsey Stirling appears as a bonus feature. Information: eagle-rock.com.
Title: C'est La Vie (Dead Oceans)
You might like if you enjoy: Dr. Dog, Dawes
Tell me more: Since discovering Phosphorescent at the Stagecoach Festival in 2011, I've been a fan of the genre-blending troupe headed by singer-songwriter Matthew Houck. Now after an extended wait of more than five years (the group's previous album Muchacho was released in March 2013), Phosphorescent is back with their seventh studio album, C'est La Vie. The good news is the long wait was worth it; Phosphorescent's unique approach of crafting luxurious songs that occupy a dreamlike soundscape is fully intact. There are the wistful quiet nuggets ("Christmas Down Under," "These Rocks"), a driving Americana-tinged indie rocker ("Around the Horn") and even a meditative synth pop foray (the title track "C'est La Vie"). Information: PhosphorescentMusic.com.
Title: She Remembers Everything (Blue Note)
You might like if you enjoy: Roseanne Cash, Emmylou Harris
Tell me more: Just because 2018 is rapidly drawing to a close doesn't mean all the significant albums of the year have been released. Songstress Rosanne Cash is set to release the deeply-affecting She Remembers Everything on Nov. 2. The album – the artist's first new LP in nearly five years – allows one of today's most gifted female singer-songwriters to probe the continuing challenges women have in the 21st century. Indeed, Cash's 10-track disc is a powerful and revealing exploration of the experience of women highlighted in a number of roles vividly described in songs that are both lyrically literate and musically beautiful. As if Cash's talents and insight weren't formidable enough, she is joined by the illustrious likes of Kris Kristofferson and Elvis Presley (the two share lead vocals with Cash on the wonderful "Gods of Harlem"), Colin Meloy (of the Decemberists) and Sam Phillips on the essential album. Information: RoseanneCash.com.
Title: All Hopped Up (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: NRBQ, Dr. John, Terry Adams
Tell me more: Listening to the newly-issued expanded edition of NRBQ's fifth album All Hopped Up is to be astounded that the original was released in April 1977. The timeless material shines across the disc with a number of styles explored with an expert touch. The lovely "Ridin' In My Car" is a perfect blend of folk rock and power pop, propelled by stellar vocals and a driving rhythm. The soulful "Cecilia" – anchored by the work of Donn Adams (trombone) and Keith Spring (tenor saxophone) – is an early highlight. "I Got A Rocket In My Pocket" revisits the dynamic sound of '50s rock 'n' roll. "Call Him Off, Rogers" and "Queen Talk" provide pure shots of New Orleans R&B. The inviting "Things To You" defies easy categorization but it casts its spell with a single listen. The blues are celebrated with aplomb on "Honey Hush." The collection includes four winning bonus tracks, including the Louisiana-flavored "Chicken Hearted" and "Do The Bump," and alluring roots rocker "Start It Over." NRBQ continues to thrive in 2018; the band is set to perform a string of dates in California in early November. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Title: Suck It. (Acetate Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Old 97's, the Junkyard Dogs, Eagles of Death Metal
Tell me more: Straightforward and blasting away with an infectious mix of punk rock, alt country, garage rock and old school hard rock, Supersuckers' have returned with their latest hard-hitting album Suck It. The 10-song disc tackles well-worn territory and that's a good thing; like AC/DC, the Ramones and Devo, some band's thrive by unleashing a signature sound that is uniformly familiar. Lead singer-bassist Eddie Spaghetti's raspy baritone opines on "The History of Rock N Roll" while guitar great Metal Marty Chandler offers up blistering fretwork amidst the track. Even probing tracks like "Dead Inside" are glorious in the hands of the band (rounded out by drummer Capt. All Nighter Von Streicher). The pedal to the metal musical approach works great across the collection, with the fiery "Breaking My Balls," contemplative "The Worst Thing Ever" (which covers loneliness with surprising candor), the country-western gem "Cold Wet Wind" and irreverent "Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers." Information: SuperSuckers.com.
Robert Kinsler
