Reissues Roundup: Kelly Willis, Sorrows, NRBQ, Uncle Walt's Band, The Cowsills, Jimmie Dale and the Flatlanders

This column features a wide-ranging mix of fantastic audio titles available now including the latest reissues featuring the music of Kelly Willis, Sorrows, NRBQ, Uncle Walt's Band, the Cowsills and Jimmie Dale and the Flatlanders. Both Omnivore Recordings and Big Stir Records release many of the greatest and most important reissues on a consistent basis and this column features a number of those two labels' recent audio releases that are more than worthy of adding to any music lover's home library. 

Artist: Kelly Willis
Title: What I Deserve — 25th Anniversary Edition (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Nanci Griffith, The Jayhawks, Jennifer Hanson

Tell me more: Celebrated Americana-country artist Kelly Willis' acclaimed 1999 album What I Deserve has been reissued as a deluxe expanded edition on CD and vinyl; the edition also includes five previously unissued tracks recorded live on Nov. 14, 1999 on Mountain Stage. The album's musical and lyrical strengths shine as strong now as they did at the time of the disc's release. Early highlights include the irresistible opener "Take Me Down," countrified "Heaven Bound," confessional "Talk Like That" and "Not Forgotten You." Later gems include "Wrapped" (an excellent romance-minded track written by Bruce Robison), tender "Cradle Of Love," emotive take on Nick Drake's "Time Has Told Me" and the Appalachia-tinged "Happy With That" (the latter a song Willis co-wrote with the Jayhawks' Gary Louris). The packaging includes lyrics as well as new liner notes from Peter Blackstock (No Depression, Austin American-Statesman). Information: omnivorerecordings.com.  

Artist: Sorrows
Title: Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Knack, the Plimsouls, the Kinks

Tell me more: More than four decades after New York City power pop quartet Sorrows recorded their third album in a single night back in 1981, the LP has finally been released courtesy of Big Stir Records. Now the inspired album featuring the talents of Arthur Alexander (vocals, guitar), Joey Cola (vocals, guitar), Ricky Street (vocals, bass) and Jett Harris (drums) can be heard in its entirety; music fans can only marvel at the power of a recording made 44 years ago that showcases a troupe that was masterfully blending power pop, new wave and punk genres with a signature sound that was definitely the band's own. The explosive opener "Never Mind," poignant light speed take on the Rolling Stones' "Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?," glorious melodic rocker "Out Of My Head," rockabilly-fueled "Let Me Know" and the fiery instrumental "Slo' Surfin'" are early standouts on the disc. An ambitious tribute to John Lennon titled "Cricket Man," infectious new wave rocker "Just One Fool To Blame," euphoric power pop cut "Too Much Love," a bona fide punk rock reading of Eddie Cochran's "Something' Else" and genuinely tender "Love Ain't Nothin' (Without You)" thrill on the latter half of the 14-track LP. Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrrow closes out with Sorrows' blistering cover of the Pirates' "You Don't Own Me." Information: bigstirrecords.com.  

Artist: NRBQ
Title: Brass Tacks (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: NRBQ, R.E.M., Buck Owens

Tell me more: NRBQ has been releasing top-tier albums since 1969, with virtuoso musicianship, far-flung songcraft and genuine ambition a distinctive feature across the band's impressive discography. Last year saw the release of a 10th anniversary deluxe reissue of NRBQ's Brass Tacks, featuring the original album along with three bonus tracks. This stellar set includes a wide range of great material including the joyful opener "Waitin' On My Sweetie Pie," satirical "Greetings From Delaware" addressing the dangers of racking up credit cards, the Buck Owens-flavored "Fightin' Back" featuring Casey McDonough's wry vocals, Terry Adams' romantic "Sit In My Lap," jazzy "Places Far Away" rooted in the Lydian scale that Adams had written as a teenager decades earlier, the reflective roots rocker "This Flat Tire," the sparkling love song "Can't Wait To Kiss You," and harmonies-filled "I'd Like To Know." This being NRBQ, surprises elevate the musical proceedings at every turn; just listen to the group's wonderfully cheerful take on "Getting To Know You"from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "The King and I." The album also includes informative liner notes from John DeAngelis. Information: omnivorerecordings.com. 

 

Artist: Uncle Walt's Band
Title: Thought You'd Never Ask: The Complete 1975 Armadillo Records Recordings  (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: David Ball, Uncle Walt's Band

Tell me more: A groundbreaking Americana trio featuring Walter Hyatt, Champ Hood and David Ball, Uncle Walt's Band were among the most popular artists in Austin, Texas' burgeoning music scene in the 1970s and early '80s. Thanks to their strong songwriting and performance skills, as well as their intricate three-part vocal harmonies and blending of genres in their approach, they were a major influence on the celebrated likes of Lucinda Williams, Marcia Ball, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Lyle Lovett. Now comes the release of Thought You'd Never Ask: The Complete 1975 Armadillo Records Recordings, a new collection featuring 22 tracks — including early versions of tracks that would appear on future Uncle Walt's Band releases. Three of the selections on Thought You'd Never Ask appeared as bonus material on Omnivore's 2019 expanded edition of the band's self-titled debut but the other 19 tracks are previously unissued. The warmth and authenticity of the trio can be heard across the essential collection, ranging from the rich opener "Beauty In The Flesh," Americana-styled "Say Goodbye" and heartfelt "Deeper Than Love" to the uptempo rootsy folk rocker "Getaway," an intoxicating take on the traditional favorite "Midnight Special," wistful "As The Crow Flies" and captivating "Whatever Reason." Thought You'd Never Ask: The Complete 1975 Armadillo Records Recordings also includes new liner notes from renowed journalist and producer Bill Bentley. Information: omnivorerecordings.com.  

Artist: The Cowsills
Title: Global (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: The Cowsills, The Continental Drifters, The Bangles, Badfinger

Tell me more: Great voices. Wonderful songs. Creative arrangements. Top-notch musicianship. The Cowsills' 1998 Global (their first album of new material in nearly three decades) was reissued via a restored and remastered edition late last year. Appearing for the first time on vinyl, as well as via audio CD and on digital, Global also features three bonus tracks. The jangly harmonies-drenched opener "What About Love," evocative "Under The Gun," soaring "What I Believe," beautifully heart-wrenching "Is It Any Wonder?" and the rollicking bonus track "Maybe It's You" are among my favorites on the LP. Guests on the disc include Vicki Peterson (The Bangles, Continental Drifters), Berton Averre (The Knack), Peter Holsapple (The dB's, Continental Drifters) and John Stamos. A 12-page booklet includes updated artwork and new liner notes from Brett Milano and Bob Cowsill. Information: omnivorerecordings.com.  

Artist: Jimmie Dale and the Flatlanders
Title: All American Music (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Jimmie Dale, Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, Old Crow Medicine Show

Tell me more: Jimmie Dale and the Flatlanders were a legendary troupe that featured Jimmie Dale Gilmore on lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, as well a Joe Ely (vocals, harmonica, guitar) and Butch Hancock (harmony vocals, guitar, harmonica, banjo). Recorded back in 1972 and scheduled for release the following year, the group's All American Music was put on hold and went unissued — save for a few copies that were released on 8-Track. It wasn't until 1980 when a compilation released in the U.K. collected all the known Flatlanders material for release. Fast forward 45 years and now Omnivore Recordings has collected every recording from the band (including from an out-of-print German collection) and released the outstanding 18-track All American Music. Under the direction of Grammy winner Cheryl Pawelski, the collection was mastered by Grammy Award winner Michael Graves; the packaging features liner notes from author Colin Escott. The acoustic-styled band's old-time sound is a delight that enthralls with a single listen. Highlights include the authentic "The Heart You Left Behind," sumptuous "She Had Everything," lovely "Tonight I Think I'm Gonna Go Downtown," uptempo "Rose From The Mountain," wonderfully off-kilter "Stars In My Life" and gorgeous "I Know You." As Escott notes: "More than a half-century later, The Flatlanders' original music still sounds fresh. It was truly a sound like no other." Information: omnivorerecordings.com.  

Robert Kinsler

New music: Ollee Owens, Continental Drifters, Beth Hart, The Armoires

In this column I highlight a number of outstanding new audio titles available now.

Artist: Ollee Owens

Title: Nowhere to Hide (Ollee Owens Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Beth Hart, Larkin Poe
Tell me more: On her outstanding new album Nowhere to Hide, Canadian soul/blues singer Ollee Owens taps into the day-to-day ups and downs of everyday life and sets that palpable tapestry to song. Her real world-focused songcraft is bolstered by her rich soprano that fuses soul, gospel and blues as well as the musical contributions of famed guitarist Will McFarlane on eight of the album's 11 tracks. Produced by Bobby Blazier, a number of studio musicians add magic to the proceedings. The range of material ranges from the nuanced title track and Muscle Shoals-flavored "Some Days" to the emotive blues ballad "Roots," joyful "Love You Better" and soulful "Still in Pieces." The album closes out with a rousing horn section-adorned reading of the 1990 Los Lobos track "The Neighborhood" and stirring version of Bob Dylan's "Lord Protect My Child." Information: olleeowens.com.

Artist: Continental Drifters

Title: White Noise & Lightning: The Best of Continental Drifters (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: The Bangles, Peter Holsapple, the Jayhawks

Tell me more: For those who haven't yet caught up with the magic of Continental Drifters, White Noise & Lightning: The Best of Continental Drifters is the perfect introduction to the beloved collective. The 11-track LP and 15-track audio CD collection casts an outstanding light on the congregation of musical talents whose members first found fame in the illustrious likes of the Bangles, Dream Syndicate, the dB's, the Cowsills and more. Brilliant songcraft, top-tier musicianship and alluring vocal harmonies are among the key elements of Continental Drifters' signature sound. Among this writer's top cuts is the jangly opener "The Rain Song" co-penned by Susan Cowsill and Vicki Peterson, the propulsive Americana rocker "Mezzanine" featuring Carlo Nuccio, countrified Peter Holsapple-penned "Invisible Boyfriend," shimmering "Get Over It," dreamy "Mixed Messages" and reflective "Drifters." The CD version of the collection features a previously unissued 12-minute live version of "Who We Are, Where We Live." The beautiful LP and audio CD packaging of the Omnivore Recordings release contains new liner notes from Sean Kelly (author of the band biography "White Noise & Lightning: The Continental Drifters Story." Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Beth Hart

Title: You Still Got Me (Provogue Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Beth Hart, Slash, Eric Gales, Janis Joplin

Tell me more: Modern blues songstress Beth Hart is back with her 11th studio album You Still Got Me, a hard hitting disc of original blues-rock sure to please fans of the Los Angeles-based artist. Armed with a strong and gritty voice, Hart delivers a slew of great tracks on the Kevin Shirley-produced album including the forceful "Savior With A Razor" (featuring lead guitar from Slash), the heavy blues cut "Suga N My Bowl" (the latter bolstered by the work of guitar great Eric Gales), the lovely title track "You Still Got Me," the tender "Little Heartbreak Girl" and the stirring single "Wonderful World." Information: bethhart.com.

Artist: The Armoires

Title: Octoberland (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs, Fleetwood Mac, The Sundays

Tell me more: Released on Oct. 11, the Armoires' fourth album Octoberland is an exhilarating listen sure to please fans of top-tier indie rock and power pop. Produced by Michael Simmons (of sparkle*jets u.k. fame), the Armoires — singer-keyboardist Christina Bulbenko, singer-guitarist Rex Broome, drummer John M. Borack and bassist Clifford Ulrich — showcase an inviting sound that blends great musicianship,  sophisticated songcraft and effortless tunefulness that collectively elevate each of the 11 tracks on the disc. The tandem lead and harmony vocals of Bulbenko and Broome are a key element of the Armoires' signature sound. Broken into two parts, Octoberland's strength and momentum shines at every turn. Part One standouts include the psychedelic opener "We Absolutely Mean It," the shimmering new wave-mining "Ridley & Me After The Apocalypse," melodic "Ouroboros Blues (Crow Whisperer)" and Celtic-tinged "Green Hellfire At The 7-11." Part Two highlights include the sumptuous "You Oughta Be Cut In Half," sweeping "Snake Island Thirteen" (the latter "a windswept cry of solidarity with Christina Bulbenko's war-torn ancestral homeland of Ukraine"), and the winning ear candy-drenched closer "Music & Animals." Octoberland is one of the great new studio albums of 2024. Information: bigstirrecords.com.

Robert Kinsler

Storied Career of Supergroup The Continental Drifters Chronicled in Biography 'White Noise & Lightning'

It's great to see beloved music collective The Continental Drifters are the subject of an upcoming biography and 25-song tribute album too...Robert Kinsler

STORIED CAREER OF SUPERGROUP THE CONTINENTAL DRIFTERS CHRONICLED IN BIOGRAPHY WHITE NOISE & LIGHTNING PLUS 25-SONG TRIBUTE ALBUM WE ARE ALL DRIFTERS BOTH OUT SEPTEMBER 27 ON COOL DOG SOUND

“I have loved the Continental Drifters since the first time I saw them, and more so with every show and record since. I'm thrilled to have a part in their rediscovery.” Mike Mills, R.E.M.   The Continental Drifters, described by one pundit as “a small s supergroup,” are fondly remembered by their coterie of friends, fans and followers, who over the course of a 10+ year career, sought them out both on record and in person. White Noise & Lightning: The Continental Drifters Story, Sean Kelly’s authorized biography tells the band’s story through extensive interviews with all ten of the musicians who were full-time members at various times*, as well as a myriad of their colorful friends and cohorts, leaving no stone unturned in researching this rather extraordinary group of people and their quest for musical family during a journey one member likened to a “locomotive going down a hill.”   The band’s credibility was underscored by the fact that it was comprised primarily of members of other notable groups, including The Bangles, The Dream Syndicate, The dB’s and The Cowsills, though those affiliations were always subservient to the collective spirit that was “baked in” to the gestalt of the Continental Drifters. Their singular saga has been chronicled in Sean Kelly’s comprehensive biography with a forward by music journalist Brett Milano, that is to be published September 27 by Cool Dog Sound. Cool Dog is simultaneously releasing We Are All Drifters: A Tribute to the Continental Drifters, a 2CD, 25-song companion tribute album, co-produced by the author and David Jenkins, to benefit the Wild Honey Foundation. Kelly describes the band as “the working class Fleetwood Mac,” as the book follows the members through years of cross-country moves, lineup changes, industry highs and lows, marriages, divorces, and dozens of classic songs. It’s the definitive story of a band that rose and fell and rose again strictly on its own terms with artistry, for better or worse, always being valued beyond commercial considerations.

Pre-order White Noise & Lightning: The Continental Drifters Story (book) and We Are All Drifters: A Tribute to the Continental Drifters (album)

"Their insistence on playing three hours every night, whether there were 400 people or 40, was trying sometimes. I say that laughing because we loved every minute of it. But it was like, ‘Wow, they are here to play. They’re not here to play a short little tight set. They’re here to make as much music as they possibly can.’ Even if they’re going to be exhausted the next day, it doesn’t matter.” Steve Wynn, The Dream Syndicate   We Are All Drifters participants include The Bangles’ Debbi Peterson (whose sister Vicki was long part of the Continental Drifters), R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and Mike Mills, Marshall Crenshaw, John Cowsill (whose sister Susan has been a Continental Drifter of long standing) Don Dixon, Hootie & The Blowfish founder/lead guitarist Mark Bryan, Kim Richey, George Porter Jr. of the Meters, Annie Clements and Garrison Starr. A single from the tribute album—Debbi Peterson and The Minus 5’s version of “Who We Are, Where We Live”—is available exclusively on Bandcamp now.

Listen to “Who We Are, Where We Live” performed by Debbi Peterson and The Minus 5 (feat. Peter Buck of R.E.M.)

“I saw them play one Tuesday night in a little bar in Woodstock, NY in front of maybe 11 people. They got up there and poured their hearts out, and I’ve been a fan ever since. All in all, I’m glad that I was asked to be on this album, and glad to be a part of it.” Marshall Crenshaw    In related Continental Drifters news, author Sean Kelly shares the title of his book with Omnivore Recordings’ White Noise & Lightning: The Best Of Continental Drifters album (release date: September 13), that includes voluminous liner notes by Kelly on both an 11-track LP and 15-track CD.   “The Continental Drifters reminded me in a lot of ways of The Band, so that really piqued my interest. I found Carlo Nuccio’s voice to be hauntingly fabulous. I was always looking for inspiration, and when I first heard them, I thought, ‘This is cool. Thank goodness there’s something cool.’” Carlene Carter    The Continental Drifters were perhaps the very definition of an underground band with virtually no major label or professional management intercession. While the music they created would now be thought of as “Americana,” neither the genre nor the term for it existed at the band’s inception. In a sense, they “invented” something for which there was no name, but which they were compelled to pursue just the same. The Continental Drifters were a passion project for all concerned and Kelly captures that fervor in his book, which too is something of a passion project, having taken the better part of five years to meticulously research and write.    Almost from its early ‘90s inception, the band, with a continually evolving personnel line up, held down a weekly residency in Los Angeles, performing before an ever-expanding fan base who religiously gathered to see them each Tuesday at Raji’s, a bare bones showcase room that was not typically haunted by major label functionaries. As the band was getting its footing and to some extent solidifying its lineup, things changed. Several of the members pulled up stakes and relocated to New Orleans, where they built a reputation for breaking barriers and innovation – all over again. In essence, history repeated itself in the Crescent City.   It can be argued that the Continental Drifters were not so much a band as an arts collective that attracted an ever-changing line-up of inspired musicians who explored new vistas without much regard to commercial constraints. The Continental Drifters, unburdened by major label and management handlers tended to explore what felt right to the respective members/participants almost from a purely musical point of view. While they were for the most part, hitless, they broke new ground and played music that was totally original and unencumbered by constraints of format or genre.   Continental Drifters personnel  Russ Broussard# (ex-member of The Bluerunners)  Susan Cowsill# (also of The Cowsills, Psycho Sisters) Gary Eaton (ex-member of Giant Sand, The Ringling Sissters, collaborator with Steve Wynn of The Dream Syndicate) Ray Ganucheau (has released albums under his own name) Peter Holsapple# (ex-member of The dB’s, former touring guitarist with R.E.M. and Hootie & The Blowfish) Robert Maché (ex-member of Lulu and the Broadsides, Swinging Madisons, Steve Wynn Quintet) Danny McGough (ex-member of Social Distortion, Liquor Giants, 7 Deadly 5) Carlo Nuccio (1961 – 2022 / played drums on albums by Tori Amos, Emmylou Harris, Marianne Faithfull, Dr. John) Vicki Peterson# (also of The Bangles) Mark Walton# (ex-member of The Dream Syndicate) #part of the most recent lineup of the Continental Drifters   Continental Drifters: Before and Beyond Spotify playlist illustrates the members’ connections to their many other musical endeavors https://open.spotify.com/playlist/528YeC19d78InPfSOCnkib?si=7bd2686a854d4fc6   Pre-order White Noise & Lightning: The Best of the Continental Drifters https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/white-noise/   We Are All Drifters: A Tribute to the Continental Drifters tracklisting:   Disc 1 Don Dixon - The Mississippi Rob Laufer - The Rain Song Marshall Crenshaw - Darlin Darlin Rosie Flores & the Talismen - Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway Annette Zilinskas (with Pete Thomas and Davey Faragher) - Dallas The Iguanas - Side Steppin’ the Fire Tara Austin & Lyn Bertles - Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Jolene - Spring Day in Ohio Robbie Rist - Invisible Boyfriend Candace Mache - Heart, Home Equation - Don’t Do What I Did Debbi Peterson & The Minus 5 - Who We Are Disc 2 Annie Clements & the Auxiliary Drifters - Drifters Danny McGough, Alex McMurray and Glenn Hartman - Mezzanine George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners - Peaceful Waking Martha Gehman - Here I Am   Caitlin Cary - I Want To Learn To Waltz With You Derrick Anderson - No One Cares Garrison Starr - Mixed Messages Kim Richey + Kettle of Hawks - Snow Steve Wynn of The Dream Syndicate - Green Danielle Howle with Mark Bryan of Hootie & the Blowfish - Meet Me In The Middle Dayna Kurtz & Robert Mache - Long While John Cowsill - Watermark   Produced by Sean Kelly and David Jenkins Mastered by Jeffrey Reed at Taproot Audio Design Cover photos by Greg Allen, Julia Ewan, and Arnold Neimanis  Cover design by Brendan Kelly     About Cool Dog Sound Cool Dog Sound is a small, independent book label, featuring fiction and non-fiction by musicians and other people with experiences working in the music business. They are also a record label. https://cooldogsound.com/   About the author of White Noise & Lightning: The Continental Drifters Story Sean Kelly is a musician, producer, and writer who spent nearly 20 years as the co-songwriter and singer of the band A Fragile Tomorrow. With his band, Sean toured internationally with the likes of Indigo Girls, Matthew Sweet, The Bangles, K’s Choice, and Toad the Wet Sprocket, and released seven albums. He currently serves as co-founding editor of The Savannahian, a nonprofit digital news publication in Savannah, Georgia, and composes music for independent films. He lives in Savannah with his wife, Kennedy, and their two children.    About Wild Honey Foundation While actively supporting various charitable causes, the Wild Honey Foundation seeks to pass on the passion, creativity, and idealism found in rock, rhythm & blues, folk, and pop music to future generations through cultural events of all types. They are a 501(c)(3)non-profit. https://www.wildhoneyfoundation.com/

New releases provide time machine-worthy ride

From the ’50s rock ‘n’ roll-minded cult classic flick Daddy-O featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000 and a stunning look back at The Rolling Stones to the final release from power-pop champions The Knack and an ambitious look at the Continental Drifters, July has racked up an eclectic wealth of sonic riches.

Artist: The Rolling Stones
Title: From the Vault – Hyde Park Live 1969 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: The Rolling Stones, Mick Taylor, Keith Richards

Tell me more: While the release of The Rolling Stones' From The Vault: The Marquee – Live in 1971 earlier this summer captured the band performing at an intimate club in 1971, the new From the Vault – Hyde Park Live 1969 (available on DVD and Blu-ray) features the same stellar Stones line-up of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Mick Taylor and Bill Wyman in their first public performance together. Captured at London's Hyde Park on July 5, 1969 (and only two days after the death of former Stones guitarist Brian Jones), the concert also marked the Rolling Stones' first full-length concert appearance in two years. From the Vault – Hyde Park Live 1969 is more than a concert, offering up the full 8-song set along with fascinating crowd footage (look closely and you can catch Paul McCartney), interviews with a young Mick Jagger and the debut of young lead guitar great Mick Taylor. A fascinating and essential moment in the Rolling Stones' impressive career.  Information: eagle-rock.com.

Get 'From the Vault: Hyde Park 1969' here

DVD Title: Mystery Science Theater 3000: XXXIII (Shout! Factory)
You might like if you enjoy: Mystery Science Theater 3000, Svengoolie

Tell me more: What possible reason would compel any sane person to watch Daddy-O, an awful 1958 movie that somehow tapped into the explosion of early rock 'n' roll and hot rod culture while getting it all horribly wrong. Look no further than the first of four must-see films skewered on the newly-released Mystery Science Theater 3000: XXXIII collection. On Daddy-O, aspiring rock singer Phil "Daddy-O" Sandifer (played by singer-actor Dick Contino) somehow is able to pick up on girls, get pulled into a drug-running scheme and lose his best friend thanks to a solid story that somehow never flies on film. The most noteworthy aspect of the movie itself is that it provided young composer John Williams with his first-ever feature film score, while Joel and his two bots are able to entertain via their sharp-witted zingers and commentary. The other three films that get a well-deserved Satellite of Love treatment include Earth Vs. The Spider, Teen-Age Crime Wave and Agent for H.A.R.M. Information: shoutfactory.com.

Purchase 'Mystery Science Theater 3000: XXXIII' here

Artist: The Knack
Title: Live From the Rock 'n' Roll Fun House (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: The Knack, Fountains of Wayne

Tell me more: Providing the final chapter in The Knack's long and acclaimed career, 2001's Live from the Rock 'n' Roll Fun House has been lovingly reissued and expanded courtesy of Omnivore Recordings. While the 17-song set includes the Los Angeles-based quartet's biggest hits ("That's What the Little Girls Do," "Good Girls Don't" "My Sharona"), the high-octane performance also shines via career-spanning material including the melodic "Can I Borrow a Kiss," driving "Pop Is Dead" and the set-ending rollicking medley of "Tequila"/"Break On Through." Sadly, Live From the Rock 'n' Roll Fun House would mark The Knack's final release; lead singer-rhythm guitarist Doug Fieger died after a long battle with cancer on Feb. 14, 2010. Information: omnivorerecordings.com.

Get 'Live From The Rock 'n' Roll Fun House' here

Artist: Continental Drifters
Title: Drifted: In The Beginning & Beyond (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Dawes, the dB's, the Jayhawks

Tell me more: The two-disc Continental Drifters compilation Drifted: In The Beginning & Beyond is astounding, with the Americana-styled collective's early course captured perfectly via a number of sweet demos, alternate tracks, live recordings and more. Featuring a number of talented members over the decade-long history of the group, the far-flung material ranges from the rousing folk rock-tinged "Who We Are, Where We Live" (featuring Vicki Peterson's strong soprano) and Southern rocker "Side Steppin' the Fire" to a freewheeling take on Gram Parsons' "A Song For You" (featuring Peter Holsapple and Susan Cowsill providing lead and harmony vocals) and harmony-filled enthralling take on Neil Young's wonderful "When You Dance I Can Really Love." The one bond that magically binds all the material across the 33-track collection is the strength of song craft and gifted touch used by the musicians to bring these songs to life. Information: omnivorerecordings.com.

Get 'Drifted: In The Beginning & Beyond (2-CD Set)' here

Robert Kinsler