A field of legendary artists return via outstanding new releases.
Titles: Bill (Lets Get It Records / Republic Records)
You might like if you enjoy: William Shatner, Leonard Cohen, Brad Paisley, Joe Walsh, Robert Randolph
Tell me more: William Shatner has released a number of celebrated albums dating back to 1968's The Transformed Man. What's so impressive is that how at the age of 90 the famed actor/director/author has released what is likely his most impressive effort. The autobiographical Bill features 14 tracks that collectively chronicle events and challenges of a singular life with compelling candor. The music making equals the cultural icon's ambitious efforts to try and understand the forces at work in his journey; a slew of celebrated artists join in on select tracks recorded during the global pandemic. On the propulsive album opener "I Ride" he taps into the thrill of racing down the road and the freedom that comes with that experience we mostly take for granted. The blues rocker "Made in the Shade" features guitar great Joe Walsh (James Gang, The Eagles) in an enticing effort where Shatner raps with buoyant fervor; in "Masks" Shatner explores the enigma of acting and the "masks" that actors assume in their various roles. The chamber pop flavored "Black Horse" chronicles how a champion horse Shatner had was wrongly transformed into a slave — the artist's obvious guilt about the relationship and how it subsequently led to a deep love of horses and their care comes alive in the song. Other gripping tracks include "Monday Night in London" where Shatner revisits the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic amidst a prog rock soundscape, the gospel flavored "Just Forgive" (with pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph), mortality-focused "What Do We Know" and inspirational "The Bridge." My favorite original of the album is the country-flavored "So Far From the Moon," where Shatner looks back at 1969 when he was hit with the cancellation of "Star Trek," a divorce and was sleeping in the back of his pickup truck in a sleeping bag while doing a tour of dinner theater venues. Nevertheless, he finds strength in the memory knowing that he had met the Apollo 11 astronauts about a year before they successfully landed on the lunar surface. Brad Paisley's flashy lead guitar work and emotive vocals bolster Shatner's reflective reflections on the terrific track. Information: BillTheAlbum.com.
Title: Working The Long Game (Big Stir Records / SpyderPop Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, Big Star, Tal Bachman
Tell me more: Bill Lloyd's ninth solo album "Working The Long Game" is loaded with songs that feature plenty of hooks, top-tier musicianship, stellar vocals and magic to spare; it's no wonder that the 2018 album release has just been reissued by Big Stir Records and SpyderPop Records so a wider audience can discover this terrific album. Standouts on the first half of the fantastic reissue include the melodic opener "Satellite" (co-written with Freedy Johnston), luxurious "Working The Long Game," wistful folk rocker "What Time Won't Heal" (co-written by Graham Gouldman of 10cc fame) and baroque pop gem "Wake Up Call." The tuneful "Go-To-Girl," cascading "Yesterday" (co-written by Cheap Trick's Tom Petersson, who also plays bass on the track) and glorious "Merch Table" shine on the latter half of "Working The Long Game." "Working The Long Game" is available on vinyl LP, audio CD and streaming on all digital platforms. Information: BigStirRecords.com.
Title: For All The Money In The World (Cliffsong Records/BFD)
You might like if you enjoy: Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Greg Kihn Band
Tell me more: This year has seen the release of a diverse parade of special reissues and hidden treasures. Add to that list the Clifford / Wright 11-track album For All The Money In The World. Doug "Cosmo" Clifford, the founding drummer of Creedence Clearwater Revival, has dipped into his so-called "Cosmo's Vault" to release a collection of cuts he recorded during the 1980s with bassist Steve Wright (a member of the Greg Kihn Band). With the rhythm section complete, a number of top guests were brought in to complete the recording. Indeed, the list includes guitarists Greg Douglass (of the Steve Miller Band), Jimmy Lyon (Eddie Money) and Joe Satriani along with keyboard players Tim Gorman (The Who) and Pat Mosca (Greg Kihn Band). Keith England sings lead vocals on the project. The previously-unheard material spans from the infectious title track and heartland rocker "I Need Your Love" to the soaring rocker "Lost Pride Fever," mid tempo nugget "I See Your Silhouette" and driving "Lonesome Boy." Listening to the strong tracks across "For All The Money In The World" it's easy to believe a number of these cuts would have graced commercial radio in the 1980s. Information: DougCosmoClifford.com.
Title: Change The World (UMe)
You might like if you enjoy: Ringo Starr, The Beatles, classic rock
Tell me more: Ringo Starr has released his latest EP, the wonderful Change The World, a four-song disc filled with the beloved artist's hopes for a better world. The spirited opener "Let's Change The World" (penned by Toto's Joseph Williams and Steve Lukather) is melodic to be sure, with Starr's signature baritone perfectly in sync with the song's positive flow. The reggae track "Just That Way" (co-written by Starr with Bruce Sugar) is fantastic, bolstered by a deep groove, lush backing female vocals and the addition of horns to enhance the soundscape. Starr's first-ever collaboration with famed singer-songwriter/producer Linda Perry, the countrified "Coming Undone," soars and is bolstered by some sweet licks and a memorable solo from Trombone Shorty. The EP also features a rollicking cover of the 1954 Bill Haley & His Comets classic "Rock Around The Clock," a swinging version of the groundbreaking single that catapulted rock music into the mainstream; that closing track also features guest Joe Walsh. Information: RingoStarr.com.
Robert Kinsler
