Blues, Rock, Punk, Jazz among styles highlighted on new releases

Billy F Gibbons explores his blues influences, Soul Asylum's punk rock roots are revisited courtesy of two deluxe reissues, and an amalgam of styles are blended in a loving tribute cast by singer-guitarist Jonathan Butler. 

Artist: Billy F Gibbons
Title: The Big Bad Blues (Concord Records)
You might like if you enjoy: ZZ Top, James Harman
Tell me more: Billy F Gibbons has taken a slight detour from his active role as lead singer and guitarist in ZZ Top to celebrate the blues via his joyful The Big Bad Blues album. Offering up a mix of five reworked covers along with six of his own songs, the album is a fully-satisfying celebration of the genre. The lead-off track, a cover of "Missin' Yo' Kissin'," comes the closest to mirroring the Texas blues rock of ZZ Top but fans of that Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trio will be more than pleased with the full collection of songs on The Big Bad Blues. The Gibbons original "My Baby She Rocks" is a relatively slow tune but anchored by a deep groove and some nasty blues harp playing throughout the cut. The faster "Second Line" is a heavy Southern blues rocker, with Gibbons tastefully offering up plenty of flashy guitar work. Gibbons' "Let the Left Hand Know" is propulsive Chicago blues, with Gibbons' vocals and guitar work displaying a youthful fire that taps into the love that Gibbons obviously has for the musical form. Blues rarely races along with the speed and fire of "Rollin' and Tumblin'," yet another great reason to crank up this winning blues disc. Information: BillyGibbons.com.

Artist: Soul Asylum
Titles: Say What You Will...Everything Can Happen; Made To Be Broken (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Early '80s punk rock, Soul Asylum, Hüsker Dü, Loud Fast Rules
Tell me more: Years before Minneapolis-spawned rockers Soul Asylum scored radio hits like "Runaway Train," "Somebody to Shove" and "Black Gold" (from the 1992 masterwork outstanding Grave Dancers Union) they were a genuine punk band that released hard-hitting albums like 1984's Say What You Will...Everything Can Happen and 1986's Made To Be Broken. Both produced by Bob Mould of Hüsker Dü fame, the albums were originally issued by the area record label Twin/Tone and

have now been re-released as deluxe editions via Omnivore Recordings. Fans of old school punk rock and Minnesota alternative rock of that era will want to get these expanded editions, loaded with the original track listing of each LP as well as unreleased material and long-unavailable cuts too. Both of the notable reissues were co-produced by Twin/Tone Records co-founder and Replacements manager Peter Jesperson (who first signed the band) and Grammy winner Cheryl Pawelski, with the remastering of the new editions completed by Grammy winner Michael Graves. Among this writer's favorite tracks on the first set is the blistering "Back And Blue," the tuneful saxophone-anchored "Stranger" and a previously-unreleased demo of the song "Cocktails" (recorded when the band was known as Loud Fast Rules). "Made To Be Broken" features the album's original 12 tracks, as well as 15 bonus tracks including some great outtakes from the "Made To Be Broken" recording sessions. The racing "Long Way Home," catchy "Freeway" and hard rock-meets-punk "Hey Bird" are among the standouts on the reissue. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com or SoulAsylum.com.

Artist: Jonathan Butler
Title: Close To You (Artistry Music)
You might like if you enjoy: George Benson, Burt Bacharach, Jonathan Butler
Tell me more: Even well-known material such as "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" and "Alfie" get a fresh coat of sonic paint across Jonathan Butler's Close To You, a full-length tribute to songs created by the classic team of lyricist Hal David and composer Burt Bacharach. A native of South Africa, Butler has a terrific voice able to tackle the jazz-meets-R&B style of Bacharach's musical stamp while simultaneously fusing the beloved classics with his own style.  An early highlight is the uptempo "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" with soaring vocals, a driving rhythm and all-around great arrangement. The approach on "This Guy's in Love With You" draws strong and favorable comparisons with the sound of Stevie Wonder's groundbreaking '70s material. "I Say A Little Prayer" has a definite gospel intro before Butler slides into an arrangement showcasing his shining lead guitar work. One of the most impressive turns comes via "Walk On By," which takes on a wistful and soulful tone. Another standout is "What the World Needs Now Is Love," which reveals its magic via a sparse but deeply affecting run. Butler even includes one of his own gems, the joyful "Cape Town" whose spirited moodscape is a perfect fit on the album. Looking ahead, Butler will be a featured performer on the Dave Koz & Friends tour, which includes a number of dates in November and December 2018. Information: JonathanButler.com.

Robert Kinsler

'R.E.M. at the BBC' coming Oct. 19 via Craft Recordings

This forthcoming collection has been rumored, and now we now the release of "R.E.M. at the BBC" is reality, and coming on Oct. 19, 2018. Here are all the details...

R.E.M. at the BBC

Rare Studio & Live Recordings Spanning Nearly 25 Years

 

Super Deluxe 8-CD/1-DVD Box Set,

plus 2-CD, 2-LP and Digital Formats

 

Available October 19^th on Craft Recordings

R.E.M. grew up with the BBC, and this historic relationship is lovingly celebrated across an incredible collection that beautifully illustrates the career trajectory of one of modern music's greatest bands. The collection-available as a super-deluxe edition 8-CD/1-DVD box set, as well as 2-CD, 2-LP and digital formats-comprises a treasure trove of rare and unreleased live and studio recordings culled from the BBC and band archives. This is a must-have collection for R.E.M. fans and an authoritative introduction for newcomers.

 

In-studio performances featured in the 8-CD/1-DVD box set include a John Peel Session (1998), Drivetime and Mark and Lard appearances (2003) and a glorious Radio 1 Live Loungeperformance (2008). Live broadcasts include a rough-and-tumble show from Nottingham's Rock City (1984), the stunning 1995 Milton Keynes Monster Tour (their first after a six-year break), a blistering 1999 Glastonbury headline set and an invitation-only 2004 show at London's St James's Church.

 

The DVD kicks off with a sixty-minute intimate retrospective of the band's legendary performances at the BBC in the Accelerating Backwards film - previously broadcast only in the UK and available commercially for the first time here. Accelerating Backwards also includes revealing interviews with Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe, further testifying to R.E.M.'s long, special relationship with the BBC. The DVD also offers a complete 1998 Later....With Jools Holland episode uniquely dedicated to the band, plus TV appearances on Top of the Pops and more.

The package liner notes add yet more behind-the-scenes insight to this definitive retrospective collection. Assorted BBC personalities reminiscence about what it was like to work with R.E.M both on stage and off. Respected BBC DJ/Presenter Jo Whiley recalls, "Their Glastonbury performance in 1999 was a dazzling moment: the band storming through an all-killer, no-filler setlist. As a headline performance, it was a triumph and, for me, it's up there as one of the Glastonbury greats." Of a 2001 Top of the Pops performance, BBC Producer Mark Hagen muses, ""Michael once told me that he hears in colors and it was one of those nights when you felt that you could reach out and touch the music as it flowed through the air, a glorious rolling cloud of green. Just like a kudzu vine in a dream."  Acclaimed rock journalist Tom Doyle also provides an overview of the entire thirty-year period.

 

In addition to the comprehensive box set, The Best of R.E.M. at the BBC is also available via 2-CD and 2-LP formats. The Best of collection offers a selection of in-studio performance and live broadcast highlights. R.E.M. at the BBC will also be available to stream or download, with the digital album offering mirroring discs 1 to 8 from the box set.

 

The first instant grat. single-a memorable version of "Losing My Religion" recorded in 1991 for BBC 1's Into The Night session-is available when you pre-order the box set or Best ofalbum (Listen or Pre-order Here). New instant grat. singles will be released each week leading up to street date.

 

R.E.M. at the BBC (8-CD/1-DVD) Track Listing:

Note, the digital album mirrors discs 1 - 8.

 

Disc 1 (64:17) - Sessions

Into The Night, BBC Radio 1, 13 March 1991

1. World Leader Pretend 4:36

2. Fretless 5:16

3. Half A World Away 3:33

4. Radio Song 4:05

5. Losing My Religion 4:42

6. Love Is All Around 3:09

John Peel Studio Session, 25 October 1998

7. Walk Unafraid 4:04

8. Daysleeper 3:18

9. Lotus 4:13

10. At My Most Beautiful 3:16

Mark and Lard, BBC Radio 1, 15 October 2003

11. Bad Day 4:03

12. Orange Crush 3:55

Drivetime, BBC Radio 2, 15 October 2003
 

13. Man On The Moon 4:59

14. Imitation Of Life 3:41

Radio 1 Live Lounge, 26 March 2008 

15. Supernatural Superserious 3:23

16. Munich 3:18

Disc 2 (62:32) - Sessions

BBC Radio 1 Session, 25 October 1998

1. Introduction :26
2. Losing My Religion 4:44
3. New Test Leper 5:53
4. Lotus 4:48
5. Parakeet 4:23
6. Electrolite 4:23
7. Perfect Circle 4:39
8. The Apologist 4:40
9. Daysleeper 4:44
10. Country Feedback 7:23
11. At My Most Beautiful 4:14
12. Walk Unafraid 4:52
13. Man On The Moon 6:11

Disc 3 (58:49) - Live Broadcasts

Rock City, Nottingham, 21 November 1984

1. Second Guessing 2:57
2. Hyena 2:57
3. Talk About The Passion 3:04
4. West Of The Fields 3:07
5. (Don't Go Back To) Rockville 4:29
6. Auctioneer (Another Engine) 3:01
7. So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) 4:51
8. Old Man Kensey 4:24
9. Gardening At Night 3:26
10. 9-9/Hey Diddle Diddle/Feeling Gravitys Pull 5:39
11. Windout 1:49
12. Driver 8 3:25
13. Pretty Persuasion 3:33
14. Radio Free Europe 3:49
15. Wendell Gee 3:21
16. Carnival Of Sorts (Boxcars) 4:47

Disc 4 (51:59) - Live Broadcasts

Milton Keynes, 30 July 1995

1. What's The Frequency, Kenneth? 3:58
2. Crush With Eyeliner 4:42
3. Drive 3:51
4. Turn You Inside Out 4:17
5. Try Not To Breathe 3:50
6. I Took Your Name 4:15
7. Undertow 5:16
8. Bang And Blame 4:58
9. I Don't Sleep I Dream 4:14
10. Strange Currencies 4:31
11. Revolution 3:20
12. Tongue 4:38

Disc 5 (56:43) - Live Broadcasts

Milton Keynes, 30 July 1995

1. Man On The Moon 5:46
2. Country Feedback 6:49
3. Half A World Away 4:04
4. Losing My Religion 4:54
5. Pop Song 89 3:27
6. Finest Worksong 3:48
7. Get Up 2:54
8. Star 69 4:00
9. Let Me In 3:59
10. Everybody Hurts 7:24
11. Fall On Me 3:11
12. Departure 3:52
13. Its the End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) 5:15

Disc 6 (43:05) - Live Broadcasts

Pyramid Stage Glastonbury Festival, 25 June 1999

1. Lotus 4:36
2. What's The Frequency, Kenneth? 4:09
3. So Fast, So Numb 4:47
4. The Apologist 4:36
5. Fall On Me 3:26
6. Daysleeper 3:29
7. The Wake-Up Bomb 5:01
8. The One I Love 3:27
9. Sweetness Follows 5:50
10. At My Most Beautiful 3:37

Disc 7 (53:28) - Live Broadcasts

Pyramid Stage Glastonbury Festival, 25 June 1999

1. Losing My Religion 5:24
2. Everybody Hurts 6:47
3. Walk Unafraid 4:17
4. Star 69 3:04
5. Finest Worksong 4:22
6. Man On The Moon 5:43
7. Why Not Smile 2:10
8. Crush With Eyeliner 4:40
9. Tongue 5:19
10. Cuyahoga 4:37
11. Its the End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) 6:58

Disc 8 (55:24) - Live Broadcasts

St. James' Church, London Radio 2, 15 September 2004

1. Intro :47
2. So Fast, So Numb 5:13
3. Boy In The Well 5:20
4. I Wanted To Be Wrong 5:19
5. E-Bow The Letter (with Thom Yorke) 5:09
6. Around The Sun 5:02
7. Aftermath 3:58
8. Losing My Religion 4:47
9. Walk Unafraid 5:10
10. Leaving New York 4:48
11. Imitation Of Life 4:35
12. Man On The Moon 5:34

Disc 9 (DVD) - Television Broadcasts

 

Accelerating Backwards

Moon River

Pretty Persuasion

Pop Song 89

Orange Crush

Losing My Religion

Half A World Away

Crush With Eyeliner

Man On The Moon

Daysleeper

Imitation Of Life

So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)

All The Way To Reno (You're Gonna Be A Star)

Leaving New York

 

Later... with Jools Holland Presents R.E.M.

Intro

Losing My Religion

Lotus

New Test Leper

Daysleeper

Electrolite

At My Most Beautiful

The Apologist

Country Feedback

Parakeet

So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)

Walk Unafraid

Man On The Moon

The Passenger

 

Bonus Videos

I've Been High

Nightswimming

Bad Day

 

The Best of R.E.M. at the BBC (2-LP) Track Listing:

 

Disc 1 - Sessions

A1. World Leader Pretend 4:36

A2. Radio Song 4:05

A3. Losing My Religion 4:42

Recorded for Nicky Campbell Session Into The Night on BBC Radio 1

First broadcast on 13 March 1991

A4. Lotus 4:13

A5. At My Most Beautiful 3:16

Recorded for John Peel Session on BBC Radio 1

First broadcast 25 October 1998

B1. Bad Day 4:03

B2. Orange Crush 3:55

Recorded for Mark and Lard on BBC Radio 1

First broadcast on 15 October 2003

B3. Man On The Moon 4:59

B4. Imitation Of Life 3:41

Recorded for Drivetime on BBC Radio 2

First broadcast 15 October 2003

B5. Supernatural Superserious 3:23

Recorded for Radio 1 Live Lounge on BBC Radio 1

First broadcast 26 March 2008

 

Disc 2 - Broadcasts

C1. Driver 8 3:25

C2. Radio Free Europe 3:49

First broadcast on 21 November 1984 from Rock City, Nottingham

C3. What's The Frequency, Kenneth? 3:54

C4. Drive 3:51

C5. Half A World Away 4:04

C6. Pop Song 89 3:27

First broadcast on 30 July 1995 from Milton Keynes

D1. Everybody Hurts 6:47

D2. Its the End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) 6:58

First broadcast on 25 June 1999 from Pyramid Stage Glastonbury Festival

D3. Losing My Religion 4:47

D4. Man On The Moon 5:34

First broadcast on 15 September 2004 from St. James's Church, London

 

The Best of R.E.M. at the BBC (2-CD), Track Listing:

 

Disc 1 - Sessions

1. World Leader Pretend 4:36

2. Half A World Away 3:33

3. Radio Song 4:05

4. Losing My Religion 4:42

Recorded for Nicky Campbell Session Into The Night on BBC Radio 1

First broadcast on 13 March 1991

5. Lotus 4:13

6. At My Most Beautiful 3:16

Recorded for John Peel Session on BBC Radio 1

First broadcast on 25 October 1998

7. Electrolite 4:23

8. Perfect Circle 4:39

9. Daysleeper 4:44

Recorded for John Peel Session on BBC Radio 1

First broadcast 25 October 1998

10. Country Feedback

Recorded for Later... with Jools Holland on BBC1

First broadcast on 27 October 1998

11. Bad Day 4:03

12. Orange Crush 3:55

Recorded for Mark and Lard on BBC Radio 1

First broadcast on 15 October 2003

13. Nightswimming

Recorded for Later... with Jools Holland on BBC1

First broadcast on 14 October 2003

14. Man On The Moon 4:59

15. Imitation Of Life 3:41

Recorded for Drivetime on BBC Radio 2

First broadcast 15 October 2003

16. Supernatural Superserious 3:23

Recorded for Radio 1 Live Lounge on BBC Radio 1

First broadcast 26 March 2008

 

Disc 2 - Broadcasts

1. (Don't Go Back To) Rockville 4:29

2. So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) 4:51

3. Gardening At Night 3:26

4. Driver 8 3:25

5. Radio Free Europe 3:49

First broadcast on 21 November 1984 from Rock City, Nottingham

6. What's The Frequency, Kenneth? 3:54

7. Crush With Eyeliner 4:42

8. Drive 3:51

9. Half A World Away 4:04

10. Pop Song 89 3:27

11. Finest Worksong 3:48

First broadcast on 30 July 1995 from Milton Keynes

12. Fall On Me 3:26

13. The One I Love 3:27

14. Everybody Hurts 6:47

15. Its the End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) 6:58

First broadcast on 25 June 1999 from Pyramid Stage Glastonbury Festival

16. E-Bow The Letter (with Thom Yorke) 5:09

17. Losing My Religion 4:47

18. Man On The Moon 5:34

First broadcast on 15 September 2004 from St. James's Church, London

Snow Patrol Confirms North American Tour With Ed Sheeran

So good to see Snow Patrol returning with new music and getting out on the road again!


SNOW PATROL CONFIRMS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
WITH ED SHEERAN

FIRST ALBUM IN SEVEN YEARS, WILDNESS, OUT TODAY VIA POLYDOR/ REPUBLIC RECORDS

DEBUT NEW MUSIC VIDEOS FOR “A YOUTH WRITTEN IN FIRE,” “LIFE AND DEATH,” “WILD HORSES,” AND “A DARK SWITCH”

"….a fantastically ambitious collection of songs, one more direct and intimate than many previous Snow Patrol offerings...“Wildness” signals a triumphant Snow Patrol return."
-Associated Press

Snow Patrol will tour with Ed Sheeran this summer and fall.Photo Credit: Simon Lipman at European Space Agency

This morning, Snow Patrol reveal that they will support Ed Sheeran on 24 North American stadium dates, which will kick off at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl on Saturday August 18^th. The tour will stop in cities including Seattle, Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas (full dates below), and tickets for all dates are on sale now and available here.

Today, Snow Patrol release Wildness, their first album in seven years, which finds the band searching for clarity, connection, and meaning, while staying true to the melodic songwriting prowess that brought them to prominence. Wildness taps into something raw and primitive. Lead-singer and songwriter Gary Lightbody says of the album: “There are many types of wildness, but I think it can be distilled into two: the wildness of the modern age, all its confusion, illogic and alienation and a more ancient wildness. Something primal, alive and beautiful that speaks to our true connectivity, our passion, our love, our communion with nature and each other. This is the kind of wildness the album is centered around. The loss of it. Trying to reconnect with it. To remember it.” Purchase Wildness on all formats here.

To celebrate the release of Wildness, Snow Patrol debut new music videos for “A Youth Written In Fire,” “Life and Death,” “Wild Horses,” and “A Dark Switch.” The band has previously released music videos for “Empress” “What If This Is All The Love You Ever Get?,” “Life On Earth,” and “Don’t Give In,” and you can watch them all here.

Snow Patrol recently returned to “Later... With Jools Holland” where they debuted a live rendition of “Empress,” along with performances of “Life On Earth,” “Heal Me,” and “Chasing Cars.” Snow Patrol also appeared as musical guests on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on April 19^th and The Late Late Show With James Corden on April 24^th and performed “Don’t Give In,” the first single from Wildness.

Snow Patrol have launched a Spotify playlister website where fans around the world can create their own playlist of Snow Patrol songs throughout the band’s catalogue and share these playlists with a friend. When sharing the playlist, the fan marks his/her location as well as the recipient’s location on a global map. Check it out and create your own playlist at http://playlist.snowpatrol.com

Since their 1998 debut, Songs for Polarbears, Snow Patrol have racked up an impressive number of critical and commercial accolades, including 15 million global album sales, 1+ billion global track streams, five UK Platinum Albums, and are Grammy, BRIT Award and Mercury Music Prize nominated. After their Fallen Empires tour ended in 2012, band members —which also include multi-instrumentalist Johnny McDaid, guitarist Nathan Connolly, bassist Paul Wilson, and drummer Jonny Quinn — decided to take a step back from the band, and focus on their own projects. Gary Lightbody continued his work with his Tired Pony side project with members of Belle and Sebastian, R.E.M, Reindeer Section and Fresh Young Fellows and moved to Los Angeles to begin writing songs for movies (including “This Is How You Walk On” for 2017’s Gifted), and doing a number of high-profile co-writes with Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Biffy Clyro, and One Direction. Taking this extended break from Snow Patrol proved to be a source of inspiration, and writing songs that were not pulled directly from his own psyche helped heal what Lightbody considered to be not so much writer’s block as life block.
 
Wildness Track Listing

01 Life On Earth
02 Don’t Give In
03 Heal Me
04 Empress
05 A Dark Switch
06 What If This Is All The Love You Ever Get?
07 A Youth Written In Fire
08 Soon
09 Wild Horses
10 Life And Death

Snow Patrol Tour Dates With Ed Sheeran
Aug18 /// Pasadena, CA /// Rosebowl
Aug 21 /// San Francisco, CA /// AT&T Park
Aug 25 /// Seattle, WA /// CenturyLink Field
Aug 30 /// Toronto, ON /// Rogers Centre
Aug 31 /// Toronto, ON /// Rogers Centre
Sep 6 /// St. Louis, MO /// Busch Stadium
Sep 8 /// Detroit, MI /// Ford Field
Sep 14 /// Foxboro, MA /// Gillette Stadium
Sep 15 /// Foxboro, MA /// Gillette Stadium
Sep 21 /// East Rutherford, NJ /// MetLife Stadium
Sep 22 /// East Rutherford, NJ /// MetLife Stadium
Sep 27 /// Philadelphia, PA /// Lincoln Financial Field
Sep 29 /// Pittsburgh, PA /// PNC Park
Oct 4 /// Chicago, IL /// Soldier Field
Oct 6 /// Nashville, TN /// Nissan Stadium
Oct 13 /// Kansas City, MO /// Arrowhead Stadium
Oct 17 /// Fargo, ND /// Fargodome
Oct 20 /// Minneapolis, MN /// US Bank Stadium
Oct 23 /// Milwaukee, WI /// Miller Park
Oct 27 /// Dallas, TX /// AT&T Stadium
Oct 31 /// New Orleans, LA /// Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Nov 3 /// Houston, TX /// Minute Maid Park
Nov 7 /// Tampa, FL /// Raymond James Stadium
Nov 10 /// Atlanta, GA /// Mercedes-Benz Stadium

www.snowpatrol.com
www.facebook.com/snowpatrol
www.instagram.com/snowpatrol
www.twitter.com/snowpatrol
www.youtube.com/snowpatrol

DVD gift guide: Peter Gabriel, MST3K, Santana IV, Iggy Pop, Gregory Porter

With the holidays fast approaching, there is simply no time like the present to begin thinking about great DVD titles to give as gifts – or to put on your own wish list for the season!

Artist: Peter Gabriel
Title: Still Growing Up + Live & Unwrapped (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Tell me more: The two-disc DVD release "Still Growing Up + Live & Unwrapped" features groundbreaking rock artist Peter Gabriel  in the early '00s performing some of his most treasured material. Still Growing Up boasts a wonderful full-length concert in Belgium that showcases incredibly powerful versions of "Red Rain," "Secret World," "San Jacinto" and "Digging in the Dirt." Bonus material on that title includes early studio footage of Gabriel and his band performing "Darkness," "No Way Out" and "Growing Up" ahead of the then-forthcoming 2002 "Growing Up Live" tour, as well as Gabriel appearing live on the BBC show "Later...with Jools Holland" playing "Downside Up" and "Father, Son." Information: eagle-rock.com.

Title: Mystery Science Theater 3000: Vol. XXXVII (Shout! Factory)
Tell me more: One of the most unique and groundbreaking shows in the history of television, Mystery Science Theater 3000 is celebrated via the latest DVD box set ("Mystery Science Theater 3000: Vol. XXXVII") featuring four previously-unreleased episodes. For 11 wonderful years MST3K somehow blended science fiction, comedy, pop culture and music together with aplomb in an unadulterated celebration of terrible moviemaking. Take "Escape 2000," an early '80s low-budget Italian film that allowed ample chances for the crew of the Satellite of Love to reference everything from Ziggy Stardust, the Talking Heads and "Purple Rain" to the Kinks, Eddie Money and Ringo Starr. Across the four movies, many of the crew's riffs are even sung. The latest MST3K set also features the '60s hot rod/rock 'n' roll film "The Horror of Party Beach," as well as "The Human Duplicators" and "Invasion of the Neptune Men." Information: shoutfactory.com.

Artist: Santana IV
Title: Live at the House of Blues, Las Vegas (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Tell me more: A few weeks before the classic late '60s/early '70s lineup of Santana released their much-anticipated reunion album Santana IV album in April 2016, the group performed a special concert at the House of Blues in Las Vegas. The lineup of guitarist Carlos Santana, guitarist Neal Schon, keyboardist-lead vocalist Gregg Rolie, drummer Michael Shrieve, congas player Michael Carabello and several other players shine across the new concert film Live at the House of Blues, Las Vegas. Those who love that troupe's blend of heavy grooves and percussion get that from the get go with Shrieve, Carabello and percussionist Karl Perazzo offering up dynamic rhythmic interplay on "Soul Sacrifice" and follow-up "Jingo" with Santana layering the proceedings with his Latin-flavored lead guitar work. An extended version of the rock staple "Evil Ways" features all sides of the sweet-sounding ensemble with Rolie delivering his distinctive vocals and strong work on the keyboards while Santana and Schon (of Journey fame) trade blistering lead guitar work. Among the strongest tracks are the breezy "Anywhere You Want to Go," tandem-guitar propelled "Choo Choo" and dynamic freewheeling "No One to Depend On." The DVD includes a revealing interview with the band. Information: eagle-rock.com.

Artist: Iggy Pop
Title: Post Pop Depression: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Tell me more: Filmed on the heels of the release of his acclaimed Post Pop Depression collaboration with Queens Of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme recorded mostly at Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree, the newly released concert film and companion audio recording Post Pop Depression: Live at the Royal Albert Hall delivers on Iggy Pop's powerful blend of hard rock, punk and alt rock via a 22-song performance in front of an adoring crowd. In addition to potent new material (particularly the guitar-heavy "Gardenia"), Pop and his excellent band (including Homme) play bona fide classics including a remarkably tender take on "China Girl" and propulsive "Lust for Life" (the latter two which he co-wrote with the late David Bowie).  "Post Pop Depression" is available on DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2CD and via digital formats. Information: eagle-rock.com.

Artist: Gregory Porter
Title: Live in Berlin (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Tell me more: An amazing vocalist and top-tier songwriter, Grammy winner Gregory Porter's jazz-meets-soul style is displayed across the wonderful Live in Berlin (released Nov. 25, 2016). Backed by a sterling four-man band, the concert features the memorable blue-tinged jazz ballad "Hey Laura," uptempo medley "On My Way to Harlem / What's Going On" and rousing R&B tribute to his son "Don't Lose Your Steam." A singer able to sing with technical skill and emotional depth free of cliche, Porter is able to bring his life experiences, world issues and family ties brilliantly into song. The film features all of the songs featured on the accompanying audio CDs, with Porter providing narrative asides on the stories behind most of the tracks. Live in Berlin is available on DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2CD and via digital formats. Information: eagle-rock.com and GregoryPorter.com.

Robert Kinsler

America; prepare to meet The Strypes

The Strypes in March 2013. Photo credit: Jill Furmanovsky

This past August I was in Dublin, Ireland and had the fantastic chance to catch Blur in concert. Because I got to the Irish Museum of Modern Art early, I also got to see and was very impressed by the rousing spirit of the opening band on the bill, Ireland's own emerging pub-rock champs The Strypes (read my review of that show here). Now comes word that the band is set to arrive here in the U.S. in connection with the release of Blue Collar Jane. Here is how you can learn more about the promising young outfit:

US DEBUT EP + JANUARY DATES FOR HARD-CHARGING IRISH QUARTET THE STRYPES

Roughneck Irish rhythm and blues band The Strypes have confirmed their debut US EP, Blue Collar Jane, coming out January 21, 2014 on Photo Finish Records.  It features 3 hard-charging originals plus a ferocious version of Nick Lowe's "Heart Of The City."  They've appeared on Jools Holland, been praised by NME and deemed "the most thrilling live band in the UK" by Q Magazine.

You can learn more about the Strypes and check out a number of videos featuring the band via their official Web site: http://thestrypes.com

The Strypes' debut album Snapshot was released last month in the UK and hailed as "one dizzying burst of energy after another" by The Independent.  It debuted in the Top 5 in the UK and Japan.  They are currently on a UK and European arena tour with Arctic Monkeys.

'Blue Collar Jane' EP, produced by Chris Thomas (Beatles, Pink Floyd, Sex Pistols) - out Jan 21:
1.  Blue Collar Jane
2.  Hometown Girls
3.  What The People Don't See
4.  Heart Of The City

DATES:
Jan 20 - Toronto, ON - Lee's Place
Jan 22 - NYC, NY - The Studio @ Webster Hall
Jan 24 - San Francisco, CA - Brick & Mortar Music Hall
Jan 28 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour

Information: http://thestrypes.com