New music: Julian Lennon, Crossword Smiles, Built to Spill

New albums from singer-songwriter Julian Lennon, melody-minded newcomers Crossword Smiles, and Boise, Idaho-spawned indie rocker Built to Spill are highlighted in my latest column.

Artist: Julian Lennon

Title: Jude (BMG)

You might like if you enjoy: David Bowie, John Lennon, Ron Sexsmith

Tell me more: It's hard to believe, but singer-songwriter Julian Lennon's amazing new album Jude marks the artist's first new full-length studio album since 2011's Everything Changes. The wonderful news for fans of Lennon is the artist's skills as a songwriter and singer of literate and expressive songcraft is as potent as ever. Jude is filled with emotive and lush originals including the soaring "Round and Round," Baroque power ballad "Love Don't Let Me Down," shimmering "Freedom," gorgeous "Love Never Dies," French-flavored "Gaia" (the latter a collaboration with Paul Buchanan of Scottish band The Blue Nile and Elissa Lauper), yearning art rocker "Breathe," and ambitious "Stay" with its enthralling jazz and experimental sections. A fantastic return. Information: JulianLennon.com.

Artist: Crossword Smiles

Title: Pressed & Ironed (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Crowded House, Badfinger, Dada

Tell me more: Michigan-based duo Crossword Smiles has released their terrific debut Pressed & Ironed, a 10-song set of stellar power pop. Led by Tom Curless (formerly of Your Gracious Host) and Chip Saam (bassist with The Hangouts), Crossword Smiles' originals are melodic to be sure but simultaneously showcase a multi-layered and inventive approach; for example the lead single "Parallel Lines" could have been a collaboration between members of Crowded House and Dada with its perfect fusion of artful harmonies, a dynamic rhythmic groove and luxurious arrangement. Other highlights on the marvelous album include the sweeping opener "Feet on the Ground," evocative "October Leaves," '60s-mining jangly gem "Where's The Sense," countrified ballad "Walk Softly" and lavish "Second Guesser." The album is now available via audio CD, vinyl and streaming everywhere. Information: BigStirRecords.com.

Artist: Built to Spill

Title: When the Wind Forgets Your Name (Sub Pop Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Dinosaur Jr., Husker Dü

Tell me more: Since launching Built to Spill in 1992, singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Doug Martsch has carved out a wide-ranging and highly-acclaimed path including 1994's There's Nothing Wrong With Love and 1999's Keep It Like a Secret. Now Built to Spill — whose only permanent member over the past 30 years is Martsch — has joined forces with Brazilian punk rock artist Le Almeida and his long-time collaborator, João Casaes, on the wonderful disc When the Wind Forgets Your Name. Built to Spill's ninth album is filled with glorious alt rock ranging from the psychedelic garage rocker "Fool's Gold" and bouncy "Rocksteady" to the melodic nugget "Understood," hypnotic cut "Spiderweb" (the latter which recalls a mix of early R.E.M. and Husker Dü) and the tender "Alright." The album's closing cut "Comes a Day" is eight and a half minutes of enthralling rock whose driving rhythm is adorned with colorful shades of distorted guitar. Information: BuiltToSpill.com.

Robert Kinsler

Julian Lennon performs 'Imagine' for first time in support of the Ukraine

Julian Lennon / Photo: Robert Ascroft

For the first time ever, Julian Lennon has recorded his late father's 1971 single "Imagine." On April 8, 2022, Julian sang the classic song as part of Global Citizen's Stand Up For Ukraine fundraiser. Lennon, who celebrated his 59th birthday that same day, was accompanied on the affecting video performance by guitarist Nuno Bettencourt. 

Watch the performance HERE.

On his official Twitter account, Lennon wrote: "The War on Ukraine is an unimaginable tragedy...As a human, and as an artist, I felt compelled to respond in the most significant way I could.

"So today, for the first time ever, I publicly performed by Dad's song, IMAGINE. Why now, after all these years? I had always said, that the only time I would ever consider singing 'IMAGINE' would be if it was the 'End of the World'...

"But also because the lyrics  reflect our collective desire for peace worldwide. Because within this song, we're transported to a space, where love and togetherness become our reality, if but for a moment in time..."

"The song reflects the light at the end of the tunnel, that we are all hoping for..."

Additionally, Lennon released the first two must-hear songs from his upcoming album Jude scheduled to be released sometime later this year.

Listen to the original song "Freedom" HERE.

Listen to the original song "Every Little Moment" HERE.

For more information on Lennon, visit his official website HERE.

Joey Molland of Badfinger readies first new album in nearly a decade; 'Be True to Yourself' coming October 16, 2020

The world will soon be getting more new music from Joey Molland, and that's a super cool thing! Here is the official media release and related album artwork...Robert Kinsler

'Be True To Yourself,' Badfinger guitarist, singer and songwriter Joey Molland's first album of new material in nearly 10 years, is due from Omnivore Recordings on October 16, 2020 

Album contains the singles "Rainy Day Man" and "All I Want to Do," produced by Mark Hudson

Guests include Julian Lennon, Micky Dolenz, Jason Scheff and Steve Holley!

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The story of Badfinger is one of rock’s saddest and most tragic tales. But one thing is for certain: the group that practically invented “power pop” was abundantly filled with talent. To have three great songwriters in one band was reminiscent of the group’s original label founders, the Beatles. Badfinger’s singles are still regarded as pop gems some 50 years later: “Come and Get It,” “No Matter What,” “Day After Day,” and “Baby Blue.” 

Perhaps the most unheralded of the three in Badfinger was Liverpudlian guitarist Joey Molland. His songwriting talent started to blossom with the group’s finest album, 1971’s Straight Up. Molland contributed five songs to the group’s fourth platter including “I’d Die Babe,” “Sweet Tuesday Morning” and “Suitcase.” Joey continued to play and write as Badfinger motored through the ’70s recording and touring. But great albums like 1974’s Wish You Were Here were met with record company and personal mismanagement. And in 1975, the group’s leader, Pete Ham, tragically passed away. 

Molland eventually left the group, returned, and left again to launch his own solo career. He’s played in various groups and under the name Joey Molland’s Badfinger since 1983. His several solo albums won critical acclaim but nothing could have prepared us for his latest album.

Omnivore Recordings is proud to announce the release of Be True to Yourself, a tour de force pop album by Molland co-written with producer Mark Hudson (producer of last year’s Losst And Founnd by Harry Nilsson, also on Omnivore). Street date is October 16, 2020.

The album is filled with delicious pop hooks and features musical contributions from Joey’s friends (Julian Lennon, Micky Dolenz, Jason Scheff and Steve Holley). With front and back cover photography by Julian Lennon, this album is a veritable feast for the eyes and ears! So, sit back and “take it all” in from one of the genre’s progenitors ... Be True to Yourself by Joey Molland.

Track Listing:

1. This Time
2. Better Tomorrow
3. Rainy Day Man
4. Heaven
5. All I Want To Do
6. I Don’t Wanna Be Done With You
7. All I Do Is Cry
8. Loving You
9. Shine
10. Be True To Yourself 

Pre-sale link: http://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/be-true-to-yourself/ 

Check out the Joey Molland trailer: https://youtu.be/aeJRqYN3l98

Rock Music Gift Guide: Chuck Berry, Toto, Humble Pie, Ronnie Wood

Rock music-lovers are in luck. A slew of highly-recommended releases serve as perfect gift ideas sure to please your favorite audiophile or to add to your own collection!

Artist: Chuck Berry
Title: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll: Collector's Edition (Shout! Factory)
Tell me more: One of the most important and historic music documentaries of all time, Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll is a look at the life and legacy of singer-songwriter/guitar great Chuck Berry that was directed by Taylor Hackford and originally released in 1987. Newly-issued on Blu-ray by Shout! Factory, the film has never looked – or sounded – better. Keith Richards organized two concerts in October 1986 to celebrate Berry's 60th birthday and the performances featured a fantastic well-rehearsed band (something that was sadly not a fixture across Berry's lengthy career) including sax great Bobby Keys, NRBQ bassist Joey Spampinato, drummer Steve Jordan, and musical director Richards. Powerful versions of "Roll Over Beethoven," "Almost Grown," "Sweet Little Sixteen," "Nadine" and "School Days" shine. There are some fantastic once-in-a-lifetime duets on the film too. Linda Ronstadt joins the party for a powerful "Back in the U.S.A." (where Richards and Berry briefly duel on lead guitar). Julian Lennon and Berry have a blast on the fiery "Johnny B. Goode"; Robert Cray shares the spotlight on the buoyant "Brown Eyed Handsome Man"; Eric Clapton joins the affair for a blues-drenched take of Berry's 1955 nugget "Wee Wee Hours" bolstered by Johnnie Johnson's piano work. Etta James joins Berry and company for a faithful take on "Rock and Roll Music." A slew of revealing interviews with his wife, brothers and sisters, as well as those he influenced and his contemporaries (Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers) are interspersed and make this an essential, entertaining and ultimately deeply moving film. There are a number of must-see bonus features on the newly-issued Blu-ray as well. Information: ShoutFactory.com.

Artist: Toto
Title: 40 Tours Around the Sun (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Tell me more: Captured in Amsterdam on March 17, 2018, Toto's outstanding 40 Tours Around the Sun has been released on a variety of formats including 2-CD, 3-LP vinyl, DVD and Blu-ray. The Blu-ray reviewed here looks and sounds fantastic, and director Nigel Dick is to be credited for avoiding modern-day concert film cliches and frequently letting the viewer get a glimpse of master musicians in action. There is one sequence during "I Will Remember" where guitarist Steve Lukather plays an extended solo and a variety of camera angles capture the heat of his fretwork without the viewer being jarred by cuts that are too quick or detract from the arc of the solo. The opener "Alone" showcases the band's virtuoso chops, knack for melodic song craft and great vocals. Toto's diverse influences are showcased via straight-forward rockers ("Lovers in the Night," "Stranger in Town," the Top 5 hits "Hold the Line" and "Rosanna"), new tracks (the lovely "Spanish Sea"), prog rock ("English Eyes," the instrumental centerpiece "Jake to the Bone"), world music-mining material (the luxurious "I Will Remember" featuring Lukather and Joseph Williams sharing lead vocals) and jazz ("Lea," "Miss Sun," "George Porgy") and even authentic country ("No Love"). A reworked version of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and an extended cut on the band's own classic "Africa" are among the other highlights on the concert film. The expansive track listing allows Toto (the ensemble also includes singer-pianist David Paich and keyboardist-singer Steve Porcaro) the room to showcase many of the band's rarely-performed deep cuts – notably "Lion," the aforementioned "Lea" and "Dune (Desert Theme) from the  classic 1984 sci-fi film's soundtrack – all performed with power and precision in front of more than 18,000 enthusiastic European fans. Information: eagle-rock.com.

Artist: Humble Pie
Title: The Life and Times of Steve Marriott + 1973 Complete Winterland Show (Cleopatra Records)
Tell me more: Groundbreaking British rocker Steve Marriott's influential and sadly often-overlooked role on the rock 'n' roll landscape is showcased via the wonderful The Life and Times of Steve Marriott, a multi-format three-disc title that includes a Blu-ray, DVD and audio CD. Both as a member of Small Faces and Humble Pie, Marriott blazed a trail via his signature rock vocals, impressive guitar playing and energetic stage presence that is celebrated on an insightful documentary. Notable artists interviewed include Spencer Davis, Ricky Byrd, John Waite, Kevin DuBrow and his famed Humble Pie band mates Peter Frampton and Clem Clempson; rare and early footage of Humble Pie and Small Faces is also included on the documentary. There is also a complete 1973 featuring Humble Pie featured on the audio CD that is a thrilling listen; that concert recording features a stirring take on the band's enduring blues rock classic "Thirty Days in the Hole," a hard-charging version of "Up Your Sleeves," an amped-up rendition of The Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Woman" and a number of other high octane British blues-flavored rockers. Sadly, Marriott died in a home fire in April 1991; he was only 44. The Life and Times of Steve Marriott provides an excellent chance to catch up on this overlooked rock hero. Information: CleopatraRecords.com.

Artist: Ronnie Wood & His Wild Five
Title: Mad Lad: A Live Tribute to Chuck Berry (BMG)
Tell me more: Few artists have had as profound an influence on rock as the late Chuck Berry. The Beatles, ELO, Linda Ronstadt, Elvis Presley, The Kinks and AC/DC are among the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers who have recorded notable covers of Berry classics. Now Rolling Stones guitar great Ronnie Wood & His Wild Five have issued a full-length tribute to Berry (who died at the age of 90 in March 2017). What's so special about this 11-track album is the rollicking and genuinely loose quality of the group's versions of some of rock music's earliest masterworks. There is no attempt to add unnecessary polish and overdubs to the tracks. The sound across the Wood-produced disc is that of a band of singers and musicians truly conjuring up Berry's late spirit to celebrate – both musically and via Berry's literate storytelling – the youthful exuberance of early rock 'n' roll anew. Wood and company dig deep into Berry's hefty songbook; "Talking About You" is an early success here and benefits from some of Wood's most colorful lead guitar play on the LP. Acclaimed Irish singer Imelda May delves into the blues on "Wee Wee Hours," her dynamic soprano keeping pace with the burgeoning approach taken by the band on their arrangement of Berry's 1955 hit. A freewheeling "Little Queenie" and Chicago blues-flavored "Blue Feeling" (the latter which benefits from keyboardist Ben Waters and Wood dueling on their instruments), and zestful "Johnny B. Goode" are among this writer's other favorite cuts on the must-hear tribute. Information: RonnieWood.com.


Robert Kinsler

Sights and Sounds: Julian Lennon, The Milk Carton Kids, The Smiths

Here is a short (but notable) roundup of today's top music news notes...

Singer-songwriter Julian Lennon Set to Release 14 Everything Changes Music Videos

Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Julian Lennon takes the term visual artist to new heights by releasing 14 Everything Changes music videos throughout 2014. An Album, Acoustic and Lyric-In-Vision video will be released for each track off the critically acclaimed project. Preview the videos here and stay tuned as Julian revels more breathtaking visuals!

Connect with Julian Lennon 

julianlennon.com

twitter.com/julianlennon
facebook.com/julianlennonofficial
youtube.com/julianlennon
soundcloud.com/julianlennon

The Milk Carton Kids set to appear on 'CBS This Morning: Saturday'

Duo to tour in support of  latest album 'The Ash & Clay'

The acclaimed Los Angeles-based duo The Milk Carton Kids will be appearing on the national morning show CBS This Morning: Saturday this February 22^nd.The group will be performing songs from their Grammy Nominated album The Ash & Clay.

In past months, The Milk Carton Kids have generated some well deserved attention with notable appearances on both Austin City Limits and Prairie Home Companion. The duo were also featured in the Showtime documentary Another Day / Another Time: Celebrating the Music of "Inside Llewyn Davis, a film documenting a benefit concert held last September celebrating the music of the Coen Brothers' film, "Inside Llewyn Davis."

The New York Times Magazine recently reviewed their sold out performance at Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series in The Allen Room writing, “There is something almost unnatural about the mellifluous harmonies of The Milk Carton Kids, something freakish. It’s hard to believe that two people can sync to each other like that” and proclaiming that the duo's “guitar virtuosity” and “gentle blended voice and their puckish banter” “projected a kind of old-fashion authenticity in an Auto-Tune world.”

The Milk Carton Kids will be touring North American this Spring in support of their album The Ash & Clay. The tour will begin in Nashville, TN on April 14 and extend through June 23, where the duo will perform in Phoenix, AZ at the Musical Instrument Museum. For more information, visit: http://www.themilkcartonkids.com/ 

The Smiths at 30; Panic! At The Disco on tour

Check out this article on the Billboard site that tackles The Smiths' legacy at 30 by providing a track-by-track review of the quartet formed back in 1984. 

Speaking of Billboard, the music site has an article that asks "What's it like to be a member of Panic! At The Disco on their 2014 headlining tour?" There's plenty of glamour and attention, a little day-to-day drudgery, and sometimes, a ping-pong match with a lucky fan. 

Billboard's cameras were treated to intimate backstage glimpse when the tour hit the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater on Feb. 8.

"Getting along with people on tour is one of the more important things," says frontman Brendon Urie. "Our crew and us, we get a long really well. We're all the same degenerates, so it works out."

Full article: www.billboard.com/articles/news/5915472/panic-at-the-disco-on-tour-video-behind-the-scenes-performance-interview

Sights and Sounds: Ringo Starr, Sigur Rós, Garbage, James McCartney, Big Country and more

I was out of town much of this week so I was unable to post music stuff at my usual clip. How about a game of "catch up"?

Read George A. Paul's great article on the new Ringo Starr exhibit titled Ringo: Peace & Love opening that played out at The Grammy Museum on Tuesday, June 11. 

After reading the post on George's Music Minded blog, I am hoping to get up to L.A. Live soon to check out this exhibition soon.

Make sure to check out my latest reviews on the MusicWorthBuying.com site. In addition to Sigur Rós' forthcoming Kveikur (which will be released this Tuesday, June 18), I praise the DVD/Blu-ray release of Garbage's One Mile High...Live and James McCartney's excellent Me. Look for upcoming reviews of the latest albums from Julian Lennon (Everything Changes), Bell X1 (Chop Chop), Robert Randolph and the Family Band (Lickety Split) in the near future; I've received a number of strong releases and I'm working on getting reviews of them up as I have a good chance to give all repeated listenings. On the DVD front, I'll have a review of the exciting Frank Zappa A Token of His Extreme.

Big Country will be at The Coach House on June 21.

I'm also going to be checking out Big Country's forthcoming concert stop at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on June 21 and will post a review of that show the next day.

I've read glowing reviews of some of the recent tour stops by Big Country (now featuring singer Mike Peters of The Alarm) and look forward to seeing the group play its classics as well as new material from 2013's The Journey. 

Julian Lennon back with new music via duet with Steven Tyler

Before I head over to park and make the long walk to get into Coachella, I wanted to share this media release and related links with everyone! Good to hear Julian Lennon's songcraft again. It has been ages since we heard much from him...James McCartney is performing at Coachella 2013, wouldn't it be nice if Julian was there next year? I would love to see him in the desert...

Julian Lennon's (@JulianLennon) Remarkable Duet with Steven Tyler (@IamStevenT) "Someday" Available on iTunes Now

Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Julian Lennon returns to music with "Someday". The remarkable track features Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, "Someday" is a composition built around compelling lyrics and stately strings. The oldest son of the late Beatles singer John Lennon, Julian has marked his half-century with an immediate pop hit with a mystical Eastern flavor; this track truly feels like an old friend.

'Everything Changes' - The acclaimed new album from Julian Lennon, will be available worldwide on June 4, 2013.

"Someday" Single on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/SomedayiTunes

Watch the awe-inspiring visual featuring Julian, Steven Tyler and images of unwavering hope!

Tweet: @JulianLennon Soars with @IamStevenT on Inspiring Track #Someday http://youtu.be/tOSyjiMmsxY

ABOUT JULIAN LENNON

Julian Lennon’s sensitive and poetic vision of life courses through his exquisite photography, philanthropic pursuits, and his acclaimed music. On June 4th he returns with his first album in 15 years, the stunning Everything Changes (Music From Another Room), a masterwork of powerfully vulnerable and sophisticatedly accessible adult pop.

Julian’s melding of uplifting introspection and thoughtful social commentary with refined hooks has made for a compelling six-album body of work. His debut, Valotte (Atlantic), yielded two top ten hits—the title track and "Too Late for Goodbyes”—and was nominated for a Grammy for “Best New Artist.” He went on to have #1 singles on the U.S. album rock charts. Internationally, one of his most popular songs “Saltwater” charted successfully around the world, topping in Australia for four weeks and reached #6 in the UK. In advance of its June 4th U.S. release, his latest, Everything Changes (Music From Another Room), is already receiving national airplay and press plaudits nationally and internationally. The Sunday Press calls it a “revelation” and Herald Standard gushes Julian has “returned stronger and better than ever.”

Since 1998, Julian has devoted himself to altruistic concerns. He produced the compelling documentary whaledreamers that was shown at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and earned 8 International Film Festival Awards. In 2007, Julian founded The White Feather Foundation whose mission "embraces environmental and humanitarian issues and in conjunction with partners from around the world helps to raise funds for the betterment of all life, and to honor those who have truly made a difference."

He has emerged a renowned photographer, applying the warm candor of his vision in music to producing iconic images. Julian has worked extensively with U2, his brother Sean, and photographed his friend Charlene Wittstock, exclusively for Vogue, prior to her civil wedding to Prince Albert II of Monaco. His debut exhibition at the esteemed The Morrison Hotel Gallery in New York City garnered many outstanding reviews. He has followed this with two successful exhibitions at Art Basel Miami 2010 and 2012, among other venues internationally. He is currently preparing for a collaborative opening with Chinese artist Simon Ma, for the Venice Biennale 2013.

Everything Changes is a stunning achievement. It’s stately and intimate, and thoughtfully paced. Lyrically, it covers romance, introspection, and humanitarian concerns with artistic concision, mixing clever wordplay with emotional directness. The poignancy and poise of “Everything Changes” opens the album and sets a universally spiritual tone. The beautifully crafted lead off single “Someday” features mystical Eastern melodic motifs and boasts guest vocalist Steven Tyler. It engagingly combines Julian’s lifework as a philanthropist and gifted songwriter. Here, Julian sings pristinely with earnestness the timeless message: “We’re all in it together / One love, now and forever.” Other album standouts are the mesmerizing piano pop ballad "Lookin' 4 Luv" and the euphoric rocker “Just For You.”

Besides Steven Tyler, also guesting on the album is musician/producer Peter Vettese (Jethro Tull, Annie Lennox, Pet Shop Boys), singer-songwriter Paul Buchanan (Blue Nile), legendary songwriter Mark Spiro (Heart, Laura Branigan, Lita Ford),singer/producer/composer Tim Ellis, as well as longtime friends Justin Clayton, Gregory Darling, Matt Backer and Guy Pratt. Julian and Grant Ransom jointly produced the album.

Julian recently sang backing vocals on Aerosmith’s critically acclaimed comeback album. He returns to his music fans with new confidence and renewed purpose. Everything Changes has all the hallmarks of Julian Lennon’s classic, sublime lifestyle music, yet glows with tender wisdom gleaned from his many life explorations.

Connect with Julian Lennon

julianlennon.com
twitter.com/julianlennon
facebook.com/julianlennonofficial
youtube.com/julianlennon
soundcloud.com/julianlennon