With the passing of rock 'n' roll founding father Little Richard on May 9, now is the perfect time to celebrate his vast legacy via an essential 3-disc set of his most important tracks. A highly-rewarding return from country singer-songwriter Pam Tillis, the latest album from genre-busting songstress Tami Neilson and a demos collection from the late John Stewart are well worth celebrating as well...
Artist: Little Richard
Title: Directly From My Heart: The Best of the Specialty & Vee-Jay Years (Specialty Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Little Richard, early Beatles, Fats Domino
Tell me more: Listening to the wide-ranging 2015 Little Richard collection Directly From My Heart: The Best of the Specialty & Vee-Jay Years is to be transported to rock 'n' roll's earth-shattering infancy. Little Richard is heard on 64 tracks spanning 1956 to 1965, singing poignant ballads such as the bluesy "Wonderin'," dynamic "Without Love" and R&B standout "Maybe I'm Right," as well as songs mining Mississippi blues ("Goin' Home Tomorrow") and the Memphis sound ("I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got Me"). Along the way Richard is featured tackling soul – notably "I'm Just a Lonely Guy (All Alone)" and "You Better Stop." But the parade of hits featured across the seminal three-disc collection is the box set's ace play, with timeless rockers such as "Tutti Frutti," "Kansas City," Ready Teddy," "Rip It Up" "Long Tall Sally" and "Lucille" resonating with the force of the ages. Information: ConcordMusicGroup.com.
Artist: Pam Tillis
Title: Looking for a Feeling (Stellar Cat Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Rosanne Cash, Grace Potter, Lorrie Morgan
Tell me more: Pam Tillis brings her wonderful soprano and exceptional songwriting talents to her 11th studio album Looking for a Feeling. The dozen tracks reveal themselves to the listener via a rich soundscape spanning from potent highs to artful restraint (notably the gorgeous Joe Pisapia-penned "Better Friends" and her own "Last Summer's Wine"). On the aptly-titled "Dolly 1969" Tillis uses a mix of spoken word and playfully-sung vocals to pay tribute to one of her earliest music heroes; the simmering bluesy country rocker "Demolition Angel," ballad "My Kind of Medicine," shimmering styles-blending gem "Burning Star" and disc-ending Americana-soaked instrumental "Better Friends Reprise" additionally showcase the depth of the album. Honored in 1994 with the Country Music Association's "Female Vocalist of the Year," Tillis' voice is elevated amidst a talented parade of players including guitarist Pat Buchanan, keyboardist Jim Moose Brown, steel master Dan Dugmore and others. Information: pamtillis.com.
Artist: Tami Neilson
Title: CHICKABOOM! (Outside Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Wanda Jackson, Nikki Lane, Peggy Lee
Tell me more: Able to blend rockabilly, soul, Western swing, country and early rock 'n' roll into something decidedly her own, Tami Neilson has a large voice able to navigate and master those styles and more on her most recent full-length release CHICKABOOM! Neilson's booming soprano is used in the service of 10 songs that make for a fun and involving listen. The rock 'n' soul kiss-off "Call Your Mama" kicks things off with a bang. There is a playful and welcome devil-may-care spirit enhanced by Neilson's delivery and sharp lyrics. The catchy "16 Miles of Chain" has an early '60s vibe," as does the beautiful duet "Any Fool With a Heart" where she shares lead vocals with her brother Jay Neilson. The explosive gospel-meets-soul "Sister Mavis" and dreamy cowboy western stylings of "Sleep" close out this inspired affair. Information: tamineilson.com.
Artist: John Stewart
Title: Old Forgotten Altars: The 1960s Demos (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Buddy Ford Stewart, the Kingston Trio
Tell me more: A collection of demo recordings captured by master singer-songwriter John Stewart when he transitioning from his role as a member of the Kingston Trio to a solo career are featured on a fantastic new collection. Old Forgotten Altars: The 1960s Demos features 18 tracks recorded between 1965 and 1968, including three duets with Buddy Ford Stewart along with a bonus track recorded at his home in 1959. John Stewart — perhaps best known as the writer of the Monkees' "Daydream Believer" — displays a stellar command of song craft across this set, all the more amazing given these are mostly acoustic-styled demo recordings featuring a basic presentation of vocals and acoustic guitar. The songs are uniformly strong and affecting; high points include the lovely "Children of the Morning" (which did wind up as the title track on a Kingston Trio 1966 LP), lovely "The Pirates of Stone County Road," literate "One Tiny Grain of Sand," previously-unheard song "July, You're a Woman" and enthralling "Big Sur." Particularly powerful is "Lock All The Windows," whose acoustic ascent is as majestic as it is sparse. Insightful liner notes and archival photos fill a wonderful 12-page booklet that comes with the title. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Robert Kinsler
A handful of new releases bring much-deserved attention to an equal number of influential artists.
Artist: Marshall Crenshaw
Title: Miracle of Science (Shiny-Tone)
You might like if you enjoy: Jason Falkner, The Smithereens, Matthew Sweet
Tell me more: The newly-available reissue of Marshall Crenshaw's 1996 classic Miracle of Science is a true gem worth adding to your music library. In addition to several bonus tracks being included on the new version, Crenshaw undertook a number of technical steps to enhance the sound across the disc (it was originally recorded digitally and there was not an analog master tape; one was created this time to help create the vinyl release of the reissue). The enticing earworm "What Do You Dream Of?" is a mix of power pop and early rock 'n' roll sparkle. Track after track exudes a wealth of melodic riches and affecting song craft; the '60s-mining alt country rocker "Who Stole That Train," shimmering "Only An Hour Ago," ornate "Laughter" and mysterious "A Wondrous Place" are early standouts on "Miracle of Science." The literate "Twenty-Five Forty-One," tuneful "Starless Summer Sky" and "There and Back Again," along with the bonus tracks "What The Hell I Got" and "Misty Dreamer" extend the magic on the last half of the terrific reissue. While there are guests to be sure (including multi-instrumentalist Bill Lloyd and guitar great Pat Buchanan), the talented Crenshaw produced the album while handling lead vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion, tambourine and even "wine bottles" across "Miracle of Science." Information: MarshallCrenshaw.com.
Artist: America
Title: Heritage II: Demos/Alternate Takes 1971-1976 (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: America, Andrew Gold, Neil Young, David Crosby
Tell me more: Time has been more than kind to the music of America. Recent headlining tours have helped shed a welcome reassessment of the groundbreaking trio (Dan Peek died in 2011, but Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley have carried on with a top-tier touring band). Add to the renewed interest in the band the newly-issued Heritage II: Demos/Alternate Takes 1971-1976, an essential collection of demos, alternate studio takes and live jams captured during the beginning of America's time working with producer Sir George Martin. The evocative lure of "Cornwall Blank," piano-anchored Beckley ballad "Mandy" (a song previously not released), an alternate mix of the hit "Tin Man" with a focus on the backing vocals, and alternate mix of the winning "Simple Life" all add depth to America's legacy. Other highlights include an intimate demo of Beckley's baroque ballad "What Does It Matter," luxurious vocals-and-strings slice of Peek's "You" produced by Martin and engineered by Geoff Emerick, and the Bunnell folk rock original "Amber Cascades." The biggest surprise on the disc may well be the ambitious instrumental jam "Jameroony" featuring Bunnell, Beckley and Peek showcasing their skills on acoustic guitars for more than 12 glorious minutes. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com and venturahighway.com.
Artist: Andrew Gold
Title: Something New: Unreleased Gold (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Andrew Gold, Graham Nash, 10cc
Tell me more: A true treasure trove of previously-unheard material graces Something New: Unreleased Gold, a 16-track collection of Andrew Gold demos he originally produced with Chuck Plotkin that soon earned him a recording contract with Asylum Records. The recordings showcase Gold's mastery of writing and performing original songs. The material spans from melodic pop ("Something New," "Prisoner") and soft rock ("Resting In Your Love," "Don't Bring Me Down," "A Note From You") to ballads (the lovely "Come Down To Me," roots-swept "Ten Years Behind Me") and singer-songwriter sophistication ("What You Do Is What You See," "Timothy Corey," "To Be Someone"). The collection features liner notes penned by Grammy Award-winning producer Peter Asher. Sadly, Gold died of heart failure at age 59 in June 2011. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com and andrewgold.com.
Artist: Doug "Cosmo" Clifford
Title: Magic Window (Concord Music Publishing ASCAP)
You might like if you enjoy: Bad Company, Mike and the Mechanics, CCR
Tell me more: Drummer Doug "Cosmo" Clifford rose to fame in the late 1960s as a member of Creedence Clearwater Revival and has enjoyed continued success with the related project Creedence Clearwater Revisited. But even life-long fans of both bands likely didn't see Clifford's first-ever solo album coming. The good news is that Magic Window — recorded in 1985 and rediscovered when the artist was cleaning out his garage last year — is wonderful and makes a compelling case for a quick followup. The new album will please fans of classic rock, from the Bad Company-styled title track and swampy rocker "Born On The South Side" to the power ballad "Don't Leave Me Alone Tonight" and New Wave-tinged "Somebody Love Me Tonight" — and those are just the first four tracks on the set! Clifford proves to be a top-flight lead vocalist and strong tunesmith. The album's first single "Just Another Girl" could well have shot up the Billboard charts in the mid-80s, and it's easy to believe that the melodic rockers "Love Mode" and "Don't Let Go" as well as the power ballad "You Mean So Much To Me" would have scored radio airplay at that time too. Kudos to lead guitarist Russell DaShiell (who assisted with the production of the album), multi-instrumentalist Chris Solberg and guitarist Rob Polomsky for their contributions in the studio. Information: dougcosmoclifford.com.
Robert Kinsler
