Catching up on 2021 gems: 'West Side Story Soundtrack,' Chuck Berry, Inhaler, Legendary Shack Shakers, Sara Petite

Here are a handful of 2021 releases I somehow missed featuring in my column last year that are worth hearing.

Artist: Various artists

Title: West Side Story -- Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Hollywood Records)

You might like if you enjoy: West Side Story, composer Leonard Bernstein, Broadway musicals

Tell me more: One of the standout films of 2021, director Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" has come out as an outstanding companion 21-track soundtrack. Featuring music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, "West Side Story" is widely regarded as a a groundbreaking musical because of the creators' advances in music as well as bringing a gritty realism to musical theater upon its release in the late 1950s. Vocals on the soundtrack are provided by the stars of the new film, including Ansel Elgort, Rachael Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist and Rita Morena — the latter who played Anita in the 1961 film adaption. The powerful on-screen performances by the cast translate well on the audio CD. Gustavo Dudamel conducted the New York Philharmonic Orchestra during 2019, with additional recording completed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The mix of jazz, Latin rhythms, classical orchestrations and broadway sensibilities is a delight across the soundtrack. The fully-illustrated booklet features photographs from the film, lyrics for the songs and liner notes from music consultant John Williams. 

Read a review of the film from reviewer Jack Lyons on the Desert Local News HERE. For more information on "West Side Story," click HERE. 

Artist: Chuck Berry

Title: Live from Blueberry Hill (Dualtone Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Chuck Berry

Tell me more: Pulled from live performances recorded at the 340-person capacity St. Louis venue Blueberry Hill between July 2005 and January 2006, Chuck Berry's Live from Blueberry Hill is a wonderful way to rediscover the Father of Rock & Roll. There is a joyful spirit across this collection of live tracks (Berry passed away at the age of 90 in March 2017). The freewheeling "Roll Over Beethoven," driving "Let It Rock" (featuring his daughter Ingrid Berry blasting away on harmonica), the spirited "Carol"/"Little Queenie" medley, rollicking "Around And Around" and disc-ending rocker "Johnny B. Goode" are among the terrific tracks on the album. "Bio" is a fascinating bluesy track where Berry poetically recalls his modest roots and magical rise. Information: Dualtone.com. 

Artist: Inhaler

Title: It Won't Always Be Like This (Interscope)

You might like if you enjoy: U2, Simple Minds, Keane

Tell me more: Fans of U2, Keane and Coldplay will love Inhaler's debut album It Won't Always Be Like This. Featuring singer-guitarist Elijah Hewson (the son of U2 lead singer Bono), bassist Robert Keating, guitarist Josh Jenkinson and drummer Ryan McMahon, the Irish band delivers an album filled with winning and soaring anthems. The propulsive "My Honest Face," reflective "Slide Out The Window," bouncy "Cheer Up Baby" and expansive "My King Will Be Kind" are early disc nuggets. The album's power continues via late standouts "When It Breaks," "Totally," "Who's Your Money On? (Plastic House)" and "In My Sleep." Released in July 2021, the album entered the Irish Albums Chart and the UK Album Chart at number one. Information: www.inhaler.band.

Artist: Legendary Shack Shakers

Title: Cockadoodledeux (Alternative Tentacles Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Old Crow Medicine Show, Legendary Shack Shakers, J.D. Wilkes

Tell me more: Celebrating a 25 year run, J.D. Wilkes wanted to go all out to mark his Legendary Shack Shakers troupe on Cockadoodledeux. The 12-track set takes the listener on a tour of styles from across the country and Americana sonic universe. In addition to Wilkes, the talents of band mates guitarist Gary Siperko, bassist Fuller Condon and drummer Preston Corn are featured; notable guests include Jello Biafra, Chris Scruggs (Marty Stuart's Fabulous Superlatives), Cajun fiddler "Hillbilly" Bob Prather, dobroist Jack Martin and bassist Morgan Jahnig (Old Crow Medicine Show). The psychedelia meets spaghetti western-flavored cover of "Rawhide," Western swing nuggets "Tickle Yore Innards" and "I Told You So," Texas-fried "Godforsaken Town," tender "They Won't Let Me Forget (All The Things I Can't Recall)," wry "I Don't Remember Loving You" and Celtic-tinged closer "Farewell Ye Rovin' Eyed Girls" are among the fantastic tracks on the album. Information: AlternativeTentacles.com. 

Artist: Sara Petite

Title: Rare Bird (JTM Music)

You might like if you enjoy: Rosanne Cash, Whitney Rose, Brandi Carlile

Tell me more: Released in early 2021, songstress Sara Petite's sixth album Rare Bird magically delivers a batch of songs wrapped up with a perfect mix of heartland rock and Americana — each song bolstered by musical grace and bona fide power. There is a depth here that is the equal of the seasoned songcraft and nuanced arrangements found on all 11 of the album's tracks. The mystery and immediacy of love takes center stage on "Feeling Like an Angel." The wonderfully confessional acoustic rock foray "Scars" finds the artist revealing "I've learned to live with me." The tender "Floating with the Angels" is adorned by pedal steel and fiddle. Other standouts on the LP include the heartfelt "I Just Keep Moving On," rocking "The Misfits" and genre-defying "Working on a Soul." Information: SaraPetite.com.

Robert Kinsler

Sony Classical Set To Release John Williams & Steven Spielberg: The Ultimate Collection On March 17

Sony Classical Set To Release

John Williams & Steven Spielberg:

The Ultimate Collection

On March 17, 2017

 

"Marion's Theme from 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'"

Now Available via The Hollywood Reporter, here: https://goo.gl/g1Vusx

Pre-Order via Amazon, here: https://goo.gl/1BKpuo

 

Special 3-CD Collection Includes New Recordings

Plus Bonus DVD Featuring Documentary

Steven Spielberg & John Williams: The Adventure Continues

 

February 16, 2017 - Celebrating one of the most definitive and beloved partnerships in the history of motion pictures, John Williams & Steven Spielberg: The Ultimate Collection delivers an essential sampling of Williams's musical scores for Spielberg's films - a critically acclaimed, award-winning, chart-topping collaboration now in its fifth decade. Comprised of a three-CD set and bonus DVD, John Williams & Steven Spielberg: The Ultimate Collection is available from Sony Classical on March 17, 2017.

 

This collection brings together Williams's two previous discs of his music for Spielberg films, which he recorded with the Boston Pops Orchestra for Sony Classical: The Spielberg/Williams Collaboration (1991) and Williams on Williams: The Classic Spielberg Scores (1995). Those discs include music from Sugarland Express (1974) through Jurassic Park and Schindler's List (1993).

 

Bringing the collection up to date is an all-new third disc, recorded in 2016 with Williams conducting the Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles, and with Spielberg as executive producer. It features the first release of brand new recordings of music from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Amistad, The BFG, Lincoln, The Adventures of Tintin, Minority Report, Catch Me If You Can, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Saving Private Ryan, War Horse, The Terminal, Munich and Spielberg's 1999 documentary The Unfinished Journey.

 

The bonus DVD that accompanies this new three-CD collection presents Steven Spielberg & John Williams: The Adventure Continues, a new documentary by filmmaker and film historian Laurent Bouzereau, who has been documenting Spielberg's work for more than twenty years.

 

"I was very happy with the fact that when I was music director of Boston Pops, we were able to record a lot of the music that I'd written for Steven's films," Williams said about the first two discs in the collection. "So I said to him, 'Steven, wouldn't it be great if we could complete the Sony collection and put in all the things that we didn't have when the last disc was recorded, this time with our great orchestra here in Los Angeles?'  To which Steven responded, 'This is a great idea. Let's do it!'"

 

When Steven Spielberg made his first theatrical feature The Sugarland Express (1974), he sought John Williams to compose the score. With two exceptions, all of Spielberg's films have featured a Williams score. In its continuity and its infinite range of style and expression, their partnership is unique, even in light of other such legendary collaborations in film history, including Bernard Herrmann with Alfred Hitchcock, Nino Rota with Federico Fellini, and Ennio Morricone with Sergio Leone.

 

"Oh, this has been a great adventure," Spielberg tells Williams at the end of Bouzereau's film. "This has been a greater adventure than all theIndiana Jones movies put together for me ... It's been an honor for me to work all these years with John and to have his friendship, his partnership, his brotherhood. When we made Sugarland Express, we didn't realize we'd set our paths to be partners and friends for the rest of our lives."

 

In his ongoing career, now in its sixth decade, Williams has won five Academy Awards (three for Spielberg films), seven BAFTA (British Film Academy) awards, four Golden Globes, and twenty-two Grammy Awards for his film scores. His fifty Academy Award nominations, as of 2017, are a record among composers, and he is second only to Walt Disney in holding the most Academy Award nominations by an individual artist.  Fifteen of those nominations are for scores from Spielberg films.

 

Sony Music Masterworks comprises Masterworks, Sony Classical, OKeh, Portrait and Masterworks Broadway imprints. For email updates and information please visit www.SonyMasterworks.com.

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John Williams & Steven Spielberg: The Ultimate Collection Tracklisting:

DISC 1 - CD

1 Raiders of the Lost Ark from "Raiders of the Lost Ark"  

2 Theme from "Always"  

3 Adventures on Earth from "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" 

4 Theme from "Sugarland Express" 

5 Title Theme from "Jaws" 

6 Out to Sea / The Shark Cage Fugue from "Jaws"  

Out to Sea

The Shark Cage Fugue from Jaws

7 Exsultate Justi from "Empire of the Sun"  

8 Parade of the Slave Children from "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"       

9 Over the Moon from "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial"  

10 March from "1941"  

11 Cadillac of the Skies from "Empire of the Sun"  

12 Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"

13 Close Encounters of the Third Kind/When You Wish Upon a Star Medley

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Excerpts) 

When You Wish Upon A Star (interpolated)   

DISC 2 - CD

1 Flying from "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial"    

2 Theme From "Jurassic Park"     

3 Remembrances from "Schindler's List"    

4 Flight to Neverland from "Hook"      

5 The Battle Of Hollywood From "1941" (includes the Irish folksong "The Rakes of Mallow")   

6 Smee's Plan From "Hook"  

7 The Barrel Chase From "Jaws"

8 My Friend,The Brachiosaurus from "Jurassic Park"   

9 Jim's New Life From "Empire Of The Sun"     

10 The Dialogue From "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind"  

11 The Lost Boys Ballet From "Hook"  

12 Theme from "Schindler's List"   

13 The Basket Chase from "Raiders Of The Lost Ark"  

14 The Face Of Pan from "Hook"      

15 The Banquet Scene from "Hook" 

DISC 3 - CD

1 The Adventures of Mutt from "Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" 

2 Dry Your Tears, Afrika from "Amistad"  

3 The BFG from "The BFG"

4 With Malice Toward None from "Lincoln"

5 The Duel from "The Adventures of Tintin" 

6 A New Beginning from "Minority Report"   

Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra from "Catch Me If You Can"  

7 Movement 1: Closing In  

8 Movement 2: Reflections

9 Movement 3: Joy Ride 

10 Marion's Theme from "Raiders of the Lost Ark"

11 Hymn to the Fallen from "Saving Private Ryan"

12 Dartmoor, 1912 from "War Horse"

13 Viktor's Tale from "The Terminal"

14 Prayer for Peace from "Munich"  

15 Immigration and Building from "The Unfinished Journey"

16 With Malice Toward None from "Lincoln" (Alternate Version) 

'Ringo Starr: In Conversation' coming to El Rey Theater on September 25

Wow, how cool is this everybody? I can only imagine this will be a magical evening and that Ringo Starr's PHOTOGRAPH will be an amazing glimpse into rock's golden era...

“RINGO STARR: IN CONVERSATION” 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
AT THE EL REY THEATER, LOS ANGELES

To celebrate the publication of Ringo Starr’s PHOTOGRAPH memoir, on September 25, 2015 at 8 p.m., Ringo Starr will appear on stage at LA’s historic El Rey Theater. During the course of a moderated conversation, the audience will be invited to join Ringo Starr looking through rare and unseen photographs drawn from his personal archives. Ringo Starr will be revisiting memories of his life in music – from his early childhood days in Liverpool through to The Beatles and beyond.

In the words of Ringo Starr:

‘These are shots that no one else could have. I just had the camera with me a lot of the time. There’s a lot of shots of "the boys" that only I could have taken. Together they chart the story of four lads from Liverpool trying to live normal lives amidst the frenzy that surrounded them.’ – RINGO STARR

--

TICKETS will be available nationwide from http://axs.com/events/287367/an-evening-in-conversation-with-ringo-starr-tickets

DOORS 7 p.m., SHOW START at 8 p.m.

ABOUT GENESIS PUBLICATIONS

‘Genesis did a great job on my first book, POSTCARDS FROM THE BOYS – so why would I go anywhere else?’ – RINGO STARR

Founded in 1974, Genesis Publications is a family-owned independent publishing house true to the arts of printing and bookbinding. Genesis creates signed limited edition books and prints for collectors in over 50 countries. Recent authors include musicians such as Ringo Starr, Jimmy Page, Ronnie Wood, Eric Clapton and David Bowie; visual artists such as Shepard Fairey, Storm Thorgerson and Sir Peter Blake; and contributing writers such as Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

http://www.genesis-publications.com/

Full Details of the Book Release:

GENESIS PUBLICATIONS ANNOUNCES THE SEPTEMBER 2015 RELEASE OF ‘PHOTOGRAPH’ BY RINGO STARR 

From behind the drums to behind the lens, in Photograph Ringo Starr opens his archives to share memories of his childhood, The Beatles and beyond. Rare and unseen photographs taken by Ringo, with others reproduced from his family albums, are showcased here for fans of The Beatles and anyone passionate about modern music. Accompanied by Ringo's original manuscript of over 15,000 words, Photograph gives unprecedented insight into the life of one of the world's greatest musicians. From Pwllheli to Delhi, obscurity to superstardom, join Ringo on his travels in his photographic memoir.

Available in all good book shops from Tuesday September 22nd 2015.

‘I have always loved taking photos. All the Beatles had cameras – I think we bought a whole load on our first tour of Japan – but I’d been snapping away for a while before that. We always had a real photographer around us, like Dezo Hoffman and Bob Freeman who took a lot of photos of the Beatles for our album covers. But I took pictures of them photographing us – and I had a unique perspective of that incredible period of our lives. I hope you’ll enjoy a few unique Beatles memories with me.’  
– RINGO STARR

For More Information Visit:

http://smarturl.it/ringophoto