Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza set to return Aug. 4-7: Trombone Shorty, Taj Mahal, Allen Stone, Eric Gales, Donavon Frankenreiter & more!

Summer is just around the corner. The lineup and related details for the forthcoming Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza have just been released. This sounds like an amazing event and Mammoth is one of the most beautiful places on the planet...Robert Kinsler

Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza set to return, August 4-7, 2022

Eric Gales performing at Doheny Blues
Festival in May 2018.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz

Line-up includes Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Taj Mahal Quartet, Allen Stone, Eric Gales, Donavon Frankenreiter and many more!

Donavon Frankenreiter performing at The Coach House
in May 2021. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz

The Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza, the largest and longest-running music festival in Mammoth Lakes, CA, is proud to announce its line-up for the 26th Annual Event, set to take place Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 4-7, 2022.

In addition to the great and wide-ranging lineup, there will be multiple choices of craft beer available from more than 80 craft breweries including Mammoth Brewing Company. Cocktails will also be sold on all four days of the event.

Carolyn Wonderland at The Coach
House in March 2022.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz

Festival tickets are now available in multiple price levels that include beer tasting and festival ticket combinations, early entry to the festival grounds on all four days, and grand beer tasting on Saturday and Sunday. All ticket types are available for purchase online at www.mammothbluesbrewsfest.com.

Tommy Castro will perform at the festival on Aug. 6, 2022.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

August 4 —     Donavon Frankenreiter, Ana Popovic, Jelly Bread, Brother Yusef

August 5 —     The Taj Mahal Quartet, Eric Gales, Sugaray Rayford, Beaux Gris                             Gris & The Apocalypse, Dirty Cello, Brother Yusef

August 6 —   Allen Stone, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers featuring Deanna                                Bogart, Ron Artis II & The Truth, Carolyn Wonderland, Chris Cain,                             The Atomic 44s, Sixty Grit Band, Dano Forte's Juke Joint Freak                               Show, more

August 7 —    Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The Main Squeeze, Jackie                               Venson, Deanna Bogart, Chris Cain, Sixty Grit Band, more    

Tickets and more information: www.mammothbluesbrewsfest.com.

Classic performances come alive on new releases

Three new titles offer a great chance to see – and hear – top-tier music makers in action.

Artist: The Rolling Stone, John Lennon, The Who, Jethro Tull, Taj Mahal, more
Title: Rock and Roll Circus (ABKCO)
You might like if you enjoy: The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, The Who, Taj Mahal
Tell me more: The eclectic and diverse lineup showcased on The Rolling Stones' 1968 television special Rock and Roll Circus makes for one of the most essential concert television specials of the decade – even if the program was not released until the late 1990s. Now a deluxe and expanded special edition of Rock and Roll Circus is available and is bolstered by a slew of great bonus features that fill four discs and come housed in a hardcover package that includes a wonderful 48-page book, The performances are terrific to be sure, particularly the blistering soulful blues unleashed by Taj Mahal on "Ain't That a Lot of Love," The Who performing their early song cycle "A Quick One While He's Away," and The Dirty Mac (singer-guitarist John Lennon, bassist Keith Richards, lead guitarist Eric Clapton, drummer Mitch Mitchell) covering The Beatles' "Yer Blues." The memorable set from the Rolling Stones includes a rocking "Jumpin' Jack Flash," the Chicago blues-styled "Parachute Woman," acoustic blues gem "No Expectations" (featuring some cool slide work from Brian Jones), the fiery "Sympathy for the Devil" and set-ending "Salt of the Earth" featuring Mick Jagger and Keith Richards sharing lead vocals. Information: www.abkco.com.

Artists: Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Rush, more
Title: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: In Concert (Time Life)
You might like if you enjoy: Rock and popular music.
Tell me more: With 164 performances positioned across 11 DVD discs, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: In Concert collection has plenty of everything for every rock fan. This writer spent a full day immersed in the myriad of outstanding performances and this is simply a must-have title. Highlights include "Woodstock" with Crosby, Stills & Nash, an emotional take on "The Thrill is Gone" featuring B.B. King and Stevie Wonder, a 1990 performance featuring Simon & Garfunkel that brings chills via a ethereal set comprised of "The Sounds of Silence," "The Boxer" and "Bridge over Troubled Water." Equally powerful is a turn where U2 challenges and thrills the audience with an inspired performance including "Vertigo," "Magnificent" and "Beautiful Day" while several other tracks find the Irish quartet joining forces with the celebrated likes of Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, Patti Smith, Fergie and will.i.am. Elsewhere, there are wonderful turns from the Hollies ("Bus Stop," "Carrie-Anne," more), Beck, ELO, Rush, Heart, Cheap Trick, Deep Purple, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, and Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney. The video quality and audio across all 11 discs is excellent. Information: TimeLife.com.

Artist: NRBQ
Title: Turn On, Tune In (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: NRBQ, R.E.M., Alex Chilton
Tell me more: There is something to be said for a band focused on writing great songs and playing those in a freewheeling style that lends itself to spontaneity-styled live shows. Such is the case on NRBQ's two-disc release Turn On, Tune In. The title features six tracks recorded live at Sirius/XM's "The Loft," as well as a 15-song set captured at WFMU-FM's Monty Hall in Jersey City, N.J. (the latter concert recording appears on the audio CD and as a concert film on the DVD disc). The terrific cuts find the genre-defying four-man outfit exploring a number of styles and making all it sound completely their own. Choice cuts include the playful Southern-friend "Nature's Gonna Pay You Back," melodic power pop nugget "It Feels Good," the revival swing-enriched "That's Neat, That's Nice," Memphis soul-mining "Keep This Love Goin'," jazzy "Things To You" and countrified "The Animal Life." The songs here celebrate the riches to be found via stellar musicianship and a loose approach on stage that lends a buoyant style to the great material. NRBQ impresses equally with a deeply-affecting reworking of the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby." Information: www.omnivorerecordings.com.



Robert Kinsler

Worth the Wait: Hot Club of Cowtown, Janiva Magness, Those Pretty Wrongs, Tiger Army

Four favorites are back with highly-anticipated albums, including Austin trio Hot Club of Cowtown, blues singer Janiva Magness, rock duo Those Pretty Wrongs and alternative rockers Tiger Army. 

Artist: Hot Club of Cowtown
Title: Wild Kingdom (Gold Strike Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Django Reinhardt, Les Paul and Mary Ford, Western swing
Tell me more: Hot Club of Cowtown's much-anticipated eleventh album Wild Kingdom is filled with the signature blend of traditional-mining Western swing, roots and hot jazz that singer-violinist Elana James, singer-guitarist Whit Smith and bassist-singer Jake Erwin long ago made their own. The material resonates with a contemporary energy even while the soundscape recalls some distant time. The lovely "Last Call" is a tender ballad showcasing James' rich soprano and the artful keyboards of guest pianist Joe Kerr. Flashy guitar work helps propel Smith's "Caveman" and more introspective "Easy Money." The infectious blues-meets-Americana cut "Tall Tall Ship" and dynamic jazz-flavored "Ways of Escape" and "Before This Time of Men" are among the many standouts on the wonderful Wild Kingdom. The 14-track disc is focused mostly on new originals, but the band has reworked a couple of classics including their affecting interpretation of the traditional Scottish folk song "Loch Lomond" and the disc-ending cover of the Les Paul and Mary Ford's "How High the Moon," the latter a perfect vocal duet for James and Smith. In addition to the aforementioned Kerr, guests include drummer Damien Llanes and percussionist Oliver Rajamani whose contributions bolster the fantastic vocals and musicianship displayed by Hot Club of Cowtown across "Wild Kingdom." Information: hotclubofcowtown.com.

Artist: Janiva Magness
Title: Change in the Weather (Blue Élan Records)
You might like if you enjoy: John Fogerty, CCR, Taj Mahal, Janiva Magness
Tell me more: It's difficult to think of many artists more deserving of a tribute than John Fogerty. Both as the leader of groundbreaking Bay Area rockers Creedence Clearwater Revival and as a solo artist, Fogerty's blend of blues and rock has come in the service of stellar song craft. Grammy-nominated blues artist Janiva Magness' Change in the Weather is sure to please fans of Fogerty's recordings as well as her own expansive discography. Reworking a dozen classics across the Dave Darling-produced set, Magness was drawn to the power of the songs – including the melodic choruses and timeless themes of protest and social justice. Magness uses her mighty soprano to celebrate and paint the songs with her own touch. A gospel-tinged take on "Wrote a Song for Everyone," a spirited blues-meets-rock "Lodi" (a duet with country outlaw singer Sam Morrow), and swampy blues take on "Don't You Wish It Was True" (featuring bluesman Taj Mahal) are early wins. Later on the disc Magness artfully reworks "Bad Moon Rising" (bolstered here by a good dose of slide guitar courtesy of guitarist Zachary Ross), the fiery "Fortunate Son," a stirring "Deja Vu (All Over Again)" and joyful "Lookin' Out My Back Door" keep the momentum going on the second half of the wonderful release. Information: JanivaMagness.com.

Artist: Those Pretty Wrongs
Title: Zed for Zulu (Burger Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Big Star, Fastball, dada
Tell me more: The sophomore effort from Those Pretty Wrongs certifies that the creative teaming of Jody Stephens (of Big Star fame) and Luther Russell first heard on their 2016 self-titled debut is just what the sonic doctor ordered. Memphis-based Stephens and Los Angeles' Russell have the rare ability to craft songs that are simultaneously straightforward and melodically glorious. The shimmering and introspective gems "Ain't Nobody But Me" and "You + Me" are both as beautiful as any song in memory, revealed via nuanced and poignant recordings that will grab the listener with a single listen. Even acoustic-rooted material ("Time to Fly" "The Carousel") shine with an otherworldly glow, with burgeoning arrangements marked by acoustic guitars that are subsequently joined by a growing cast of musical layers. Make no mistake; the songs here are ambitious with the string section-adorned "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight," the psychedelic baroque pop sortie "Hurricane of Love" and haunting "A Day in the Park" among the choice offerings on Zed for Zulu. Information: burgerrecords.com.

Artist: Tiger Army
Title: Retrofuture (Luna-tone / Rise Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Stray Cats, Lee Rocker, Raul Malo
Tell me more: Armed with a top-tier voice that draws favorable comparisons with a young Chris Isaak and Raul Malo, Nick 13 leads his energetic troupe Tiger Army through a fiery and inspired batch of originals on Retrofuture. The songs on Retrofuture – the band's first new album release in more than three years – range from the raging psychobilly rockers "Eyes Of The Night" and "Death Card" to the wistful "Beyond the Veil" and the decidedly melodic rockabilly nugget "Last Ride" (the latter is this writer's favorite song on the LP). With the wide range of material and stellar performances captured on the Ted Hutt-produced album, Retrofuture also serves as a great introduction of those who have not yet discovered the outstanding outfit. Information: TigerArmy.com.


Robert Kinsler

2019 Doheny Blues Festival preview

Brandon "Taz" Niederauer performing with the Otis Taylor Band
at Doheny Blues Festival in 2015. Now 16, the young artist
is one of the most exciting talents on the international stage.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

If you are in Southern California, make plans to attend the Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19). The diverse line-up of bona fide legends (Taj Mahal, Robert Cray Band, John Mayall Band), pioneering modern-day heroes (Jonny Lang, Vintage Trouble, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, North Mississippi Allstars, Sue Foley) and emerging greats (Southern Avenue,  Brandon "Taz" Niederauer) promise to make the two day event a great one.

Ben Harper performing at Doheny Blues Fest in May 2013.
The famed artist returns to the event with the Innocent Criminals
this year. Photo: Bob Steshetz

This year's event is bringing back several festival favorites including Ben Harper, who last performed in Dana Point on the 2013 bill with blues harmonica great Charlie Musselwhite. 

This year Harper (a native of Pomona, CA) will be appearing with the Innocent Criminals. Harper is a three-time Grammy winner and has blended blues, rock, folk, reggae, soul and other styles into a unique and fiery musical brand that is his alone. He will come to Dana Point armed with his top-tier talents as both lead singer and guitar virtuoso. You can read my review of Harper's memorable 2013 performance here. Harper will perform on the Dana Point Stage at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Brandon "Taz" Niederauer performing at NAMM Show in
Anaheim, CA in January 2019. Photo: Bob Steshetz

Regular readers of my writings will know how blown away I was when I caught then 12-year-old Brandon "Taz" Niederauer perform with the Otis Taylor Band back in 2015, and his burgeoning talent as a now 16-year-old who headlined at the D'Angelico Guitars booth at the NAMM Show in Anaheim in January 2019. Make no mistake; Niederauer is simply amazing. His guitar playing is off the charts, and his considerable talents as a band leader, singer and songwriter astound. Among the awesome songs he performed in Anaheim were the souful "My Revival" and "Dare," as well as the funk-tinged blues rocker "Paralyzed." Don't miss this year's "Artist-At-Large" when he comes to town; Niederauer will perform with several artists across the weekend, and will headline his own set on the Music Preserves Stage at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Among the other great artists set to perform on Saturday are the Robert Cray Band, Taj Mahal Quartet, Sue Foley and North Mississippi Allstars. 

Jonny Lang performing at the NAMM Show on January  23, 2013.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Sunday also promises to provide a full day of great music in Dana Point. Another much-anticipated artist coming to Doheny Blues Fest this weekend is singer-guitarist Jonny Lang. Armed with his distinctive baritone vocals and passionate guitar work, Lang always puts on a terrific show. I've seen him a numbers of times over the past 20+ years and this always-solid performer will headline the fest on Sunday night.

Vintage Trouble singer Ty Taylor is an
absolute force of nature in concert.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Performing immediately before Lang and closing out the action on the Backporch Stage is one of my all-time favorite live acts. Vintage Trouble comes to the festival on the heels of a terrific new release, Chapter II - EP II, (read my review of the 10-track release here). When the Los Angeles-based quartet performed at the Doheny Blues Fest in 2014 they tore the roof off the place (no easy feat since the festival is held outdoors!). I've seen Vintage Trouble impress at Coachella, Doheny Blues, the House of Blues and even during a flight from Los Angeles to Denver (no kidding! Watch my documentary about the 2013 high-flying event here)

John Mayall performing at the
Coach House in San Juan
Capistrano in January 2018.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Often referred to as the "Godfather of British Blues," it is a real treat that John Mayall will be appearing at the festival on Sunday afternoon, appearing on the Dana Point Stage. Mayall, now 85, has had a long tradition of introducing the world to a string of guitar greats (Eric Clapton, Walter Trout, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Coco Montoya and more), but Carolyn Wonderland is the first female to ever be featured as lead guitarist in any of Mayall's groups. Mayall is a true treasure and his set is one that shouldn't be missed by any concertgoers this weekend...

Other must-see artists set to perform on Sunday include the aforementioned Southern Avenue, the Marcus King Band, Roy Gaines and European outfit B.B. & the Blues Shacks.

Check out DohenyBluesFestival.com for more details. The event's official poster and schedule is below...






Robert Kinsler

The Rolling Stones' 'Rock and Roll Circus' 4K restoration in Dolby Vision + Dolby Atmos and soundtrack set

Here is some pretty big news, and I can't wait to see the enhanced version of this classic release...


THE ROLLING STONES ROCK AND ROLL CIRCUS 4K DOLBY VISION AND DOLBY ATMOS RESTORATION & SOUNDTRACK TO BE RELEASED JUNE 7 FROM ABKCO

Deluxe Edition Comes With Blu-ray/DVD/2CD; Soundtrack Available on Vinyl For First Time Ever and Includes Previously Unheard Tracks by Lennon-Richards-Clapton-Mitchell Supergroup The Dirty Mac

On June 7, ABKCO Films and ABKCO Music & Records will jointly release the Dolby Vision^® and Dolby Atmos^® restoration of the concert film The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. The film will be released in a Limited Deluxe Edition which is a multi-format package of Blu-Ray, DVD, and a 2CD soundtrack. The film will also be available for digital download (TVOD) and for the first time available on Blu-ray. The movie, shot over two days in December 1968, features The Who, Jethro Tull, Taj Mahal, Marianne Faithfull, impromptu supergroup The Dirty Mac (John Lennon, Keith Richards, Mitch Mitchell, Eric Clapton), Yoko Ono in addition to the original lineup of The Rolling Stones. 

 Unboxing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaTrhy5YaNU&feature=youtu.be

Filmed in a north London television studio by Director Michael Lindsay-Hogg (Let It Be, Ready Steady Go!), and Cinematographer, Tony Richmond (Sympathy For The Devil / ONE PLUS ONE, Let It Be), The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus was a concert filmed against a Felliniesque circus backdrop with the band themselves as on-screen hosts in addition to performing. For the first time in front of an audience, “The World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band” performs six Stones classics (“Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Parachute Woman,” “No Expectations,” “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Salt of The Earth”). The audience, consisting of fan club members, contest winners and friends, witnessed what was initially envisioned as a BBC special to promote the band’s Beggars Banquet album. Those plans were abandoned in the wake of Brian Jones’ departure from the band and subsequent death; the film wasn’t officially released for the next 28 years.

Produced by ABKCO’s Grammy ^® Award winning team, The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus archival concert film was re-mastered using Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos technologies for an unprecedented immersive experience. When compared to a standard picture, Dolby Vision can deliver spectacular colors never before seen on a screen, highlights that are up to 40 times brighter, and blacks that are 10 times darker. Dolby Atmos transports you from the ordinary into the extraordinary with breathtaking depth and dimension for a completely immersive and fully emotional listening experience. Opposed to stereo audio, which limits audio to only left and right channels, Dolby Atmos delivers incredible clarity to every sound with greater spatial separation of instruments, vocals, and harmonies. 

The Deluxe Edition multi-format package contains perfect-bound 44-page book with David Dalton’s original 1969 Rolling Stone essay, and photographs by Michael Randolf. The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus soundtrack has been expanded to 28 tracks, received a new mix and 192k 24 bit HD restoration. Bonus material included by the late concert pianist Julius Katchen, three additional songs by Taj Mahal and never before heard recordings of The Dirty Mac performing The Beatles classic, “Revolution” and the aptly titled track "Warmup Jam.” Released for the first time on Vinyl as a 3 LP package, the soundtrack is also due on CD and all digital formats.

Not only will viewers get to experience this enhanced version of the film in their own homes, in both original 4x3 and widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, they will also get to hear commentary tracks by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Tony Richmond, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Yoko Ono and Marianne Faithfull, as well as watch an on-camera interview with Pete Townshend and a host of extras. The film will be available for the first time ever via streaming services in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and on Blu-ray in Dolby Atmos. In addition, the film will be released on DVD and digital download (TVOD).

The release comes on the heels of The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus’ April 2019, theatrical run screened in Dolby Cinema and Dolby Atmos enabled theaters across North America. 

“It was an incredible shoot, I think, 36 hours or something. I remember not remembering everything towards the end... but it was fun… we went through two audiences… wore one out… it was great!”  - Keith Richards   

Pre-order and stream the first single, “Parachute Woman”  http://smarturl.it/rockandrollcircus

Film Trailer: http://smarturl.it/CircusTrailer2019

 

The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus (4K FILM)

THE FILM

Song For Jeffrey - Jethro Tull

A Quick One While He's Away - The Who

Ain't That A Lot Of Love - Taj Mahal

Something Better - Marianne Faithfull

Yer Blues - The Dirty Mac

Whole Lotta Yoko - Yoko Ono & Ivry Gitlis, and The Dirty Mac

Jumpin' Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones

Parachute Woman - The Rolling Stones

No Expectations - The Rolling Stones

You Can't Always Get What You Want – The Rolling Stones

Sympathy for the Devil - The Rolling Stones

Salt Of The Earth - The Rolling Stones

EXTRAS

Widescreen Feature, Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (65 min)

Pete Townshend Interview, Aspect Ratio: 4x3 (18 min)

The Dirty Mac:

‘Yer Blues’ Tk2 Quad Split, Aspect Ratio: 4x3 (5:43)

Taj Mahal:

-Checkin’ Up On My Baby, Aspect Ratio: 4x3 (5:37)

-Leaving Trunk, Aspect Ratio: 4x3 (6:20)

-Corinna, Aspect Ratio: 4x3 (3:49)

Julius Katchen:

-de Falla: Ritual Fire Dance, Aspect Ratio: 4x3 (6:30)

-Mozart: Sonata In C Major-1st Movement, Aspect Ratio: 4x3 (2:27)

Mick & The Tiger/ Luna & The Tiger, Ratio: 4x3 (1:35) 

Bill Wyman & The Clowns, Aspect Ratio: 4x3 (2:00)

Lennon, Jagger, & Yoko backstage, Aspect Ratio: 4x3 (45sec)

FILM COMMENTARY TRACKS:

Life Under The Big Top (Artists) Featuring: Mick Jagger, Ian Anderson, Taj Mahal, Yoko Ono, Bill Wyman, Keith Richards (65 min)

Framing The Show (Director & Cinematographer) Featuring: Michael Lindsay Hogg, Tony Richmond (65 min)

Musings (artists, writer, fan who was there) Featuring: Marianne Faithfull, David Dalton, David Stark (50 min)

The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus Expanded Audio Edition

1. Mick Jagger's Introduction Of Rock And Roll Circus - Mick Jagger

2. Entry Of The Gladiators - Circus Band


3. Mick Jagger's Introduction Of Jethro Tull - Mick Jagger


4. Song For Jeffrey - Jethro Tull

5. Keith Richards' Introduction Of The Who - Keith Richards

6. A Quick One While He's Away - The Who


7. Over The Waves - Circus Band


8. Ain't That A Lot Of Love - Taj Mahal

9. Charlie Watts' Introduction Of Marianne Faithfull - Charlie Watts

10. Something Better - Marianne Faithfull


11. Mick Jagger's and John Lennon's Introduction Of The Dirty Mac

12. Yer Blues - The Dirty Mac

13. Whole Lotta Yoko - Yoko Ono & Ivry Gitlis with The Dirty Mac

14. John Lennon's Introduction Of The Rolling Stones + Jumpin' Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones


15. Parachute Woman - The Rolling Stones


16. No Expectations - The Rolling Stones


17. You Can't Always Get What You Want - The Rolling Stones


18. Sympathy for the Devil - The Rolling Stones


19. Salt Of The Earth - The Rolling Stones

BONUS TRACKS

20. Checkin' Up On My Baby - Taj Mahal

21. Leaving Trunk - Taj Mahal


22. Corinna - Taj Mahal


23. Revolution (rehearsal) - The Dirty Mac

24. Warmup Jam - The Dirty Mac

25. Yer Blues (take 2) - The Dirty Mac


26. Brian Jones' Introduction of Julius Katchen - Brian Jones

27. de Falla: Ritual Fire Dance - Julius Katchen


28. Mozart: Sonata In C Major-1st Movement - Julius Katchen 

ABOUT ABKCO - ABKCO Music & Records is one of the world’s leading independent entertainment companies.  It is home to iconic music catalogs that include compositions and recordings by Sam Cooke, The Rolling Stones, Bobby Womack, Eric Burdon, The Animals, Herman’s Hermits, Marianne Faithfull, The Kinks as well as the Cameo Parkway masters by such artists as Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Clint Eastwood, The Dovells, ? & The Mysterians, Charlie Gracie, The Tymes and Dee Dee Sharp. Releases on ABKCO’s SAR label include albums by LC Cooke, The Soul Stirrers, Johnnie Taylor and the Valentinos.  ABKCO's music catalogs also include the works of Norman Luboff (Yellowbird) as well as the current songwriters Ben Margulies (co-writer of Mariah Carey) and Devvon T McLeod (pka Devvon Terrell). ABKCO Records’ latest release is ‘Music From The Series The Durrells’ Composed by Ruth Barrett & Jon Wygens. ABKCO is active on many fronts including the release of critically lauded soundtracks, compilations and reissues from its catalog; film and commercial placement of its master recordings and music publishing properties in all media. One Night in Miami…, nominated for a 2017 Olivier Award for Best New Play, is ABKCO’s latest theatrical production.  ABKCO Films most recent release is Jean-Luc Godard’s Sympathy for the Devil/ONE PLUS ONE.  ABKCO is currently in pre-production on a Sam Cooke bio pic.   ABKCO’s latest TV production is The Durrells in Corfu, based on Gerald Durrell’s book The Corfu Trilogy.

www.abkco.com     www.facebook.com/RockAndRollCircusMovie     www.facebook.com/abkco     ww.facebook.com/abkco.legs     www.twitter.com/abkco

Soundtracks Roundup

While it are the Best Picture nominees that garner the biggest buzz leading up to the Academy Awards (this year's Oscars will be awarded on Feb. 24, 2019), the success of "A Star Is Born," "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Mary Poppins Returns" in 2018 served as a crucial reminder of the important role that music plays in motion pictures and just about every popular television series.

Title: Mary Poppins Returns: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Walt Disney Records)
Composer: Music and music score by Marc Shaiman; lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
Tell me more: An absolute delight, "Mary Poppins Returns" is that rare high-profile sequel that fully delivers on the magic of its predecessor — in large part because of the musical magic created by composer Marc Shaiman and lyricist Scott Wittman. The songs have a timeless appeal that recalls the style achieved by Academy Award-winning composers Richard and Robert Sherman for 1964's "Mary Poppins." The emotional range of the "Mary Poppins Returns: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" material is as varied as the talented cast. Standout songs abound on the soundtrack including the British music hall-flavored "(Underneath the) Lovely London Sky," the affecting "The Place Where Lost Things Go" (a wonderful showcase for star Emily Blunt), spirited "Turning Turtle" (featuring Meryl Streep) and undeniably infectious "Can You Imagine That?" Information: movies.disney.com.

Title: Timeless: Original Television Soundtrack (Varèse Sarabande Records)
Composer: Robert Duncan
Tell me more: Although "Timeless" came to an end following a special two-hour finale in December 2018, fans of the popular NBC-TV science fiction show can relive the series' sonic backdrop courtesy of the 51-track soundtrack. Emmy-nominated composer Robert Duncan's work on the soundtrack is excellent, with the tense "Might Want to Hold On" and "Lifeboat," propulsive "Jumping to the Alamo" and "Man On The Moon" and luxurious "The Original Lone Ranger" and "Wyatt And Lucy" among the stellar instrumental pieces highlighted on the fast-moving audio set. "Over the Hump" is especially moving and recalls the power of Howard Shore's work on the "Lord of the Rings" series. Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Title: Killer Klowns from Outer Space: Reimagined (Varèse Sarabande Records)
Composer: John Massari
Tell me more: Blending elements of rock, industrial and classical, John Massari's energetic score for the 1988 cult classic "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" received a new sonic paint job in 2018 thanks to a crowdfunding effort where fans of the horror-comedy film helped spearhead a multi-year effort resulting in the new recording. Massari's work is memorable and the orchestra-rich score heard on the 2018 release is a joy. There are seven bonus tracks on "Killer Klowns from Outer Space: Reimagined," further bolstering the recommended title. Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Title: Bad Samaritan (Varèse Sarabande Records)
Composer: Joseph LoDuca
Tell me more: Fans of director Dean Devlin's "Bad Samaritan" will want to get the soundtrack for the film composed by Joseph LoDuca (best known for his work on the "Evil Dead" Films and the "Librarians" TV series). The music here is symphonic where it needs to be ("Portland," "End Credits") and more contemporary elsewhere ("A Smile Out Of Him," "Devil's House"). The overarching feel is dark (notably "Cale Break In" and "In My Jail"), but the music invites and thrills the listener to be sure. Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Title: Sounder (Varèse Sarabande Records)
Composer: Taj Mahal
Tell me more: Famed bluesman Taj Mahal wrote songs and music featured on the 1972 Grammy-nominated soundtrack of the classic film "Sounder" which has just been reissued via a wonderful edition that sounds amazing. The audio CD version of "Sounder" had been out of print since 1997 until September 2018 when Varèse Sarabande Records reissued the official motion picture soundtrack. It is a potent musical portrait of Louisiana in the Great Depression, with Mahal using acoustic guitar, harmonica, banjo, his resonant baritone vocals and other musical tools to articulate a moodscape that conjures up a place and time that gave rise to Delta-styled blues music (just listen to "Curiosity Blues" and the acapella "Someday Be a Change"). Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Title: The Old Man & the Gun: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Varèse Sarabande Records)
Composer: Daniel Hart
Tell me more: With actor Robert Redford having announced in August 2018 that he has retired from acting, his lead role in the 2018 film "The Old Man & the Gun" is getting plenty of well-deserved attention as it will likely mark the acclaimed star's final role. Daniel Hart's mesmerizing score for the film is icing on the cake, with the jazzy score conjuring up additional power to enhance director David Lowery's telling of the real-life story of career criminal Forrest Tucker. The music here is nuanced and blends signature sounds spanning a good part of the 20th century (Tucker lived from 1920 to 2004). There are a myriad of colorful compositions ranging from the beautiful "Freeze, Sailor!" and breezy "More Happy" to the classical-flavored "Rub-A-Dub-Dub." Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Robert Kinsler