New Music: The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Duran Duran, The Bootheels, Bruce Sudano

Now is the perfect time to celebrate titles featuring a parade of talents including The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Duran Duran, The Bootheels and Bruce Sudano.

 

Artist: The Rolling Stones

Title: Tattoo You: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Polydor/Interscope/UMe)

You might like if you enjoy: The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, classic rock

Tell me more: The Rolling Stones' beloved 1981 album Tattoo You has been reissued via a slew of 40th Anniversary editions. The 2CD edition of the album includes the newly-remastered 11-track album on disc one, and a brand new collection of nine previously-unreleased songs offered on disc two; these so-called "Lost & Found" tracks are newly completed with additional vocals and guitar work by the band. There are some really great tracks here; my favorites include the full-hearted rocker "Living in the Heart of Love," a rousing take on the Chi-lites' "Troubles a' Comin'," fiery original rocker "Come to the Ball" and freewheeling cover of bluesman Jimmy Reed's "Shame Shame Shame." The remastered original album — which features favorites such as "Start Me Up," "Hang Fire," "Neighbours" and "Waiting On A Friend" — sounds glorious. In addition to the two-disc version reviewed in this column (which also has an excellent 20-page booklet including an essay from Kevin Howlett and Jeff Slade), there are several expanded configurations of the album that include "Still Life: Wembley Stadium 1982," The Rolling Stones' London Show of the "Tattoo You" tour. That 26-track set includes hits such as "Under My Thumb," "Let's Spend The Night Together," "Honky Tonk Women" and Brown Sugar." Information: RollingStones.com.

Artist: Neil Young

Title: Carnegie Hall 1970 (Reprise)

You might like if you enjoy: Neil Young

Tell me more: Amidst all the recent high profile deluxe reissues of classic rock-minded titles issued by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Doors this year, don't let Neil Young's two-disc Carnegie Hall 1970 escape your attention. On Dec. 4, 1970 Young performed two solo acoustic shows at Carnegie Hall in New York. The 23 tracks featured on Young's essential Carnegie Hall 1970 have been mixed from the original 1/4 inch tapes by Young and Niko Bolas. The historical recording is magnificent;  the power of Young's  performance, stellar set list and energy of the event is palpable. The audience is fully attentive cheering when Young starts and stops but wonderfully quiet during his delivery of a parade of masterworks ranging from "Down By The River," "Cinnamon Girl" and "I Am A Child" early on disc one to "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," "Old Man," "Ohio" and "Birds" on disc two. Young performs many of his most beloved early classics to the lone accompaniment of his acoustic guitar, harmonica and piano. Carnegie Hall 1970 is the first release of the "Neil Young Archives" series; keep 'em coming! Information: NeilYoungArchives.com. 

Artist: Duran Duran

Title: Future Past (BMG)

You might like if you enjoy: Duran Duran, Graham Coxon, Tove Lo

Tell me more: Duran Duran is back with the aptly-titled Future Past. Available as a standard 12-track set or via a deluxe edition with three additional tracks (the latter is reviewed here), the album finds the groundbreaking British band in top form. Singer Simon Le Bon, bassist John Taylor, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and drummer Roger Taylor have enlisted the esteemed likes of guitarist Graham Coxon (Blur), pianist Mike Garson (David Bowie) and vocalist Lykke Li to bolster their own talents on this ambitious return — the quartet's first new studio effort since 2015's Paper Gods. Additionally, acclaimed producers Erol Alkan, Giorgio Moroder, Joshua Blair and Mark Ronson bring their collective talents to the material. Duran Duran blends its synth-pop, rock and dance signature sound in the service of songs that are melodic and expertly presented. The soaring opener "Invisible," funk-tinged anthem "All Of You" and cascading "Anniversary" are early highlights. The cinematic "Velvet Newton," dance floor sortie "Tonight United," opulent "Wing" and sophisticated "Laughing Boy" all elevate Future Past. To be certain this is an album where the addition of guests enriches the reach of the album. The bewitching mid tempo "Give It All Up" has Le Bon's distinctive vocals blending perfectly with Swedish songstress Tove Lo; rapper Ivorian Doll brings an artful edge to "Hammerhead." The Japanese DIY-pop band CHAI add a delightful vocal energy to the buoyant "More Joy!"; Mike Garson's masterful piano work escalates "Falling," an tempestuous track that builds in power across most of its run until a jazzy finale that defies any obvious genre with gusto. The deluxe edition comes housed in a hardback book format with artful images (including band portraits by Rhodes) and full lyrics for the songs. Information: DuranDuran.com. 

Artist: The Bootheels

Title: 1988: The Original Demos (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Hüsker Dü, Radio California, Dinosaur Jr.

Tell me more: Before Luther Russell formed Those Pretty Wrongs with Big Star's Jody Stephens and Jakob Dylan and Tobi Miller rose to fame with The Wallflowers, those musicians and drummer Aaron A. Brooks were members of the short-lived late '80s outfit The Bootheels. The quartet's 1988: The Original Demos reveals The Bootheels were something special despite their abbreviated tenure. Carving out a sound blending alternative rock, post-punk and noise rock, the group's strengths are obvious. Inspired performances abound, all heightened with the smart songwriting and particularly sharp interplay between the guitar work of Dylan and Miller. The mix of hard-edged material (the racing "See It In Your Eyes," "Wasted Dime," "Queen of Hearts"), edgy melodic rock ("Empty Wallet, Empty Bottle, Empty Heart," "Halfway There") and more rueful sonic territory ("The Deal," "Interstate 68 Blues," "B-Line for You") makes for a fun listen. Produced for release by Russell and Grammy winner Cheryl Pawelski, it's wonderful to see these 33-year-old recordings arrive for rock fans to celebrate. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com. 

Artist: Bruce Sudano

Title: Ode To A Nightingale (UMe)

You might like if you enjoy: Bruce Sudano, Andrew Gold, Boz Scaggs, classic rock

Tell me more: Singer-songwriter Bruce Sudano is back with another winning album, the eight-track "Ode To A Nightingale." There is a life-affirming spirit displayed by Sudano in the performance of his songs; the arrangements on the new release showcase his emotive lead vocals and smart song craft. The shimmering melody-rich "A Cosmic Ride" has a joyful and positive vibe. The darting folk rocker "Ode To A Nightingale" features lead and harmony vocals, dancing musical textures and an infectious rhythm that play in perfect symmetry. "Not Your Hero" is a confessional and affecting acoustic ballad. The highlights on the album are "In Shadowland" and even more sparse "All Hands," songs that are reflective and stirring — both capture the uncertainty of these times with power and sway. Information: BruceSudano.com. 

Robert Kinsler

The Bootheels' '1988: The Original Demos' features Jakob Dylan and Tobi Miller (Wallflowers), Luther Russell (Those Pretty Wrongs) and Aaron A. Brooks (Moby, Lana Del Rey), due out Sept. 24

Omnivore Recordings continues to release exciting collections including expanded and remastered reissues as well as sets like the forthcoming '1988: The Original Demos' from The Bootheels...Robert Kinsler

Packaging on upcoming Sept. 24, 2021 release includes photos and liner notes from Scott Schinder, including interviews with the band members

The Bootheels L-R: Tobi Miller, Aaron A. Brooks,  Luther Russell, Jakob Dylan LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Bootheels sprang to life for a few glorious months during the first half of 1988. Their brief existence was noted by a fortunate handful of friends and fans who happened to be in the right place and time to experience the youthful L.A. foursome’s meteoric creative surge and their equally swift dissolution. In between, the band developed a raw, distinctive rock ’n’ roll sensibility and a repertoire of catchy, funny, introspective songs that never had a chance to become records.    The Bootheels were composed of frontman/songwriter/bassist Luther Russell, who would later lead the Freewheelers before emerging as a prolific solo artist and half of Those Pretty Wrongs (with Big Star’s Jody Stephens); guitarist Jakob Dylan, who would soon achieve stardom as leader of the Wallflowers; future Wallflowers guitarist Tobi Miller, whose instrumental interplay with Dylan provided one of the Bootheels’ most notable sonic features; and drummer Aaron A. Brooks (who would go on to work with Moby, Lana Del Rey, and others).    These tracks (13 on LP plus three bonus tracks on CD/Digital) provide a glimpse into the origins of teenage musicians who would rise to greater heights than they could ever have imagined. The packaging contains photos and an aural history of the band — with interviews with all four members conducted and assembled by noted writer Scott Schinder. The resultant compilation, 1988: The Original Demos, is due out on CD, LP and Digital via Omnivore Recordings on September 24, 2021.   Russell said of the band’s short tenure, “We only played two shows outside of the garage, bottom-of-the-bill Tuesday night gigs at the Troubadour and at Madame Wong’s West. But otherwise, it was really hard for us to get gigs. That may have been because of our ages, since three of us were under 18. But it was also sketchy just being an unknown band playing this kind of music.”    Jakob Dylan: “The band ended when I moved to New York to attend art college. The Bootheels was really Luther’s band, and I knew I’d eventually need one of my own. But it was truly an incredible beginning to learning all the things a band might include. We had a great one for a really short time.”   Tobi Miller: “I can only imagine how the Bootheels would have evolved had we stayed together. When we formed the band, Luther was already a fully developed singer-songwriter. Although Jakob wasn’t singing in the Bootheels at that time, he was writing songs and already showing signs that he could be a brilliant songwriter as well. So it’s really daunting to think how strong the Bootheels would have been had we given it enough time for all the songwriting talent in the band to develop together.”    Aaron A. Brooks: “Had we stayed together, I think we would have accomplished extremely great things musically. All the pieces were in place. I’ve absolutely no regrets, as we’ve all had amazing careers, but I know it would have been a wonderful trip, had the stars aligned. We didn’t really break up. We just quietly dissipated, like the debris and dust settling after a massive explosion.”    Produced for release by Russell and Grammy®-winner Cheryl Pawelski, it’s not a story of what might have been, but of a powerful one that was. However briefly the Bootheels’ light shined, 1988: The Original Demos shows that it indeed shone bright!    Track list  1. See It in Your Eyes 2. Thing Called Love 3. Empty Wallet, Empty Bottle, Empty Heart  4. The Deal 5. Wasted Dime 6. Interstate 68 Blues 7. Got Me on My Knees 8. Glad It All Worked Out 9. Halfway There 10. B-Line for You 11. Seven Seas 12. Queen of Hearts 13. Too Many People 14. Images of You [Bonus Track] 15. All I Want Is You [Bonus Track] 16. Think Of The Time [Bonus Track] Learn more at: Omnivore Recordings