The Minus 5 shares “Blow in My Bag” featuring Debbi Peterson and Patterson Hood; Tour Dates Announced

The Minus 5 shares "Blow in My Bag" new track features Vocals from Debbi Peterson of The Bangles and Patterson Hood of Drive-By Truckers

 

Oar On, Penelope! Out May 30 on Yep Roc Records

 

Watch/Share: “Blow in My Bag” Official Video

 

More Tour Dates Announced 

 

Today, indie rock collective The Minus 5, lead by legendary musician and songwriter Scott McCaughey, shares “Blow in My Bag,” the second single and video from Oar On, Penelope! out May 30 on Yep Roc Records.

 

“Directed” by McCaughey, the instant video includes sneaky appearances of the featured album players Kurt Bloch, Peter Buck, Patterson Hood, Debbi Peterson, Linda Pitmon and Spencer Tweedy, as well as cameos from the Yep Roc Records artist roster past and present: Alejandro Escovedo, John Wesley Harding, Chuck Prophet and Steve Wynn.

 

Of the song, Scott McCaughey says: "I had an idea to do a Nancy Sinatra / Lee Hazlewood duet between me and Debbi, but of course, I only mention that because I typically don’t manage to get close enough to elicit comparisons. That being said, I’m not sure what the song is about, but Patterson’s vocals at the end convince me that he knows!"

 

The album's first single, "Words & Birds," “a power-pop gem” (American Songwriter), is a raucous ode to life, punctuated by cranky guitars and McCaughey’s unmistakable vocal delivery. 

 

Throughout the 12-song collection, McCaughey’s breadth of musical knowledge and appreciation is on full display from the addictive power pop of “Words & Birds” to the gnarly garage rock of “The Garden of Arden,” the Neil Young-influenced Americana of “Bison Queen,” and the bite-sized psychedelia of “Sharktooth.” “The songs feel immediate, relatively unadorned, and somewhat more positive in an indescribable way,” says McCaughey. “The words could be termed stream-of-consciousness, which is nothing new from this sector, but there seems to be a ray of light fighting its way through the usual twisted tales.”

 

Produced by Scott McCaughey and mixed by legendary engineer Ed Stasium (The Replacements, Ramones, Talking Heads), Oar On, Penelope! is The Minus 5’s first album of all-original material in five years and features help from some of his most trusted allies: Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers), Debbi Peterson (The Bangles), Kurt Bloch (The Fastbacks), Linda Pitmon (Baseball Project, Filthy Friends), and Spencer Tweedy.

 

Over a four-decade career, indie rock cult hero Scott McCaughey has been a member of many bands, including R.E.M., Young Fresh Fellows, Baseball Project, Filthy Friends, and Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3, to name a few.  Still, The Minus 5 has remained one of the most enduring projects of his storied résumé. Suffering a near-fatal stroke in 2017, it was under the The Minus 5 name that McCaughey put out the recordings of Stroke Manor, featuring the original songs that detail his recovery through music therapy.

 

Formed in 1993 by Scott McCaughey, The Minus 5 is known for its collaborative ethos and ever-changing lineup, which has included some of the most celebrated names in music, from Jeff Tweedy and Wilco to The Decemberists, Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie, Kelly Hogan, M. Ward, Chuck Prophet, Michael McCready of Pearl Jam, Alejandro Escovedo, and many more. The band embodies the communal spirit that has been a hallmark of the band since its inception.

 

The Minus 5 Tour Dates

May 9 -13 – Little Steven’s Underground Garage Cruise – Miami, FL

June 1 – Pappy & Harriet’s – Pioneertown, CA+

June 2 – Casbah – San Diego, CA+

June 3 – Zebulon – Los Angeles, CA+

June 4 – The Chapel – San Francisco, CA

June 6 – Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR

June 7 – Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA

June 8 – Biltmore Cabaret – Vancouver, BC

July 18 & 19 – Woodtick Fest – Darby, MT

September 10 – Intuition Ale Works – Jacksonville, FL*

September 11 – Saturn – Birmingham, AL*

September 12 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA*

September 13 – 40 Watt Club – Athens, GA*

September 16 – Codfish Hollow – Maquoketa, IA*

September 17 – Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN*

September 18 – Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL*

September 19 – Bell’s Beer Garden – Kalamazoo, MI*

September 20 – Mr. Smalls Theatre – Millvale, PA*

September 21 – White Eagle Hall – Jersey City, NJ*

September 23 – Crystal Ballroom – Somerville, MA*

September 24 – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA*

September 25 – The Hamilton – Washington, DC*

September 26 – The Broadberry – Richmond, VA*

September 27 – Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC*

 

+w/ Vicki Peterson & John Cowsill

*w/ The Baseball Project

 

From left: Peter Buck, Kurt Bloch, Linda Pitmon, Scott McCaughey, Debbi Peterson / photo credit: Mary Winzig 

 

 

Oar On, Penelope! Tracklisting

1. Words & Birds

2. Death the Bludgeoner

3. Let the Rope Hold, Cassie Lee

4. I Don’t Want to Hate Anyone

5. The Garden of Arden

6. Last Hotel

7. Bison Queen

8. Falling Like Jets

9. Burgundy Suit

10. Blow in My Bag

11. Sharktooth

12. What Shall Not Be Released 

 

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Record Store Day Preview

Music lovers will want to start making plans to get select, one-of-a-kind titles being released from the far-flung likes of Pearl Jam, U2, Courtney Barnett, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Weezer and Elvis Costello on Record Store Day on Saturday, April 13.

Concertgoers lucky enough to be at Coachella on April 13 can hit the air conditioned pop-up record shop on the Empire Polo Club festival groups that will be carrying Record Store Day exclusives along with new releases from Coachellafest artists (this writer was fortunate to pick up an autographed Gary Clark Jr. audio CD when the emerging artist performed there for the first time in April 2012). There will also be 30,000 vintage releases in the store, all curated by Coachella staff. Additionally, there  will be merchandise like tees and totes that can only be purchased on that date.

Here is a roundup of some of the high-profile releases available on Record Store Day.

Blues harmonica legend James Cotton (who passed away in 2017) will be celebrated via Late Night Blues (Live At The New Penelope Café), captured in Montreal, Canada back in 1967. Being released on vinyl for the first-time ever, all 14 tracks of the recording reportedly feature Cotton's incredible talents on the blues harp.

Michigan-spawned rockers Greta Van Fleet's outstanding 2017 LP From the  Fires will appear on vinyl for the first time. 

Pearl Jam's live performance at Seattle's Easy Street Records shop in 2005 will be released on vinyl for the first time.

Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett will issue a new single titled "Everybody Here Hates You"; the release features hand-illustrated artwork by the artist. The 12-inch vinyl is limited to only 2,000 copies.

The album cover artwork of Sigur Rós 'Lunar Halo.'

Sigur Rós is celebrating this year's event with two exclusive vinyl albums, each limited to 2,000 copies and produced on black heavyweight 12-inch vinyl with a spined sleeve and printed with special inks. 22° Lunar Halo is a brand new dance work by leading Taiwanese choreographer CHENG tsung-lung, who selected his favorite music from throughout the Icelandic troupe's career; those recordings were then twisted, bent and broken and then recreated into something new. The second release is Variations On Darkness, Sigur Rós' soundtrack to a series of choreographed performances from the Iceland Dance Company.

Coachella-bound Weezer will be featured on the RSD exclusive Dusty Gems and Raw Nuggets, a collection of rarities housed on limited-edition vinyl.

On a related note, April 13 will see the release of Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Weezer. The latest in CMH Label Group's Rockabye Baby series aimed at little listeners, parents and tots can check out re-imagined classics such as "Island in the Sun," "Beverly Hills," "Buddy Holly" and "Undone - the Sweater Song."  

Elvis Costello & the Imposters' Purse EP is essential for fans of the songwriting great; the title collects songs that Costello wrote with Burt Bacharach, Sir Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan.

The cover of the vinyl edition of 'Stroke Manor' being
released on Record Store Day, April 13, 2019.

One of the most important releases coming on RSD arrives via Yep Roc Records, which is issuing a new disc from The Minus 5, the aptly-titled Stroke Manor. In November 2017, musician Scott McCaughey was nearly killed after suffering a stroke that also wiped out his musical memory (he was a member of the Minus 5 and long-time touring member of R.E.M.). While still in the Intensive Care Unit he began writing down thoughts that came into his mind; those stream-of-mind thoughts jotted down onto a notebook anchor "Stroke Manor," which will be issued on both audio CD (2,500 copies worldwide) and vinyl (2,000 copies). The disc features contributions from Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Corin Tucker, Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) and others.

Omnivore Recordings is issuing four eagerly-anticipated titles on vinyl for RSD. I Don't Like the Way This World's A-Treatin' Me is a four-song tribute to Woody Guthrie. Pioneering L.A. Americana troupe Lone Justice's previously-unreleased Live at the Palomino, 1983 should generate renewed interest in the groundbreaking group (read my review of the group's 2018 release The Western Tapes, 1983  here). Culture's The Nighthawk Recordings is a seven-song EP featuring four unreleased songs; Dennis Quaid & the Sharks' terrific 2017 album Out of the Box (you can read my recent review of Quaid and company's album here) rounds out the list.


Island Records, Interscope and UMC have also announced that U2: The Europa EP, a new 3-track EP, will be released on April 13. The Europa EP: Side A features an exclusive new mix of previously unreleased material from U2's recent eXPERIENCE +iNNOCENCE Tour: Charlie Chaplin's electrifying speech from the movie The Great Dictator (1940) underscored with a mash-up of Songs Of Experience album track “Love Is All We Have Left” and 1993 classic “Zooropa,” leading into a performance of “New Year’s Day” recorded live in Dublin, Ireland on Nov. 5, 2018.

Side B is comprised of two "Euro"-tinged remixes: St. Francis Hotel's mix of the original album version of "New Year's Day" and Jon Pleased Wimmin's Euromantic mix of "Love Is All We Have Left."

The EP cover art (seen on the right) is a Chaplinesque homage to the Europe-themed artwork of U2's 1993 album Zoorapa and features the figure 130, in celebration of Chaplin's 130th birthday which falls of April 16, 2019.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds will use the occasion to release their Wait and Return EP — a special remix collection of tracks which will be released exclusively for Record Store Day 2019. 

Released as a limited edition 12” pressed on teal-colored vinyl with new sleeve artwork by Gareth Halliday, it will feature three new remixes of tracks taken from the #1 UK album, Who Built the Moon? London-based French DJ/producer Nicolas Laugier, aka The Reflex, provides remixes of “She Taught Me How to Fly” and “Keep on Reaching,” while British artist Richard Norris reworks “Black & White Sunshine.” The forthcoming release follows the huge success of last year’s 12” of “It’s a Beautiful World,” which was the UK's biggest-selling vinyl single of 2018.

The full track-listing for the Record Store Day exclusive vinyl is: 

A1. ‘She Taught Me How To Fly’ (The Reflex Revision)

A2. ‘Keep On Reaching’ (The Reflex Revision)

B1. ‘Black & White Sunshine’ (Richard Norris Remix)

Noel says: “I love Record Store Day. It gives us, the artists, a chance to put music out there that otherwise might never see the light of day. I love the fact that the items are very limited edition and I do utter the phrase ‘I’ll save that for Record Store Day’ a LOT.'”

“She Taught Me How To Fly” was the third single to be taken from the album Who Built the Moon?, which also features the other tracks remixed on the EP. The album debuted in the UK at #1, achieving gold certification in less than two weeks after its release— making it a hat-trick of #1 UK albums for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. The Mercury-nominated Who Built the Moon? was also a record-breaking 10^th consecutive chart-topping studio album in the UK For Noel— no other artist has achieved such a feat. 

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds recently announced new UK tour dates for summer 2019 with support from Gaz Coombes— with all shows now sold out. The 11-piece line-up will perform in more intimate venues in Edinburgh, Llandudno, Hull, and— for the first time ever for Noel—The London Palladium in May. With Noel currently recording new material in studios in London and LA, the shows are a chance for fans to potentially hear the new material for the very first time.

For more information, including a complete list of stores across the U.S. participating  on April 13, visit RecordStoreDay.com.

Classic and New Masterworks

A magnificent 40th anniversary edition of the Rush classic A Farewell To Kings, a legendary Big Star concert recording, and the latest wide-ranging masterworks from Tommy Castro & The Painkillers and NRBQ are among must-hear titles featured in my column this week.

Artist: Rush
Title: A Farewell To Kings — 40th Anniversary (UMe/Anthem/ole label group)
You might like if you enjoy: Rush, Dream Theater
Tell me more: The expanded version of Rush's A Farewell to Kings-40th Anniversary is available to fans in four distinct configurations including a Super Deluxe Edition (three audio CDs, a Blu-ray Audio disc and four high-quality 180-gram vinyl LPs), a three-CD Deluxe Edition (reviewed in this column), a four-LP Deluxe Edition and a Deluxe Digital Edition. On the version reviewed here, disc one features a 2015 remastered edition of the original album remastered at Abbey Road Mastering Studios (and available for the first time on audio CD); classic tracks including "Xanadu," "Closer to the Heart" and "Cinderella Man" sound better than ever. Spanning the full-length of discs 2 and 3 is a full-length Rush concert performed on Feb. 20, 1978. The concert — recorded London's Hammersmith Odeon and newly mixed by longtime Rush engineer and original A Farewell to Kings producer Terry Brown — is simply amazing. The legendary concert features versions of the otherworldly "Lakeside Park," dazzling prog rocker "By-Tor & the Snowdog," the yearning "Something For Nothing" and the complete "2112" suite. As if that wasn't enough, bonus features on the third CD include four newly-recorded cover versions of songs from the original album by Dream Theater, Big Wreck, The Trews and Alain Johannes; and an instrumental studio outtake of the spacey sound effects the band has creatively titled "Cygnus X-2 Eh." Information: rush.com.

Artist: Big Star
Title: Live at Lafayette's Music Room (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Big Star, the Replacements, the Minus 5
Tell me more: For long-time fans and new followers of Big Star, the release of the Memphis' band's Live at Lafayette's Music Room (available on Jan. 12, 2018) is a true revelation. Recorded in the uncertain aftermath after co-founding member Chris Bell had left the pioneering power pop outfit in January 1973, singer-guitarist Alex Chilton, bassist Andy Hummel and drummer-singer Jody Stephens were captured during an opening slot for Houston R&B ensemble Archie Bell & the Drells. The live recording has been newly-remastered from Grammy-winning Michael Graves (the concert set was previously only available as disc 4 on the Grammy Award-winning Keep an Eye on the Sky box set released in 2009). Highlights on Live at Lafayette's Music Room abound; a rollicking "When My Baby's Beside Me," a raucous "She's A Mover" complete with extended fiery guitar work from Chilton, a lovely "The Ballad of El Goodo" and artfully reworked covers of classics from The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Kinks, Todd Rundgren and T. Rex to name a few. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Tommy Castro & The Painkillers
Title: Stompin' Ground (Alligator Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Walter Trout, Vintage Trouble, John Németh
Tell me more: Tommy Castro & The Painkillers are one of the most consistently-strong and interesting modern-day blues troupes. On the group's new album Stompin' Ground a mix of blues, funk, R&B and rock 'n' roll are offered up via an invigorating 12-song run. The musical punch is strong to be sure; "Fear Is The Enemy" delivers a timely message against hatred with Tommy Castro, bassist Randy McDonald, drummer Bowen Brown and keyboardist Michael Emerson using a ferocious rock 'n' soul approach that is equal parts Motown and Springsteen. On "My Old Neighborhood," Castro turns in an especially soulful vocal performance that equals the poetic power of the introspective look at the past. On "Love Is," Castro's tandem talents as singer and guitar slinger conjure cool comparisons with Vintage Trouble's Ty Taylor and Nalle Colt. Tommy Castro & The Painkillers have several performances in Southern California this weekend, including at The Rose in Pasadena on an. 11, at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Jan. 12, and at The Canyon in Agoura Hills on Jan. 14. Information: TommyCastro.com.

Artist: Ali Handal
Title: That's What She Said (Red Parlor Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Cindy Alexander, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow
Tell me more: Ali Handal's latest album That's What She Said shines as a platform for the Los Angeles-based artist's confessional songcraft, her affecting vocals and expressive work on lead and rhythm guitar. Touching on everything from her adoration of cats ("I Love My Pussy.cat") and self-assurance ("Enough For Me") to a courageous battle fighting cancer ("Let Go," bolstered by her guitar textures), Handal brings an honest and unique voice as both a songwriter and top-tier musician to the dozen tracks on "That's What She Said." She can also rework rock classics to good affect; a grooving mid tempo take on Led Zeppelin's "What Is and What Should Never Be" showcases both her soprano and skills with a slide; a sparse and candid version of Ani DiFranco's "Not a Pretty Girl" is another standout track. Information: RedParlor.com or alihandal.com.

Artist: NRBQ
Title: Happy Talk (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: NRBQ, The Minus 5, Big Star, Sparks
Tell me more: Keeping things interesting and fun is at the forefront of NRBQ's 2017 EP Happy Talk. Mixing up freewheeling originals and covers without sacrificing an iota of musical excellence, the Kentucky-spawned quintet unleashes an array of great tracks including the garage rock-styled opener "Head on a Post" and countrified art damage rocker "Yes, I Have a Banana." From there, NRBQ revisits Roy Orbison's "Only the Lonely" via a Dwight Yoakam-styled country stylings before cranking things up for a dynamic "Blues Blues Blues." Things come of a thrilling close with a spirited and skillful cover of the Rodgers/Hammerstein song "Happy Talk" (from the musical "South Pacific"). Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Robert Kinsler

Holiday Gift Guide: a wide range of terrific releases

There is truly something for every music lover on your holiday list this season. From enticing hardcover fully-illustrated books focusing on AC/DC and David Bowie to essential new audio and/or visual collections featuring Jeff Lynne's ELO, Neil Young, Alvin Lee and more, there is a wealth of riches now available online or at your favorite brick and mortar store. And don't let the season's greatest new holiday music title (featuring the Minus 5) escape your attention too.

Title: CMA Awards Live: Greatest Moments 1968-2015 (Time Life)
Tell me more: Featuring nine DVDs filled with 127 live performances and a bonus DVD with historic interviews, the CMA Awards Live: Greatest Moments 1968-2015 is must-see viewing for fans of classic and contemporary country music. There are dozens of wonderful and historic performances, including Glen Campbell's poignant "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" (1968) and a duet featuring Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge singing "Me and Bobby McGee" (1974) to Buck Owens and Dwight Yoakam joining forces on "Act Naturally" and more recent nuggets like Miranda Lambert's beautiful "More Like Her" (in 2008) and the min-medley of "Tennessee Whiskey/Drink You Away" teaming Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake. Fans of Americana, roots and rock will also find treasures on the collection, including appearances by Sheryl Crow (joining forces with Miranda Lambert and Loretta Lynn for a 2010 performance of "Coal Miner's Daughter"), Dire Straits singer-guitarist Mark Knopfler (playing "Go Rest High On That Mountain" with Ricky Skaggs) and Grace Potter joining Kenny Chesney for a take on "You and Tequila." Information: TimeLife.com.

Artist: Jeff Lynne's ELO
Title: Wembley or Bust (Columbia)
Tell me more: The full-fledged resurgence of Jeff Lynne is on display courtesy of Wembley or Bust. Available as a Blu-ray+2CD or DVD+2CD package, the title features Jeff Lynne's ELO's full-length concert captured at Wembley Stadium in London on June 24, 2017. To say this concert film is visually-stunning and an audiophile's dream only begins to tell the story. Directed by Paul Dugdale, the film blends artful shots of Lynne and his 12-member group along with entertaining shots of the audience to provide an experience that really takes the viewer to the show. And the setlist is stellar, taking in all of ELO's best-known hits as well as deeper cuts. Whether the ensemble is turning Wembley into a gigantic dance floor with the infectious "All Over the World," "Livin' Thing," or "Xanadu," rocking the stadium with "10538 Overture" and "Ma-Ma-Ma Belle" or sweeping them away with "Mr. Blue Sky," "Wembley or Bust" provides a fantastic ride. Information: JeffLynnesELO.com.

Title: Woody Guthrie: The Tribute Concerts (Bear Family Records)
Tell me more: When American troubadour Woody Guthrie passed away in 1967 at the age of 55, he left a profound legacy and many of the most prominent artists influenced by the singer-songwriter (including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Judy Collins and son Arlo Guthrie) soon joined forces for a pair of tribute concerts. "Woody Guthrie: The Tribute Concerts" is a lavish boxed set that not only features pristine recordings of both full-length concerts (a Jan. 20, 1968 Carnegie Hall date and a subsequent Sept. 12, 1970 Hollywood Bowl event), but two hardcover books featuring liner notes; a Guthrie biography, original concert reviews, photographs and other great extras are all here as well. In all, there are approximately three hours of concert recordings, including versions of many of Guthrie's best-known songs (including "So Long, It's Been Good To Know You," "This Land Is Your Land," "Oklahoma Hills" and "This Train Is Bound for Glory"). Bonus tracks include interviews with Collins, Jack Elliott, Arlo Guthrie, Country Joe McDonald, Phil Ochs, Tom Paxton and Pete Seeger. Information: bear-family.com.

Artist: The Minus 5
Title: Dear December (Yep Roc Records)
Tell me more: Dear December is the best new holiday-minded album of 2017. Filled with original and instantly-memorable songs celebrating the holiday season (both Christmas and Hanukkah), the Minus 5 tap into the Yuletide spirit big time with '60s-minded British rock stylings ("New Christmas Hymn," the baroque pop of "When Christmas Hurts You This Way") and wistful introspective ballads (notably "The Fourth Noel" featuring guest Colin Meloy of the Decemberists). Mike Mills (R.E.M.) sings lead vocals on the pretty "Festival of Lights (Hanukkah Song)," while the equally glorious "I See Angels" features the lead vocals of Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab for Cutie fame). As if the wonderful songs and illustrious cast of greats that also features R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck and M. Ward (of She & Him) wasn't enough to purchase this new title, proceeds from the sale of Dear December help defray the medical costs for Minus 5 leader Scott McCaughey who is recovering from a recent stroke. Information: http://www.yeproc.com/.

Artist: Neil Young + Promise of the Real
Title: The Visitor (Reprise)
Tell me more: At 72, Neil Young remains one of rock's most defiant, relevant and interesting artists; that is especially true listening to the aptly-titled The Visitor. Long after the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer might have settled into the nostalgia route he continues to write and record challenging songs. On his latest collaboration with Promise of the Real (the band featuring Willie Nelson's sons Lukas and Micah Nelson), the Canadian native addresses his love of America even as he questions America's future a year into President Trump's presidency. On "Already Great" he notes "Already great/You're already great/You're the promise land/You're the helping hand." Taken as a whole, Young's dedication to saving the world's natural beauty ("Fly By Night Deal," "Stand Tall" "Forever") and social protest (the lovely "Children of Destiny") are themes he has been exploring for most of his life. And as long as the songs are as powerful and memorable as those displayed on his 39th album, keep 'em coming. Information: NeilYoung.com.

Artist: Alvin Lee & Co.
Title: Live at the Academy of Music, New York, 1975 (Rainman Records)
Tell me more: While singer-songwriter/guitar great Alvin Lee died at the age of 68 in 2013, it didn't mark the end of commercial releases expanding his legacy. A fantastic concert featuring Alvin Lee & Co. recorded more than 40 years ago has just been released. Live at the Academy of Music, New York, 1975 features Lee's fiery and groundbreaking lead guitar work, but also showcases an expanded direction following his departure from Ten Years After. Sure there are blues-rock tracks here ("Got to Keep Moving," "Let's Get Back"), but those British blues are frequently adorned with gospel vocals, soul, jazz and R&B. The beautiful baroque folk ballad "All Life's Trials," an authentic reading of the 1930s blues classic "Baby Please Don't Go" and rocking lead guitar-anchored "I'm Writing You a Letter" are among the lovely surprises here. Fans of Lee will want to get this two-disc treasure. Information: rainman-records.com.

Book Title: Bowie: The Illustrated Story
Author: Pat Gilbert
Edition: Hardcover, 224 pages
Tell me more: Although it has almost been two years since rock icon David Bowie passed away at the age of 69, the artist's legacy looms as large as ever. Now, the newly-published volume Bowie: The Illustrated Story chronicles Bowie's incredible life via insightful details and countless images of Bowie spanning from his 1950s childhood to the various periods of his professional career as recording artist and actor. There are promo shots of a very young Bowie, as well as photos of him on stage, painting, at press events, working in the recording studio and posing with friends. Information: QuartoKnows.com.

Book Title: AC/DC: Album By Album
Author: Martin Popoff
Edition: Hardcover, 256 pages
Tell me more: While the future of AC/DC is in doubt, there is little argument when it comes to the band's profound and lasting influence as one of rock's most important and successful hard rock proponents. In AC/DC: Album By Album, author Martin Popoff is joined by more than a dozen guest experts as they chronicle all 16 of AC/DC's albums in lively detail, providing plenty of insight into the band's discography. Of particular interest were details about how Malcolm and Angus Young came up with their guitar tones, and their respective role in the band. There are, of course, artwork of various releases; but the images of the band in the early Bon Scott era and subsequent Brian Johnson span add weight to the title. Information: QuartoKnows.com.



Review by Robert Kinsler