Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers 'Live at the Fillmore' coming November 25

A truly exciting Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers release is coming in November...Robert Kinsler

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: 'Live at the Fillmore 1997' is coming November 25; the collection revisits the troupe's 20-show residency at the famed San Francisco venue

The long-awaited Live at the Fillmore (1997)—Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ first live album in 13 years—is due November 25 on Warner Records. The album will be available in various formats, see below for details and click HERE to pre-order. To celebrate, the track “Listen To Her Heart” is premiering now alongside a video directed by Peter Sluszka; watch HERE.

Before starting the 20-show run at the Fillmore, Tom Petty outlined his plans in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle: 

“We’re musicians and we want to play. We’ve made so many records in the past five years, I think the best thing for us to do is just go out and play and it will lead us to our next place, wherever that may be.”

The shows at the Fillmore ended up being some of the most joyful, honest, inspirational and prolific experiences of the band’s career, creating a unique bond between the group and their fans. This album features more covers than originals, paying tribute to the artists and songs that shaped Petty’s love of music as he was growing up—before he became a legendary songwriter and performer in his own right. Highlights include Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” J.J. Cale’s “Crazy Mama,” The Rolling Stones’ “Time is On My Side” and more from The Kinks, Everly Brothers, Bill Withers, The Byrds, Chuck Berry and Booker T. & the M.G.’s. The collection also features special performances with The Byrds’ front man Roger McGuinn and blues legend John Lee Hooker. Other standouts include extended versions of original tracks “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and “It’s Good To Be King.”

“Playing the Fillmore in 1997 for a month was one of my favorite experiences as a musician in my whole life. The band was on fire and we changed the set list every night. The room and the crowd was spiritual... AND... we got to play with some amazing guests. I will always remember those nights with joy and inspiration.”—Mike Campbell

The Fillmore was a laboratory for the band. The captivating sold out performances were such a hit, the Heartbreakers were even nicknamed the “Fillmore House Band.” At the final show, Petty noted as he took the stage:

“We all feel this might be the highpoint of our time together as a group… It’s going to be hard to get us off this stage tonight.”

The record will be offered in a 3 LP version simulating one of the concerts and a comprehensive box set featuring 58 songs and 14 humorous spoken word tracks that highlight Petty’s connection with his band and his fans from the stage. The shows were taped during the last six nights of the band’s historic residency. The compilation was meticulously curated by producers Ryan Ulyate and Mike Campbell and executive producers Benmont Tench, Adria Petty, Annakim Petty and Dana Petty.

Tom Petty Radio (channel 31) on SiriusXM premiered the album announcement and new song earlier today, along with exclusive interviews with Heartbreakers Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Steve Ferrone, and Scott Thurston.

Live at the Fillmore (1997) will be released in various formats:

2 CD:

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers famously played 20 nights at the legendary Fillmore venue in San Francisco in 1997. 6 of the shows were professionally recorded and this release features some of the high points of the residency. The small venue allowed the band to vary their sets each night; they included re-arranged and distinctive versions of their hits, deep cuts, and many cover versions—paying tribute to the artists that Tom and the band had been influenced by. The 2 CD set includes 33 tracks, 18 of which are covers—2 hours of music. The tri-fold board package includes a 16-page booklet with previously unseen photographs. 

3 LP:

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers famously played 20 nights at the legendary Fillmore venue in San Francisco in 1997. 6 of the shows were professionally recorded and this release features some of the high points of the residency. The small venue allowed the band to vary their sets each night; they included re-arranged and distinctive versions of their hits, deep cuts, and many cover versions—paying tribute to the artists that Tom and the band had been influenced by. The 3 LP set includes 33 tracks, 18 of which are covers—2 hours of music. The tri-fold sleeve includes a 4-page insert.

4 CD: 

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers famously played 20 nights at the legendary Fillmore venue in San Francisco in 1997. 6 of the shows were professionally recorded and this release features many of the high points of the residency. The small venue allowed the band to vary their sets each night; they included re-arranged and distinctive versions of their hits, deep cuts, and many cover versions—paying tribute to the artists that Tom and the band had been influenced by. The 4 CD deluxe edition includes 58 tracks, 35 of which are covers – over 4 hours of music. The 4 CDs are packaged in a box with a 32-page booklet (with previously unseen photographs), 3 custom guitar picks, a replica All Access laminate, and an embroidered patch (“The Fillmore House Band” —a term that was bestowed on The Heartbreakers during the shows at the Fillmore).

6 LP:

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers famously played 20 nights at the legendary Fillmore venue in San Francisco in 1997. 6 of the shows were professionally recorded and this release features many of the high points of the residency. The small venue allowed the band to vary their sets each night; they included re-arranged and distinctive versions of their hits, deep cuts, and many cover versions—paying tribute to the artists that Tom and the band had been influenced by. The 6 LP deluxe edition includes 58 tracks, 35 of which are covers—over 4 hours of music. The 6 LPs are packaged in a box with a 24 page (12” x 12”) booklet (with previously unseen photographs), 3 custom guitar picks, a replica All Access laminate, facsimiles of 3 set lists, a reprint of the 8-page Fan Newsletter published in 1997, and an embroidered patch (“The Fillmore House Band” —a term that was bestowed on The Heartbreakers during the shows at the Fillmore).

6 LP Uber Deluxe: Available exclusively on the Tom Petty webstore

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers famously played 20 nights at the legendary Fillmore venue in San Francisco in 1997. 6 of the shows were professionally recorded and this release features many of the high points of the residency. The small venue allowed the band to vary their sets each night; they included re-arranged and distinctive versions of their hits, deep cuts, and many cover versions—paying tribute to the artists that Tom and the band had been influenced by. The 6 LP Uber deluxe edition includes 58 tracks, 35 of which are covers—over 4 hours of music. The Uber deluxe edition is housed in an authentic hand-made custom-sized cymbal road case designed and manufactured by Made Worn in Los Angeles. The packaging also includes a replica “All Access” laminate, a reprint of the 8-page Fan Newsletter published in 1997, an embroidered patch, exclusive 7 additional replica set lists, an exclusive foil lithograph (12” x 12”), exclusive vinyl record player slip-mat, custom guitar picks in a tin, and a replica embroidered “Fillmore House Band” baseball hat—a term that was bestowed on The Heartbreakers during the shows at the Fillmore.

TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS

LIVE AT THE FILLMORE (1997)

COMPACT DISC FORMATS

2 CD FORMAT

1. Pre-show (spoken interlude)

2. Jammin’ Me

3. Listen To Her Heart

4. Around and Around

5. Good Evening (spoken interlude)

6. Lucille

7. Call Me The Breeze

8. Cabin Down Below

9. The Internet, whatever that is (spoken interlude)

10. Time is On My Side

11. You Don’t Know How It Feels

12. I’d Like To Love You Baby

13. Ain’t No Sunshine

14. Homecoming Queen Intro (spoken interlude)

15. The Date I Had with That Ugly Old Homecoming Queen

16. Bye Bye Johnny

17. Did Someone Say Heartbreakers Beach Party? (spoken interlude)

18. Heartbreakers Beach Party

19. Angel Dream

20. The Wild One, Forever

21. American Girl

22. Let’s Hear It For Howie and Scott (spoken interlude)

23. You Really Got Me

24. Runnin’ Down A Dream

Photo credit: Martyn Atkins

CD 2

1. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

2. It’s All Over Now

3. Mr. Roger McGuinn (spoken interlude)

4. It Won’t Be Wrong

5. You Ain’t Going Nowhere

6. Eight Miles High

7. Honey Bee

8. John Lee Hooker, Ladies And Gentlemen (spoken interlude)

9. Boogie Chillen

10. Sorry, I’ve Just Broken My Amplifier (spoken interlude)

11. Knockin’ On Heaven's Door

12. You Wreck me

13. Shakin’ All Over

14. Free Fallin’

15. Mary Jane’s Last Dance

16. Louie Louie

17. Gloria

18. Alright For Now

19. Goodnight (spoken interlude)

4 CD FORMAT

CD 1

1. Pre-show (spoken interlude)

2. Around And Around

3. Jammin’ Me

4. Runnin’ Down A Dream

5. Good Evening (spoken interlude)

6. Lucille

7. Call Me The Breeze

8. Cabin Down Below

9. The Internet, Whatever That Is (spoken interlude)

10. Time is On My Side

11. Listen To Her Heart

12. Waitin’ In School

13. Let’s Hear It For Mike (spoken interlude)

14. Slaughter On Tenth Avenue

15. Homecoming Queen Intro (spoken interlude)

16. The Date I Had with That Ugly Old Homecoming Queen

17. I Won’t Back Down

18. You Are My Sunshine

19. Ain’t No Sunshine

20. It’s Good To Be King

CD 2

1. Rip It Up

2. You Don’t Know How It Feels

3. I’d Like To Love You Baby

4. Diddy Wah Diddy

5. We Got A Long Way To Go (spoken interlude)

6. Guitar Boogie Shuffle

7. I Want You Back Again

8. On The Street Intro (spoken interlude)

9. On The Street

10. California

11. Let’s Hear It For Scott and Howie (spoken interlude)

12. Little Maggie

13. Walls

14. Hip Hugger

15. Friend Of The Devil

16. Did Someone Say Heartbreakers Beach Party? (spoken interlude)

17. Heartbreakers Beach Party

18. Angel Dream

19. The Wild One, Forever

20. Even The Losers

21. American Girl

22. You Really Got Me

23. Goldfinger

CD 3

1. Mr. Roger McGuinn (spoken interlude)

2. It Won’t Be Wrong

3. You Ain’t Going Nowhere

4. Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man

5. Eight Miles High

6. Crazy Mama

7. Everyone Loves Benmont (spoken interlude)

8. Green Onions

9. High Heel Sneakers

10. John Lee Hooker, Ladies And Gentlemen (spoken interlude)

11. Find My Baby (Locked Up In Love Again)

12. Serves You Right To Suffer

13. Boogie Chillen

14. I Got A Woman

CD 4

1. Sorry, I’ve Just Broken My Amplifier (spoken interlude)

2. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

3. Honey Bee

4. County Farm

5. You Wreck Me

6. Shakin’ All Over

7. Free Fallin’

8. Mary Jane’s Last Dance

9. Bye Bye Johnny

10. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

11. It’s All Over Now

12. Louie Louie

13. Gloria

14. Alright For Now

15. Goodnight (spoken interlude)

Produced by Ryan Ulyate & Mike Campbell

VINYL FORMATS

3 LP FORMAT

Side 1

1. Pre-show (spoken interlude)

2. Jammin’ Me

3. Listen To Her Heart

4. Around And Around

5. Good Evening (spoken interlude)

6. Lucille

7. Call Me The Breeze

8. Cabin Down Below

9. The Internet, Whatever That Is (spoken interlude)

10. Time is On My Side

Side 2

1. You Don’t Know How It Feels

2. I'd Like To Love You Baby

3. Ain’t No Sunshine

4. Homecoming Queen Intro (spoken interlude)

5. The Date I Had with That Ugly Old Homecoming Queen

6. Bye Bye Johnny

Side 3

1. Did Someone Say Heartbreakers Beach Party? (spoken interlude)

2. Heartbreakers Beach Party

3. Angel Dream

4. The Wild One, Forever

5. American Girl

6. Let’s Hear It For Howie and Scott (spoken interlude)

7. You Really Got Me

8. Runnin’ Down A Dream

Side 4

1. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

2. It’s All Over Now

3. Mr. Roger McGuinn (spoken interlude)

4. It Won’t Be Wrong

5. You Ain’t Going Nowhere

6. Eight Miles High

7. Honey Bee

Side 5

1. John Lee Hooker, Ladies And Gentlemen (spoken interlude)

2. Boogie Chillen

3. Sorry, I’ve Just Broken My Amplifier (spoken interlude)

4. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

5. You Wreck me

6. Shakin' All Over

7. Free Fallin’

Side 6

1. Mary Jane’s Last Dance

2. Louie Louie

3. Gloria

4. Alright For Now

5. Goodnight (spoken interlude)

6 LP FORMAT

Side 1

1. Pre-show (spoken interlude)

2. Around And Around

3. Jammin’ Me

4. Runnin’ Down A Dream

5. Good Evening (spoken interlude)

6. Lucille

7. Call Me The Breeze

Side 2

1. Cabin Down Below

2. The Internet, Whatever That Is (spoken interlude)

3. Time is On My Side

4. Listen To Her Heart

5. Waitin’ In School

6. Let’s Hear It For Mike (spoken interlude)

7. Slaughter On Tenth Avenue

8. Homecoming Queen Intro (spoken interlude)

9. The Date I Had with That Ugly Old Homecoming Queen

Side 3

1. I Won’t Back Down

2. You Are My Sunshine

3. Ain’t No Sunshine

4. It's Good To Be King

Side 4

1. Rip It Up

2. You Don’t Know How It Feels

3. I’d Like To Love You Baby

4. Diddy Wah Diddy

5. We Got A Long Way To Go (spoken interlude)

6. Guitar Boogie Shuffle

7. I Want You Back Again

Side 5

1. On The Street Intro (spoken interlude)

2. On The Street

3. California

4. Let’s Hear It For Scott and Howie (spoken interlude)

5. Little Maggie

6. Walls

7. Hip Hugger

8. Friend Of The Devil

Side 6

1. Did Someone Say Heartbreakers Beach Party? (spoken interlude)

2. Heartbreakers Beach Party

3. Angel Dream

4. The Wild One, Forever

5. Even The Losers

6. American Girl

7. You Really Got Me

8. Goldfinger

Side 7

1. Mr. Roger McGuinn (spoken interlude)

2. It Won’t Be Wrong

3. You Ain’t Going Nowhere

4. Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man

5. Eight Miles High

6. Crazy Mama

7. Everyone Loves Benmont (spoken interlude)

8. Green Onions

Side 8

1. High Heel Sneakers

2. John Lee Hooker, Ladies And Gentlemen (spoken interlude)

3. Find My Baby (Locked Up In Love Again)

4. Serves You Right To Suffer

5. Boogie Chillen

6. I Got A Woman

Side 9

1. Sorry, I’ve Just Broken My Amplifier (spoken interlude)

2. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

3. Honey Bee

4. County Farm

Side 10

1. You Wreck Me

2. Shakin’ All Over

3. Free Fallin’

4. Mary Jane’s Last Dance

Side 11

1. Bye Bye Johnny

2. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

3. It’s All Over Now

4. Louie Louie

Side 12

1. Gloria

2. Alright For Now

3. Goodnight (spoken interlude)

Produced by Ryan Ulyate & Mike Campbell

For information and album pre-order visit: www.tompetty.com

For official Tom Petty merchandise visit: https://store.tompetty.com

New Music: The Smithereens, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lions & Ghosts

Three unearthed treasures make for fantastic listens, including the latest titles from The Smithereens, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Lions & Ghosts.

Artist: The Smithereens

Title: The Lost Album (Sunset Blvd. Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Beatles, The Who, Buddy Holly

Tell me more: When Pat DiNizio passed away in December 2017, it appeared that the Smithereens' aptly-titled 2011 would serve as the final statement from the original lineup of the top-tier band. Fast forward to 2022 and the release of the truly miraculous The Lost Album (set for release on Sept. 23 via Sunset Blvd. Records). Recorded in the fall of 1993 when the New Jersey-spawned quartet was between record labels, the full-length set of songs is a bona fide masterwork featuring a dozen melodic rockers courtesy of the aforementioned DiNizio on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, lead guitarist Jim Babjak, bassist Mike Mesaros and drummer Dennis Diken. The parade of great originals includes the tender "Dear Abby," melodic rocker "A World Apart" (bolstered by an especially tuneful guitar solo), heavy "Stop Bringing Me Down," fiery garage rocker "Monkey Man," Beatlesque "Face the World With Pride" and confessional closer "All Through The Night." My favorite track on the album is the wistful and haunting "Don't Look Down," with DiNizio's signature baritone probing self-doubt with the stylish candor that fueled many of the Smithereens' most beloved classics. Information: OfficialSmithereens.com.

Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival

Title: At The Royal Albert Hall (Craft Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: John Fogerty, Creedence Clearwater Revival

Tell me more: The long-awaited release of Creedence Clearwater Revival's legendary April 14, 1970 performance at London's Royal Albert Hall is an absolute joy. Grammy-winning producer Giles Martin and engineer Sam Okell mixed and restored the original multitrack tapes; the result is a recording that spectacularly captures the legendary quartet (singer-lead guitarist John Fogerty, rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty, drummer Doug "Cosmo" Clifford, bassist Stu Cook) at the height of their powers. The fast-moving 12-song set on At The Royal Albert Hall finds the El Cerrito, California-spawned outfit tearing through a mix of timeless hits and lesser known nuggets with bona fide zeal. While casual rock fans will love the powerful takes on "Born on the Bayou," "Green River," Travelin' Band," Bad Moon Rising" and "Proud Mary," aficionados will be equally thrilled by the Lew Herman-penned blues-rock juggernaut "The Night Time Is the Right Time," rollicking take on Little Richard's "Good Golly Miss Molly" and the ferocious Southern-fried closer "Keep on Chooglin'," the latter bolstered by John Fogerty's impressive work on both blues harmonica and lead guitar. In addition to the concert recording being available on audio CD and vinyl, Netflix subscribers can view the full concert that anchors the excellent Jeff Bridges-narrated documentary "Travelin' Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall." Information: CraftRecordings.com.

Artist: Lions & Ghosts

Title: Velvet Kiss, Lick of The Lime (Sparkle Plenty/Deko Entertainment)

You might like if you enjoy: Simple Minds, Altered State, The Replacements, The Church

Tell me more: Signed to EMI for two albums that were issued in the late 1980s, Los Angeles-based Lions & Ghosts' wonderful 1987 debut Velvet Kiss, Lick of The Lime has been reissued digitally with bonus tracks and even a new single (the shimmering "Gurl I Luv You"). Thirty five years after it was originally released, Velvet Kiss, Lick of The Lime delights and will leave listeners wondering why the quartet didn't garner more attention. The enthralling opener "Passion," bouncy "Man In A Car," driving '80s-styled rocker "Mary Goes Round," and harpsichord-anchored chamber pop gem "Stay" are early standouts on the reissue. The jazzy detour "Girl On A Swing," propulsive "Love & Kisses From The Gutter," yearning "Wilton House" and funky "Contradiction" keep up the disc's power in its last half. Lions & Ghosts featured the talents of singer-songwriter Rick Parker, guitarist Michael Lockwood, bassist Todd Hoffman and drummer Micheal Murphy. Information: DekoEntertainment.com.

Robert Kinsler

Capitol/UMe to release Neil Diamond's 'A Neil Diamond Christmas' on 2 LP, 2 CD & 1 CD on October 28, 2022

My first post of 2022 related to holiday-minded releases is a good one! Neil Diamond's "A Neil Diamond Christmas" arrives on Oct. 28...Robert Kinsler

CAPITOL/UMe TO RELEASE NEIL DIAMOND’S

A NEIL DIAMOND CHRISTMAS ON 2LP, 2CD & 1CD
ON OCTOBER 28, 2022

Legendary Artist Celebrates The Holidays With

A Hand-Picked Compilation Of His Favorite Christmas Songs, 

Including A New Mix Of “O Holy Night”

 

 

Los Angeles – September 16, 2022 – On October 28, Capitol/UMe will celebrate the full breadth of Neil Diamond’s holiday spirit with the release of A Neil Diamond Christmas, a special, artist-curated compilation of the greatest songs culled from Neil’s four beloved and best-selling Christmas albums. The tracks Neil has personally selected for this compilation all originally appeared on September 1992’s The Christmas Album, October 1994’s The Christmas Album Volume II, October 2009’s A Cherry Cherry Christmas, and November 2016’s Acoustic Christmas.

 

Neil Diamond performing at the Forum
in Inglewood, CA in August 2017.
Photo: Drew A. Kelley

A Neil Diamond Christmas will appear in four physical configurations: 2LP 180-gram black vinyl, an exclusive, limited-edition gold opaque 2LP 180-gram vinyl, 2CD, and 1CD. All of the tracks on A Neil Diamond Christmas have been newly remastered under the artist’s direction by Neil’s longtime engineer, Bernie Becker. Additionally, Neil and Bernie created a stunning new mix of “O Holy Night,” originally released on The Christmas Album. Preorder A Neil Diamond Christmas HERE.

 

Critics have praised Neil’s holiday originals while celebrating the inventive arrangements of the more traditional songs, singling out Neil’s “trademark gritty soul and flair for inflection” while also noting his performances are “much more than a man and a guitar.” 

 

Throughout his illustrious and wide-ranging career, Neil Diamond has sold more than 130 million albums worldwide and dominated the charts for more than five decades with 38 Top 40 singles and 18 Top 10 albums, making appearances in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for a total of 101 weeks. In addition, he has achieved record sales with 40 Gold albums, 21 Platinum albums, and 12 Multi-Platinum albums.

A Grammy Award-winning artist, Diamond is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall Of Fame and has also received The Johnny Mercer Award and the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award, two of the highest honors bestowed upon songwriters. Diamond’s many other achievements include a Golden Globe Award, 13 Grammy nominations, ASCAP Film and Television Award, Billboard Icon Award, American Music Award, and 2009’s NARAS’s MusiCares Person of the Year Award. In 2011, Diamond received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor for his lifetime contributions to American culture. 

 

Neil Diamond A NEIL DIAMOND CHRISTMAS [2LP, 2CD & 1CD]

 

2LP [black & color 180-gram vinyl]

 

Side A

1.       Happy Christmas (War Is Over)  4:04

2.       The Christmas Song  3:31

3.       Jingle Bell Rock  1:49

4.       White Christmas  3:55

5.       You Make It Feel Like Christmas  3:35

6.       Morning Has Broken 3:02

 

Side B

1.       Santa Claus Is Coming To Town  3:25

2.       Silver Bells  3:04

3.       Cherry Cherry Christmas  3:26

4.       Sleigh Ride  2:36

5.       Winter Wonderland  2:39

6.       Christmas Medley: It’s Almost Day / Make A Happy Song / We Wish You A Merry Christmas  3:12

 

Side C

1.       O Holy Night*  3:27

2.       Little Drummer Boy  3:51

3.       O Come, O Come Emmanuel / We Three Kings Of Orient Are  2:56

4.       Silent Night  4:00

5.       O Come All Ye Faithful  4:12

6.       Mary’s Boy Child  3:18

 

Side D

1.       Children Go Where I Send Thee  5:26

2.       The First Noel  3:35

3.       Hark the Herald Angels Sing  4:12

4.       Angels We Have Heard On High  3:16

5.       Christmas Prayers  4:30

6.       Joy To The World  2:38

 

 

2CD

 

Disc 1

1.       Happy Christmas (War Is Over)  4:04

2.       The Christmas Song  3:31

3.       Jingle Bell Rock  1:49

4.       White Christmas  3:55

5.       You Make It Feel Like Christmas  3:35

6.       Morning Has Broken 3:02

7.       Santa Claus Is Coming To Town  3:25

8.       Silver Bells  3:04

9.       Cherry Cherry Christmas  3:26

10.     Sleigh Ride  2:36

11.     Winter Wonderland  2:39

12.     Christmas Medley: It’s Almost Day / Make A Happy Song / We Wish You A Merry Christmas  3:12

 

Disc 2

1.       O Holy Night*  3:27

2.       Little Drummer Boy  3:51

3.       O Come, O Come Emmanuel / We Three Kings Of Orient Are  2:56

4.       Silent Night  4:00

5.       O Come All Ye Faithful  4:12

6.       Mary’s Boy Child  3:18

7.       Children Go Where I Send Thee  5:26

8.       The First Noel  3:35

9.       Hark the Herald Angels Sing  4:12

10.     God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman  1:17

11.     Angels We Have Heard On High  3:16

12.     Christmas Prayers  4:30

13.     Joy To The World  2:38

 

 

1CD

 

1.       Happy Christmas (War Is Over)  4:04

2.       The Christmas Song  3:31

3.       Jingle Bell Rock  1:49

4.       White Christmas  3:55

5.       You Make It Feel Like Christmas  3:35

6.       Morning Has Broken 3:02

7.       Santa Claus Is Coming To Town  3:25

8.       Silver Bells  3:04

9.       Cherry Cherry Christmas  3:26

10.     Sleigh Ride  2:36

11.     Winter Wonderland  2:39

12.     Christmas Medley: It’s Almost Day / Make A Happy Song / We Wish You A Merry Christmas  3:12

13.     O Holy Night*  3:27

14.     The Little Drummer Boy  3:51

15.     O Come, O Come Emmanuel / We Three Kings Of Orient Are  2:56

16.     Silent Night  4:00

17.     The First Noel  3:35

18.     Christmas Prayers  4:30

19.     Joy To The World  2:38

 

*denotes new mix

New music: Julian Lennon, Crossword Smiles, Built to Spill

New albums from singer-songwriter Julian Lennon, melody-minded newcomers Crossword Smiles, and Boise, Idaho-spawned indie rocker Built to Spill are highlighted in my latest column.

Artist: Julian Lennon

Title: Jude (BMG)

You might like if you enjoy: David Bowie, John Lennon, Ron Sexsmith

Tell me more: It's hard to believe, but singer-songwriter Julian Lennon's amazing new album Jude marks the artist's first new full-length studio album since 2011's Everything Changes. The wonderful news for fans of Lennon is the artist's skills as a songwriter and singer of literate and expressive songcraft is as potent as ever. Jude is filled with emotive and lush originals including the soaring "Round and Round," Baroque power ballad "Love Don't Let Me Down," shimmering "Freedom," gorgeous "Love Never Dies," French-flavored "Gaia" (the latter a collaboration with Paul Buchanan of Scottish band The Blue Nile and Elissa Lauper), yearning art rocker "Breathe," and ambitious "Stay" with its enthralling jazz and experimental sections. A fantastic return. Information: JulianLennon.com.

Artist: Crossword Smiles

Title: Pressed & Ironed (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Crowded House, Badfinger, Dada

Tell me more: Michigan-based duo Crossword Smiles has released their terrific debut Pressed & Ironed, a 10-song set of stellar power pop. Led by Tom Curless (formerly of Your Gracious Host) and Chip Saam (bassist with The Hangouts), Crossword Smiles' originals are melodic to be sure but simultaneously showcase a multi-layered and inventive approach; for example the lead single "Parallel Lines" could have been a collaboration between members of Crowded House and Dada with its perfect fusion of artful harmonies, a dynamic rhythmic groove and luxurious arrangement. Other highlights on the marvelous album include the sweeping opener "Feet on the Ground," evocative "October Leaves," '60s-mining jangly gem "Where's The Sense," countrified ballad "Walk Softly" and lavish "Second Guesser." The album is now available via audio CD, vinyl and streaming everywhere. Information: BigStirRecords.com.

Artist: Built to Spill

Title: When the Wind Forgets Your Name (Sub Pop Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Dinosaur Jr., Husker Dü

Tell me more: Since launching Built to Spill in 1992, singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Doug Martsch has carved out a wide-ranging and highly-acclaimed path including 1994's There's Nothing Wrong With Love and 1999's Keep It Like a Secret. Now Built to Spill — whose only permanent member over the past 30 years is Martsch — has joined forces with Brazilian punk rock artist Le Almeida and his long-time collaborator, João Casaes, on the wonderful disc When the Wind Forgets Your Name. Built to Spill's ninth album is filled with glorious alt rock ranging from the psychedelic garage rocker "Fool's Gold" and bouncy "Rocksteady" to the melodic nugget "Understood," hypnotic cut "Spiderweb" (the latter which recalls a mix of early R.E.M. and Husker Dü) and the tender "Alright." The album's closing cut "Comes a Day" is eight and a half minutes of enthralling rock whose driving rhythm is adorned with colorful shades of distorted guitar. Information: BuiltToSpill.com.

Robert Kinsler

Beatles' 2022 remix of "Taxman" discussion

Watch TJR and Robert Kinsler discuss the 2022 remix of "Taxman," the first advance track from the forthcoming deluxe reissue of The Beatles' 1966 classic Revolver. Watch the episode HERE.