Archival Posts 2003 January05-11

January 6, 2003

Hello again. We have a busy day ahead while we attempt to snag someone on the Peter Gabriel issue. But we have some things for you, regardless. In SACD, I have a review on a title that we have already looked at. This makes it all the more fun since it becomes a comparison piece. The review is that of Bruce Cockburn's Rounder SACD release of "anything, anytime, anywhere". It's pretty interesting. Secondly, you may have noticed that we have a different look again. Not entirely overhauled but different nonetheless. Why do I do this? Who knows? But I like it. I hope that you find it useful too.

You'll also notice an addtion on the menu, TAP Sheet. While not functional now, the intent will be to list the upcoming releases in one place instead of the scattered listings that occur from day to day. We'll also create an Excel or PDF file for you to download and print. And we have Duane Leyva's review of Iron Maiden's 'best of' package called "Edward the Great - The Greatest Hits" on tap for tomorrow.

Did I mention that we have an interesting list of scheduled releases form Universal and their labels that reach into the months ahead. These discs are not guaranteed by any means but are probable by the fact that they have made it to schedule status. Case in point? Peter Gabriel's "Up" SACD release mystery. Without further ado...

There is a mass of 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection series discs on the schedule. I'll list them in order by scheduled release date:

Barrett Strong - Motown - January 28
Brenda Holloway - Motown - January 28
Contours - Motown - January 28
Ella Fitzgerald - Hip-O - January 28
Del Amitri - A&M - February 4
Semisonic - MCA - February 4
Donna Summer - Mercury - February 25
Strawbs - A&M - February 25
Style Council - Polydor - February 25
Patti Page - Mercury Nashville - March 4
Rick Nelson - MCA - March 4
Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs - Polydor - March 4
Billy Ray Cyrus - Mercury Nashville - March 11
Sammy Kershaw - Mercury Nashville - March 11
Kingdom Come - Polydor - March 18
New York Dolls - Mercury - March 18
Toby Keith - Mercury Nashville - March 25
Steve Earle - MCA Nashville - April 15

Of course, as these upcoming titles get closer and more info is released, I'll revisit them. Listed for release on February 25 from Universal:

American Hi-Fi - The Art of Losing - 2 editions (Edited and Unedited) - Island Records

Ben Webster - Soulville (w/Oscar Peterson) 1957 - Remaster - Verve Records

John Surman & Jack DeJohnette - Free and Equal - ECM Records

John Taylor - Rosslyn - Universal Classics

Lyle Lovett - Smile - MCA

Machine Head - Hellalive - Roadrunner Records

Mindi Abair - It Just Happens That Way - GRP Records

Movielife - Forty Hour Train Back to Penn - Enhanced CD - MCA

Yves Robert - In Touch - ECM Records

Further down the road on March 4 from Universal:

Budapest - Too Blind to Hear - Universal Records

Crusaders - Rural Renewal - GRP Records

Howlin' Wolf - The London Sessions - 2 CD Deluxe Edition - Chess Records

Moody Blues - A Night At Red Rocks - 2 CD Deluxe Edition - Polydor Records

Sonic Youth - Dirty - 2 CD Deluxe Edition - Geffen Records

Stan Getz - Cafe' Monmontre - Verve Records

We'll save the rest for another day not too far away but I'll let you in on this little gem. From MCA, a 2 CD deluxe Edition of The Who's "Who's Next" that releases on March 25. Now you have to be excited about that. Still waiting for that SACD release of the album. It'll rock, no doubt.

We'll be back later today with, hopefully, some info on that elusive Peter Gabriel SACD.

We've made numerous calls to Interscope Geffen and was unable to latch someone down to a pure discussion concerning the Peter Gabriel SACD, "Up". We did find out that the disc was indeed delayed with no word on when a street date would be nailed down. We haven't finished, however. We have a few calls left to finish. Once we get something concrete, we'll get back with you.

Remember to check back tomorrow for the Iron Maiden revie w and some more things of interest.

January 7, 2003

How I could have failed to alert you to the upcoming Linkin Park disc is beyond me. But I did. The latest word is actually still kinda mum but we have 03/03 as the 'date'. I know this is very open ended but we're still working with Warner to acquire this information. Also, in March, is the delayed "Out of the Vein" from Third Eye Blind. We'll be back on these discs.

On the Peter Gabriel front as it relates to the SACD releases. I reported last night that it was pushed back due to scheduling conflict. That's the word. There isn't any official word on when it will actually be ready for release but you can bet that we'll let you know just as soon as we find out. However, this might be interesting for you. After talking with Geffen Records today, it was reported to me that Peter Gabriel has it in his mind to release ALL of his catalogue in SACD format. Now that's a pretty interesting piece of info, to be sure. That includes the upcoming "Up" as well as Gabriel 1 ("Car"), 2 ("Scratch") , 3 ("Melt"), "Security", "Plays Live", "Birdy", "Passion", "Us", and "So".

Also, on the Universal SACD upcoming release list is The Roots w/ "Phrenology"; The Wallflowers' "Red Letter Days"; and Three Doors Down with "Away From the Sun".

And now onto some more exacting news concerning the upcoming Police SACD catalogue. It's reported by Universal that "The Police Greatest Hits - Every Breath You Take - The Classics" is going to be released as a Stereo / Multi-Channel Hybrid SACD in Digipak packaging. And since the rest of the Police catalogue is seeing the light of day ( you oh-so lucky people), Universal has revealed to us that they will be issued in Stereo SACD only. The catalogue is remastered and will be issued to honor the band's inclusion to The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The issues will be presented in Hybrid format which means that non-SACD players can play the discs. All Police SACDs will be issued in jewel cases save for "The Classics". The release date is set for February 25.

You, my fine friends, are not gonna believe this piece of news being reported. If it isn't already a bit of a travesty that Ian Astbury is fronting the Doors in their bid to recapture the limelight, it's told that George Michael of Wham!/solo fame is considered a logical replacement for Freddie Mercury's spot in Queen. What are these boys thinking? I guess I have to hear to judge but it sure don't sound majestic to me? What do you think? Of course it's rumour until confirmation but oh sheesh!

Well, the Grammy nominations are in. Bruce Springsteen takes a big ole 7 noms and ties with 7 other artists. Since the list is too long to list here, I've provided the link for you to easily review. As for me, I like Norah Jones for Record of the Year as well Album of the Year. For Song of the Year, I like "The Rising". Best New Artist, for me, is Norah Jones. As for the rest, think Norah Jones. It's not that I'm so taken to Norah, it's just that the Grammy fails to recognize the serious talent. Where's Interpol? The list goes on. But I do love Norah regardless. She is the 'hands down' best of the list.

See you tomorrow with more stuff.

January 8, 2003

Good morning everyone.

Anthrax 's new album, "We've Come for You All" will be released in the US on April 15. Elsewhere, in Europe, the release date is February 24 while Japan grabs the disc on February 4.

We reported last week about the sales that BMG enjoyed with the "Elv1s - 30 #1 Hits", not only with the standard disc but also their first foray into hi-res music with the DVD-Audio version. It's now reported that they're so excited that they plan to release 12 or more discs in 2003. What? That's it? Let's hope that BMG releases more music on DVD-A than 12. They have a deep and rich catalogue to tap into. Lou Reed alone would be a very welcome catalogue. Gimme "Berlin" and "Transformer". Gimme "Sally Can't Dance", "Coney Island Baby", and "Rock and Roll Animal". And I definitely want "Street Hassle". Then there is Graham Parker...

Here is the release schedule for January 21 and February 11 on Collector's Choice Records for those who like old favourites:

Heart & Flowers - The Complete Heart & Flowers
Tom Verlaine - Tom Verlaine
Tom Verlaine was Television's guitarist and vocalist. This album was Tom's first solo outing.
Richard Lloyd - Alchemy
Another important component to Televison. This disc represents Richard Lloyd's first solo album.
Gulliver - Gulliver
Louis Jordan - Jumpin' and Jivin' at Jubilee

For February 11 on Collector's Choice:

David Ackles - David Ackles
David Ackles - American Gothic
David Ackles - Subway to the Country
Robin Lane & The Chartbusters - Robin Lane & The Chartbusters
Pearl Harbor & The Explosions - Pearl Harbor & The Explosions

Steve Earle's Grammy nominated "Jerusalem" has been reviewed and is now available for your reading.

We'll be back later this evening with a finishing update. You never know what will come up.

Oh, and folks...sounds like a plug but the Opera Babes is really good stuff. I'm hooked. Check out that review as well and maybe pick yourself up a copy.

It's a bit slow tonight so we're just going to check in with a single item for Nick Cave fans. On February 11 from Anti Records, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' "Nocturama". the disc will include a DVD bonus disc in the first 40,000 units. In addition, this album will be released in vinyl as well.

We'll be back tomorrow with more.

January 9, 2003

Hello again. First off, I want to wish my brother, Mark a happy birthday. His love of rock and roll is vast and therefore deserving of a rock n roll birthday welcome. Here's to you, son!!

On Universal's schedule is a disc from Supertramp,a 'best of' collection entitled "The Very Best of Supertramp, Vol 2". The disc is scheduled for a May 6th release.

How many people are anxiously awaiting the DVD-A release of The Band's "Music From Big Pink" with that 'to be heard to be believed' Richard Manuel rendition of "I Shall Be Released", and "The Weight". This disc is one of The Band's most enduring works and, needless to say, highly anticipated. This DVD-A arrives on January 28.

Also, on the list for release is the SACD version of Blue Oyster Cult's "Agents of Fortune" form Columbia/Legacy. It enjoys both Stereo and Multi-channel mixes. Both of these magnificent discs are on my list for pickup.

We'll be back this evening to wrap up the day's additions.

Here's an interesting piece of news. In times of high level departures/removals, Tommy Mottola, Sony's Chairman/CEO has resigned as head chief. Sony says a replacement will occur in a few weeks. What a departure, even if Michael Jackson called him the Devil.

Sony has a great lineup occuring for upcoming release dates. Feast yourself on this info:

On February 18 from Epic/Legacy are the reissued recent acquisitions of the AC/DC catalogue:

High Voltage (1976)
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976)
Highway to Hell (1979)
Back in Black (1980)
Live (1992)
Live - 2 CD Collector's Edition (1992)

On February 11, you can expect the following discs:

Barry Manilow - 2 Nights Live - Columbia
John Mayer - Any Given Thursday - Columbia
Ozzy Osbourne - The Essential Ozzy Osbourne - Legacy/Epic
The Bad Plus - These Are The Vistas - Columbia

Legacy releases Men at Work w/ two reissued titles. There are no info on these discs as of yet. The titles are:

Cargo
Business as Usual

On February 25, from the Sony family:

Kindred the Family Soul - Surrender to Love - Epic Records
Memento - Beginnings - Columbia Records
Stanley Clarke - One, Two, to the Bass - Epic
Switchfoot - The Beautiful Letdown - Columbia Records

On March 4 from Sony comes these reissues:

Al Kooper, Stephen Stills, Mike Bloomfield - Super Sessions
Al Kooper & Mike Bloomfield - Fillmore East: The Lost Concert Tapes, 12/13/68
New Riders of the Purple Sage - New Riders of the Purple Sage - Columbia
Delaney & Bonnie and Friends - D&B Together
Mountain - w/ 2 discs from Columbia
Climbing!
Nantucket Sleighride

Also on the 4th of March from Sony are the following new recordings:

Porch Ghouls - Bluff City Ruckus - Columbia
Rose Falcon - Rose Falcon - Columbia
The Ataris - so long astoria - Columbia on CD and Vinyl
The Coral - The Coral - Columbia

On Aware Records, the debut album of Bleu called "Redhead" will be streeted on March 11.

Also on March 11, from Legacy, comes "The Essential Sly & The Family Stone". This 2 disc set feature 38 songs with many of his hits. The set is entirely remastered and was overlooked by Sly himself while it was being put together.

On March 25 come "Ghostface Killah - Shaolin's Finest" from Ghostface Killah and issued from Epic Records.

Sony also has some very cool SACD releases:

A Chorus Line - Original Soundtrack - Legacy - February 18
Mark O'Connor w/ Wynton Marsalis, Jane Monheit, Jon Burr, and Frank Vignola - In Full Swing - Stereo/MultiChannel - Sony Classical - February 11
Johnny Cash - Silver - Stereo/MultiChannel - Columbia/Legacy - February 18
Leonard Bernstein / New York Philharmonic - Tchaikovsky: Symphony # 4: Nutcracker Suite - Stereo/MultiChannel - Sony Classical - March 4
Leonard Bernstein / New York Philharmonic - Holst:The Planets - Stereo/MultiChannel - Sony Classical - March 4
Pierre Boulez / New York Philharmonic - Ravel: La Valse - Stereo/MultiChannel - Sony Classical - March 4
Olatunji - Drums of Passion - Stereo/MultiChannel - Legacy - February 18
Ozzy Osbourne - Live at Budokan - Stereo/MultiChannel - Epic - March 4
The Byrds - Fifth Dimension - Stereo MultiChannel - Legacy/Columbia - March 11
Tony Bennett / kd lang - A Wonderful World - Stereo/Multichannel - RPM/Columbia - February 11

See you back here tomorrow.

January 10, 2003

A word on the anticipated Police SACDs and remastered discs. First of all, the date has been pushed back to March 4 from February 25. So redo those calendars, folks. In addition, it appears as if the discs, with the exception of "Every Breath You Take: The Classics" which will be an SACD Hybrid, will be SACD only. The entire Police catalog will be re-released as a separate, standard CD issue in digipak packaging and will feature remastered recordings.

Friday is here and this is the final post of the week. We'll look at some new releases that are expected by EMI.

Simple Minds catalogue was enhanced with reissues from Virgin Records that were given special treatment. Not only were out of print titles revived but they were reissued with original artwork alongside of remastering. The first wave was released this past Tuesday. The reissues are being continued with the release of the following titles on February 25:

Once Upon a Time

Live in the City of Light

Street Fighting Years

Real Life

Good News From the Next World

Neapolis

We spoke of the Bond Soundtrack reissues earlier. As a reminder, these following reissues have been remastered:

Goldfinger

Thunderball

You Only Live Twice

The Man With the Golden Gun

The Spy Who Loved Me

Moonraker

A View to a Kill

Goldeneye

The Grand Funk Railroad Remasters Series from Capitol Records continue with these February 25 releases:

Shinin' On

All The Girls in the World, Beware

Caught in the Act (Live)

Born to Die

New releases from currently signed artists are:

Richard Ashcroft - Human Conditions

Fischerspooner - #1 - Enhanced w DVD

The Music - The Music - Enhanced

On the DVD-Audio front, look forward to an anticipated release of Bonnie Raitt's "Nick of Time" from Capitol for April 22 while The Beach Boys get "Pet Sounds" done up real nice on May 20, also from Capitol. Still no word on why Heart's "Dreamboat Annie" has been put on hold for the DVD-A treatment.

We have a much more expansive look at what EMI has planned for the coming months. We'll save that for Monday's post. You'll be surprised at what's on that release schedule. We'll stop in a time or two over this weekend to post up a review. The main thing now is to enjoy your weekend. So, get to it!!

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