Archival Posts 2003 May 18-24

May 23, 2003

Weekend. Memorial Day!! Steaks!! Beer! Me? Drywall, hammer, nails..oh, woe is me.

I've had more than a few readers express shock and surprise over the mention of an upcoming John Coltrane title scheduled for August 19. There was a 2CD version issued in October of last year and followed by an SACD in December. But ne'er the less, the remastered JColtrane disc is on for August. I'll nose around to find out what this entails.

We have a few new SACDs on the calendar from Sony. The first is Macy Gray's upcoming "The Trouble With Being Myself", which will be a simultaneous release with its standard CD release. The date is July 15 and is followed by a same date release of the SACD version of the Chicago soundtrack. July 15 is also the release date for John Williams' "Spanish Concertos" on SACD.

On September 9, A&M Records will release a Joan Baez box set called, "Joan Baez: The Complete A&M Recordings". There is hardly any info available but we'll get back to you as more info is released concerning the title.

The Epic/Legacy Records rollout of the revamped AC/DC catalog continues on July 1 with the following titles:

'74 Jailbreak
If You Want Blood You've Got It
Flick Of The Switch
Fly On The Wall
Blow Up Your Video

We're going into the weekend with Duane's Pit Stop but with the reviews on hold for this day only. As the weekend progresses and Mrs TAP lets me take a break, I'll get some up. I'll also keep the notices alive through Tuesday, cool?

You people are great. Have a great Memorial Day weekend. And remember to stop in a check out for review postings.

May 22, 2003

I did say that I'd get that Byrds' review transcribed by today, didn't I?! I didn't...sorry. I promise to work on it. We have several reviews that I need to put together from a new reviewer and other things. We'll get to those.

But we do have a few for you today. First off is Dw Dunphy's review of an independent band that he thinks you should know about. The band is Calexico and the album is "Feast of Wire". Brett Rudolph provides a review on Naida Cole and her "reflections". Take a moment to read 'em.

Tomorrow, we have a review for the latest Blur, "Think Tank". I hope to have that Byrds disc up for you as well as one from me. We also have a new reviewer that I have delayed for whatever reasons...it's all this house's fault. His name is Randy Stanley. He has a very interesting comparative study between two versions of Muddy Waters' Folk Singer. One is an SACD release while the other is a DVD-A release with 24/96 audio. And he digs in. Watch for that one very very shortly. We also have Marco Passarelli's review of Robbie Williams' "Escapeology" in hand.

Inside Out Music America will release Steve Hackett's latest work, "To Watch The Storms" on June 17. That is a change in dates if you were watching for it.

Other releases I'm seeing and hearing about include Diana Ross' "Diana", which gets a 2CD Deluxe Edition from Motown and is released the same day as the upcoming goodie, "I Want You" by Marvin Gaye, also a 2CD Deluxe Edition. The release date is July 29.

Verve Impulse will release a remastered John Coltrane title, "A Love Supreme" on August 19. Verve also releases Louis Armstrong's "For Lovers" on the same date. From Chess Records come Chuck Berry's "Blues" for August 12. MCA Records issues a 2CD compilation for Lynyrd Skynyrd, "The 30th Anniversary Collection", also on August 12.

On July 1, Varese Sarabande will issue Lightnin' Hopkins' "Free Form Patterns". Also on that date is a 'Greatest Hits Live' set from KC & The Sunshine Band, "Get Down Tonight".

Now back to the house...

May 21, 2003

Yikes! I was unable to transcribe the Byrds review so it's gonna have to wait until tomorrow. But it's something to look forward to. I have a few reviews for you today. The first is a Universal 2CD compilation of Bing Crosby's Decca years. It's a great set compiled and produced by MCA's Andy McKaie. Andy's one of my favourite folk in the reissue markets. You can read "Bing Crosby: A Centennial Anthology of His Decca Recordings" here. This anthology was put together to celebrate his 100th birthday. There are other labels commemorating the same as Bing recorded for a lot of labels over his 50 years.

We'll have Dw Dunphy's review of Calexico's "Feast of Wire" tomorrow along with several others including Brett Rudolph listen to Naida Cole's "Reflections".

Brett Rudolph is putting together a bit of news concerning upcoming SACD and/or DVD-A players that are available for a lot less than you might think. SO, that SACD/DVD-A upgrade that you wanted to do but were not sure...well, you may now get a chance to hear what the rest of us are crowing about.

On June 24, A&M re-releases a favourite in Cat Stevens' "Footsteps in the Dark - Greatest Hits Volume 2". The two primary differences in this release is the fact that this disc is remastered from original source and expansion includes lyrics for every song.

Motown Records releases two CDs on June 24. The first is a 2CD Temptations title, "Psychedelic Soul". It features 24 songs from the album's original period and includes full length versions of all the songs including a 12 minute version of "Smiling Faces Sometimes". This set also includes the original Edwin Starr hit of "War". Also, The Undisputed Truth gets a 'best of' called "Smiling Faces: The Best of The Undisputed Truth". This disc contains the original version of "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" and their cover of "Smiling Faces Sometimes". Confused?

The big BIG news here is the Roger Waters "The Wall-Live in Berlin". This comes out on June 24 in remastered CD and SACD. Universal is also releasing a DVD to go along with this set. The DVD and the SACD feature 5.1 surround mixes produced from the original mulit-tracks and from the original engineer. All three formats feature a new stereo remaster. The DVD extras features a new 30-minute documentary, a section of animation footage and set pieces, and unreleased bonus footage of Rupert Everett portraying Pink.

The CD and SACD will be 2 discs each that contain the entire 2 plus hours of concert. Both sets will be issued with new photos and a new cover artwork. The DVD will be issued in a standard jewel case as well as a traditional DVD case. The SACD is not hybrid and so must be played in SACD players only.

Forgive the quality of the scans. They are pulled from PDF. As time gets closer, we'll have better scans.

Back with more tomorrow.

May 20, 2003

I wish to thank everyone who sent me email on Linda Perry. Talk about surprises. I sure do hope that she gives us more of that fantastic talent. I'm running off to check out the solo disc that everyone has recommended to me. Again, thanks to everyone. I tell everybody what a fantastic bunch you folks are...and I mean it.

This song by Linda Perry set me off on a retro trip. It's pretty amazing just how much music speaks to us on emotional and philosophical levels. I happened on an old Seals and Crofts song, "We May Never Pass This Way Again" and realized just how much import the lyrical content of that song possesses. That song and a million others. Folks, enjoy life...absorb music...make moments count.

We have a few reviews tonight for you. The first from Brett Rudolph and the second by your truly. Brett has paid close attention to Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs (MFSL)'s SACD release of Sonny Rollins' "Plus 4". I've given Chandeen's latest, "Echoes", a listen.

Tomorrow, I'll have Raven Records' "Byrds Part II" written by Bob Olsen, another review by Dw Dunphy, "Feast of Wire" by Calexico. I'm also hoping to have one up as well.

Mest's latest release comes by way of Maverick Records on June 10. The disc will be available in PA and Edited form. I loved their "Cadillac" which has a somewhat permanent home on my MP3 player. It's still there. The new album is self-titled.

Also on June 10 is the newest Metallica disc, "St Anger". The album provides a bonus DVD and comes out in two forms, PA and Edited. Don't forget, Steely Dan fans, June 10 is the same date for the release of their latest, "Everything Must Go", available in CD and special edition CD/DVD. The DVD-Audio version also arrives on the same date.

A small note concerning the SACD release of The Allman Brothers Band, "Live at Fillmore East" is that it has been bumped to October 7. The 2CD Deluxe Edition of this title will be available on September 9.

The John Hiatt, "Bring The Family" SACD Hybrid is scheduled to be in store on August 5.

August 26 brings a Styx disc, "Rockers" to store. No advance word on what this disc provides so it's here as a preliminary note.

On August 12, Geffen Records releases a Sonic Youth DVD, "The Geffen Years". That oughta make Duane happy.

I'm out for the day. See you tomorrow.

May 19, 2003

I really enjoy slipping away to Santa Monica now and again, walking the promenade and soaking in the atmosphere. But you also get to hear some extraordinary talent now and again. My daughter and I attended a midnight showing of Moulin Rouge, a sing-along affair a la Rocky Horror at the Mann theatre. But before we joined the line, we had an opportunity to listen to a magnificent 13 year old voice. That voice belonged to Q'orianka. If you live in the area, you should get out there to hear her sing. And if I were an agent, I'd be investigating the possibilities. She has already been on Star Search and played a small part in "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" however I have a feeling it's just a matter of time for this very talented young girl. Good Luck, Q'orianka.

We have a few new people to introduce you to. First off, Brett Rudolph joins us. He comes highly recommended by SACD guru, Brian Moura and we're pleased to have him aboard. We also wish to introduce DW Dunphy, who'll provide us with reviews of rock releases. Now then, what better way to bring these people on board than to give you a round of reviews from them. We also throw in some from long time reviewer, Duane Leyva. Tomorrow, I'll chime in with one, maybe two.

The first review is written is by DW Dunphy, "Accelerated Evolution" by The Devin Townsend Band. The remaining two reviews come from Duane Leyva, who has had a chance to listen to and evaluate the 2CD Deluxe Edition of Sonic Youth's Dirty and Victory Records' upcoming new title by Darkest Hour, "Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation".

For fans of the progressive rock band, Spock's Beard, the word is that their latest album, "Feel Euphoria" is in the can. You can expect the release of this album to occur on July 8.

On June 24, the new Liz Phair album arrives in stores in two flavours. There is the regular PA issue and an edited clean version.

Ok folks, here where you can email me and ask me where I've been. I do feel as if I've just emerged from somewhere else, not a hard thing to do given the otherworldly state of my warzoned house BUT...guess who I just "discovered". I'm embarrassed to say it took me this long but I was so blown away from Linda Perry of the long ago disbanded 4 Non Blondes and her song, "What's Going On" that I listened to it maybe 30 times in a row. A friend recently let me listen to this song...and I want more. Linda...if you're reading, or if any of you know Linda (pass this on), please email me so we can talk about what you have planned for the future. I just can't imagine that you would have just quit. I know that she has a record label but I'm wanting more.

Tomorrow, we'll introduce another reviewer. That will bring our staff to a nice size.

The release news is a bit slowed but it sometimes is because of a weekend. I did post a fairly large bit of info on Friday which drains the news for Monday. Oh well, you be sure to come back tomorrow for some more stuff. I'll have it.