Archival Posts 2004 January 11

January 16, 2004

Let me start the day out right by apologizing for the extra day off that we took. We had some things that needed attending and we took care of it. But we're back and do we have a big post for you with some interesting news and info for you.

I'm still searching out for that T. Rex DVD-Audio so I hope to have something up for you on Monday. I even bloody went to Tower to get one. None.

We also have a few other things for you as well. We have an announcement for a chance to win some SACDs from Audio Fidelity. There is also a Casey Stratton giveaway courtesy of Casey Stratton's PR and Sony Classical. Audio Fidelity has graciously given us 3 John Mayall SACDs of John Mayall and Friends. We recently reviewed this title. I can assure you that this disc is a gem. Not only is it a spectacular album of music but it is also a great SACD as well. We'll post the details on how to win one of the three discs on Monday.

The Casey Stratton giveaway is a pack that contains a signed poster, a CD advance, and a sampler disc. We have 5 of these for you to win. In order to win one of these pack, you'll have to visit the website and come back with a bit of info. The info that we're looking for is simply this - what subsidiary label is releasing his debut, Standing at the edge? The first 5 with the answer wins the packs. Send your answers via this link.

What?! You don't have any of the Rolling Stones' Hybrid SACDs? Well...how about this offer? Tower Records has the entire batch of Stones SACD titles from Abkco Records available for only $9.99. Additionally, those real expensive 'best of' titles are only a mere $19.99. This is only for a short time (Feb 9) so rush out and pick 'em up. You don't even need an SACD player to enjoy these as they are Hybrid discs that are playable in both formats. The great thing is that when you DO get an SACD player...and you will, these acquisitions will be stunning surprises for you..all over again.

Now, sit back, hold your breath, and read about the deluge of great music that is coming 'round the corner.

Did I satisfy your thirst?

We'll see you Monday.

CDs

Arista reports a few new additions to their release calendar with releases by Ciara with an as yet untitled album slated for May 25. They also have an album coming from Citizen Cope on May 18. Citizen Cope was last heard on Santana's last tour. This debut should be pretty good. Here's a link to hear "Suns Gonna Rise", a potential song from the Arista debut. Additionally, there are video links as well. Here's a MS Windows Media Player link to start you out.

Also on Arista's slate is an album from Deja expected on May 11. As in the others, there is no title as of yet.

Arista/LaFace Records have a Donell Jones untitled album expected on June 22.

The BIG news out of the Arista camp is the announcement of an upcoming Avril Lavigne album. As with the other far scheduled albums, the title is not available. You can tentatively schedule this one on your calendar for May 25.

Earlier we announced a date for Angie Stone's upcoming album, 8-Ball. The date is now rescheduled for June 8. There will also be an LP to accompany the CD and Cassette releases.

RCA's The Velvet Revolver release, Contraband, has been rescheduled for May 4.

Legacy and Epic Records issue The Isley Brothers' Live It Up will be released on February 24.

Alan Parsons Project fans get a nice beefed up Ultimate package on March 23. The album will be simply The Ultimate Alan Parsons Project. This comes from Arista/BMG Heritage.

Sanctuary Records is readying a 2CD Allman Brothers Band title, One Way Out, on March 23. There isn't any info on this title yet but I'll have it soon for you. Very soon.

Sanctuary is preparing an Eek-A-Mouse album, Mouse Gone Wild, which will be released on March 23. Sanctuary also has the date set for the release of Panic Movement, the album by The Hiss.

BMG Heritage will have a 2CD Ultimate Hall & Oates album ready by March 23.

If you are a Henry Mancini fan, you can expect a 'best of' to be unwrapped on March 23. This RCA/BMG Heritage title will be named Midnight, Moonlight, and Magic: The Best of Henry Mancini. To cap off this collection, I'm hoping that they include the short but satisfying "Experiments in Terror". Please, please, please...

Arista will have Natasha's new album, an untitled affair for the moment, ready to slip into your players on April 27.

How about an Ultimate Elvis package? BMG Heritage is putting the works together for Elvis Ultimate Gospel. You can expect this package on March 23. Woohoo for Elvis fans.

J Records will issue Redefine by the band Soil. The album will release on March 23.

Arista's expected release of the next Tears for Fears album is scheduled on April 6.

Somewhere in the near future, V2 Records will issue a Toots and the Maytals album with the title tentatively called Toots and Friends. It sounds like it may be a live album.

Sanctuary has a Widespread Panic album on the slate for March 23. The album will be titled Night of Joy.

Warner Brothers will issue John Frusciante's (Red Hot Chili Peppers) next solo effort, Shadows Collide With People, on February 24. Also on February 24, Elektra Records will release the sophomore work of Blindside. Their new album, About a Burning Fire, will contain 12 tracks including a song featuring Billy Corgan.

Atlantic Records checks in with the release of John Gregory's upcoming album, Pictures From Home. This title is expected on February 24.

Rhino issues a batch (5) of Emmylou Harris Expanded and Remastered titles as we have reported last year. The expected date is now firm for February 24 and will include the titles:

Blue Kentucky Girl
Elite Hotel
Luxury Liner
Pieces of the Sky
Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town

Maverick Records will issue Tantric's After We Go on February 24. This followup to their well received self-titled debut will contain 12 tracks.

More BIG news on the Rhino Expanded and Remastered front are 3 additional Yes titles. The next three are:

Tormato
Drama
90125

We'll issue more expanded news as we get them. While we're at it, Yes will be appearing on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn on Tuesday, January 27. Set your Tivos and your ReplayTVs. Here's a shot of the upcoming 3CD Yes retrospective coming on January 27 from Rhino.

Reprise Records will be issuing a 2nd Edition of Neil Young's Greendale. Don't ask, I'm not yet privy to the changes and/or additions.

Rhino pushes a Grant Lee Buffalo 2CD retrospective called Storm Hymnal: Gems From the Vault of Grant Lee Buffalo on March 2.

Reprise Records issues The Living End's newest album, Modern ARTillery on March 2.

Will that keep you til Monday? How about a teaser for Monday's post.

Iggy Pop...Delerium...The Beach Boys (twice)...REM...Crowded House...whew!!

While Monday's Post won't be as packed as this weekend's post, it'll at least have reviews attached with it. Lots. I'm serious.

Hi Res SACD and DVD-Audio

Lost Highway Records will issue Ryan Adam's recent release, Rock n Roll as a Hybrid SACD on February 24.

Music DVDs

The Britney Spears' DVD, In The Zone has been rescheduled for March 9.

BMG Heritage will issue a Harry Nilsson DVD named The Point on March 23. Ringo Starr also factors in heavily on this issue.

Sanctuary has let us in on a Queensryche DVD being readied for release on March 23. The DVD entitled The Art of Live will be made available to fans in both amaray and jewel casings.

Rhino's anticipated release of Devo's Devo Live on DVD will happen on February 24.

March 2. Dave Gahan. DVD. Live Monsters. Cool?

LPs

January 15, 2003

Daily Post

Be sure to come back on Friday because we have a LOT of stuff to report including some solid dates on some Warner product including YES and Emmylou Harris re-issues. And there's a whole lot more. But first, what the heck...I go to get a copy of T. Rex's DVD-Audio of Electric Warrior and it's nowhere to be found...and it ticks me off. Too much running around trying to find stuff I tell you. If you, as a reader, are from Warner...help me out.

We'll be back with some more reviews and lotsa news.

A bit of news before we move into our second full week of January. Casey Stratton's Sony Classical debut, Standing at the edge, will be arriving in stores on January 20. We've reviewed this pre-release copy and can vouch for its grand approach to adult contemporary music. You can read the review. Also, for a brief time, Sony Classical is giving away free Casey Stratton sampler discs. You just need to sign up for one.

We also reviewed the Joshua Bell album, Romance of the Violin. No giveaways here BUT you can watch Joshua Bell on your local PBS channel on Wednesday evening. The show, Joshua Bell - Live From Lincoln Center will be shown at 8p/P. Check your local listings for correct times in your time zone.

to report on a more global level but it's a contest just digging up US release data. If you overseas readers can guide me to folks who can help to facilitate release info for European and Asian markets, I'll be pleased to incorporate it into the daily show. If you are a publicist yourself or are attached to a label, help to inform your audience with advanced info. You can email me right here.

Duane was unable to put together a Pit Stop for last week. He is working to produce his first 2004 issue but it may take a few more weeks. You know how life is...

Reviews. We have a few of 'em for you. First off, we had promised you an SACD review. We have a few in the wings as well as DVD-Audio reviews. Today, we hope to acquire the T.Rex Electric Warrior DVD-Audio and then we'll put up a rush review for your purchasing decision. Watch for that.

We have more reviews on tap including some of those elusive SACD/DVD-As. Be sure that they are just around the corner.

We'll see you Friday.

CDs

I had promised some more Dave Brubeck release info and here it is. March 2 will find The Dave Brubeck Quartet's Countdown: Time in Outer Space and Time Changes in stores and on shelves. Again, no pertinent info as pertains to discs available as of yet.

Arista has put another delay on the Buford/Brooks album, Straight Outta Rehab. The new date will be June 8.

Folks waiting on The Punisher soundtrack will get ahold of it on March 23.

Legacy and Epic Records will release an O'Jays album, Family Reunion, on February 24. This 1975 release will be remastered.

Legacy and Columbia will release Tony Bennett's The Moment of Truth: Live at the Sahara 1964. on March 9.

I received an email from reader David Curvin who has alerted me to the possibility of a Judas Priest Box. It's expected sometime in March as the statement goes. We haven't detected this title yet but we'll be sure to alert you when we do.

January 12, 2004

Daily Post

The gates are open and the lack of release news is starting to ease as the labels gear up for the year. I'm excited to find what will be coming our way.

You may have noticed that I've expanded the Current Reviews found at the top of this page by 3. The reason for this is that you have said that they fall off too fast. Even though they are also found in the Music Reviews sidebar as well as the archival page, you just felt better by being able to click through to reviews from the top. And so it shall be...

Now, here's a request. I really want to report on a more global level but it's a contest just digging up US release data. If you overseas readers can guide me to folks who can help to facilitate release info for European and Asian markets, I'll be pleased to incorporate it into the daily show. If you are a publicist yourself or are attached to a label, help to inform your audience with advanced info. You can email me right here.

Duane was unable to put together a Pit Stop for last week. He is working to produce his first 2004 issue but it may take a few more weeks. You know how life is...

We posted a Dave Brubeck release piece below for one of his recordings that is soon to be re-issued. I have more information that I will divulge tomorrow for The Dave Brubeck Quartet.

Reviews. We have a few of 'em for you. First off, we had promised you an SACD review. We have a few in the wings as well as DVD-Audio reviews. Next week, we hope to acquire the T.Rex Electric Warrior DVD-Audio and then we'll put up a rush review for your purchasing decision. Watch for that.

Today, we have a review for The Carpenters 35 Anniversary Edition - Gold. This album is going to be available on February 10 from A&M/UTV Records. We also have a review of Bruce Cockburn's You've Never Seen Everything. This album is showing up on Year's Best lists everywhere and so it becomes time to let you in on the deal.

We have more reviews on tap including some of those elusive SACD/DVD-As. Be sure that they are just around the corner.

We'll see you tomorrow.

CDs

Jessica Simpson fans will be getting a new JS album which is, at this time still untitled, and on schedule for a February 24 release date.

March 2 is the date of a re-issue of one of Dave Brubeck's Time series recordings, Time In. This 1965 recording will be re-issued by Columbia and Legacy Recordings and will likely be remastered. Keep an eye out for further details as they unveil. Awesome!!

Columbia re-issues an Earth, Wind & Fire album originally released on LP in 1979 and then released on CD for the first time in 1986 gets a rework on an upcoming scheduled release date of February 24. Details as provided coming up.

Legacy and Epic Records team up to release a re-issue of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' 1972 debut originally released on Philadelphia International. This album contains the most popular of their singles, "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and is scheduled to hit stores on February 24. As many of you fine audiophiles already are aware, Teddy Prendergrass came from this group and later went on to solo fame. And what a great voice he has.

One of our favourite labels, Shout Factory! will issue a Jim Croce title, Facets, on March 9. Facets is a re-issue of an original 1966 release that features arrangements ("Gunga Din", "Big Fat Woman"), covers ("Steel Rail Blues" / Gordon Lightfoot, "Until It's Time For Me To Go" / Buffy St Marie), and original compositions like "Texas Rodeo".

Raise your hands if you love Johnny Winter. Because, on March 9, Columbia and Legacy will bring to you a live album from Johnny Winter. The album is Live at Royal Albert Hall. I don't know the particulars but will alert you as they become known to me. Which brings to mind a funny story. Years ago, many years ago, Mrs TAP, who knows my intense fondness for blues and for Johnny Winter in particular, told me that she was related (cousins) with Johnny and Edgar. She then told me that they (the Winters) were going to be at a family reunion that year. Well...to make it shorter, I was next to packing the car months early that's how excited I was. She convinced the inlaws to play along and so I fell prey and victim to one of the greatest hoaxs known to mankind. Needless to say, I was crushed to learn that it wasn't so. Johnny...if you're reading, drop me a line and heal one of the long standing disappointments in my life. <sniff, sniff>.

Epic and Legacy will issue a Little Richard album, Get Down With It: The OKeh Sessions on February 24.

Columbia will issue a 'best of' for Peabo Bryson on February 24. The album will be issued in conjunction with Legacy and is called The Best of Peabo Bryson.

If you're a fan of the group Play then March 9 is a date to write in on the calendar. Their release, Don't Stop the Music, will be made available from Columbia Records.

Also, if you're a fan of The Bad Plus, those post-modern jazz aficionados that creatively re-define jazz blurring the lines of rock and jazz fusion, write down your calendar date for their sophomore Columbia Records release. Their next, Give, will be released on March 9.

Projekt Records has checked in with the following upcoming albums:

Steve Roach/Vidna Obmana - Spirit Dome - January 13
Unto Ashes - I Cover You With Blood MCD - January 13
Voltaire - Then and Again MCD - March
Black Tape for a Blue Girl Maxi-CD - March
Steve Roach - Fever Dreams - April 6

Projekt Records is an innovative label with some of the most interesting and complex music that you have heard. I highly recommend them to fans of music.

And there is so much more...be sure to come back.

Hi Res SACD/DVD-Audio

Lost Highway Records will issue Ryan Adam's recent release, Rock n Roll as a Hybrid SACD on February 24.

Music DVDs

The Santana DVD, A&E: Live by Request, has been cast into hold purgatory with only the jewel cased version on the slate. The Amaray cased version of the title has been deep-sixed.

Britney Spears' DVD, In The Zone will be be on the calendar for a February 24 release date.