17
Jan
2006
· From putting the "show" into the show business of Van Halen's best years to becoming a New York City emergency medical technician and recently one of Howard Stern's terrestrial radio replacements, David Lee Roth is adding another strange note to his résumé.
The singer has joined CMH Records' upcoming bluegrass Van Halen tribute, Strummin' with the Devil, laying down new vocals to "Jump" and "Jamie's Cryin'," both backed by the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band. I'm not sure if the musicians re-created Eddie Van Halen's zip-zag tape stripes on their banjos and mandolins, but I can't wait to hear David Grisman reinterpret "Hot for Teacher" and Mountain Heart's flattop boogie of "Dance the Night Away."
· More down home Deliverance debauchery is due next week from Hayseed Dixie in its Hot Piece of Grass CD on the Cooking Vinyl imprint. This balls-to-the-walls bluegrass-meets-moonshine metal is led by Barley Scotch - a philosophy Ph.D. - and features new originals and covers of AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie," Black Sabbath's "War Pigs," and Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog."
· In other cool-cover news, seek out the new digital-only acoustic "Red Moon" EP available for download from Turin Brakes, featuring its harmonious version of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Breaking the Girl," recorded in a KCRW radio session. Next week the reissue wizards at Sony BMG are releasing Elvis #1 Singles, a new Elvis Presley box set featuring all 21 of his number-one hits. A numbered limited edition is also available featuring a poster of the original picture sleeves and 20 individual CD singles recreating the original 45-RPM, seven-inch records and their artwork, right down to the CDs being pressed with a black "topcoat" that looks (and feels) like vinyl.
· Monster smashes from the 1980s dance floor have been given a new, pumped-up personality in this coming Tuesday's Retro Future compilation from Rhino Records. Fourteen perky electronic classics of the new-wave era have been selected and remixed by the cream of DJ/producer types, from Static Revenger and DJ Tiga to Way Out West and the Jaded Alliance. Highlights include Richard X's spin through "Situation" by Yaz, The Crystal Method's workout of New Order's "Bizzarre Love Triangle," DJ Irene's take on Book of Love's "Boy," and a Sparks remix of Morrissey's "Suedehead."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno opens the gates of Fort Minor this evening; The Late Show with David Letterman boasts Beth Orton on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien hosts sisters Tegan & Sara this evening overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly features Natasha Bedingfield on Thursday overnight and The Constantines on Tuesday overnight; Austin City Limits presents Ryan Adams and Tiff Merritt this weekend; Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is The Strokes; and VH1's new Decades Rock Live series this weekend presents Bonnie Raitt and friends Norah Jones, Keb' Mo', and Ben Harper.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, January 24:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change.
Richard Ashcroft- Keys to the World (Parlophone) third solo album from the former Verve mystic
Bonnie "Prince" Billy & Tortoise- The Brave & the Bold (Domino) new collaboration featuring covers of Elton John's "Daniel," Devo's "It's Pep," Richard Thompson's "'Calvary Cross," and Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road"
Audio Bullys- Generation (Astralwerks) excellent return of the London duo, featuring a wild reworking of Nancy Sinatra's "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)"
Buzzcocks- Live at Shepherds Bush Empire (Music Video Distributors) DVD filmed in 2003
Cat Power- The Greatest (Matador) recorded in Memphis with members of the legendary house bands of Hi and Stax Records
The Color Purple- original Broadway Cast recording (Angel) featuring a special bonus duet recording of "What About Love" by Jill Scott and Patti LaBelle
Crosby, Stills & Nash- Crosby, Stills & Nashand Daylight Again (Rhino) expanded CD reissues from 1969 and 1982
Liz Durrett- The Mezzanine (Warm) slow motion gliding in the cool waters of Hope Sandoval and Chan Marshall; these ethereal "attic songs" were produced by her uncle, Vic Chesnutt
The Elected- Sun, Sun, Sun (SubPop) sophomore release from this side project of Blake Sennett of Rilo Kelly
José Gonzalez- "Stay in the Shade" (Hidden Agenda) five-song CD EP featuring a cool cover of Kylie Minogue's "Hand on Your Heart" and a beautiful six-minute instrumental track
Good Clean Fun- Between Christian Rock & a Hard Place (Equal Vision) vegan straightedge hardcore from Washington, D.C.
His Name Is Alive- Detrola (Silver Mountain) on Warn Defever's new artist-owned label; look for him on tour later this month with Low and Death Vessel
Taylor Hollingsworth- Tragic City (Brash Music) debut full-length album
Lena Horne- Seasons of Life (Blue Note)
Michael Houser- Sandbox (Supercat/Emergent) posthumous release of this last solo album from the Widespread Panic guitarist
The Invisible Eyes- Laugh in the Dark (Bomp) wild fuzz and fever on this debut from Seattle
Jenny Lewis- Rabbit Fur Coat (Team Love) solo album from the Rilo Kelly vocalist, featuring guests Conor Oberst and Ben Gibbard lending a hand on a cover of the Traveling Wilburys' "Handle with Care"
London- original motion picture soundtrack (Tiny E) debuting its own artist-controlled label, the Crystal Method offers up eight new tracks alongside Connie Price and the Keystones, Evil Nine, and the Perishers
Lovedrug- Pretend You're Alive (Militia Group)
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti- House Arrest (Paw Tracks) CD reissue of this lo-fi masterpiece from 2002
Robert Pollard- From a Compound Eye (Merge) simply magnificent, this first solo album since the breakup of Guided by Voices is everything a fan could hope for - a bold masterpiece of unsuppressed madcap melody and fragmented lyrical bursts that grow and unfold with every listen
Railroad Earth- Elko (Sci Fidelity)
Scott Reeder- TunnelVision Brilliance (Liquor & Poker) solo album from the former member of Kyuss and The Obsessed
Saint Etienne- Tales from Turnpike House (Savoy Jazz) domestic issue with alternative tracks
Duncan Sheik- White Limousine (Zoe/Rounder) CD and DVD set featuring remix software in the DVD that allows listeners to shape their own versions of the songs
Matthew Shipp- One (Thirsty Ear) solo acoustic album
Slow Runner- No Disassemble (Red Ink) debut featuring Michael Flynn, winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship
Glenn Tilbrook- One for the Road (Image) DVD documentary of the Squeeze co-founder's life on the road as a solo acoustic artist, featuring hits including "Tempted," "Black Coffee in Bed" and "Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)," along with a cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)"
UB40- Who Are You Fighting for? (Rhino) domestic issue featuring seven new songs and six covers, including the Beatles' "I'll Be on My Way"
Velvet Underground- Live MCMXCIII (Rhino) now on DVD for the first time for this 1993 reunion show in Paris
Andrew W.K.- Who Knows? (Music Video Distributors) world-trekking live DVD
Yellowcard- Lights & Sounds (Capitol) featuring music found in the video game "Burnout Revenge," and guest Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks
· More down home Deliverance debauchery is due next week from Hayseed Dixie in its Hot Piece of Grass CD on the Cooking Vinyl imprint. This balls-to-the-walls bluegrass-meets-moonshine metal is led by Barley Scotch - a philosophy Ph.D. - and features new originals and covers of AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie," Black Sabbath's "War Pigs," and Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog."
· In other cool-cover news, seek out the new digital-only acoustic "Red Moon" EP available for download from Turin Brakes, featuring its harmonious version of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Breaking the Girl," recorded in a KCRW radio session. Next week the reissue wizards at Sony BMG are releasing Elvis #1 Singles, a new Elvis Presley box set featuring all 21 of his number-one hits. A numbered limited edition is also available featuring a poster of the original picture sleeves and 20 individual CD singles recreating the original 45-RPM, seven-inch records and their artwork, right down to the CDs being pressed with a black "topcoat" that looks (and feels) like vinyl.
· Monster smashes from the 1980s dance floor have been given a new, pumped-up personality in this coming Tuesday's Retro Future compilation from Rhino Records. Fourteen perky electronic classics of the new-wave era have been selected and remixed by the cream of DJ/producer types, from Static Revenger and DJ Tiga to Way Out West and the Jaded Alliance. Highlights include Richard X's spin through "Situation" by Yaz, The Crystal Method's workout of New Order's "Bizzarre Love Triangle," DJ Irene's take on Book of Love's "Boy," and a Sparks remix of Morrissey's "Suedehead."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno opens the gates of Fort Minor this evening; The Late Show with David Letterman boasts Beth Orton on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien hosts sisters Tegan & Sara this evening overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly features Natasha Bedingfield on Thursday overnight and The Constantines on Tuesday overnight; Austin City Limits presents Ryan Adams and Tiff Merritt this weekend; Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is The Strokes; and VH1's new Decades Rock Live series this weekend presents Bonnie Raitt and friends Norah Jones, Keb' Mo', and Ben Harper.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, January 24:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change.
Richard Ashcroft- Keys to the World (Parlophone) third solo album from the former Verve mystic
Bonnie "Prince" Billy & Tortoise- The Brave & the Bold (Domino) new collaboration featuring covers of Elton John's "Daniel," Devo's "It's Pep," Richard Thompson's "'Calvary Cross," and Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road"
Audio Bullys- Generation (Astralwerks) excellent return of the London duo, featuring a wild reworking of Nancy Sinatra's "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)"
Buzzcocks- Live at Shepherds Bush Empire (Music Video Distributors) DVD filmed in 2003
Cat Power- The Greatest (Matador) recorded in Memphis with members of the legendary house bands of Hi and Stax Records
The Color Purple- original Broadway Cast recording (Angel) featuring a special bonus duet recording of "What About Love" by Jill Scott and Patti LaBelle
Crosby, Stills & Nash- Crosby, Stills & Nashand Daylight Again (Rhino) expanded CD reissues from 1969 and 1982
Liz Durrett- The Mezzanine (Warm) slow motion gliding in the cool waters of Hope Sandoval and Chan Marshall; these ethereal "attic songs" were produced by her uncle, Vic Chesnutt
The Elected- Sun, Sun, Sun (SubPop) sophomore release from this side project of Blake Sennett of Rilo Kelly
José Gonzalez- "Stay in the Shade" (Hidden Agenda) five-song CD EP featuring a cool cover of Kylie Minogue's "Hand on Your Heart" and a beautiful six-minute instrumental track
Good Clean Fun- Between Christian Rock & a Hard Place (Equal Vision) vegan straightedge hardcore from Washington, D.C.
His Name Is Alive- Detrola (Silver Mountain) on Warn Defever's new artist-owned label; look for him on tour later this month with Low and Death Vessel
Taylor Hollingsworth- Tragic City (Brash Music) debut full-length album
Lena Horne- Seasons of Life (Blue Note)
Michael Houser- Sandbox (Supercat/Emergent) posthumous release of this last solo album from the Widespread Panic guitarist
The Invisible Eyes- Laugh in the Dark (Bomp) wild fuzz and fever on this debut from Seattle
Jenny Lewis- Rabbit Fur Coat (Team Love) solo album from the Rilo Kelly vocalist, featuring guests Conor Oberst and Ben Gibbard lending a hand on a cover of the Traveling Wilburys' "Handle with Care"
London- original motion picture soundtrack (Tiny E) debuting its own artist-controlled label, the Crystal Method offers up eight new tracks alongside Connie Price and the Keystones, Evil Nine, and the Perishers
Lovedrug- Pretend You're Alive (Militia Group)
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti- House Arrest (Paw Tracks) CD reissue of this lo-fi masterpiece from 2002
Robert Pollard- From a Compound Eye (Merge) simply magnificent, this first solo album since the breakup of Guided by Voices is everything a fan could hope for - a bold masterpiece of unsuppressed madcap melody and fragmented lyrical bursts that grow and unfold with every listen
Railroad Earth- Elko (Sci Fidelity)
Scott Reeder- TunnelVision Brilliance (Liquor & Poker) solo album from the former member of Kyuss and The Obsessed
Saint Etienne- Tales from Turnpike House (Savoy Jazz) domestic issue with alternative tracks
Duncan Sheik- White Limousine (Zoe/Rounder) CD and DVD set featuring remix software in the DVD that allows listeners to shape their own versions of the songs
Matthew Shipp- One (Thirsty Ear) solo acoustic album
Slow Runner- No Disassemble (Red Ink) debut featuring Michael Flynn, winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship
Glenn Tilbrook- One for the Road (Image) DVD documentary of the Squeeze co-founder's life on the road as a solo acoustic artist, featuring hits including "Tempted," "Black Coffee in Bed" and "Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)," along with a cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)"
UB40- Who Are You Fighting for? (Rhino) domestic issue featuring seven new songs and six covers, including the Beatles' "I'll Be on My Way"
Velvet Underground- Live MCMXCIII (Rhino) now on DVD for the first time for this 1993 reunion show in Paris
Andrew W.K.- Who Knows? (Music Video Distributors) world-trekking live DVD
Yellowcard- Lights & Sounds (Capitol) featuring music found in the video game "Burnout Revenge," and guest Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks
