23
Aug
2005
More questions than answers are blowing in the wind, my friend, with superstar artists cutting deals that exclude traditional mom-and-pop record stores from carrying their upcoming CDs. Walmart's 800-pound gorilla already dictates to the major record labels what it's going to take to get their product into their stores - approving cover art and a take-it-or-leave-it cost margin.
But now the retail giant takes the sweetheart deal to a new level, with Garth Brooks signing on to release his upcoming box set and future new albums exclusively at the big box. Next week Bob Dylan's Gaslight Café sessions from 1962 will be legitimately issued for the first time - but you can only find them at Starbucks Coffee. Much cherished by his fans and often leaked out by bootleggers over the years, these 10 early recordings from the blossoming folk scene of Greenwich Village are newly remastered and serve as a seminal document of what was to come. It's not very fair, but Starbucks can also sell the other Dylan CD that does hit record store shelves this coming Tuesday, the seventh CD in Columbia Legacy's Bootleg Series. This latest volume serves as the soundtrack to upcoming PBS documentary directed by Martin Scorsese, No Direction Home, airing on the network September 26 and 27. The two-CD set features alternative takes from his Columbia recording sessions, television appearances, and what's thought to be Dylan's first original song - "When I Got Troubles," recorded as a high-school student in 1959. On the horizon is long anticipated release of I'm Not There, the upcoming Dylan bio-pic directed by Todd Haynes, using a surreal multitude of actors (and actresses) to portray him, from Richard Gere and Adrien Brody to Julianne Moore and Cate Blanchett.
· Magic and delight are all around with Eenie Meenie Records' release this week of Dimension Mix, a nifty new tribute to the compositions of Bruce Haack & Esther Nelson. As founders of the Dimension 5 Records label in the early 1960s, the audio experimenter and electronic composer joined the dance teacher and lyricist, releasing children's records of exceptional glee and imagination. This new project hosts 18 modern-day mixologists and recording artists, from Beck to the Eels, revisiting songs such as "Army Ants in Your Pants" and "Soul Transportation." Other artists include Stereolab, Money Mark, Apples in Stereo, and Fantastic Plastic Machine - who serve up the wicky-wicky, hyper-kinetic art damage of "I'm Bruce." A portion of the CD's proceeds will benefit Cure Autism Now.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno presents Papa Roach on Thursday; The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes The All-American Rejects on Friday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien boasts the Doves this evening overnight, Billy Idol on Thursday overnight, Mudvayne on Friday overnight, and the Alkaline Trio on Monday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly hosts Iron & Wine this evening overnight, Sum 41 on Thursday overnight, and Moe & Matt Pond PA on Friday overnight; and Jimmy Kimmel Live snaps up The Click Five this evening overnight, college boy Tommy Lee on Monday overnight, and Hawthorne Heights on Tuesday overnight.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, August 30:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change.
Alabama Thunderpussy- River City Revival (Relapse) reissue of this out-of-print stoner-rock gem from 1999
Anastacia- Anastacia (Columbia) with guest Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D.
Peter Apfelbaum & The New York Hieroglyphics- It Is Written (Highnote) with guests Trey Anastasio of Phish and Steven Bernstein of Sex Mob
Jeff Ball- Return to Balance (Red Feather) new from the Native American cedar-flute master
Biohazard- Means to an End (Steamhammer/SPV) all new
Eric Clapton- Back Home (Duck/Reprise) with guests Robert Randolph, Steve Winwood and John Mayer, and featuring covers of The Spinners' "Love Don't Love Nobody" and George Harrison's "Love Comes to Everyone"
Cold- A Different Kind of Pain (Lava) back with guitarist Matt Lourghran
Conjure One- Extraordinary Ways (Nettwerk) new from Rhys Fulber of Delerium and Frontline Assembly, now wrapped in hypnotic guest female vocalists and a cool cover of The Buzzcocks' "I Believe"
The Coral- The Invisible Invasion (Deltasonic/Columbia) my pick of the week is the fourth album from this young pop psychedelic seven-piece from Liverpool, blending slippery lyrics and a cool, easy-beat aquarium vibe that shimmers in waves of the Verve, the Damned, the Doors, Moody Blues, and "Arnold Layne"-era Pink Floyd
DJ? Acuback- Killing Mobius (Cracknation/Underground Inc) featuring a remix from Sascha of KMFDM
General Elektriks- Cliquety Kliqk (Quannum Projects)
Ghosty- Grow Up or Sleep in (Future Farmer) with guest Wayne Coyne of Flaming Lips on an alternative mix of "Clouds Solve It"
Thea Gilmore- Songs from the Gutter (Compass) featuring covers of The Clash's "I'm Not Down" and Bob Dylan's "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine"
Glue- Sunset Lodge (Shake It) featuring MC Adeem, a two-time winner at the annual Scribble Jam
Euge Groove- Just Feels Right (Narada Jazz) new from the contemporary jazz saxophonist, featuring a smooth, free floating cover of the Rolling Stones' "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)"
Herbie Hancock- Possibilities (Starbucks Hear Music/Hancock Music) loaded with guests Carlos Santana, Sting, Paul Simon, Damien Rice, Joss Stone, Annie Lennox, and Trey Anastasio
J-Live- The Hear After (Penalty/Rykodisc) philosophical hip-hop from the New York City record spinner and MC, with guests Dwele, Kola Rock, and Cvees
Juliet- Random Order (Virgin) hot off her tour opening for Duran Duran, this is dance music with a gothic, gutsy edge from the former 1 Plus 1 vocalist, bound for superstar status
A Million Billion- Today We Love You (Filthy Schoolgirls) laptop cacophony from Ryan Smith of Stars Like Fleas
Our Lady Peace- Healthy in Paranoid Times(Columbia)
Ozomatli- Live at the Fillmore (Concord) CD and DVD set filmed and recorded last year
Jack Rose- Kensington Blues (VHF) new from the member of Pelt and the Black Twig Pickers
Spandau Ballet- Live From the N.E.C. (Columbia Legacy) DVD filmed in 1986 with bonus videos and audio commentary
Robert Walter- Super Heavy Organ (Magnitude) funky and chunky grooves from the Greyboy Allstars keyboardist via his vintage Hammond Organ; kickin' up the red beans and rice with guest drummer Stanton Moore
Kayne West- Late Registration (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam) with guests Jamie Foxx, Cam'rom, Brandy, The Game, and Maroon5's Adam Levine
Dan Zanes & Friends- All Around the Kitchen (Festival Five) DVD filmed at New York's Knitting Factory, featuring six videos and two Sesame Street clips
various artists- Austin City Limits (Rhino) 16 live tracks recorded at last year's annual festival, featuring Franz Ferdinand, My Morning Jacket, Ben Harper, the Pixies, Dashboard Confessional, and Cake
various artists- Ten in Texas (Icehouse Music) new collection of up-and-coming Lone Star artists covering fellow Texans such as Guy Clark, Buddy Holly, Billy Joe Shaver, and Ernest Tubb
· Magic and delight are all around with Eenie Meenie Records' release this week of Dimension Mix, a nifty new tribute to the compositions of Bruce Haack & Esther Nelson. As founders of the Dimension 5 Records label in the early 1960s, the audio experimenter and electronic composer joined the dance teacher and lyricist, releasing children's records of exceptional glee and imagination. This new project hosts 18 modern-day mixologists and recording artists, from Beck to the Eels, revisiting songs such as "Army Ants in Your Pants" and "Soul Transportation." Other artists include Stereolab, Money Mark, Apples in Stereo, and Fantastic Plastic Machine - who serve up the wicky-wicky, hyper-kinetic art damage of "I'm Bruce." A portion of the CD's proceeds will benefit Cure Autism Now.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno presents Papa Roach on Thursday; The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes The All-American Rejects on Friday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien boasts the Doves this evening overnight, Billy Idol on Thursday overnight, Mudvayne on Friday overnight, and the Alkaline Trio on Monday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly hosts Iron & Wine this evening overnight, Sum 41 on Thursday overnight, and Moe & Matt Pond PA on Friday overnight; and Jimmy Kimmel Live snaps up The Click Five this evening overnight, college boy Tommy Lee on Monday overnight, and Hawthorne Heights on Tuesday overnight.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, August 30:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change.
Alabama Thunderpussy- River City Revival (Relapse) reissue of this out-of-print stoner-rock gem from 1999
Anastacia- Anastacia (Columbia) with guest Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D.
Peter Apfelbaum & The New York Hieroglyphics- It Is Written (Highnote) with guests Trey Anastasio of Phish and Steven Bernstein of Sex Mob
Jeff Ball- Return to Balance (Red Feather) new from the Native American cedar-flute master
Biohazard- Means to an End (Steamhammer/SPV) all new
Eric Clapton- Back Home (Duck/Reprise) with guests Robert Randolph, Steve Winwood and John Mayer, and featuring covers of The Spinners' "Love Don't Love Nobody" and George Harrison's "Love Comes to Everyone"
Cold- A Different Kind of Pain (Lava) back with guitarist Matt Lourghran
Conjure One- Extraordinary Ways (Nettwerk) new from Rhys Fulber of Delerium and Frontline Assembly, now wrapped in hypnotic guest female vocalists and a cool cover of The Buzzcocks' "I Believe"
The Coral- The Invisible Invasion (Deltasonic/Columbia) my pick of the week is the fourth album from this young pop psychedelic seven-piece from Liverpool, blending slippery lyrics and a cool, easy-beat aquarium vibe that shimmers in waves of the Verve, the Damned, the Doors, Moody Blues, and "Arnold Layne"-era Pink Floyd
DJ? Acuback- Killing Mobius (Cracknation/Underground Inc) featuring a remix from Sascha of KMFDM
General Elektriks- Cliquety Kliqk (Quannum Projects)
Ghosty- Grow Up or Sleep in (Future Farmer) with guest Wayne Coyne of Flaming Lips on an alternative mix of "Clouds Solve It"
Thea Gilmore- Songs from the Gutter (Compass) featuring covers of The Clash's "I'm Not Down" and Bob Dylan's "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine"
Glue- Sunset Lodge (Shake It) featuring MC Adeem, a two-time winner at the annual Scribble Jam
Euge Groove- Just Feels Right (Narada Jazz) new from the contemporary jazz saxophonist, featuring a smooth, free floating cover of the Rolling Stones' "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)"
Herbie Hancock- Possibilities (Starbucks Hear Music/Hancock Music) loaded with guests Carlos Santana, Sting, Paul Simon, Damien Rice, Joss Stone, Annie Lennox, and Trey Anastasio
J-Live- The Hear After (Penalty/Rykodisc) philosophical hip-hop from the New York City record spinner and MC, with guests Dwele, Kola Rock, and Cvees
Juliet- Random Order (Virgin) hot off her tour opening for Duran Duran, this is dance music with a gothic, gutsy edge from the former 1 Plus 1 vocalist, bound for superstar status
A Million Billion- Today We Love You (Filthy Schoolgirls) laptop cacophony from Ryan Smith of Stars Like Fleas
Our Lady Peace- Healthy in Paranoid Times(Columbia)
Ozomatli- Live at the Fillmore (Concord) CD and DVD set filmed and recorded last year
Jack Rose- Kensington Blues (VHF) new from the member of Pelt and the Black Twig Pickers
Spandau Ballet- Live From the N.E.C. (Columbia Legacy) DVD filmed in 1986 with bonus videos and audio commentary
Robert Walter- Super Heavy Organ (Magnitude) funky and chunky grooves from the Greyboy Allstars keyboardist via his vintage Hammond Organ; kickin' up the red beans and rice with guest drummer Stanton Moore
Kayne West- Late Registration (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam) with guests Jamie Foxx, Cam'rom, Brandy, The Game, and Maroon5's Adam Levine
Dan Zanes & Friends- All Around the Kitchen (Festival Five) DVD filmed at New York's Knitting Factory, featuring six videos and two Sesame Street clips
various artists- Austin City Limits (Rhino) 16 live tracks recorded at last year's annual festival, featuring Franz Ferdinand, My Morning Jacket, Ben Harper, the Pixies, Dashboard Confessional, and Cake
various artists- Ten in Texas (Icehouse Music) new collection of up-and-coming Lone Star artists covering fellow Texans such as Guy Clark, Buddy Holly, Billy Joe Shaver, and Ernest Tubb
