17
Apr
2001
· It was banned by the Nixon administration, sampled by the Beastie Boys and A Tribe Called Quest, and recently pulled in more than $100 on the rare-record market. If this piques your interest, then look out for this Tuesday's reissue of Eugene McDaniels' Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse by the good eggs at Label M.
McDaniels was a hot R&B songwriter in the 1960s (best known for his work with Eddie Harris, Les McCann, and Roberta Flack) and was offered the opportunity to record a solo album for Atlantic Records in 1970. The result was a politically charged acid-soul street-poet affair that sent Spiro Agnew into a conniption fit, prompted angry calls to Atlantic, and began the album's one-way trip to obscurity. Best described as a cross between Bob Dylan and Earth, Wind & Fire, this anti-establishment groove comes highly recommended.
· Speaking of Bob Dylan, the Sundazed label has just released his 1965 classic Bringing It All Back Home in a special audiophile LP version on 180-gram vinyl, reproducing the original mono mix with original art and liner notes. Also on tap is a special DVD re-issue of D.A. Pennebaker's film Don't Look Back next month, in conjunction with his 60th birthday. This seminal rock moment, chronicling Dylan's 1965 tour of England and his last acoustic tour, was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1998. Bonus DVD features includes a running commentary by Pennebaker, five previously unreleased audio performances, and a never-before-seen take on his cue-card-flipping "Subterranean Homesick Blues."
· The track listing to the upcoming Moulin Rouge soundtrack has my head reeling with curiosity, and I think you'll see why. The Baz Luhrmann musical stars Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, who flex their vocal chops throughout the film, with guest stars like Rufus Wainwright, Fatboy Slim, and Valeria. The first single, a cover of Patti LaBelle's soul classic "Lady Marmalade," is by the fem force of Lil' Kim, Pink, Christina Aguilera, and Mya and promises an incredible video in period-inspired wardrobe. Stranger still is a cover of David Bowie's "Diamond Dogs" by Beck and Timbaland, a cover of T. Rex's "Children of the Revolution" by Bono of U2 and Gavin Friday, and Nat King Cole's magical "Nature Boy" by David Bowie and Massive Attack. The Interscope Records CD is due May 8, and the film opens nationally on June 1.
· This Tuesday brings the return of Michael Franti's Spearhead project on the Six Degrees label, much-anticipated old-school hip hop with his trademark humanistic touch. The 12-inch and CD five-inch single, "Rock the Nation," is from the forthcoming Stay Human album and features remixes by DJ Spooky and Bassnectar.
Television Alert:
The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds on Thursday, Billy Idol on Monday, and the Bee Gees on Tuesday; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts The Wallflowers on Thursday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features nifty songwriter Jim White on Tuesday overnight; and The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn has the Foo Fighters on Thursday overnight and Nelly Furtado on Friday overnight.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, April 24:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
The 9.17 Family - Southern Empire (Motown) highly anticipated new project from Public Enemy production architect Hank Shocklee and company
Anti-Flag - Underground Network (Fat Wreck)
Chet Baker - Live at Ronnie Scott's (Rhino) DVD release of his last recorded performance featuring guests Van Morrison and Elvis Costello
Marcia Ball - Presumed Innocent (Alligator)
Bass Mekanik - Download (Pandisc) deep-rumbling bass music to make your fellow automobile operators want to kill you
Bee Gees - This Is Where I Came in (Polydor) all new
Blood For Blood - Wasted Youth Brew (Victory) 23-track collection of seven-inch singles and B sides
Chris Camozzi - Slow Burn (Samson) contemporary jazz guitarist with guest Dave Koz
Vic Chesnutt - Left to His Own Devices (Spin Art) his ninth album
Danielson Famile - Fetch the Compass Kids (Secretly Canadian)
Darwa - More Life More Trouble (Abstrakt Reality) Slovenian electronic pop duo
DJ Keoki - Jealousy (Moonshine) featuring a cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Relax"
The Ex - Dizzy Spells (Touch & Go)
Fear Factory - Digimortal (Roadrunner) look for the first pressing to contain a bonus CD
Eric Gales - That's What I Am (Nightbird/MCA) 25-year-old Memphis guitar prodigy now on the new Hendrix legacy imprint Nightbird Records
Girls Say Yes - To Boys Who Say No (Paisley Pop) with former members of Let's Active, Beat Rodeo, and True West
Dan Hicks & Hot Licks - Canned Music: The Most Of Dan Hicks & Hot Licks (Epic Legacy) new collection featuring seven previously unreleased tracks
Ian Hunter - Rant (Fuel 2000) all new from the Mott the Hoople founder, soon to begin a summer tour with Ringo Starr
Integrity - Closure (Victory) new from the mind of Dwid
Isabelle's Gift - Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (Jimmy Franks Recordings) new label from the Bloodhound Gang leader
Janet Jackson - All for You (Virgin)
King Django - Reason (Hellcat/Epitaph) solo debut from the Skinnerbox and Stubborn All-Stars alum
KRS-One - Sneak Attack (Koch)
The Incredible Moses Leroy - Electric Pocket Radio (Ultimatum) big buzz on this new full-length album from this "pop-music archivist" using a multitude of wacky instruments
G. Love & Special Sauce - The Electric Mile (Epic/Okeh) featuring guests Billy Conway of Morphine and John Medeski of Medeski Martin & Wood
Madame Mercury - Alive (Streetbeat) continuous mix CD of San Francisco breakbeat
Manic Street Preachers - Know Your Enemy (Virgin)
Harry Nilsson - Hollywood Dreamer (Fuel 2000) legendary demos from the early 1960s stripped back to their "unplugged" versions and other rare sessions with Leon Russell and Herb Alpert
Rise Against - The Unraveling (Fat Wreck) from the ashes of 88 Fingers Louie
Seafood - Surviving the Quiet (Big Wheel Recreation) British quartet with big buzz
Series 7 - original motion picture soundtrack (Koch) with new music from Eli and Alexis of Girls Against Boys
Sick of It All - The Story So Far (Fat Wreck) VHS video documenting 15 years of punk globetrotting
Sprung Monkey - Get a Taste (Surfdog/Red Ink)
Superstar DJ Keoki - Jealousy (Moonshine)
Too Loose - Too Loose (Throat Tearing) from Hermosa Beach, California
Treble Charger - Wide Awake Bored (Nettwerk)
U.S. Maple - Acre Thrills (Drag City)
various artists - Rootical Vibrations (Victory World) collection of roots reggae featuring Horace Andy, Prince Alla, Dillinger, and more
The Wipeouters - P'Twaang (Casual Tonalities) mutant Surf from Mark Mothersbaugh, Robert Mothersbaugh, and Robert Casale of Devo
· Speaking of Bob Dylan, the Sundazed label has just released his 1965 classic Bringing It All Back Home in a special audiophile LP version on 180-gram vinyl, reproducing the original mono mix with original art and liner notes. Also on tap is a special DVD re-issue of D.A. Pennebaker's film Don't Look Back next month, in conjunction with his 60th birthday. This seminal rock moment, chronicling Dylan's 1965 tour of England and his last acoustic tour, was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1998. Bonus DVD features includes a running commentary by Pennebaker, five previously unreleased audio performances, and a never-before-seen take on his cue-card-flipping "Subterranean Homesick Blues."
· The track listing to the upcoming Moulin Rouge soundtrack has my head reeling with curiosity, and I think you'll see why. The Baz Luhrmann musical stars Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, who flex their vocal chops throughout the film, with guest stars like Rufus Wainwright, Fatboy Slim, and Valeria. The first single, a cover of Patti LaBelle's soul classic "Lady Marmalade," is by the fem force of Lil' Kim, Pink, Christina Aguilera, and Mya and promises an incredible video in period-inspired wardrobe. Stranger still is a cover of David Bowie's "Diamond Dogs" by Beck and Timbaland, a cover of T. Rex's "Children of the Revolution" by Bono of U2 and Gavin Friday, and Nat King Cole's magical "Nature Boy" by David Bowie and Massive Attack. The Interscope Records CD is due May 8, and the film opens nationally on June 1.
· This Tuesday brings the return of Michael Franti's Spearhead project on the Six Degrees label, much-anticipated old-school hip hop with his trademark humanistic touch. The 12-inch and CD five-inch single, "Rock the Nation," is from the forthcoming Stay Human album and features remixes by DJ Spooky and Bassnectar.
Television Alert:
The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds on Thursday, Billy Idol on Monday, and the Bee Gees on Tuesday; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts The Wallflowers on Thursday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features nifty songwriter Jim White on Tuesday overnight; and The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn has the Foo Fighters on Thursday overnight and Nelly Furtado on Friday overnight.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, April 24:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
The 9.17 Family - Southern Empire (Motown) highly anticipated new project from Public Enemy production architect Hank Shocklee and company
Anti-Flag - Underground Network (Fat Wreck)
Chet Baker - Live at Ronnie Scott's (Rhino) DVD release of his last recorded performance featuring guests Van Morrison and Elvis Costello
Marcia Ball - Presumed Innocent (Alligator)
Bass Mekanik - Download (Pandisc) deep-rumbling bass music to make your fellow automobile operators want to kill you
Bee Gees - This Is Where I Came in (Polydor) all new
Blood For Blood - Wasted Youth Brew (Victory) 23-track collection of seven-inch singles and B sides
Chris Camozzi - Slow Burn (Samson) contemporary jazz guitarist with guest Dave Koz
Vic Chesnutt - Left to His Own Devices (Spin Art) his ninth album
Danielson Famile - Fetch the Compass Kids (Secretly Canadian)
Darwa - More Life More Trouble (Abstrakt Reality) Slovenian electronic pop duo
DJ Keoki - Jealousy (Moonshine) featuring a cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Relax"
The Ex - Dizzy Spells (Touch & Go)
Fear Factory - Digimortal (Roadrunner) look for the first pressing to contain a bonus CD
Eric Gales - That's What I Am (Nightbird/MCA) 25-year-old Memphis guitar prodigy now on the new Hendrix legacy imprint Nightbird Records
Girls Say Yes - To Boys Who Say No (Paisley Pop) with former members of Let's Active, Beat Rodeo, and True West
Dan Hicks & Hot Licks - Canned Music: The Most Of Dan Hicks & Hot Licks (Epic Legacy) new collection featuring seven previously unreleased tracks
Ian Hunter - Rant (Fuel 2000) all new from the Mott the Hoople founder, soon to begin a summer tour with Ringo Starr
Integrity - Closure (Victory) new from the mind of Dwid
Isabelle's Gift - Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (Jimmy Franks Recordings) new label from the Bloodhound Gang leader
Janet Jackson - All for You (Virgin)
King Django - Reason (Hellcat/Epitaph) solo debut from the Skinnerbox and Stubborn All-Stars alum
KRS-One - Sneak Attack (Koch)
The Incredible Moses Leroy - Electric Pocket Radio (Ultimatum) big buzz on this new full-length album from this "pop-music archivist" using a multitude of wacky instruments
G. Love & Special Sauce - The Electric Mile (Epic/Okeh) featuring guests Billy Conway of Morphine and John Medeski of Medeski Martin & Wood
Madame Mercury - Alive (Streetbeat) continuous mix CD of San Francisco breakbeat
Manic Street Preachers - Know Your Enemy (Virgin)
Harry Nilsson - Hollywood Dreamer (Fuel 2000) legendary demos from the early 1960s stripped back to their "unplugged" versions and other rare sessions with Leon Russell and Herb Alpert
Rise Against - The Unraveling (Fat Wreck) from the ashes of 88 Fingers Louie
Seafood - Surviving the Quiet (Big Wheel Recreation) British quartet with big buzz
Series 7 - original motion picture soundtrack (Koch) with new music from Eli and Alexis of Girls Against Boys
Sick of It All - The Story So Far (Fat Wreck) VHS video documenting 15 years of punk globetrotting
Sprung Monkey - Get a Taste (Surfdog/Red Ink)
Superstar DJ Keoki - Jealousy (Moonshine)
Too Loose - Too Loose (Throat Tearing) from Hermosa Beach, California
Treble Charger - Wide Awake Bored (Nettwerk)
U.S. Maple - Acre Thrills (Drag City)
various artists - Rootical Vibrations (Victory World) collection of roots reggae featuring Horace Andy, Prince Alla, Dillinger, and more
The Wipeouters - P'Twaang (Casual Tonalities) mutant Surf from Mark Mothersbaugh, Robert Mothersbaugh, and Robert Casale of Devo
