While all sorts of record labels might be inspired to release a compilation album to pat themselves on the back for a triumphant anniversary, how many record stores have the ability to do the same? As one of a handful of British independent labels that shifted the destiny of pop and experimental music, Rough Trade Records crafted a nice CD a few years back, celebrating its 25 years in Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before. Using the same twist that Elektra Records did before them, the project used current label artists to reinterpret classic songs released throughout the history of the imprint, such as The Veils covering Scritti Politti and Adam Green re-carving the Young Marble Giants. Little did I know that, like Virgin, the label started as an offshoot of a record store, which, being a little longer in the tooth, is celebrating its 30th trip around the sun.
So, what to do? How do you tell the story of a record store that influenced a nation of budding musicians and taste-makers of culture? Next week that question is answered in The Record Shop: 30 Years of Rough Trade Shops, a two-CD set that lets their customers fill in the blanks in song. Each year's essence is boiled down to one song selected by one steady customer - some famous, some simply unforgettable characters of real life. The results are interesting, from English cricket star Derek Pringle's choice of The Soft Boys' "I Wanna Destroy You" from 1980 to twisted illustrator Savage Pencil's pick of The Frogs from 1999. Other name-droppings include Sire Records founder Seymour Stein, Don Letts, architect David Adjaye, author Jon Savage, Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream, and James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. Alive and well, the Rough Trade label has another cool concept CD on the horizon next month with The Colours Are Brighter. Benefiting Save the Children, the 13-track CD is kid-friendly with exclusive songs from the Flaming Lips, Snow Patrol, The Kooks, Franz Ferdinand, and Jonathan Richman, with highlights including "The Monkeys Are Breaking Out of the Zoo" from Belle & Sebastian and "Go Go Ninja Dinosaur" from Four Tet with Princess Watermelon.
Forever on the cutting edge of music and technology, Brian Eno is releasing new audio/video adventures next week not only on DVD, but also as new software for the home consumer. All Saints/Rykodisc Records is releasing 77 Million Paintings, a limited-edition interview DVD, 52-page hardbound book, and bonus PC or Mac disc discussing his software that produces "light paintings." Look for a fall tour of art-gallery installations with the artist in attendance.
And in cover-hunting news, a sophisticated voice puts her touch on one of classic rock's most poignant songs next week. In an all-new covers collection entitled Leavin', Natalie Cole tries on Neil Young's "Old Man," as well as Fiona Apple's "Criminal" and Kate Bush's "The Man with the Child in His Eyes."
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts Joan Jett tonight and Gomez on Friday; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Fergie on Thursday, Tony Bennett & Elvis Costello in duet on Monday, and Sean Lennon on Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien boasts Ben Kweller on Thursday overnight and Scissor Sisters on Tuesday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly gets chummy with Fiona Apple on Thursday overnight; and Jimmy Kimmel Live presents the return of the Human League on Thursday overnight.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, September 26:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change.
Tori Amos - A Piano: The Collection (Rhino) five-CD box set packed with rarities and B sides
David Arkenstone - Sketches from an American Journey (Gemini Sun) with The Recording Arts Orchestra of Salt Lake City and guest flutist Nicholas Gunn, this is a mental road trip through the American West
Bobby Bare Jr. - The Longest Meow (Bloodshot) recorded in a single day this past March with members of My Morning Jacket and Lambchop; featuring a laid-back cover of The Pixies' "Where Is My Mind"
Jay Bennett - The Magnificent Defeat (Rykodisc) formerly of Wilco, this new solo album uses odd vintage instruments and a drum kit made of sheet metal
The Black Crowes - The Lost Crowes (Rhino) two-CD set featuring sessions from two shelved albums from 1993 and 1997
The Blakhiv - Any Way She Wants It (Lucid) white-hot CD EP of big swagger and Stooges sneer from this Icelandic trio, with guests from These Arms Are Snakes and Hey Mercedes
Sleepy Brown - Mr. Brown (Purple Ribbon/Virgin) with guests Pharrell Williams and OutKast's Big Boi on "Margarita"
Club d'Elf - Now I Understand (Accurate) trippy Boston jazz collective under the wand of Boston bassist Mike Rivard, featuring four-star colleagues DJ Logic, Reeves Gabrels, John Medeski, and Billy Martin
GPS - Window to the Soul (Inside Out) majestic hard rock from John Payne of Asia and Ryo Okumoto of Spock's Beard
George Harrison - Living in the Material World (Capitol) expanded reissue also available in a special CD/DVD package
Jackass Number Two - original motion picture soundtrack (Bulletproof) with three new tracks by Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Janet Jackson - 20 Years Old (Virgin) with Nelly on the first single, "Call Me"
The Lemonheads - The Lemonheads (Vagrant) with guests J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. and Karl Alvarez of the Descendants
Sarah McLachlan - Mirrorball (Arista Legacy) expanded two-CD reissue of this live compilation of the last nights of her 1998 tour, personally remastered
Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood - Out Louder (Indirecto) featuring a cover of Peter Tosh's "Legalize It"
My Morning Jacket - Okonokos: Double Live Album (ATO/RCA) with a companion 5.1-channel surround-sound DVD concert film to be released October 31
Open Season - original motion picture soundtrack (Lost Highway) with 10 new songs from Paul Westerberg, two with former band mate Tommy Stinson
Megan Palmer - Forget Me Not (Sunken Treasure) with guest Happy Chichester of Howlin' Maggie
Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah (Universal) with guests Elton John and Roxy Music's Bryan Ferry
Sparklehorse - Dreamt for Lightyears In the Belly of a Mountain (Astralwerks) with guests Danger Mouse and the Flaming Lips' Stephen Drodz, Mark Linkous is back after a five-year absence to get deep under my skin with his signature psychedelic Americana
Nicky Wire - I Killed the Zeitgeist (Enola) import-only solo album from the Manic Street Preachers bassist
Wolf Eyes - Human Animal (SubPop) performing this December at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival, handpicked by curator Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth
various artists - Why the Hell Not ... The Songs of Kinky Friedman (Sustain) with contributions from Todd Snider, Lyle Lovett, and Willie Nelson, this is a terrific tribute, highlighted by a honky-tonkin' cover of "Get Your Biscuits in the Oven (And Your Buns in Bed)" from Kevin Fowler
