Although
he's almost 70, there's no slowing down Tom
Jones, as the Welsh sex
symbol returns with his first stateside album in 15 years. 24
Hours has just been
released by S-Curve Records, and rather than take the sparse, dark,
and pensive path of many of his seasoned, sunset peers, the new album
is flawless, big-strutting, sweat-inducing Tom Jones fever!
Written in collaboration with the hot British production team Future Cut, guests Bono and the Edge of U2 crafted a new song, "Sugar Daddy," specifically for the hirsute hip-shaker. Two cool covers turn up as well, with a dramatic run at Bruce Springsteen's "The Hitter" and Tommy James' "I'm Alive." Look for the heartthrob to hit the talk-show circuit next week, stopping by to seduce Tavis Smiley on Monday, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Wednesday, and Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday overnight.
Esopus Magazine number 11 has just been released, and following their previous foci on spam e-mail, readers' dreams, and Craig's List missed connections, the new issue contains a bonus CD crafted of original songs inspired by advice. While you may not find the answers to life within, jumping-off points for this eclectic mix include Ann Landers' column, dinosaur porn in "Savage Love," relationship ruminations from Salon.com, and a shipwreck survivor's memoir. Consistently a great place to discover new artists, disc highlights include Wye Oak, Brazos, Jenny Owen Youngs, and The Wingdale Community Singers - featuring The Ice Storm author Rick Moody, film composer Hannah Marcus, and Red Crayola guitarist David Grubbs.
Another cool publication attacking both your eyes and ears is the experimental art journal Yeti, just releasing volume number six, and, as in past editions, it features a sweet CD. With features on the Sun City Girls, an interview between Eat Skull and Sic Alps, and a focus on New Zealand's The Clean, the disc includes Devendra Banhart's new Megapuss project, covers by Crystal Stilts and Times New Viking, and Thom Bullock from Rub 'n' Tug's alias as Way of the Ancients, twiddling with Pink Floyd's "Set Your Controls for the Heart of the Sun."
Another arts 'zine, Australia's The Lifted Brow, is soon to release its own literary/music mash-up from an idea floated earlier this year. The editors asked for indie musicians to create new songs based on crazy, imagined book titles, and the final result promises more than 300 pages and 40 songs on two CDs. Audio highlights include Goblin Cock, Dan Deacon, Kathy Foster of the Thermals, Scott Kannberg of Spiral Stairs, and Claudia Gonson of Magnetic Fields.
Three new benefit CDs make for nice gifts this season that give more than once. Asthmatic Kitty Records and Habitat for Humanity have teamed up for a two-CD set, Habitat, with 29 artists including Stars Like Fleas, Son Lux, and Jim Guthrie each spinning tunes about the possibilities of architectural space. A cool new trio makes its debut, Tidal River, composed of Sufjan Stevens, label founder Lowell Brams, and Bryce Dessner of The National.
The Hard Rock Café has released another installment in its annual SERVE CD series. SERVE3 is a part of the "Imagine There's No Hunger" campaign, benefiting World Hunger Year with a live version of Bruce Springsteen's "Remember When the Music," Jim's Electronic Version of My Morning Jacket's "Look at You," and three nifty covers: The Smiths' "I Know It's Over" by The Chapin Sisters, Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready" by Ryan Shaw, and Starsailor's take on Graham Nash's "Military Madness."
Urban Outfitters and Dangerbird Records have an exclusive two-CD set that supports the children's cancer research organization Pablove Foundation in Give Listen Help. Boasting a new Garbage song written specifically for this project and others rarities from Oasis, Radiohead, Bloc Party, Rilo Kiley, Jack Johnson, Ladytron, and the Decemberists, a second disc compiles tracks from artists in the Dangerbird stable. The Pablove Foundation was started by label President Jeff Castelaz as a reaction to his son Pablo's five-year fight with the disease.
Television Alert
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno hosts Seal tonight and Colbie Caillat on Tuesday; The Late Show with David Letterman presents John Mayer on Thursday and Faith Hill on Friday; Jimmy Kimmel Live features Scott Weiland this evening and Ben Folds and Regina Spektor on Friday overnight; and Larry King Live sits down with Alicia Keys and Sheryl Crow on Thursday.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, December 2
Mariah Carey - Right to Dream (Island) digital-only single co-written with Willie Nelson
Nickelback - Live at Sturgis 2006 (Koch Vision) concert DVD, "Rockstar" video, and backstage documentary available only at Wal-Mart
Of Montreal - "Jimmy" (Heartfast) seven-inch picture disc with a new B side, "Middle Class Ghetto"
Panic at the Disco - Live in Chicago (Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen) CD/DVD set with bonus alternative-version rarities and mini-films; also available in a deluxe edition with a 96-page hardcover book
The Raconteurs - Old Enough (Third Man/Warner Bros) digital-only single featuring guest Ricky Scaggs
Britney Spears - Circus (Jive) also available in a deluxe edition with a bonus DVD and poster
Johnny Winter - Live Through the '70s (MVD) DVD collecting rare footage from Danish television, Don Kirshner's Rock Concert from 1973, and live material filmed all over the globe
Neil Young - Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House 1968 (Reprise) solo acoustic CD/DVD set recorded over two nights in Ann Arbor, Michigan, days before the release of his debut album
