22
Oct
2002
· This Tuesday the Elektra label releases the next four concerts in its Live Phish series, volumes 13 through 16, this time featuring the band's much-heralded Halloween performances from 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1998.
These special Halloween shows boast two nifty twists - the band dresses in full costume and covers a classic-rock album in its entirety midway through the set: The Beatles' White Album, The Who's Quadrophenia, Talking Heads' Remain in Light, and The Velvet Underground's Loaded, respectively. In other Phish news, the Rykodisc imprint has just released the first two volumes of its new Zappa Picks series, in which hip musicians handpick an entire CD worth of their favorite Frank Zappa selections to share with the world. Phish's Jon Fishman compiled 16 tracks ranging from Sheik Yerbouti's "Rat Tomago" to "Keep It Greasy" from Joe's Garage. Also getting in on the fun with his own disc of picks is Larry Lalonde of Primus.
· Just when it seems that every recording since the dawn of man has been re-issued on CD with bonus tracks, one of my favorite lost gems of the early 1980s has just resurfaced. A top-20 hit in Europe in 1981, Johnny Warman's Walking into Mirrors is a perfect document of synthesized future-think, daydreaming of robots, Martians, and lost radio signals. Re-issued by the Angel Air Records imprint, this is a must-find for fans of Gary Numan and Thomas Dolby, highlighted by special guest Peter Gabriel, whose vocals lend a hand to the hit "Screaming Jets." Bonus material includes six audio tracks and two videos.
· Another unbelievable 1980s re-issue project is due just in time for Christmas, as Mute Records and Industrial Records are working with the original members of Throbbing Gristle to unleash the monstrous 24 Hours of Throbbing Gristle on CD. The box set promises 24 CDs that duplicate the original cassette-only limited-edition collection with a new wax-sealed file of rare artifacts and art-damage manifestos from these kings of beautiful white noise.
· The Epic Records label is taking an unusual twist next week as it releases seven separate soundtrack albums in conjunction with the popular Rockstar video-game series Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. More than 80 tracks span the discs, each replicating a 1980s-era spot on the radio dial. Using ConnecteD technology, the CDs give players a "cheat code" to access the game's Web site for bonus material.
· Two tantalizing DVDs are set for release next month, loaded with bells and whistles. Warner Bros. Records has a self-titled Barenaked Ladies collection due November 5, featuring 17 music videos, interviews, and seven songs from last year's Roseland Ballroom pay-per-view special from New York City. Those who still can't get the lyrics right to "One Week" get remedial help via a special karaoke feature. I'm personally drooling over the Criterion Collection issue of The Complete Monterey Pop Festival; featuring all the music from the June 1967 concert, supervised by filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker. The three-DVD box set boasts a seminal whiff of the "summer of love," with a diverse lineup of Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, The Who, The Byrds, Laura Nyro, Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Electric Flag, and more. Bonus material flows freely, with interviews, a photo essay, and the film's original theatrical trailer.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson tonight, the Doves on Thursday, the Dixie Chicks on Friday, Ryan Adams on Monday, and James Taylor on Tuesday; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Dirty Vegas on Thursday and Christina Aguilera on Monday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Norah Jones on Friday overnight and Beck on Tuesday overnight; and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn launches Rocket From the Crypt on Monday overnight.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, October 29:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change.
8 Mile - music from and inspired by the motion picture (Shady/Interscope) featuring "Lose Yourself" by Eminem and other new music from Jay Z, Xzibit, Obie Trice, and Nas
Add N to (X) - Loud Like Nature (Mute) on tour next month
Christina Aguilera - Stripped (RCA)
Luther Allison - Pay It Forward (Ruf Records) with guests Joanna Connor and Otis Grant
Tori Amos - Scarlet's Walk (Epic) with collaborators Matt Chamberlain and Jon Evans
Blues Traveler - What You & I Have Been Through (iMusic) featuring a live harmonica solo rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" by John Popper recorded soon after September 11, 2001
William S. Burroughs - Break Through the Grey Room (Sub Rosa) import-only re-issue of this "cut-up" classic recorded in various hotel rooms in New York City, Paris, and London
Cabaret Voltaire - The Best Of '78-'82 (Mute)
Eric Clapton - One More Car, One More Driver (Reprise) live double CD with bonus DVD-audio disc
The Codetalkers - The Codetalkers (Harmonized) new from Col. Bruce Hampton
Cold - Year of the Spider (Flip/Interscope)
D.O.A. - Win the Battle (Sudden Death/Big Daddy) 25th anniversary of the Canadian punk legends featuring their cover of ZZ Top's "La Grange"
Liars Academy - Trading My Life (Equal Vision) four-track CD EP
Nirvana - Nirvana (Geffen) greatest-hits collection featuring the previously unreleased track "You Know You're Right"
Tara Jane O'Neil - TJO TJO (Mr. Lady) new solo album from the former member of Rodan and The Sonora Pine
Paris Combo - Live (Ark 21) recorded over seven dates in France
Prong - 100 % Live (Sin-Drome/Locomotive) featuring the new track "Initiation," co-written with Diesel Machine guitarist Pat Lachman
Bic Runga - Beautiful Collision (Columbia)
Michael J. Sheeney - No Longer My Concern (Beggars Banquet) recently touring with Peter Murphy
Simian - We Are Your Friends (Astralwerks)
Sixpence None the Richer - Divine Discontent (Reprise)
Suicide - American Supreme (Mute) the first new recordings in 10 years from the reunited Martin Rev and Alan Vega, with a bonus live CD in the first pressing
Titiyo - Come Along (Lava) featuring the European smash title track
various artists - MTV Handpicked 2 (Capitol) featuring an acoustic version of "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World and live tracks from John Mayer, The Vines, and Coldplay
Yu-Gi-Oh - Music to Duel by (Dreamworks) original television soundtrack
Zion-I - Cheeba Cheeba (Raptivism) 12-inch vinyl EP featuring guest Aceyalone
· Just when it seems that every recording since the dawn of man has been re-issued on CD with bonus tracks, one of my favorite lost gems of the early 1980s has just resurfaced. A top-20 hit in Europe in 1981, Johnny Warman's Walking into Mirrors is a perfect document of synthesized future-think, daydreaming of robots, Martians, and lost radio signals. Re-issued by the Angel Air Records imprint, this is a must-find for fans of Gary Numan and Thomas Dolby, highlighted by special guest Peter Gabriel, whose vocals lend a hand to the hit "Screaming Jets." Bonus material includes six audio tracks and two videos.
· Another unbelievable 1980s re-issue project is due just in time for Christmas, as Mute Records and Industrial Records are working with the original members of Throbbing Gristle to unleash the monstrous 24 Hours of Throbbing Gristle on CD. The box set promises 24 CDs that duplicate the original cassette-only limited-edition collection with a new wax-sealed file of rare artifacts and art-damage manifestos from these kings of beautiful white noise.
· The Epic Records label is taking an unusual twist next week as it releases seven separate soundtrack albums in conjunction with the popular Rockstar video-game series Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. More than 80 tracks span the discs, each replicating a 1980s-era spot on the radio dial. Using ConnecteD technology, the CDs give players a "cheat code" to access the game's Web site for bonus material.
· Two tantalizing DVDs are set for release next month, loaded with bells and whistles. Warner Bros. Records has a self-titled Barenaked Ladies collection due November 5, featuring 17 music videos, interviews, and seven songs from last year's Roseland Ballroom pay-per-view special from New York City. Those who still can't get the lyrics right to "One Week" get remedial help via a special karaoke feature. I'm personally drooling over the Criterion Collection issue of The Complete Monterey Pop Festival; featuring all the music from the June 1967 concert, supervised by filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker. The three-DVD box set boasts a seminal whiff of the "summer of love," with a diverse lineup of Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, The Who, The Byrds, Laura Nyro, Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Electric Flag, and more. Bonus material flows freely, with interviews, a photo essay, and the film's original theatrical trailer.
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson tonight, the Doves on Thursday, the Dixie Chicks on Friday, Ryan Adams on Monday, and James Taylor on Tuesday; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Dirty Vegas on Thursday and Christina Aguilera on Monday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Norah Jones on Friday overnight and Beck on Tuesday overnight; and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn launches Rocket From the Crypt on Monday overnight.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, October 29:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change.
8 Mile - music from and inspired by the motion picture (Shady/Interscope) featuring "Lose Yourself" by Eminem and other new music from Jay Z, Xzibit, Obie Trice, and Nas
Add N to (X) - Loud Like Nature (Mute) on tour next month
Christina Aguilera - Stripped (RCA)
Luther Allison - Pay It Forward (Ruf Records) with guests Joanna Connor and Otis Grant
Tori Amos - Scarlet's Walk (Epic) with collaborators Matt Chamberlain and Jon Evans
Blues Traveler - What You & I Have Been Through (iMusic) featuring a live harmonica solo rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" by John Popper recorded soon after September 11, 2001
William S. Burroughs - Break Through the Grey Room (Sub Rosa) import-only re-issue of this "cut-up" classic recorded in various hotel rooms in New York City, Paris, and London
Cabaret Voltaire - The Best Of '78-'82 (Mute)
Eric Clapton - One More Car, One More Driver (Reprise) live double CD with bonus DVD-audio disc
The Codetalkers - The Codetalkers (Harmonized) new from Col. Bruce Hampton
Cold - Year of the Spider (Flip/Interscope)
D.O.A. - Win the Battle (Sudden Death/Big Daddy) 25th anniversary of the Canadian punk legends featuring their cover of ZZ Top's "La Grange"
Liars Academy - Trading My Life (Equal Vision) four-track CD EP
Nirvana - Nirvana (Geffen) greatest-hits collection featuring the previously unreleased track "You Know You're Right"
Tara Jane O'Neil - TJO TJO (Mr. Lady) new solo album from the former member of Rodan and The Sonora Pine
Paris Combo - Live (Ark 21) recorded over seven dates in France
Prong - 100 % Live (Sin-Drome/Locomotive) featuring the new track "Initiation," co-written with Diesel Machine guitarist Pat Lachman
Bic Runga - Beautiful Collision (Columbia)
Michael J. Sheeney - No Longer My Concern (Beggars Banquet) recently touring with Peter Murphy
Simian - We Are Your Friends (Astralwerks)
Sixpence None the Richer - Divine Discontent (Reprise)
Suicide - American Supreme (Mute) the first new recordings in 10 years from the reunited Martin Rev and Alan Vega, with a bonus live CD in the first pressing
Titiyo - Come Along (Lava) featuring the European smash title track
various artists - MTV Handpicked 2 (Capitol) featuring an acoustic version of "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World and live tracks from John Mayer, The Vines, and Coldplay
Yu-Gi-Oh - Music to Duel by (Dreamworks) original television soundtrack
Zion-I - Cheeba Cheeba (Raptivism) 12-inch vinyl EP featuring guest Aceyalone
