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People Never Give Up (Album of the Day)
When Curtis Mayfield launched his solo career 50 years ago, America was at a crossroads as the revolt of the 1960s laid the groundwork for both progress and protest in the 1970s. The intense divisions in today’s political climate underline the relevance of Curtis’ music, highlighted in the new digital release PEOPLE NEVER GIVE UP. Curated by the Mayfield family and Rhino, the 13-track collection of Curtis Mayfield’s Civil Rights-era songs is a rich assemblage of culturally-important music that symbolizes an era of great social change, and stands as a reminder that the “People Have The Power.” Including such classics as “People Get Ready,” “We’re A Winner” and “We Got To Have Peace,” PEOPLE NEVER GIVE UP salutes the “gentle genius” whose music inspired such political leaders as John Lewis and Andrew Young and such fellow performers as Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin and Elton John.
Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics (Album of the Day)
One of the greatest stand-ups of all time, George Carlin became a counterculture icon in the 1970s with his famous “seven words you can't say on television” routine, and PARENTAL ADVISORY: EXPLICIT LYRICS is cut from the same cloth. Excerpted from an HBO special recorded in January 1990 at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the album was released at a time when government censorship had again reared its head, and on such tracks as “Offensive Language,” Carlin puts the bluenoses in their place. Though the social satire is razor-sharp, the comedian's riffs on such apolitical topics as dogs, cancer and “Life's Little Moments” are just as thought-provoking and hilarious. PARENTAL ADVISORY: EXPLICIT LYRICS was released 30 years ago today, and if current events leave you in need of laughter, this set will provide a bellyful.
Summerteeth (Deluxe Edition) (Album of the Day)
Wilco’s third album, SUMMERTEETH, arrived in March 1999 to glowing reviews for its daring arrangements, lush harmonies and revealing lyrics. One of the best from the Chicago-based band, the collection introduced many fan-favorites that the group continues to play live today, including “I’m Always In Love,” “A Shot In The Arm” and “Via Chicago.” Now available, a four-CD Deluxe Edition of the album includes a Bob Ludwig 2020 remastered version of the original, along with an entire disc of unreleased studio outtakes, alternate versions and demos that chart the evolution of the set from songwriting demos to alternate arrangements to finished masters. SUMMERTEETH: DELUXE EDITION also includes a previously unissued live show recorded in Colorado's Boulder Theatre during the accompanying 1999 tour.
Happiness is Being With the Spinners (Album of the Day)
Having paid their dues at Motown, The Spinners were ready for their close-up when they signed with Atlantic Records in 1972, an association that would produce some of the greatest R&B records of the era. HAPPINESS IS BEING WITH THE SPINNERS was the quintet's fifth studio set for the label, and once again finds legendary Philly soul producer Thom Bell at the console. With the MFSB Orchestra and other top instrumentalists behind them, Philippé Wynne and his fellow vocalists soar on these eight tracks, which include such highlights as “The Clown,” “Toni My Love” and smash single “The Rubberband Man.” The feel-good collection was a Top 10 R&B hit upon release, and its title is as true now as it was in 1976 - HAPPINESS IS BEING WITH THE SPINNERS.
Loaded (2015 Remaster) (Album of the Day)
Before Lou Reed co-founded The Velvet Underground, he had worked at New York budget label Pickwick Records, penning knock-offs of Top 40 hits; if the Velvets were notorious for walking on the musical wild side, Reed never forgot the commercial lessons he had learned as a staff songwriter. Those lessons came to the fore on 1970's LOADED, the VU's final studio album with Lou, and a collection “loaded” with such potential hits as “Sweet Jane” and “Rock and Roll.” With top-notch production and Doug Yule's pop-friendly vocals on several songs, it's arguably the band's most accessible work, and was ranked by Rolling Stone among the 500 greatest albums of all time. Released 50 years ago this month, LOADED remains essential listening for anyone whose life was saved by rock and roll.
Rumours (Super Deluxe Edition) (Album of the Day)
Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks recorded RUMOURS against a backdrop of personal turmoil, chronicling their raw emotions in songs like “Go Your Own Way,” “Gold Dust Woman” and the band’s first number one smash, “Dreams,” a song whose popularity only continues to grow. The Warner Bros. collection made Fleetwood Mac one of the most iconic bands of the 1970s and garnered wide critical praise, earning the Grammy for Album of the Year; it has now sold more than 40 million copies worldwide since its debut. RUMOURS (SUPER DELUXE EDITION) pairs the iconic original with two discs of demos and alternate studio takes as well as a disc of live recordings from the 1977 tour; we'll give it a spin now to wish co-founder John McVie a happy 75th birthday.
Wildflowers & All The Rest (Album of the Day)
Tom Petty's second solo album, WILDFLOWERS, marked a couple of firsts for the singer-songwriter – it was his inaugural release for Warner Bros., and his first of three collaborations with producer Rick Rubin. While most of the Heartbreakers can be heard here (along with Ringo Starr and Beach Boy Carl Wilson), it has a relaxed sound distinct from Tom's previous work with the band (“Rick and I both wanted more freedom than to be strapped into five guys,” he noted at the time). The standard for material remained as high as ever, though, and such songs as “You Wreck Me,” “It's Good to be King” and hit single “You Don't Know How It Feels” rank with Petty's best. Now available, WILDFLOWERS & ALL THE REST (DELUXE EDITION) expands upon the 3× platinum original with four more discs including additional songs, home recordings and alternate and live versions.
Every Turn of the World (Album of the Day)
Christopher Cross conquered the pop world with his self-titled 1979 debut, and third studio album EVERY TURN OF THE WORLD shows the singer-songwriter broadening his musical approach. The iconic cover flamingo has been replaced by a racing car, and while the Warner Bros. collection still features such trademark adult contemporary ballads as “Love Found A Home” and “Open Your Heart,” Cross definitely revs up the engine here. Lead single “Charm the Snake” and “Swing Street” are just a couple of the uptempo songs, and in addition to his sterling vocal work, Cross emerges as a terrific guitar player on these ten originals. Produced by Michael Omartian (who also contributes keyboards), EVERY TURN OF THE WORLD was released 35 years ago this month and is definitely ripe for rediscovery.
Live at the Bowl '68 (Album of the Day)
From Billie Holiday to The Beatles, The Hollywood Bowl has been the venue of choice in Southern California for music's greatest artists. So for local heroes The Doors, who'd been playing small clubs just 18 months before, their July 5th, 1968 gig on that storied stage was surely a thrill, and LIVE AT THE BOWL '68 shows the quartet rising to the occasion. The restored recording presents the concert in its entirety for the first time and includes bracing versions of songs from the band's debut (“Light My Fire,” “The End”), STRANGE DAYS (“Moonlight Drive”) and the yet-to-be-released WAITING FOR THE SUN (“Hello, I Love You,” "The Unknown Soldier”). Today is Doors drummer John Densmore's birthday, and LIVE AT THE BOWL '68 catches his band at the peak of its powers.
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2019 (Album of the Day)
Legendary blues-rock guitarist Eric Clapton once again summoned an all-star team of six-string heroes for his fifth Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2019. Held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, the two-day event raised funds for the Crossroads Centre in Antigua, the chemical dependency treatment and education facility that Clapton founded in 1998. Now available in several configurations, ERIC CLAPTON’S CROSSROADS GUITAR FESTIVAL 2019 relives the best moments from the concert with outstanding individual performances and on-stage collaborations from such artists as Clapton, Jeff Beck, Robert Cray, Sheryl Crow, Peter Frampton, Vince Gill, Buddy Guy, Los Lobos, John Mayer, Keb’ Mo’, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Randolph, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jimmie Vaughan and more.