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Bella Donna (Deluxe Edition) (Album of the Day)
Legendary Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks joined producer Jimmy Iovine to begin recording her solo debut, BELLA DONNA, following the release of the Mac's TUSK and its subsequent tour. Nicks' 1981 collection was quickly certified platinum thanks to classics like “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” (with Tom Petty), “Edge Of Seventeen” and “Leather And Lace” (with Don Henley). Along with Heartbreakers and Eagles, the album features guest turns from Donald “Duck” Dunn of Booker T. & The MGs and Roy Bittan of the E Street Band - though Stevie's distinctive voice and persona are never upstaged. In 2016, Rhino combed through the vaults to uncover unreleased versions of songs, soundtrack rarities and a 1981 concert, and BELLA DONNA (DELUXE EDITION) will be available on Record Store Day in a limited edition double vinyl pressing.
Resident Alien (Album of the Day)
Though the members of Spacehog all hailed from Leeds, the group only formed after they'd each moved to Manhattan, a situation that likely inspired the title of their debut, RESIDENT ALIEN. The 1995 Sire/Elektra collection also reflects the quartet's British roots in its neo-glam sound; press materials form the day describe the boys as “the band who fell to earth.” Cut at Bearsville in New York, these 13 originals (plus the hidden track that was de rigueur for mid-'90s alternative rockers) have a live immediacy that lets frontman Royston Langdon and guitar hero Richard Steel strut their stuff like spiders from Mars on such standout tracks as “Never Coming Down,” “Cruel to Be Kind” and Top 40 single “In the Meantime.” The Gold-certified RESIDENT ALIEN is Spacehog's most successful album and still delivers a kick.
Too Tough to Die (Album of the Day)
The title of the eighth Ramones album, TOO TOUGH TO DIE, spoke both to the band's steely determination and the 1984 collection's grittier sound, a return to the quartet's punk roots. “We knew we needed to get back to the kind of harder material we'd become known for,” said guitarist Johnny Ramone, and the presence of producers Tommy Ramone and Ed Stasium, who'd helmed the classic ROAD TO RUIN, worked wonders in this regard. While closer in spirit to hardcore or metal than the pop of the previous couple of Ramones albums, these 13 songs don't skimp on hooks; “Howling at the Moon (Sha-La-La),” “Wart Hog” and the title track are as catchy as ever. Richie Ramone makes his debut behind the drums on TOO TOUGH TO DIE, and the acclaimed Sire set is a strong return to form by the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.
C'est Chic (Album of the Day)
Forty-five years ago, Studio 54 opened its doors and the nightclub would quickly become one of New York's hottest – and most exclusive. Chic's Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards were famously turned away one New Year's Eve and channeled their anger into a song; “Le Freak” was originally built around an expletive, but with more radio-friendly lyrics went to the top of the U.S. chart. It's one of two Top 10 hits (the other being “I Want Your Love”) on C'EST CHIC, the second studio album from the disco greats. Guitarist Rodgers and bassist Edwards handle songwriting and production chores here, but the heat from these grooves owes just as much to drummer Tony Thompson and the funky divas at the microphone, Alfa Anderson and Luci Martin. Named R&B Album of the Year by Billboard magazine upon its original release, the platinum-selling C'EST CHIC remains tres magnifique.
5150 (Album of the Day)
Its desire to party hearty matched by dazzling musical chops, Van Halen was at the top of the hard rock world when frontman David Lee Roth left for a solo career. Enter Sammy Hagar, who had a decade's worth of experience with the band Montrose and on his own. The first album from the new line-up was 5150, and it was as successful as any the original quartet had ever released, powered by the hit singles “Why Can't This Be Love,” “Dreams” and “Love Walks In.” While it marks VH's first foray into balladry, the collection rocks just as hard as ever (check out the guitar-shredding action on "Get Up") - it truly is the “best of both worlds.” This week in 1986, Van Halen topped the U.S. album chart for the first time with 5150, and the set is a highlight not just of the “Van Hagar” years but of the band's entire career.
Chicago Transit Authority (Album of the Day)
Chicago's debut album, CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY (self-titled at the time), was a groundbreaking double-LP that showcased the band's imaginative writing, proficient musicality and genre-blending mix of rock, jazz, funk and pop. The collection includes several of the group's most-enduring hits: "Beginnings," "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" and "Questions 67 and 68." The set topped the album chart (and remained on the chart for an amazing three-year run), was certified double platinum and earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Released on this day in 1969, CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY was only the beginning for the septet, but it has the confidence and consistency of a group bound for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Mourning in the Morning (Album of the Day)
Born on this day in 1934, Otis Rush would be a legend if only for his 1950s Cobra recordings, but the Chicago-based singer-guitarist hit a couple more peaks later in his career including MOURNING IN THE MORNING. Recorded at Muscle Shoals' Fame Studios with Electric Flag members Nick Gravenites and Mike Bloomfield handling production chores (and providing half the songs), the 1969 Cotillion collection adds a touch of soul and rock to Rush's razor-sharp performances. Highlights include Otis' own “It Takes Time,” B.B. King cover “Gambler's Blues” and “Reap What You Sow,” one of a few tracks featuring guest guitarist Duane Allman's masterful fretwork. Largely overlooked upon original release, the album's stock has risen in the years since - MOURNING IN THE MORNING is cause for celebration for any blues fan.
Songs from the Wood (Album of the Day)
After a couple of albums recorded in Monaco, Jethro Tull returned to Morgan Studios in London to cut their tenth studio set, SONGS FROM THE WOOD. The comforts of home brought out the best in the band, and frontman Ian Anderson had a new country estate – and a book of British folklore given to him by the group's manager – to inspire lyrics rooted in England's past. While progressive and hard rock elements remain, acoustic and folk-based music plays a stronger role on the 1977 collection, highlighted by such songs as “Ring Out, Solstice Bells,” “The Whistler” and the title track. Masterfully performed and skillfully arranged, SONGS FROM THE WOOD made the Top 10 in the U.S., and it remains a favorite among band members and Tull fans.
Return of the Mack (Album of the Day)
Born 50 years ago today in West Germany, Mark Morrison grew up in Leicester, England and became one of that country's hottest R&B stars with a string of singles culminating in international smash “Return of the Mack.” While the song provided the title for performer's 1996 longplayer, there are four more U.K. Top Ten hits here - “Trippin',” “Horny,” “Moan and Groan” and a remix of “Crazy” - a first for a debut album. With a strong, distinctive voice, the singer earned Brit Award and Mercury Prize nominations on the strength of this set, which hit a sweet spot with new jack swing fans around the world to the tune of some three million sales. We'll wish Mark Morrison a happy birthday with another spin of RETURN OF THE MACK.
Always & Forever (Album of the Day)
Randy Travis' debut took the country world by storm, and a year later he very nearly topped it with ALWAYS & FOREVER. The 1987 Warner Bros. set boasted strong songs across the board, and “Too Gone Too Long,” “I Won't Need You Anymore (Always and Forever),” “Forever and Ever, Amen” and “I Told You So” each topped the Billboard Country chart. Travis' sturdy baritone is remarkably pliant; he wrings every drop of emotion from these ten tracks, and Nashville production gloss is kept to a minimum. An album of undeniable quality, ALWAYS & FOREVER helped country music cross over to a mainstream audience, and we'll cue it up again now to wish Randy Travis a happy birthday.