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The Best Of The Grateful Dead (Album of the Day)
La Bamba (Album of the Day)
Though he was only 17 when he died (in the same plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper), Ritchie Valens was an inspiration for Latino rockers, particularly in his native Los Angeles. So it's only fitting that when producers of a Valens biopic needed to recreate eight of his songs, they turned to L.A.'s own Los Lobos. While the film includes some fine period music, the new recordings on the LA BAMBA original motion picture soundtrack are truly something special; Los Lobos' versions of “Come On, Let's Go” and the title track became two of the band's biggest hits (Marshall Crenshaw and Brian Setzer also offer wonderful covers of Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran classics, respectively). A feel-good look at the early days of rock 'n' roll, both the movie and its music were successful – the chart-topping LA BAMBA soundtrack was released on this day in 1987.
County Line (Album of the Day)
The nucleus of country rockers Southern Pacific came from The Doobie Brothers after that band's early 1980s break-up. By the time of Southern Pacific's fourth and final album, COUNTY LINE, ex-Doobies John McFee (guitar) and Keith Knudsen (drums) were joined by Kurt Howell (keyboards) and former Creedence Clearwater Revival member Stu Cook (bass). The talented foursome are joined on the 1990 Warner Bros. set by guests including The Beach Boys and Carlene Carter to help the band broaden their sound. Opener “Any Way The Wind Blows” is the best known here due to its inclusion in the Clint Eastwood film Pink Cadillac, but from the yearning balladry of “Help Wanted” to the acapella take on British Invasion favorite “I Go To Pieces,” all dozen tracks on COUNTY LINE are mighty fine.
I, Eye, Aye: Live At The Montreux Jazz Festival, 1972 (Album of the Day)
Montreux, Switzerland has seen many a triumphant musical performance, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk's appearance there 45 years ago certainly qualifies. I, EYE, AYE: LIVE AT THE MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL, 1972 captures the jazz eccentric in peak form – even if the recording took nearly a quarter-century to be released. Kirk was famous for playing several instruments at once; while that could prove difficult to keep up with, the quartet behind him here (pianist Ron Burton among them) rises to the challenge. Raucous and powerful, these seven songs include terrific versions of “Balm in Gilead” and “Volunteered Slavery,” and Kirk's interstitial raps show a sense of humor as sharp as his sax playing. I, EYE, AYE is a reminder of the vitality of jazz in the early 1970s, and a tribute to one of its true masters.
Chicago 16 (Album of the Day)
Released 35 years ago this month, CHICAGO 16 marked a new era for the legendary band. The 1982 set was the group's first for Warner Bros., and introduced a couple of new members: guitarist Bill Champlin and drummer Danny Seraphine. Perhaps more importantly, it was the first Chicago album produced by David Foster, whose meticulous craftsmanship and adult contemporary instincts put the focus on the septet's gentler side. Singer Peter Cetera's stock rose accordingly, and his ballads “Love Me Tomorrow” and “Hard to Say I'm Sorry” came to define the album – the latter was the band's second No.1 hit. A Top Ten, Platinum-certified smash, CHICAGO 16 set the group's course for the rest of the decade, and with its high-tech sheen and appealing songs, the collection still goes down easy.
Stax Classics (Album of the Day)
Along with the more refined sounds of Motown, Memphis-based Stax Records was among the great fountainheads of R&B in the 1960s. The soul duo of Sam Moore and Dave Prater recorded a cavalcade of memorable hits for the label beginning in 1965, and STAX CLASSICS: SAM & DAVE touches on many of their greatest recordings. The 12 tracks include “Hold On! I’m A Comin’” and “You Don’t Know Like I Know,” as well as the dynamic duo’s signature anthem, “Soul Man,” which reached #1 on the R&B chart and #2 on the pop chart in 1967. Produced in celebration of the legendary label's 60th anniversary, the new STAX CLASSICS: SAM & DAVE delivers a knockout punch from the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.
Daylight Again (Album of the Day)
Crosby, Stills & Nash's fourth album of completely original material, DAYLIGHT AGAIN began life as a collaboration between Stephen Stills and Graham Nash while David Crosby was sidelined. The pair recruited such talented vocalists as Art Garfunkel and Timothy B. Schmit to fill out the harmonies (as well as a raft of session aces to lend instrumental support), but in the end returned to their old friend to recreate the CSN magic. All three rise to the occasion not only as singers but as songwriters; Crosby's outstanding “Delta,” Stills' “Southern Cross” (which spawned the trio's first music video) and Nash's “Wasted On The Way” (a frank look at the group's past squabbles) rank with their most memorable material. A Top 10 hit, DAYLIGHT AGAIN was released 35 years ago this month, and its inspiring music still shines brightly.
PSYCHOCANDY (Expanded) (Album of the Day)
For their 1985 debut, The Jesus And Mary Chain combined pop melodies worthy of Brian Wilson, echo-laden production worthy of Phil Spector and guitar feedback noisier than The Velvet Underground; alternative rock has yet to recover. Scottish siblings Jim and William Reid (along with bassist Douglas Hart and drummer Bobby Gillespie) grace PSYCHOCANDY with 14 hazy, intoxicating originals that range from amphetamine rush (“Never Understand”) to spectral beauty (“Just Like Honey”). Outlets including Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and Q Magazine have hailed the collection as one of the best of the 1980s, and the Expanded Edition of the seminal set adds a baker's dozen single, demo and alternate versions. It's the perfect way to celebrate the birthday of Gillespie, who went on from PSYCHOCANDY to found Primal Scream.
Gorilla (Album of the Day)
Stax Classics (Album of the Day)
One of the true giants of 1960s soul music, Otis Redding worked his way up as a performer and driver with several Southern R&B bands before getting his big break in 1962 singing at a Stax recording session. The iconic imprint celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, and Rhino marks the occasion with curated collections from several legendary artists including Redding, whose body of work helped transform Stax from a small Memphis-based record label into a musical institution. STAX CLASSICS: OTIS REDDING distills his incredible discography down to a dozen bona fide soul classics like “Try A Little Tenderness,” “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)” and “Respect,” which was later immortalized by Aretha Franklin. Naturally, the collection also includes “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay,” a posthumous release that topped both the R&B and pop charts.