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Viva Hate (Album of the Day)
Wizzard Brew (Album of the Day)
Roy Wood came to fame as the leader of British '60s faves The Move before helping bandmate Jeff Lynne launch ELO. Following those adventures, Wood founded Wizzard, which gave the progressive power-pop of those earlier bands a heavier edge. While non-LP singles like “See My Baby Jive” (which topped the U.K. singles chart on this day in 1973) have a tight, commercial sound, the albums were on the whole more adventurous, and WIZZARD BREW is Wood at his post-Move best. The songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (he qualifies as an entire orchestra here) dishes up an eclectic mix of ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll, prog and glam rock on six extended tracks including the 13-minute “Meet Me At The Jailhouse.” Powered by thundering boogie riffs, the musicianship is outstanding throughout, and WIZZARD BREW will surely cast its spell on '70s rock fans.
True Democracy (Album of the Day)
... And The Circus Leave Town (Album of the Day)
...AND THE CIRCUS LEAVES TOWN was a fitting title for the fourth album from Kyuss; a few months after the Elektra collection's July 1995 release, the quartet would disperse to seek out greener pastures (most notably guitarist Josh Homme, who would form Queens Of The Stone Age). The stoner rock pioneers made the most of their final album, adding a quieter, more contemplative tone to the low-rumbling heaviness for which these sons of the desert were best known. Standouts include the ferocious opener “Hurricane,” wah-wah stomper “One Inch Man” and “Catamaran,” from drummer Alfredo Hernández's previous band (and this being the 1990s, there are also a couple of hidden tracks). To help celebrate Homme's birthday, we'll crank up the volume on ...AND THE CIRCUS LEAVES TOWN today.
The Last In Line (Album of the Day)
This worthy 1984 follow-up to Dio's debut announces its intentions from its opening track: “We Rock.” From that soon-to-be concert favorite to the epic finale “Egypt (The Chains Are On),” the headbanging quintet never lets up, though the addition of Rough Cutt keyboardist Claude Schnell to the line-up moves the band's sound ever so slightly closer to the mainstream. THE LAST IN LINE explores dark fantasy terrain that will be familiar to fans, but the powerful presence of Ronnie James Dio and the insistent guitar riffs of Vivian Campbell make every song a thrill. Dio passed away on this day in 2010, and we'll cue up this terrific 1984 collection to remember the distinctive frontman – when it came to heavy metal singing, he truly was THE LAST IN LINE.
More Trini Lopez At PJ's (Live) (Album of the Day)
Trini Lopez first started making music in Dallas in the late 1950s; fast-forward a few years and he'd made his way to Los Angeles and a residency at the P.J.'s club (later known as the Starwood). After Frank Sinatra signed him to his Reprise label, Lopez recorded his 1963 debut at the popular West Hollywood night spot, and the album spawned a million-selling single. To capitalize on that success, MORE TRINI LOPEZ AT P.J.'S followed later that year and nearly reached the Top 10. Playing a great mix of material including folk-pop (“Go Into The Mountains”), Latin (“Corazon De Melon”) and rock 'n' roll (“Kansas City”), Trini had the audience in the palm of his hand and the excitement is audible in this well-recorded live set. The singer turns 80 today, and we'll wish him a very happy birthday with MORE TRINI LOPEZ AT P.J.'S.
El Mirage (Album of the Day)
Jimmy Webb was one of the hottest songwriters of the 1960s, penning hits for the likes of Glen Campbell, The Fifth Dimension and Richard Harris before becoming an acclaimed performer in his own right. Following a string of releases on Reprise, Jimmy cut a sole album for Atlantic in 1977 that, while often overlooked, is one of his very best. Released 40 years ago this month, EL MIRAGE features 11 fine Webb originals including “The Highwayman” (which gave a name and a hit single to the famed country supergroup) and “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress.” With production from the legendary George Martin and stellar studio support from such seasoned musicians as Lowell George, Larry Knechtel and Kenny Loggins, EL MIRAGE is polished West Coast pop of the highest order.
Ferry Cross The Mersey (Mono And Stereo Version) (Album of the Day)
After the success of A Hard Day's Night, Beatles manager Brian Epstein wasted no time creating a big-screen vehicle for another one of his clients, Gerry and the Pacemakers. You might not have seen the resulting slice-of-Liverpool life FERRY CROSS THE MERSEY, but you've surely heard the film's title number, a Top 10 single in both the U.S. and the U.K. It's one of nine irresistible Pacemakers songs on the soundtrack to the 1965 musical, which also includes the beat group's minor hit “It's Gonna Be Alright” as well as contributions from Cilla Black, The Fourmost and producer George Martin's orchestra. In honor of Pacemakers bassist Les Chadwick's birthday, we'll take another ride on the FERRY CROSS THE MERSEY today!
Rio [Collector's] (Album of the Day)
Perfect Combination (Album of the Day)
Stacy Lattisaw was barely old enough to drive when she scored her first Top 10 R&B hit, and Johnny Gill would rack up millions of record sales as a member of New Edition and LSG; together they were a PERFECT COMBINATION. Lattisaw and Gill were actually childhood friends from Washington, D.C., so pairing the rising stars on this 1984 Cotillion album was no mere marketing ploy. In the capable hands of producer Narada Michael Walden, the duo melt hearts with eight appealing performances including “Block Party,” a cover of The Shirelles' “Baby It's You” and the title track. Stacy Lattisaw and Johnny Gill would collaborate again later in the decade, but this first time was magic, and remains a PERFECT COMBINATION of '80s teen pop and soul.