Content tagged ''
Making Movies (Album of the Day)
By the time of MAKING MOVIES' 1980 release, it was clear that Dire Straits had few peers when it came to literate, roots-informed rock. Singer-songwriter-guitarist Mark Knopfler was always the British band's focal point – even more so with the departure of brother David on this third album - but the frontman rose to the occasion. With arrangements as ambitious as its cover art is minimal, the Warner Bros. set features seven cinematically rich originals including “Romeo and Juliet,” “Tunnel of Love” and “Solid Rock.” The collection was co-produced by Jimmy Iovine, who called on old friend (and E Street Band member) Roy Bittan to add his distinctive keyboard work to the mix. Both passionate and poetic, MAKING MOVIES was a hit with fans, reaching platinum certification, and remains among Dire Straits' very best.
Last of the Independents (Album of the Day)
Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, LAST OF THE INDEPENDENTS marked a strong return to form for the Pretenders. The baker's dozen songs include originals ranging from tough (“Rebel Rock Me”) to tender (the classic anthem “I'll Stand by You”), with a couple of great covers to boot (the performance of Dylan's “Forever Young” is particularly stirring). Cut in London, the album was helmed by Smiths producer Stephen Street, Tears for Fears' Ian Stanley and the venerable Chris Thomas, who'd done the honors on three previous Pretenders collections. Also returning to the fold is original drummer Martin Chambers (and for one track, guitarist Robbie McIntosh), though with her commanding vocals, the record undoubtedly belongs to Chrissie Hynde. The final Pretenders set for Sire Records, the gold-certified LAST OF THE INDEPENDENTS brings the initial chapter of the band's history to a terrific close.
Best of: Live Shows (Album of the Day)
Dead & Company was formed in 2015 when the Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir joined forces with artist and musician John Mayer, Allman Brothers' bassist Oteil Burbridge, and Fare Thee Well and RatDog keyboardist Jeff Chimenti. The result was one of the most successful touring bands of the decade; the group has played to more than 1.5 million fans and become a record-breaking stadium act. Dead & Company recently launched a digital concert series to release complete shows on download and streaming services, and the new BEST OF: LIVE SHOWS features highlights from 7 concerts drawn from the band's 2017 fall tour and a trio of 2018 shows in Mexico. The playlist includes outstanding versions of such favorites as “Deal,” “Estimated Prophet” and “China Doll,” and today we'll cue it up to wish Bill Kreutzmann a happy birthday.
Rarities, Oddities, and Exclusives (Album of the Day)
Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards formed Chic in 1976 after Rodgers was inspired by seeing Roxy Music play live in London; a year later, the band signed with Atlantic Records, where they helped define the pop and disco genres with a string of unstoppable hits. The new digital collection RARITIES, ODDITIES AND EXCLUSIVES brings together 17 rare mixes and hard-to-find tracks from the legendary group. Picking up where last year’s Chic Organization boxed set left off, the set includes a 12” remix of “Chic Mystique,” a #1 hit for the band in 1982; “Tavern On The Green” from the Soup For One soundtrack, plus four remixes of “Le Freak” from 2014 by Chic & Aristofreeks. If the versions on RARITIES, ODDITIES AND EXCLUSIVES are unfamiliar to listeners, they are all recognizable as the work of one of the greatest dance bands in history.
Soul Dressing (Album of the Day)
If “Green Onions” notified the world that Booker T. & the M.G.'s were among the country's greatest R&B players, then SOUL DRESSING sealed the deal. The 1965 album, produced by Stax Studios co-founder Jim Stewart, was largely a collection of single sides from the preceding two years, but it's a testament to the Memphis group's talents that it all sounds so consistently soulful. Barring a cover of Don Covay's “Mercy Mercy,” the dozen songs here are all original, highlighted by such favorites as “Tic-Tac-Toe,” “Plum Nellie” and the title track. It may be all instrumental, but the simmering Hammond organ of Booker T. Jones and the stinging guitar of Steve Cropper are as distinctive as any vocalist. For a funky good time, pour on the SOUL DRESSING.
Rei Momo (Album of the Day)
David Byrne's REI MOMO shares its name with the character who presides over the opening of Brazil's Carnival, and the 1989 collection has the feel of a South American celebration. The worldbeat sounds that had long bubbled under the surface of Talking Heads' music reach full boil on the performer's first real solo outing, which touches on Afro-Cuban, merengue, mambo, cumbia and many other Latin genres. Byrne did the lion's share of the writing here, and if such tracks as “Make Believe Mambo,” “The Dream Police” and “The Call Of The Wild” show how well he's mastered the region's rhythms and styles, his lyrical perspective remains as off-kilter as ever. With guest stars including Willie Colón, Celia Cruz and Kirsty MacColl lending a hand, REI MOMO is inventive and enjoyable from beginning to end, and we'll give it another spin to wish David Byrne a happy birthday.
21st Century Breakdown (Album of the Day)
Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong described 21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN as a “snapshot of the era in which we live as we question and try to make sense of the selfish manipulation going on around us.” That makes the Reprise collection a sequel of sorts to breakthrough album AMERICAN IDIOT; produced by Butch Vig, the set is a rock opera in three parts following a young couple's struggles in Bush-era America. If the lyrics are among the most personal Armstrong has written, they're woven into some of the trio's catchiest songs - “Know Your Enemy,” “21 Guns” and the title track among them. Released ten years ago today, the chart-topping 21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN earned a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album, and its passion and ambition continue to inspire listeners.
Blues for the Red Sun (Album of the Day)
If Josh Homme is now best known for leading Queens of the Stone Age, the performer had already earned a place in hard rock history as a founder of Kyuss. Emerging from the California desert at the end of the 1980s, the band released four albums, of which BLUES FOR THE RED SUN may be their masterpiece. Working with producer Chris Goss, the quartet finally captured the power of their live shows in the studio, and such tracks as “Green Machine,” “Thong Song” and “Thumb” thunder through the speakers like a freight train speeding downhill. While not a big seller, the 1992 collection was hugely influential, both for helping pioneer stoner rock and for Homme's distinctive instrumental work – tuned down two steps and played through a bass amp for maximum heaviness. We'll wish the guitarist a happy birthday now by cranking up BLUES FOR THE RED SUN.
Out of the Blue (Album of the Day)
Debbie Gibson's OUT OF THE BLUE was accurately titled; the Brooklyn teenager was playing night clubs when that debut album rocketed her to stardom. The average pop princess may be little more than a pretty face with a savvy manager, but Gibson was never average – she penned and produced her own material. On this day in 1988, her “Foolish Beat” topped the U.S. chart, making 17-year old Debbie the youngest woman ever to write, produce and record a No.1 single. That song was one of four Top Ten hits (along with “Only In My Dreams,” “Shake Your Love” and the title track) on the Atlantic collection. The buoyant dance pop on OUT OF THE BLUE still sounds fresh thanks to Debbie's effervescent vocal performance – and all the other skills the then-high school student contributed to this multi-platinum smash.
Then Play On (Remastered and Expanded) (Album of the Day)
Fleetwood Mac is one of rock’s most storied and successful bands, having endured numerous line-up changes and sold millions of albums worldwide. Originally part of the British blues boom, the Mac was among the most popular groups in that style by the time THEN PLAY ON was released in 1969. The quintet's stellar third studio album was the first with guitarist-songwriter Danny Kirwan and would be the last with founding member Peter Green. The collection’s powerful mix of blues and rock includes standout tracks like “Rattlesnake Shake,” “Searching For Madge” and “Coming Your Way.” Co-founder Mick Fleetwood remains the band's drummer all these years later, and we'll play THEN PLAY ON once again to wish him a happy birthday.