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Brotherhood (Album of the Day)
By the mid-1980s, Manchester quartet New Order had emerged from the shadow of Joy Division, the pioneering post-punk group in which singer-guitarist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook and drummer Stephen Morris got their start. While Hook's melodic fretwork was a link to that previous group, newcomer Gillian Gilbert's synth playing gave New Order's music a brighter feel, as the effervescent “Bizarre Love Triangle” makes clear. That hit single is but one of the highlights of the quartet's 4th album, BROTHERHOOD, which neatly balances dance club techno with rock-edged songs like “Weirdo.” The collection celebrates its 35th anniversary today, and its confident singing, vibrant instrumental work and mature songwriting make it one of the band's best.
Introducing the Beau Brummels (Album of the Day)
The Beau Brummels are proof that the San Francisco scene was an exciting one even before anyone had heard of the Grateful Dead or Jefferson Airplane. With an English-sounding name to capitalize on the British Invasion then dominating U.S. radios, the quintet entered the studio with producer Sylvester Stewart (later known as Sly Stone) and emerged with this 1965 album for Autumn Records. The dozen tracks on INTRODUCING THE BEAU BRUMMELS include ten originals penned by guitarist Ron Elliott, among them the singles “Laugh Laugh” and “Just A Little,” which reached the Top 10. The Beau Brummels' sparkling debut epitomizes 1960s folk-rock in all its jangly goodness.
King (Album of the Day)
Though Rhode Island alternative rockers Belly made a bigger splash with their debut, the quartet’s follow-up is equally worthy. “KING was a reaction to the bright shininess of STAR and we weren't surprised when it didn't sell,” recalled group founder Tanya Donelly of the 1995 Sire set, which boasts a more muscular, electric sound thanks partly to new bassist Gail Greenwood, who had previously played guitar in a metal band. But Donelly and company’s knack for hook-filled songwriting didn’t change with the stronger rock and roll emphasis, judging from such highlights as “Super-Connected,” “Now They'll Sleep” and “Seal My Fate.” Noted producer Glyn Johns (Eagles, Faces, The Who) helmed the underrated KING, which remains catchy and compelling decades later.
Merci Miles! Live at Vienne! (Album of the Day)
The Miles Davis Group's set at the Jazz à Vienne festival in France on July 1, 1991, was among the final public performances by the iconic trumpeter; this previously unreleased concert has just made its debut as MERCI MILES! LIVE AT VIENNE. Davis’s lifelong love for France is well-documented, and just a few days after this show he was made a Knight of the country's Legion of Honour in recognition of his five decades of musical evolution. In addition to selections from recent Warner Bros. releases, the collection includes two songs – “Penetration” and “Jailbait” – that were written by Prince, with whom Davis had a mutual admiration and friendship. Available in 2-CD and 2-LP formats as part of Black Music Month, MERCI MILES! LIVE AT VIENNE is a stirring valediction from one of the giants of 20th century music.
5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion (Album of the Day)
The seismic cultural changes wrought by 1967 are apparent on The Incredible String Band's 5000 SPIRITS OR THE LAYERS OF THE ONION; from the cover to the grooves, it's an embrace of the psychedelic unimaginable from their debut a year earlier. Singer-songwriters Mike Heron and Robin Williamson had amassed a variety of exotic instruments including sitar, gimbri and oud to weave a multi-tracked tapestry with the help of esteemed U.K. folk-rock producer Joe Boyd. Among the highlights on the collection are "The Hedgehog's Song," “Painting Box” and “First Girl I Loved,” later covered by both Judy Collins and Jackson Browne. Paul McCartney and David Bowie were also huge fans of 5000 SPIRITS OR THE LAYERS OF THE ONION – and its whimsical, imaginative music will make you one, too.
Broken Arrow (Album of the Day)
Released 25 years ago today, BROKEN ARROW shows Neil Young is an absolute master of thundering, mood-evoking guitar jams. Crazy Horse axeman Frank "Poncho" Sampedro, bassist Billy Talbot and drummer Ralph Molina had been backing the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer off and on since the 1970s, and at this point their interplay is near-telepathic. From the trio of epics (“Big Time,” “Loose Change” and “Slip Away”) that open the Reprise collection to the live Jimmy Reed cover (“Baby What You Want Me to Do”) that closes it, Neil's in strong voice and his lyrics are thought-provoking and direct. Like the Buffalo Springfield song that shares its name, BROKEN ARROW is another gem from one of the most vital singer-songwriters of all time.
Home of the Brave (Album of the Day)
HOME OF THE BRAVE captures Laurie Anderson's 1985 performance at the Park Theater in Union City, NJ while she was touring in support of her MISTER HEARTBREAK album. Released the following year, the film and its accompanying soundtrack show Anderson moving with ease between the performance art and rock worlds. Most of the audio release's eight tracks are new compositions and three are studio recordings that differ markedly from the concert versions: “Smoke Rings,” “Language Is a Virus” (both co-produced by Nile Rodgers) and “Talk Normal.” Guitarist Adrian Belew is among the fine band accompanying these delightfully skewed observations on modern life. Here's a post-Independence Day salute to HOME OF THE BRAVE!
Skull & Roses (Expanded) (Album of the Day)
Grateful Dead earned the band’s first-ever gold record in 1971 with its self-titled live album, known to many fans as “Skull & Roses” (a reference to the cover art by Alton Kelley and Stanley Mouse). Marking the set's 50th anniversary, the new GRATEFUL DEAD (SKULL & ROSES): EXPANDED EDITION showcases the original five-piece band playing some of their hardest hitting rock 'n' roll and such soon-to-be standards as “Bertha,” “Playing In The Band” and “Wharf Rat.” The 2-CD collection includes a bonus disc with 10 previously unreleased live tracks that were recorded on July 2, 1971 at the Fillmore West, which was the band’s final performance at the historic San Francisco venue.
Quiet Fire (50th Anniversary Expanded Edition) (Album of the Day)
Roberta Flack's third studio set, QUIET FIRE, might not have made as much sales noise as her debut but its reflective music will warm the heart of any listener. With producer Joel Dorn again at the helm, the 1971 Atlantic collection draws equally upon jazz, singer-songwriter, gospel and soul influences. Though opener “Go up Moses” is the only original, Flack's performances of such songs as “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “To Love Somebody” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” breathe new life into old favorites. The new digital 50th Anniversary Expanded Edition of QUIET FIRE adds seven bonus tracks from the period including versions of “What's Going On” and an epic take on “Superstar.”
Chapter Two (50th Anniversary Expanded Edition) (Album of the Day)
A strong follow-up to her stunning debut, Roberta Flack's CHAPTER TWO made it clear that she was an artist in it for the long haul. Flack takes songs as diverse as fiery opener “Reverend Lee,” Bob Dylan's “Just Like A Woman” and standards like “The Impossible Dream” and makes them her own with distinctive performances that draw deep from jazz, gospel and soul. With producer Joel Dorn and such arrangers as King Curtis and Donny Hathaway lending their talents, the 1970 Atlantic collection frames the performer's magnificent vocal and piano work beautifully. A new digital 50th Anniversary Expanded Edition of CHAPTER TWO adds a version of “Midnight Cowboy” as a bonus track.