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Upon The Wings Of Music (Album of the Day)
Both Frank Zappa and the Mahavishnu Orchestra put Jean-Luc Ponty's talents to use on their records, but it's on his solo albums for Atlantic that the French-born violinist truly soars. From 1975, UPON THE WINGS OF MUSIC was the first of these, and it's a terrific showcase for both Ponty and his band (which included future R&B hitmakers Patrice Rushen and Ray Parker Jr. on keyboards and guitar, respectively). Highlighted by such songs as “Question with No Answer,” “Polyfolk Dance” and the title track, these eight originals offer funk-tinged jazz fusion that's consistently engaging; as a producer, Ponty's adventurous combination of acoustic and electric textures is as impressive as his instrumental skills. We'll let UPON THE WINGS OF MUSIC take flight again now to wish Jean-Luc a happy birthday.
New York (Deluxe) (Album of the Day)
Lou Reed struck a chord with critics and fans alike more than 30 years ago with NEW YORK, his Sire Records debut and 15th solo studio album overall. Packed with incredible songs like “Busload Of Faith,” “Halloween Parade” and “Dirty Blvd.” (a #1 hit on the Modern Rock chart), the collection captures the legendary singer-songwriter-poet in exceptional form. Its raw sound and evocative lyrics would go on to earn Reed a gold record and a Grammy nomination. Now available as a 3-CD/1-DVD/2-LP set, NEW YORK: DELUXE EDITION includes a newly remastered version of the 1989 classic, 26 unreleased studio and live recordings of album tracks from the Lou Reed Archive, as well as the DVD-debut of a long-out-of-print concert video from the accompanying tour.
Southpaw Grammar (Album of the Day)
Released 25 years ago today, SOUTHPAW GRAMMAR came at the end of Morrissey's tenure on Warner Bros. and got little promotion, but its strengths are clear in hindsight. While the performer's lyrical wit and distinctive vocals remain impressive, the set allows the band to shine as well; singles “The Boy Racer” and “Dagenham Dave” make excellent use of guitarists Alain Whyte and Boz Boorer, while drummer Spencer James Cobrin is elsewhere afforded a solo. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, the album also features a pair of extended songs including “The Teachers Are Afraid of the Pupils,” with a surprisingly effective classical music sample. The collection's title and original cover photo reflect Morrissey's fascination with boxing, and SOUTHPAW GRAMMAR does indeed pack a punch.
PLANS (Album of the Day)
“I really like the idea of a plan not being seen as having definite outcomes, but more like little wishes,” noted Death Cab For Cutie mastermind Ben Gibbard of the inspiration for PLANS. The group's major label debut, the 2005 collection picks up where indie rock breakthrough TRANSATLANTICISM left off, with considerably more polish to its production (even though it was recorded at a farmhouse studio in rural Massachusetts). The wry, sophisticated sensibility one would expect of a group named after a Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band song can be heard throughout, accompanied by the appealing melodies that helped put “Soul Meets Body” and “Crooked Teeth” onto Billboard's Alternative chart and made “I Will Follow You into the Dark” a Grammy nominee, The album as a whole earned a Grammy nomination as well, and the platinum-certified PLANS remains Death Cab's top seller.
There’s Gonna Be A Showdown (Album of the Day)
Archie Bell & The Drells are best remembered for “Tighten Up,” which reached No.1 in 1968 when Bell was still enlisted in the U.S. Army. But the music of the Texas quartet offers R&B fans much to love beyond that hit, as their third album, THERE'S GONNA BE A SHOWDOWN, makes clear. The Atlantic collection was produced by future Philly soul kingpins Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff (who would lure Bell & The Drells to their own Philadelphia International label after this), and features four Hot 100 singles: “I Love My Baby,” “Girl You're Too Young,” “My Balloon's Going Up” and the title track. The inventive, danceable arrangements and sunny vibes on THERE'S GONNA BE A SHOWDOWN make it one of the most enjoyable soul albums of the late 1960s, and we'll give it another spin now to wish Archie Bell a happy birthday.
Something In The Air (Live Paris 99) (Album of the Day)
Recorded live at the Elysée Montmarte on October 14, 1999, David Bowie's SOMETHING IN THE AIR (LIVE PARIS 99) documents one of only seven full performances during the promotion of his HOURS… album. The day of the show was a momentous one for Bowie, as that afternoon he was awarded the Commandeurs of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the highest artistic honour that France can bestow. The 15-track concert collection features 12 previously unreleased recordings and three tracks used as B-sides; digging deep into the singer-songwriter's back catalog, standout tracks include 1966 single “Can’t Help Thinking About Me,” “Word On A Wing” (from STATION TO STATION) and “Drive-In Saturday” - none of which had been performed for decades. Now available, SOMETHING IN THE AIR (LIVE PARIS 99) captures the full scope of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's career.
Charlie Feathers (Album of the Day)
The Nonesuch label's Explorer series was best known for releasing indigenous music from every corner of the world when it turned its curatorial eye on the U.S. in 1991. Among the roots artists spotlighted was Charlie Feathers, whose self-titled album is a highlight of the American Explorer series. A contemporary of Elvis Presley, Feathers is beloved by fans for his mid-'50s King singles, and working with producer Ben Vaughn and such talented instrumentalists as guitarist Roland James, he successfully recaptures that sound. The extra decades add character to Charlie's voice (critic Robert Christgau called it “eerily displaced” in his favorable Entertainment Weekly review) on such tracks as “Pardon Me Mister,” “Mean Woman Blues” and “We Can't Seem To Remember To Forget.” If rockabilly or backwoods country hold any appeal to you, CHARLIE FEATHERS is the genuine article.
In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up (Album of the Day)
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T FEEL LIKE SHOWING UP offers Ministry fans who missed the industrial metal band's February 1990 show at Merrillville, Indiana's Holiday Star Theatre a second chance to hear one of the group's most powerful line-ups in concert. Joining leader Al Jourgensen here are Pigface's Chris Connelly, Skinny Puppy's Nivek Ogre and Killing Joke's Martin Atkins, and the resulting music is as dark and brutal as you'd expect. With six songs drawn from classics THE LAND OF RAPE AND HONEY and THE MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO TASTE, the Sire collection wages sonic war from the opening notes of “The Missing” to an epic version of “Stigmata” and Jourgensen's vitriolic closing tirade. Named by Rock Hard magazine as one of the 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time, IN CASE YOU DIDN'T FEEL LIKE SHOWING UP was released 30 years ago today and remains one of the most intense live albums ever.
Learning to Crawl (Album of the Day)
The loss of a lead guitarist and a bassist in less than a year would have destroyed many bands, but Pretenders bounced back from tragedy with LEARNING TO CRAWL. The 1984 Sire set includes a magnificent tribute to the late James Honeyman-Scott (“Back On The Chain Gang,” a Top 10 hit), but the rest of the ten tracks show the band looking forward rather than backward. With producer Chris Thomas returning to the helm, frontwoman Chrissie Hynde came up with some of her best songs, ranging from fiery rockers (“Middle of the Road,” “My City Was Gone”) to tender balladry (Christmastime classic “2000 Miles”), with an ace cover of The Persuaders' “Thin Line Between Love and Hate” to round out the set. More than a triumph over adversity, the platinum-certified LEARNING TO CRAWL stands among the very best Pretenders albums, and today we'll give it another spin in honor of Hynde's birthday.
Gary Burton & Keith Jarrett (Album of the Day)
Chemistry is one of the most important, if unpredictable, elements of a jazz recording and it's clearly heard on the pairing of GARY BURTON & KEITH JARRETT. Veteran Atlantic producer Joel Dorn brought the vibraphonist and pianist to New York's A&R Studios on July 23, 1970 to cut these five tracks with guitarist Sam Brown, drummer Bill Goodwin and bassist Steve Swallow (who also provided a song, “Como en Vietnam”). The rest of the material is all penned by Jarrett, and its mix of pop, rock, country and the avant-garde is inventive and effortless. The 1971 release may seem unassuming at first, but the insinuating melodies and masterful instrumental work make GARY BURTON & KEITH JARRETT an album whose pleasures grow with each listen.