October 20, 2006
New releases: Oct. 24, 2006
Posted by Stacy Chandler at October 20, 2006 8:26 AMNext week's theme? Rehash. But that's not always a bad thing. There's nothing new under the sun coming at'cha, but there's some pretty good nostalgia, you might say.
New (so to speak) releases of note for the week of Oct. 24:
Lucinda Williams -- [REISSUE] Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
Remastered! Expanded! Will make you smarter! OK, normally I hate this "deluxe edition" bull, but it takes out some of the sting knowing that at least it has been quite some time since the original release (what was it, 1997? '98?). And it's not just a little bit of "bonus" -- it's a lot. There's a second CD with concert recordings, and the first CD includes the remastered (whatever that means) originals, an alternate take on "Still I Long For Your Kiss," and two previously unreleased studio tracks. An album that's this much of a masterpiece can kind of get away with this treatment. Kind of.
various artists -- The Harry Smith Project: Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited (Shout! Factory)
Old meets new with this four disc CD/DVD extravaganza celebrating the archiving efforts of Harry Smith, who in the 1950s helped spark the American folk resurgence by shining the spotlight on the likes of the Carter Family, Mississippi John Hurt, and other folk and blues and roots pioneers. With this project, today's artists celebrate yesterday -- and Smith as the middleman. Performances included are by Beck, Wilco, Elvis Costello, Beth Orton, Steve Earle and more, culled from tribute concerts to be highlighted on the DVD (which also will be released on its own next month).
Ben Folds -- Supersunnyspeedgraphic: The LP (Sony)
A compilation from various EPs and soundtracks. Includes a cover of Dr. Dre's "Bitches Ain't Shit." Which should be ... interesting.
Aimee Mann -- One More Drifter in the Snow (Superego)
Hmm, didn't see this coming. A Christmas album, yes, Christmas album, from Aimee Mann. Know what I think will be a highlight? A cover of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." Just a hunch.
There's a tiny little release next week that I'm pretty excited about, "Small Town Burning" by Mat d. and the Profane Saints.
It is not even below the radar, no label, no promo budget(Mat actually e-mailed it to me as an MP3 to save postage), and the release is going to be on a Saturday night in a pub in Sioux City, Iowa. But DANG! I'm sure nobody here has heard of the group, but Mat's vocals and songwriting ability make this worth hearing. More on it Oct 23 in my regular post.
Posted by: Jim Pipkin at October 20, 2006 11:24 AMCar Wheels is a great disc but I'm not buying it again. Would I borrow it and burn a copy? Yep. Would I feel guilty? Nope. Concert tickets to three LW shows even that score.
Posted by: Hal at October 20, 2006 6:49 PMUpdate: Special Edition Car Wheels has a list price of $29.98! Assuming you have the original Car Wheels (and who the hell else is buying this) you get three "bonus" tracks and one live CD for $30. Hmmm....smells like greed to me.
Sorry for the double post, but since they're trying to get me to buy this disc twice I guess I can complain twice.
Posted by: Hal at October 20, 2006 9:18 PMThirty US dollars? FMD. Save your dough for her new studio album The Knowing due out in November or next year or the fall after that or ... uh, sometime.
There is this thing called the Byron Bay Blues and Roots festival which takes place every April here in Oz. They pull some big names, Steve Earle says its his favourite festival anywhere but he might say that to everyone. Anyway, I have never been to the festival itself but the acts always swing through Sydney before or after so Easter every year I am broke. Its how I've seen Gillian/David, Solomon Burke, Daniel Lanois, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Los Lobos (actually had to miss them cause they clashed with Lanois but I wanted to), Iris DeMent etc etc etc They are announcing their line up for next year soon and there is some hope LW might be amongst the names. I hope so. But I'm still not paying $30 USD for that remaster.
I am anxiously awaiting that new Lucinda album. Last time I saw her show, she played a few songs from it I think, and she used the word "twangy" to describe them. It was good stuff. I hope you get a chance to see her Amanda, she gives a rockin' show.
Posted by: valerie at October 23, 2006 8:22 AMI'm looking forward to the new disc too for around $15.
Posted by: Hal at October 23, 2006 2:09 PMSpeaking of re-hashing, the Derailers have a new release this week - Retrospective: Just One More Time.
It's a collection of previously released material, but if you don't have any of their albums this is a great overview. Unfortunately, it doesn't have their cover of Prince's Raspberry Beret.
Also, the Cowboy Junkies are releasing Long Journey Home, their second live album in about two years. Still, they're a damn good band.
Posted by: Dusty Bear at October 23, 2006 4:40 PMIsn't the new Tweedy DVD out today?
Posted by: Patrickhayes at October 24, 2006 12:03 PMNonesuch Records is releasing a Jeff Tweedy performance DVD "Sunken Treasure: Live in the Pacific Northwest".
Posted by: Jim Pipkin at October 24, 2006 1:37 PM
