Archive for February 21st, 2013
Take It Easy: Rhino Packages Eagles LPs for New CD Box
Rhino extends their “lots of albums on CD in one box set” trend to one of the biggest artists in their catalogue: the Eagles.
The Studio Albums 1972-1979 will collect exactly that: just about the entirety of the band’s discography (not counting any non-LP tracks, either live album, Eagles Live (1980) or Hell Freezes Over (1994), nor most recent studio album Long Road Out of Eden (2007)) on six CDs. As with previous such Rhino boxes, it’s expected to have no different mastering than prior CD releases (likely the same masterings by Ted Jensen at New York’s Sterling Sound that were issued on CD in 1999), nor any other extra frills.
But again, if you don’t have any of these albums, now’s as good a time as any to pick this up – which you can do, in stores starting March 19 or at the Amazon links below.
The Studio Albums 1972-1979 (Elektra/Rhino 534728, 2013)
Disc 1: Eagles (originally released as Asylum SD-5054, 1972)
Disc 2: Desperado (originally released as Asylum SD-5068, 1973)
Disc 3: On the Border (originally released as Asylum 7E-1004, 1974)
Disc 4: One of These Nights (originally released as Asylum 7E-1039, 1975)
Disc 5: Hotel California (originally released as Asylum 7E-1084, 1976)
Disc 6: The Long Run (originally released as Asylum 5E-508, 1979)
Booker T. Jones Is Ageless and “Evergreen” On Expanded CD Reissue
With or without the legendary MGs, Booker T. Jones has always been an evergreen talent. And now, his 1974 Epic Records LP Evergreen has finally arrived on domestic CD in a generously expanded edition. Wounded Bird Records has just reissued Evergreen with six bonus tracks, four of which are making their first appearance anywhere.
Keyboard/organ virtuoso Jones first rose to prominence with 1962’s “Green Onions,” still one of the most recognizable instrumental hits of all time. “Green Onions” was created by the classic MGs line-up of organist Jones, guitarist Steve Cropper, drummer Al Jackson Jr. and bassist Lewis Steinberg. Originally the B-side of the May 1962 Volt single “Behave Yourself,” the catchy, organ-driven blues was quickly flipped, and reissued as an A-side on the Stax label. The instrumental made it all the way to pole position on the R&B chart, and made an impressive No. 3 placement on the Billboard Hot 100. Cover versions followed by everyone from Henry Mancini to The Ventures. By the early part of the 1970s, however, Jones was diversifying from his work at the Stax hitmaking factory – where he supported innumerable other artists in addition to recording with his own group. Stax was facing significant troubles, and by the end of 1975, the company had filed for bankruptcy. Booker T. Jones had seen the writing on the wall. Having exited Stax before its final decline, Jones recorded a series of albums with then-wife Priscilla Coolidge at A&M beginning in 1971, and joined Epic’s roster for Evergreen.
After the jump: all of the details on Evergreen, including a full track listing and order link! Read the rest of this entry »
No April Fool: Real Gone Announces Packed Line-Up For Month with Grateful Dead, Whiting, Jans, Atkins, More
April is known for showers, so why shouldn’t Real Gone Music shower collectors with a big line-up encompassing not just some super-rare rock and soul, but also country, film soundtracks, pop vocals and even crossover classical? Nine releases, all due on April 2, run the gamut for this busy label.
On the rock front, fans will likely snap up the first-time domestic CD release of the 1971 solo album by Memphis music legend Don Nix. Featuring the Muscle Shoals rhythm section, Living by the Days was originally released on the Elektra label. Nix, who began his career playing saxophone with the Mar-Keys, went on to play a major role behind the scenes at Stax while also finding time to work with a “Who’s Who” including Leon Russell, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Isaac Hayes. For Living by the Days, the composer/arranger/musician was joined by Donald “Duck” Dunn, Roger Hawkins and Barry Beckett. Real Gone’s reissue of this lost southern soul classic, with flourishes of both folk and gospel, recreates the original release’s gatefold artwork and adds new notes by music historian Colin Escott.
From the same year, Real Gone is reissuing the funk-soul-rock-folk stew Barbara & Ernie: Prelude To… This unusual LP, first issued on Cotillion, paired guitarist Ernie Calabria and soul singer Barbara Massey. Calabria had played on sessions for Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone and Anita Carter, while Massey had shared the microphone with Jimi Hendrix, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and Cat Stevens. Real Gone describes this lost album as a “funky, folky, psychedelic soul gem graced with a stellar list of sidemen (e.g. Joe Beck and Keith Jarrett) that vanished without a trace in the more stratified world of early ’70s music retail.” Calabria and Massey’s talents were enhanced by the orchestrations of Brazil’s Eumir Deodato, whose credits prior to his own solo breakthrough included arrangements for Wes Montgomery, Astrud Gilberto and Frank Sinatra. The repertoire on Prelude consists of originals plus a cover of the Great Society/Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love.” Real Gone’s release marks its first legitimate release on CD, with liner notes written by Pat Thomas.
After the jump: Tom Jans, Grateful Dead, Margaret Whiting and more! Plus: pre-order links to all titles! Read the rest of this entry »
The Second Disc 