Release Round-Up: Week of October 8

Tony Bennett, Live At The Sahara: Las Vegas 1964 (RPM/Columbia/Legacy)

Previously exclusive to The Complete Collection box set, Bennett’s first headlining act in Sin City is now available for standalone purchase. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Alex Chilton, Electricity by Candlelight: NYC 2/13/97 (Bar None)

The late Big Star frontman had a talent that not even a power outage at New York’s Knitting Factory could blot out, as this spontaneous, covers-heavy release showcases. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

The Kinks, Muswell Hillbillies: Deluxe Edition (Sanctuary)

The Kinks’ ninth album (and first originally recorded for RCA) gets a two-disc reissue worthy of any 20th century man you might know. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Alabama/Johnny Cash/Neil Diamond/George Jones & Tammy Wynette/Gladys Knight & The Pips/Martina McBride/Barbra Streisand/Andy Williams, The Classic Christmas Album (Legacy)

Following the success of last year’s wave of mid-priced holiday compilations, another eight are coming to fill your stockings with Christmas cheer.

Alabama: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Johnny Cash: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Neil Diamond: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
George Jones & Tammy Wynette: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Gladys Knight & The Pips: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Martina McBride: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Barbra Streisand: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Andy Williams: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Various Artists, CBGB: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Omnivore)

This 20-track compilation for the new film about the legendary New York club features some of the biggest bands who played that stage, plus a recording by founder Hilly Krystal and a new version of Blondie’s “Sunday Girl.” (Rhino will distribute a digital version in the future with exclusive tracks.)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Kick Out The Jams: Omnivore, Rhino Team for “CBGB” with The Police, Talking Heads, Television, MC5

Though CBGB closed its doors at 315 Bowery on October 15, 2006 following a concert by Patti Smith, the legendary New York club never truly disappeared.  Though plans to open a new location in Las Vegas fell through – some might say, mercifully! – Hilly Krystal’s famous club has survived in spirit.  CBGB Radio launched in 2010, the CBGB Festival of music hit the Big Apple in 2012, and the original awning even migrated to Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  This October, CBGB gets another lease on life with the release of director Randall Miler’s big-screen CBGB, starring Alan Rickman as the colorful proprietor Kristal.  The star of stage (Private Lives) and screen (Harry Potter) is joined by an ensemble including Johnny Galecki, Rupert Grint, Bradley Whitford, Malin Ackerman and Ryan Hurst for the film opening October 11 in New York, Los Angeles and other select cities.

No great rock film is complete, however, without a great soundtrack.  Omnivore Recordings and Rhino Records are teaming up to bring this musical portrait of CBGB to life.  On October 8, Omnivore will release CBGB: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on CD and 2-LP vinyl, with the first vinyl edition to be pressed on translucent pink vinyl.  With Omnivore handling the physical release, Rhino will issue the digital version of the album.  Exclusive digital-only tracks are promised.

Though Hilly Kristal originally planned CBGB as a home for Country, BlueGrass and Blues, it wasn’t long after the club’s founding in 1973 that it became a hotbed for New York’s vivid underground music scene.  Punk, new wave, and later, hardcore all became closely identified with CBGB, and the nightspot became part of the big city’s lifeblood.  The Patti Smith Group, Joan Jett, The B-52s, Blondie, Talking Heads and the Ramones all made splashes on Kristal’s small but immensely influential stage.

What will you find on the soundtrack album?  Just hit the jump!  We’ll also have the full track listing and pre-order links!