If I was to make up a list of my favorite guitar players (But of course, I wouldn't dare do that because then I'd be exposing myself to the Internet scourge known as GuitarFan™. You know the type. They blurt out things like "Where's Slash?!!" and "Dimebag!" — think of it as a kind of Rock and Roll Tourette's) then Steve Cropper would have to be there. Going all the way back to his smokin' work with Booker T & the MGs, Cropper's guitar has always had that unique twang that I just love.
On Nudge It Up a Notch, Cropper is joined by Felix Cavaliere, vocalist and B3 player for the Rascals. I'm afraid I may have to turn this up very loud.
P.S. Yes, I was sucked in by the record player on the cover.
I'd like to throw out a special plug for a free new release before we get to my Official Pick of the Week. Somrod has just released Magic Junk Radio 11: Slow Ahead. The download is free and well worth the listen.
Martin Scorsese's tour film of the Rolling Stones' Shine a Light makes its way to DVD and Blu-Ray. Just think, Blu-Ray fans, you'll be able to count the cracks in Keith's face. Mick Jagger's lips will be in high definition.
The spectacular soundtrack was released earlier this spring; now we get the images to go with the words. The real question about this release is can the Oscar-winning director breathe life into the stale genre that is the concert film? Can he present The Stones in a unique way? Can he present live music in a unique way? Can he at the very least present them in an engaging way? We've heard the soundtrack, so we know the music is there. I can't wait to feast my eyes on the visuals.
Here are all of this week's new album releases courtesy of All Music Guide:
Alice Cooper
Along Came a Spider
Steamhammer
Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
Steve Cropper/Felix Cavaliere
Nudge It Up a Notch
Stax
Retro-Soul
![Shine a Light [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51X9rXbz5gL._SL120_.jpg)
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
it is never a slow week when a new Magic Junk Radio podcast show up.
2 - Glen Boyd
And will ya feast your eyes on those page breaks? I don't think I've ever seen em' break quite that right...
-Glen
3 - Lauri J
Rick Springfield's "Venus in Overdrive" cd is catchy, great pop and just all around pleasing entertainment. Love it - played it over and over and think everyone will enjoy giving it a listen. It has a few reminders of past music which is clever and fun, and then the rest is sweet, loving, about love and you'll love it!
4 - Pico
"Rock and Roll Tourette's" indeed.
5 - Tom Johnson
A funny thing about Alice Cooper is that, for me, at least, it's kind of hard to not see him now as the guy who hawks cars for a local auto dealer or the guy who appears in a couple of goofy commercials for the DMV (he lives in Phoenix. Another Phoenician I see regularly on TV is Leslie Neilsen, who basically Frank Drebens his way through some local credit union commercials.)
6 - Mark Saleski
hey, once you've been on the hollywood squares....
7 - Sabrina
For me, musical quality is more important than quantity. So what if the person doesn't have a hit song every single year? Not all baseball players strike a home run at each game, do they? I've not had the chance to hear Alice Cooper's or George Carlin's CD, but I can tell you with certainty that Rick Springfield's CD Venus In Overdrive is definitely listener worthy! It truly is some of his best work in his 40 year career as a musician. There are several quality songs on it that demonstrate his ability to craft a song that is not only "catchy" but also meaningful, too. Music-wise, he does cherry pick somewhat from the past...there are definitely noticeable strains of "Jesse's Girl" in the song "What's Victoria's Secret?" but it's ok! He has a special way of making those classic sounds of rock song sound fresh and new again...and that's why his music is so fun to listen to.
My picks on this CD? the title track, Venus In Overdrive because of its honesty and intensity where human relationships are concerned (I, just like in that Paul McCartney song, have had enough of "silly love songs" that drown you in sentimentality and am glad to hear a love song written for ADULTS that is somewhat intense, but honest.) I also liked 3 Warning Shots. This is basically an "open letter" to Mark David Chapman, the man who killed John Lennon. It's a somewhat "dark" kind of song, but I felt the lyrics accurately described the feelings of many of us when we found out about this crime. Overall, I think the CD has an eclectic mix of musical styles...something for everyone.