You know you're getting into the Christmas season, when the reissues, boxed sets, and hits packages start coming out of the woodwork. Oh yeah, that and the holiday music too.
This week's list of artists eager to wish you a Merry Christmas in September includes Melissa Etheridge, Bela Fleck, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and...the Archies! Now there's a way to put the "cool" back In Christmas!
Meanwhile the onslaught of reissues is upon us in earnest. Heading up that list are the 40th anniversary remastered editions of Creedence Clearwater Revival's first six albums (which for some reason AMG chose to exclude from their weekly new release list). From the years 1968-1971, there wasn't a bigger band in music than Creedence, and these six original albums document the band at their commercial and creative peak. Each CD also includes new liner notes and some choice unreleased and live material.
The boxed set bonanza also begins this week with Roy Orbison's four-disc set The Soul of Rock and Roll, and Jesus And Mary Chain's The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities (also clocking in at four discs). The newly remastered Under A Blood Red Sky from U2 also is out this week, although according to Donald Gibson it offers little in the way of anything new.
Rage Against The Machine guitar whiz Tom Morello has a new album from his Nightwatchman alter-ego. The Fabled City finds Morello expanding on the acoustic sounds of his solo debut to include more electric guitar. His new songs also prove him to be no slouch in the songwriting department, and a surprisingly good storyteller to boot.
James Taylor's long-anticipated album of Covers finds the soft-rock veteran doing a variety of his favorite songs by other artists. Todd Rundgren steps out from behind the producer's chair and straps on his axe for Arena. Ben Folds does the quirky, experimental pop thing on Way To Normal. T.I. combines the gangsta with the reflective on Paper Trail. Robin Thicke serves up more sophisticated sounding R&B on Something Else.
In a rare alignment of the stars, our two "regular" NAR contributors are actually in the same place at the same time this week. Tom Johnson is here with the latest on a new live set from prog-rockers Dream Theater (including ordering tips!). Mark Saleski meanwhile is back from his one week sabbatical to talk about the new Ani DeFranco.
I can't help it, but I cringe when hearing that a musician has had their first child. We know what's coming. The new album where the happy new parental unit goes all gooey about this new life and how wonderful it all is.
Holy crap, that sounds cynical. Ahem....
I'm counting on Ani DiFranco to prove me wrong. If ever there was an artist who presents emotions in their pure, raw state, it's Ani. That, and I've always loved the way she abuses her acoustic guitar.
![Chaos in Motion [2 DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Ge1BElptL._SL120_.jpg)
Article comments
1 - Josh Hathaway
I just bought the Orbison today because Costco had it for $25. The reviews of it at AMG were pretty good as a retrospective and I don't have any of his stuff so I decided to make the $25 investment. I can't wait to start listening...
2 - Glen Boyd
It's high time you discovered Orbison then Mr. Josh, being the Bruce fan and all around music guy that you are. I was fortunate enough to see Orbison shortly before he died and his voice just...well, you know, "does something" to you.
-Glen
3 - Mark Saleski
i have no Roy Orbison. never liked him.
4 - Tom Johnson
I've never been an Orbison "fan" (not that I had a problem with him, but you know what I mean) but I still highly recommend Mystery Girl even to Saleski! If you don't fall in love with "California Blue," you are filled with nothing but crusty old scabs and earwigs inside.
5 - Donald Gibson
"A Love So Beautiful" off of Mystery Girl is devastatingly gorgeous.
6 - Glen Boyd
Orbison's voice is an amazing instrument, one of the most haunting yet beautiful I've ever heard -- I'm actually quite surprised that some of you haven't "gotten" him. I realize music is a subjective thing, but I mean what's there not to like?
-Glen
7 - Pat
I picked up the new Todd Rundgren album, Arena today, and it blew me away. It's energy packed rock and roll, powerful guitars, driving beats, fire you up! music and great vocals. Definately one of his best.
8 - Josh Hathaway
Not to pick, Iguana Glen, but I was in 8th grade when Orbison passed. Orbison wasn't 8th grade music. Well, he wasn't for me.
I've gotten to listen to a good bit of the first of the four discs on the set and I like it.
9 - Tom Johnson
Glen, there's simply not enough shredding in Orbison's stuff, that's the problem. Oh, and no drum solos.
10 - Josh Hathaway
And there are no melodies or actual songs on any of his records. ;)
11 - David Bowling
Orbison, Creedence and Rundgren in one week. There really is hope for the world. Orbison had one of the most unique voices in history. Just check out any of his early Monument label albums.