New Album Releases 10/16/07: R.E.M., Luther, Hendrix, The Queen Of Soul, And More Reissues Than You Can Shake A Christmas Tree At

Welcome to this week's edition of the New Album Release roundup, in which we ask the million-dollar question:

Is this really the best the record companies can do?

The last time I checked the calendar, we were at about nine weeks and counting until Christmas. This is supposed to be the time of year that the major labels (as well as the independents) come out with both barrels blazing as far as the new releases go. Yet, what we have here — after a promising start to October with Springsteen, Dylan, Fogerty, Foo Fighters, Joni Mitchell, etc. back at the beginning of the month — is the second week in a row of slim pickings.

After last week's most talked about release — Radiohead's In Rainbows — not even being an album you'd could buy at retail, you'd think the major labels could do better than a live R.E.M. CD this week. But as far as "big guns" go, the 2-CD/1-DVD set R.E.M. Live pretty much leads the pack here.

Don't get me wrong here, because I actually like R.E.M. a lot — although I'd probably have to go as far as back as something like New Adventures In Hi-Fi to remember actually buying one of their CDs. I haven't heard this new live disc, although I did read a decent, if slightly lukewarm review of it, right here on Blogcritics just yesterday. My advice here would be to read that review, and make up your own mind.

Speaking of reviews, there is another good one here on the site of the new four-CD box set from Luther Vandross. I'm not a huge fan of Vandross, although I've been told that the ladies adore the late, great R&B love man. His new Love, Luther sounds like it's a pretty complete retrospective, and according to the usual very reliable sources, one that was very well put together. Again, consult the review.

Leading the repackaged material from the vaults this week is a double-CD set capturing the coveted-by-fans Atlantic Records material from the Queen Of Soul herself. Aretha Franklin's Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul is said to include a treasure trove of rarities and B-sides from the years which most critics and fans alike agree was her peak period. If anyone here is reading, I wouldn't mind seeing Aretha in my own Christmas stocking this year.

Article Author: Glen Boyd

You'll find Blogcritics music editor Glen Boyd sharing his Thoughtmares on his personal blogs The World Wide Glen, and The Rockologist. Glen is also the author of Neil Young FAQ, scheduled for a spring 2012 release by Backbeat Books/Hal Leonard …

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