Among all new entries, the only thing that jumps out at me this week is Los Lobos' Ride This: The Covers EP. I'm pretty curious about what they've done with "Shoot Out the Lights." They also cover Elvis Costello's "Uncomplicated," which is not the most obvious of choices.
Rhino is putting out several re-mastered Elvis Costello CDs this week, including Kojak Variety and Almost Blue. Most interesting, though, should be Goodbye Cruel World. These are being issued now as two disc sets, with bunches of outtakes and alternative performances.
Goodbye Cruel World should particularly benefit. This album has been largely disregarded, but it actually has a number of outstanding songs. Seems to me that the arrangements and production of this stuff was not optimal. Alternate takes or just simple demos sound real interesting.
Also, dig on the new now TWO disc version of the Velvet Underground Live at Max's Kansas City on Rhino, which includes the entirety of both sets from this famous August 1970 show at the end of their career.
This week's major releases, from All Music Guide:
Elvis Costello and the Attractions Goodbye Cruel World [Expanded] Rhino
College Rock, New Wave, Singer/Songwriter
The Velvet Underground Live at Max's Kansas City [Deluxe Edition] Rhino
Proto-Punk, Rock & Roll
Mark Anderson/Tamriko Siprashvili Mussorgsky, Stravinsky: Music for Two Pianos (Arrangements) Nimbus
Romantic and Modern Piano Music
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Live [Bonus DVD] Vanguard
Retro Swing
Boney James Pure Warner Brothers
Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Contemporary R&B
Marc Broussard Carencro Island
Americana, Blues-Rock, Swamp Pop, R&B, Soul
Janette Carter Deliverance Will Come Bear Family
Traditional Country, Traditional Folk
Cherie Cherie Lava
Pop/Rock, Adult Contemporary
Alex Chilton Live in Anvers Last Call
Rock & Roll, Roots Rock, Traditional Pop
Elvis Costello and the Attractions Almost Blue [Expanded] Rhino
College Rock, Country-Rock, New Wave, Singer/Songwriter
Elvis Costello Kojak Variety [Expanded] Rhino
Pop/Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Crime Mob Crime Mob Warner Brothers
Southern Rap, Dirty South
Da Capo Chamber Players Dreamtigers: Chamber Music by Judith Shatin Innova
Contemporary Chamber Music
Down to Earth Approach Another Intervention Vagrant
Indie Rock, Emo, Punk-Pop
Galaxie 500 Uncollected Rykodisc
Alternative Pop/Rock, College Rock, Dream Pop, Slowcore, Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Shoegaze
Vladimir Horowitz Favorite Chopin Sony
Romantic Piano Music
The Isley Brothers The Essential Isley Brothers Sony
Soul, Funk, Quiet Storm
Al Jarreau Accentuate the Positive Verve
Crossover Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Vocal Jazz, Contemporary Jazz
Article comments
1 - randy
I was somewhat disappointed with The Ride, only because I want to hear more of Los Lobos, and less of guest vocalists. In any event, I look forward to hearing Ride This.
2 - SFC SKI
I will have to second that, the Ride was definitely less than I expected, which is a shame because their previous 2 releases really pulled me back into the fold. I will have to check out Ride This, though, I know Los Lobos may stumble, but they never fall.
Almost Blue re-issue is good news, the last of the best of EC's releases, in my opinion. He never got along with Bruce Thompson (sp?) his original bassist, and after he left, the band lost it's propulsive beats and compelling basslines that made the slower songs more than just lyrics sung softly.
3 - Rodney Welch
Los Lobos was pretty much born to play "Marie Marie" by the Blasters. That's one of those ideas that are so obvious you can already hear it.