I feel like a broken record but each week we get closer to Christmas brings more toys that must be under my Christmas tree this year. So important are these releases that I won't wait until Christmas. I will instead spend the money I'd use on gifts for other people to make sure these titles are tucked neatly on my CD tower well in advance of the blessed day.
Among the titles this week that I'm skipping but you should know about are new hits collections from Bon Jovi and Blake Shelton as well as a record from Cee Lo Green called The Lady Killer. There's also a new live album from Dave Matthews Band. I bought the first three or four dozen of those but have finally broken myself of the DMB habit. I like much of his early material but the later stuff has been much more hit-and-miss with me. There's also new music from Susan Boyle, if that's your thing. Now, on to my Christmas shoplifting list (I kid, I kid):
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Damn The Torpedoes (Deluxe Edition)
My copy of this bad boy is on a UPS truck headed for my house as we speak. I've looked forward to it since its announcement and wasted no time pre-ordering it from Amazon. If you draw an imaginary line through the 30-plus years of The Heartbreakers, Damn The Torpedoes is the pinnacle of the first half with Wildflowers being the pinnacle of the second. The album has been remastered and a second disc of B-sides, previously unreleased studio cuts, and live cuts has been added.
Todd Sharpville
Porchlight
I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Sharpville at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis in May. He participated in Nick Moss' 2nd Annual All-Star Jam the night before and then, the next night, was onstage performing songs with Joe Louis Walker hours before Walker would walk away with a BMA for Album Of The Year. Walker guests on this record and it is produced by the man who has produced Walker's fine recent records, the great Duke Robillard. This is heavyweight stuff and I'm very excited about hearing what Todd & Co. have been up to.
Joanne Shaw Taylor
Diamonds In The Dirt
I almost met Ms. Taylor at the Blues Music Awards. She was being politely deluged by other blues fans – and from a distance seemed gracious and accommodating to those wanting pictures with her, etc — throughout the evening and I opted to nod in her direction and not pester her. As the awards began, I realized she was sitting at the table right behind Bonnie Raitt's table, which was right next to mine. I didn't interrupt Ms. Raitt, either, although the thought crossed my mind. So what I'm trying to say is I almost met them both but chickened out/thought better of it.
Article comments
1 - Mat Brewster
Queensryche - Empire - 20th Anniv. Edition
Dag, that's 20 years old? Talk about making a fella feel old.
2 - Josh Hathaway
Seriously, Mat. Seriously. I decided NOT to make mention of that, and for that reason.
3 - Josh Hathaway
I also discovered the great Kim Wilson lays down harp on several tracks on Todd Sharpville's new disc. That's what I call bringing the awesome.
4 - Charlie Doherty
That reminds me. I get to review that Queensryche reissue of Empire for Blogcritics. And yes it makes me feel really old too.