It's a very rock 'n roll week folks. Though not listed here, there's a big Slayer reissue thing going on. Metalheads will want to kill me for saying that I don't own a copy of Reign In Blood (I have a bunch of others but somehow, not that one). Anyhow, I'll probably fix that.
As for the rest, we have a short but still eclectic mix from the soul of Peter Criss to the roots rock of Setzer to Trey Anastasio's instrumentals to the return of The Purple One's guitar. On top of all of this is a reissue from two guitar greats: Les Paul and Chet Atkins.
Peter Criss - One for All (Megaforce)/Rock
OK, I'll admit right here that I was a Kiss fan from back in the day. Yes, I was a member of the Kiss Army. Yes, I own a copy of the comic book. Yes, I've got the first three albums. Yes, I saw Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park. I had the posters, the t-shirts, and even a belt buckle.
Strangely enough, my friends will still associate with me. (Mostly because we're all older and they've forgotten the 70's.)
From what I've heard of this record, it's a real tribute to Peter Criss' influences. It reminds me of the do-wop strains that can be heard on most Ramones tunes.
Prince - Planet Earth (Sony)/Rock
Rumor has it that Prince is back to wielding that guitar again. It's about freaking time!
Brian Setzer - Red Hot & Live! (Ada/Surfdog)/Rock
I saw Setzer and his trio a few years ago and he just killed.
Trey Anastasio - The Horseshoe Curve (Red Ink)/Rock
Say what you will about Phish, there's no doubting that the man has big ears. This one is all instrumental and I am buying the hell out of it.
Mountain - Masters Of War - (Megaforce)/Rock
You did read that right: Mountain. Leslie West, Corky Lang and a few guests (including Ozzy) take on a bunch of Dylan classics. It's a weird concept but I've heard "Masters Of War" and liked it.
The Doors - Live in Boston - (Rhino)/Rock
Three discs of live material. Morrison was notoriously spotty on stage, but I'll take my chances.
Chet Atkins & Les Paul - Chester & Lester (Legacy)/Country
This is for me the most interesting release of the week. I caught about 30 minutes of a Les Paul special a week or so ago and the footage of Les and Chet recording this record was very inspiring. Two absolute masters of the guitar. They were scary good back then.
Article comments
1 - Les Pauls
I have to check that Chet Atkins & Les Paul release out as well. I too saw the documentary.. and was BLOWN away by Les Paul.
I was also digging some of the Les Paul and Mary Ford stuff as well.
J
2 - BRICKLAYER
Mark, I am going to kill you for not having REIGN IN BLOOD! C'mon man!
I'll be picking up the new Red Chord, and just picked up used stuff online from Killwhitneydead, Speedbuggy USA, American Black Lung, Still Remains, and Mr. Steve Earle.
Yours in metal.
3 - BRICKLAYER
Oh, and ps, can I have the KISS belt buckle?
4 - Mark Saleski
i'll trade ya for a Cattle Decapitation belt buckle.
5 - DukeDeMondo
Sir Saleski, the Prince album has indeed got a fair few licks and laps at the frets, and is at least as good as, say, Musicology.
I got it free with the FUCKING PAPER two weeks ago. still can't get over that. incredible turn of events, Prince releasing his brand new record in the UK first of all as a cd given away free with the Mail On Sunday. not even a send-away-for-it-deal ,a right there in the paper on the stand deal. amazing.
6 - Michael J. West
Ohhhhh, Prince albums make me happy.