Terry Melcher: Terry Melcher (Collector's Choice, May 31, 2005) ***
Butterfield Blues Band: Live (Wounded Bird, May 31, 2005) ****
Femi Kuti: Best Of Femi Kuti (Wrasse, May 31, 2005) ****
Blood Sweat And Tears: New City (Wounded Bird, May 31, 2005) **
Among the more noteworthy reissues to hit the stores in the past week are:
Terry Melcher: Terry Melcher
Terry Melcher is best remembered for three things. Professionally, he was a successful producer for Columbia records in the 1960's. Among his credits are albums by The Byrds and Paul Revere and The Raiders. Personally, he is the son of Doris Day. And notoriously, he was a passing acquaintance of Charles Manson, and had owned the house where Sharon Tate was murdered. As the 1970's began, Melcher's star had fallen, partly due to fallout from the Manson connection, and partly due to changing musical tastes. No longer getting plum production assignments, he attempted a recording career, releasing two albums. This debut appeared in 1974, and is more noteworthy for the performers lending a hand than the music on it. Among those performers are Beach Boy Dennis Wilson, Bruce Johnston, Spanky McFarlane, and Doris Day, herself. The music is an eclectic mix of styles and influences, featuring a Bob Dylan medley, covers of Jackson Browne, Lloyd Price, and Roger McGuinn, and a few originals. Essentially, it comes across as a vanity project, and it didn't make a ripple when it originally appeared. Still, this re-issue has collectors' appeal, and the production flourishes do surprise. File under: kinda interesting.
Article comments