I'm glad to be bringing you the full list this week as we're finally here: Black Friday. This is the last helping of new releases to make store shelves before the big shopping day. I've scanned the list and there's only one that deserves your buying attention but there are a few names and items I should probably get to before we talk about the only title that matters.
Okay, so everyone is having a big "to do" about this Adam Lambert character of American Idol fame and his performance at the American Music Awards. Two words: publicity stunt. His new album is out this week. Horrify the parents and watch the album sales soar. We've seen this before and we'll see it again. It will probably work… for a minute. Sooner or later, you better be able to sing or have something to say. I don't think he does. From another continent's singing contest, Susan Boyle has her first record out. She didn't wind up winning the talent show, but she did win a recording contract. She wowed British audiences and the buzz traveled across the Atlantic.
Tom Waits. I seem to know every Tom Waits fan in the universe and they're all raving about the release of Glitter and Doom Live. I'm mentioning this here in the hope of dodging 23 comments wondering why I didn't and excoriating me for the oversight. They all say it's great. If you are a Tom Waits listener, you should probably have one of these. If you're not a Tom Waits fan, you probably should be. God bless me and the fine work I am doing.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Live Archive
I know I'm getting awfully free with your holiday dollars, but there is only one version of this box set to get and unfortunately there is only one place to get it. The Super Deluxe limited edition is only being sold exclusively through Best Buy and while I object to the practice, I have surrendered to it and you should to. The limited edition set is 62 tracks spread over 5 CDs, all 62 tracks are also provided in high resolution audio on a single Blu-ray DVD. Two DVDs — one a documentary, one a vintage live show — are also included as is a vinyl LP. 5 CDs, 2 DVDs, 1 Blu-ray audio DVD, and a vinyl LP. That's a lot of goodies and you pay a lot for it: $100. Listen to me though, children: it is worth it. For those not willing to go to Satan Best Buy or to shell out the $100, Amazon is selling a 4-CD edition of the set for $20. This might be the best Christmas present I've gotten for myself in years.
Here's your list, folks. Yours if you want them:
Beyoncé
I Am…Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas
Lady Gaga
The Fame Monster [Deluxe Edition 2-CD]
Adam Lambert
For Your Entertainment
Rihanna
Rated R [Edited]
Birdman
Pricele$$ [Clean]
Andrea Bocelli
Mi Navidad
Susan Boyle
I Dreamed a Dream
Boyz II Men
Love
James Brown
The The Godfather's Smackdown
Petula Clark
This Is Christmas
Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby Presents: The Cosnarati State of Emergency
Miles Davis
The Complete Columbia Album Collection
Chris Duarte
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, All Things Blue
Kings of Leon
Live at the O2, London, England
Moby
Wait for Me [Deluxe Edition] [CD/DVD]
NewSong
Give Yourself Away
Randy Newman
The Princess and the Frog [Original Soundtrack]
Various Artists
The The Princess And The Frog: Tiana And Her Princess Friends
Carl Reiner & Mel Brooks
The 2000 Year Old Man: The Complete History
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Precious
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Zombieland
Evan Parker
House Full Of Floors
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
The The Live Anthology
The Priests
Harmony
Jay Sean
All Or Nothing
Tahiti 80
Activity Center
Underworld/The Misterons
Athens
Various Artists
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
Various Artists
Daptone Gold
Various Artists
Def Jam 25: DJ Bring That Back
Various Artists
ZEvolution: ZE Records Re-Edited
Martha Wainwright
Sans Fusils, Ni Souliers, A Paris..
Tom Waits
Glitter and Doom Live
Jimmy Wayne
Sara Smile
Hayley Westenra
Winter Magic