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Me, Myself, an Eye (Album of the Day)
Among jazz's all-time greats, Charles Mingus made seminal contributions to the music as a bassist, bandleader and composer. Released 40 years ago this month, ME MYSELF AN EYE was recorded near the end of Mingus' career, when the ravages of ALS left him unable to play. But his forceful personality was ever-present in the studio, bringing the best out of the big band assembled for these sessions, and his tapes and piano sketches provided the basis for Jack Walrath's arrangements. Opening the set is the side-long “Three Worlds Of Drums,” on which longtime Mingus band member Danny Richmond is joined by fellow drummers Steve Gadd and Joe Chambers. With guitar and electronic instrumentation in places, the Atlantic collection touches on fusion, and axeman Larry Coryell is another luminary heard on the superb ME MYSELF AN EYE.
Feel No Fret (Album of the Day)
A Scottish funk group might have seemed a novelty at the beginning of the 1970s, but by the time of FEEL NO FRET at the end of the decade, the Average White Band were a force to be reckoned with on dance floors. Produced by AWB themselves, the 1979 collection features an outstanding lineup of songs including “When Will You Be Mine,” “Atlantic Avenue” and “Too Late to Cry” (which includes Luther Vandross on backing vocals); joining those originals is a soulful cover of “Walk On By” that was a minor hit in both the U.S and England. With its varied tempos and moods, killer grooves and impassioned performances, the Average White Band's FEEL NO FRET is far above average.
Fool for the City (Remastered) (Album of the Day)
The blues and heavy metal had a baby at the end of the 1960s, and they called it boogie rock. Founded by singer/guitarist Lonesome Dave Peverett and drummer Roger Earl (both of U.K. blues revivalists Savoy Brown), Foghat knew how to boogie, and proved it on FOOL FOR THE CITY. The band's fifth album (and first platinum release) features a solid set of songs including the title track, the outstanding ballad “Take It Or Leave It” and their iconic hit single “Slow Ride” (heard here in its 8-minute full version). The 1975 collection remains among the most enjoyable from the golden age of Album Oriented Rock, and we'll crank up the volume on the remastered FOOL FOR THE CITY in honor of April Fool's Day.
Slide it In (Ultimate Edition) (Album of the Day)
Whitesnake scored its first platinum-selling album in 1984 with SLIDE IT IN, a release that has sold more than six million copies worldwide thanks to hard-rocking songs like "Love Ain't No Stranger," "Slow An' Easy" and the title track. The album turns 35 this year and in honor of the anniversary, a 6-CD/1-DVD version has just been released. The Ultimate Special Edition includes newly remastered versions of both the U.K. and U.S. mixes of the album plus unreleased live and studio recordings, music videos, concert footage and a new interview with Whitesnake founder and frontman David Coverdale. As the singer notes, "SLIDE IT IN was always meant to be a structured, more electric modern take on the classic blues-based hard rock that Whitesnake were famous for, but our new Hook City Hooligan, Mixer Extraordinaire Christopher Collier, has hand-tooled this classic record for the 21st century."
SONG OF THE DAY - Coldplay - "Christmas Lights" (Album of the Day)
Released in 2010, “Christmas Lights” is Coldplay's contribution to the holiday canon. Co-produced by Brian Eno and recorded while Chris Martin and company were preparing their MYLO XYLOTO album, it's a stand-alone digital single that reached the Top 10 in several countries across Europe. The signs of the season are reflected through a broken love affair in this mid-tempo number, which retains its universality even as it name-checks several locales near and dear to the hearts of the U.K. quartet (who visited them in the song's memorable video, which plays as one continuous shot). Though of relatively recent vintage, “Christmas Lights” has the sound and feel of a holiday perennial, and it's our Song of the Day.
In the Christmas Spirit (Album of the Day)
Booker T. & the M.G.'s defined Southern soul as the Stax Records house band (playing on classics by such artists as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave and Wilson Pickett, among others) and as hitmakers in their own right. IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, the instrumental quartet's fourth studio set, is an enjoyable romp through a dozen seasonal standards including Billboard-charting single “Jingle Bells,” “Winter Wonderland” and R&B favorite “Merry Christmas Baby.” Keyboardist Booker T. Jones, guitarist Steve Cropper, bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn and drummer Al Jackson, Jr. are in peak form throughout the 1966 Stax/Atlantic collection – holiday music never got funkier than on IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.
Chicago Christmas: What's It Gonna Be Santa? (Album of the Day)
It's appropriate that Chicago's 25th album would focus on December 25th; THE CHRISTMAS ALBUM was helmed by E Street Band mainstay Roy Bittan, and was certified Gold upon its 1998 release. Five years later the legendary band returned to the studio with producer Phil Ramone to add 6 new tracks to the original 14 and create WHAT'S IT GONNA BE, SANTA? With horn arrangements that any fan of the group's '70s hits will love, the Rhino collection has the polish listeners expect from a Chicago album, and a little something more – call it the Christmas spirit. Shared vocal and instrumental showcases allow every member a chance to shine and the band sounds like they're having a great time on all these recordings, with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Jolly Old St. Nicholas” among the many highlights. Put WHAT'S IT GONNA BE, SANTA? underneath the Christmas tree of your favorite music lover this year!
Christmas Album (Album of the Day)
Hawaii might not qualify as a winter wonderland, but the holiday spirit is strong there to judge from Don Ho's CHRISTMAS ALBUM. The 1967 Reprise collection frames Ho's vocals with choral and orchestral backing arranged by Gordon Jenkins (a veteran of Sinatra sessions), and the singer's easy-going style meshes perfectly with these 11 songs. There are plenty of seasonal chestnuts here, including wonderful versions of “Silver Bells” and Mel Torme's “The Christmas Song,” but there are also unusual selections that reflect the set's tropical origins - “Mele Kalikimaka” and the Hawaiian equivalent to “Silent Night,” “Po La'i.” You can have a Honolulu holiday without setting foot on a plane just by cueing up THE DON HO CHRISTMAS ALBUM.
25th Day of December (Album of the Day)
From rock 'n' roller to pop crooner to folk-rocker, Bobby Darin's career was defined by surprising turns and THE 25TH DAY OF DECEMBER is no exception. The 1960 Atco collection, produced by label head honcho Ahmet Ertegün, celebrates the religious aspect of Christmas with a mix of traditional hymns and gospel songs. And while a couple of the usual seasonal suspects are present (such as a heartfelt version of “Silent Night”), the track selection is mostly off the beaten path – spirituals like “Go Tell it on the Mountain” and “Jehovah Hallelujah,” both with rousing accompaniment by the Bobby Scott Chorale, are a particular joy. Turn to Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bobby Darin for some inspiring holiday music on THE 25TH DAY OF DECEMBER.
This Christmas (Album of the Day)
More than 40 years into one of the most legendary careers in music history, Aretha Franklin cut her first holiday album, THIS CHRISTMAS, in 2008. Franklin began that career in the church (her father was one of Detroit's most prominent ministers), so songs like “Ave Maria” and “Angels We Have Heard on High” fit her like a glove. But the collection goes well beyond traditional carols, encompassing R&B with a Gamble & Huff composition and the Donny Hathaway title track (in which Aretha duets with son Edward). And she puts a sassy stamp on “'Twas the Night Before Christmas” that's sure to put a smile on your face. The Queen of Soul may be gone, but on THIS CHRISTMAS, that glorious voice still rings out joyfully.