Content tagged ''
... In the Glamourous Life (Album of the Day)
As a backing/session percussionist for the likes of George Duke and Marvin Gaye, Sheila Escovedo had paid her dues when Prince shortened her name and took her under his wing for THE GLAMOROUS LIFE. The Purple One co-produced the 1984 Warner Bros. collection and contributes songs including opener “The Belle of St. Mark” and the Top 10 title hit, but such tracks as “Oliver's House” and “Next Time Wipe the Lipstick Off Your Collar” show Sheila to be a talented writer as well. With her vocals and propulsive rhythms joined by Jesse Johnson's guitars, this is a remarkably assured debut, and THE GLAMOROUS LIFE is now available in a special light blue vinyl edition.
Automatic (Album of the Day)
Arriving in the wake of a B-sides collection, the Jesus and Mary Chain's AUTOMATIC might have been easy to overlook in 1989 but its strengths are crystal clear today. Brothers William and Jim Reid produced the set and provide all the songs, vocals and instrumental work, leaning on synthesizers and drum machines as their rhythm section (with the exception of one cut featuring their tour percussionist). They get an able assist from engineer Alan Moulder; the future shoegaze great gives an industrial veneer to such indelible tracks as “Blues from a Gun,” “UV Ray” and “Head On,” which would later be covered by the Pixies. A fan favorite that just missed the U.K. Top 10, AUTOMATIC still “makes you wanna blow the stars from the sky.”
Heaven and Hell Deluxe (Album of the Day)
When singer Ronnie James Dio joined Black Sabbath in 1979, his soaring tenor and gothic songwriting were the perfect foil for the band’s bone-crushing mix of razor-sharp riffs, intense grooves and dark imagery. Released in April 1980, HEAVEN AND HELL was met with effusive reviews for the group’s return to form on metal masterpieces like “Neon Knights” and the title track; the album reached #9 in the U.K. and #28 in the U.S., where it was also certified platinum. A new 2-CD version adds several bonus tracks that have never been released in North America, including 1980 concert performances of “Children Of The Sea” and “Die Young.” HEAVEN AND HELL: DELUXE EDITION concludes with live rarities like “E5150” and “Neon Knights” that originally appeared on the Rhino Handmade limited edition collection BLACK SABBATH: LIVE AT HAMMERSMITH ODEON.
Glenn Frey (Album of the Day)
Following up on the massive success of the Eagles was a tall order, but with NO FUN ALOUD, Glenn Frey proved equal to the task. For the most part, the 1982 Asylum album eschews the California mystique of his previous band for laid-back good times, and Frey's confident vocals and well-crafted songs make it nearly irresistible. “All Those Lies,” “I Found Somebody” and “The One You Love” all reached the pop singles chart, but there are gems sprinkled throughout the track list, such as a dynamic cover of New Orleans rocker “Sea Cruise.” A legion of top instrumentalists joined the star in studios from L.A. to Muscle Shoals to Miami for this set, and the seamless result became a gold-certified hit. Glenn Frey passed away on this day in 2016 and we'll remember the singer-songwriter with another spin of NO FUN ALOUD.
Circles (Album of the Day)
Born Malcolm James McCormick on this day in 1992, Mac Miller was poised for great things before his untimely death in 2018. The Pittsburgh rapper was gearing up for a tour in support of his acclaimed SWIMMING album and was in the middle of sessions for a follow-up, which was released posthumously just over a year ago. Mac had intended CIRCLES as a companion piece to the preceding set and producer Jon Brion brought the project to remarkable fruition. Singing as well as rapping, Miller brings a broad musical vision to the collection (which includes an Arthur Lee cover, of all things), and if his lyrics are frank about his substance abuse struggles, they are also touched with hard-won wisdom. Singles “Good News” and “Blue World” were both Top 40 hits and the album itself reached #3 on the Billboard 200, the performer's highest chart debut. CIRCLES stands as an inspiring tribute to a talent gone far too soon.
Sweet Soul Music (Album of the Day)
Arthur Conley is best known for the classic “Sweet Soul Music,” which was adapted from a Sam Cooke song and recorded on this day in 1967. But the Georgia-born singer had a lot more to offer R&B fans, as can be heard on the digital compilation titled after that million-selling single. These 34 tracks include his version of “Shake, Rattle and Roll” (produced by Otis Redding, who discovered Conley), Top 20 single “Funky Street,” minor hit “People Sure Act Funny” and a cover of The Beatles' then-new “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” (one of a couple of recordings here featuring Duane Allman on guitar). This collection draws heavily on the performer's 1960s glory days on Atco Records and really delivers on its name - Arthur Conley is the man for SWEET SOUL MUSIC.
Perfect From Now On (Album of the Day)
Built To Spill had a couple of indie albums under their belts when they released PERFECT FROM NOW ON for Warner Bros., and the 1997 collection captures the group at a creative peak. Perhaps it was practice that made it perfect: frontman Doug Martsch had originally worked up these eight originals on his own, then re-recorded them with bassist Brett Nelson and drummer Scott Plouf, and then cut the album a third time after the trio's original tapes suffered heatstroke. With their adventurous arrangements and philosophical lyrics, these stretched-out songs border on the psychedelic like some of the best work of The Flaming Lips, and repeated exposure to such tracks as college radio favorite “I Would Hurt A Fly” will no doubt prove habit-forming. Cited by Pitchfork as one of the 1990s' best albums, PERFECT FROM NOW ON remains essential listening for alternative rock fans.
X (Album of the Day)
X was INXS' seventh studio album, but for you Roman numeral enthusiasts, the title also represents 10 years since their debut. The decade between had seen the Australian band rise to international superstardom thanks to preceding collection KICK, and the 1990 follow-up delivers similar musical kicks. With producer Chris Thomas back behind the console, the sextet come up with 11 radio-ready originals including Top 10 hits “Disappear” and “Suicide Blonde” (one of three tracks featuring blues-harp great Charlie Musselwhite). While the performances are uniformly strong across this double-platinum set, Michael Hutchence's exuberant vocals merit special mention, and we'll give X another spin now on what would have been the frontman's 61st birthday.
ZZ Top's First Album (Album of the Day)
“We called the record ZZ TOP'S FIRST ALBUM because we wanted everyone to know that there would be more,” noted Billy Gibbons of his trio's debut. “We weren't certain if we'd get another chance in the studio, but we had high hopes.” He needn't have worried; the lil' old band from Texas went on to sell some 50 million albums worldwide beginning with this collection, cut at Robin Hood Studios in Tyler, TX with manager Bill Ham as producer. With a low-down sound reflecting the Top's stage show, originals including “(Somebody Else Been) Shaking Your Tree,” “Goin' Down to Mexico” and “Backdoor Love Affair” showcase the band's trademark blend of Southern blues 'n' boogie, tough guitar rock and risque references. Released 50 years ago this month, ZZ TOP'S FIRST ALBUM set the group on its way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and remains a greasy good time.
Presenting Dionne Warwick (Album of the Day)
Dionne Warwick was working as a background singer on The Drifters' “Mexican Divorce” in 1961 when she first met songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David; it was the seed of a collaboration that would launch all three to pop immortality. Cut for Scepter Records, PRESENTING DIONNE WARWICK was Dionne's debut album and was produced by Bacharach and David, who penned all but 3 of the dozen tracks. Among the classics included on the 1963 collection are “Make It Easy on Yourself,” “Wishin' and Hopin'” (a future hit for Dusty Springfield) and “Don't Make Me Over,” which became Warwick's first single to reach the Billboard chart. With its tasteful arrangements and inviting vocals, PRESENTING DIONNE WARWICK got the legendary performer off to a terrific start.