November 2002
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ED SULLIVAN |
LOU REED |
ROBBIE ROBERTSON |
DAN AR BRAZ |
AL CAIOLA |
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JOHN LENNON Mind Games (Capitol / EMI) The
third in a series of early 70s John Lennon solo studio albums
that truly exemplified the finest moments of his post-Beatles work,
Mind Games, the album, kicked off with the famous title track
which landed into the Cashbox Top 10 just in time for X-mas 1973. With
and without The Fab Four, Lennon could always be counted on to deliver
his brilliant songs to the fans in time for the holidays and Mind
Games, the song, has long stood the test of time like a fine wine.
Looking back, perhaps the albums cover art was a barometer as
to how far outside the mainstream Lennon had gone since leaving England
and resettling in NYC. Lennon would go on to release some great music
in the brief time he had left, but regarding his solo career, a clear
break came with Mind Games. Like the reissues of Plastic Ono
Band and Imagine, the 2002 Mind Games CD reissue
on Capitol / EMI features a prominent and very Yoko Ono-inspired
arty design and a booklet complete with lyrics and a number of Lennons
playfully sarcastic lithograph depictions. An even more impressive fact
is that for the 2002 reissue CD the sound has been expertly remixed
with Lennons vocals moved up from under the mix and is right up
front and personal. According to Yoko Ono, When considering this
program of reissues, I kept thinking how John would have been thrilled
by the possibilities offered by current recording technology. Thus,
along with the great team at Abbey Road, I was happy to ensure that
these classic records could fully benefit from the improved mixing and
mastering facilities available to us now. Several home demo recordings
culled from the album sessions are added in as bonus tracks making Mind
Games yet another fitting testament to Lennons musical
flame.
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VARIOUS ARTISTS Ed Sullivan's Rock 'N' Roll Classics (Rhino) The
shaping of the American and British 60s music scene took place
live in NYC on the stage of the Sunday night Ed Sullivan Show.
As it went down back then, the hour long Sullivan show was considered
the holy grail for 60s pop culture and music mavens making an
hour with Ed Sullivan the next best thing to heaven. Anyone who witnessed
seeing The Beatles on black and white TV taking America by storm
on a winters night back in February 64 on the Sullivan show
in prime time Sunday night can attest to the magic of Ed Sullivan. Now
in 2002, Rhino has put together the ultimate Sullivan DVD box
setblending live performances by The Beatles and the best of the
British invasion with American pop greatsfrom The Four Seasons
to Jefferson Airplanewhile devoting entire DVDs to some
of Motowns great legends. From Elvis and Buddy Holly
to the 1970 sounds of Creedence, Michael Jackson and
The Carpenters, The Ed Sullivan Show can almost single handedly
take credit for introducing America to the best music around. Sullivan
wove his really big shoo-biz magic from 1948-1971 and its
never been the same since he left us. A half dozen live early Beatles
videos, coupled with ample Elvis and Buddy Holly and so much more makes
the 9 DVD volume Ed Sullivans Rock N Roll Classics
the preeminent choice for the prime stocking stuffer of 2002. If you
can stand the thought of having no Beatles, Buddy or Elvis tracks, Rhino
compensates with two single DVD Best Of Sullivan sets. Chart Toppers
Volume 1 & Volume 2 amply demonstrate to mere mortals how
Ed-Yee (as he was called by his long time pal Topo Gigio) did his magic
deed. Although Rhinos video box takes these classic live appearances
out of the context of Eds hourly variety show, the magic is still
there and coupled with the show's superb stagesettings, studio sound
and lighting really demonstrates the power of 60s American television.
With the exception of some truly hilarious (partly lip-synched) segments
with The Mamas And The Papas, it genuinely looks, sounds and
feels like these groups are really playing and connecting to the live
audience in the theater. Although The Beatles are sorely missing on
both single disc sets, there are some great performances sprinkled in
on Volume 1 from The Lovin Spoonful (with the ultimate
video for Do You Believe In Magic), The Association,
songwriting great Johnny Rivers doing a startling Baby
I Need Your Lovin and The Rolling Stones with
their mind-blowing appearance consisting of live versions of Paint
It, Black and Ruby Tuesday that is nothing short of
startling. Seeing Brian Jones in full flight, seated, playing
sitar live on the Sullivan stage gives every indication of a group caught
live full flight in their prime. Accept no substitute. Ed Sullivans
Rock N Roll Classics is the real deal...at least
until each and every Sullivan show is available on DVD. www.rhino.com
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LOU
REED
The story of Lou Reeds incredible 1972 album Transformer
is well documented on the recent Classic Albums DVD on Eagle
Eye, but to hear the newly revamped Transformer CD youll
have to pick up the 2002 remaster on RCA / BMG Heritage. The
story of Transformer centers on the mutual admiration between
Lou Reed and David Bowie and the late great Mick Ronson.
With both Reed and Bowie signed to RCA Records at the dawn of
the 70s, it seemed natural for Bowie and Ronson to produce Reed,
who had been looking to breakthrough as a solo artist following his
years with Velvet Underground, a band greatly admired by Bowie.
Having recently released his 72 classic Ziggy Stardust,
Bowie was riding a wave of popularity back then and figured hed
further his unfolding influence by producing Lou Reed. Looking back
at his and Ronsons brilliant production of Transformer, Bowie
recalls, I was petrified that he said yes to working with me in
a producers capacity. I had so many ideas and I felt so intimidated
by my knowledge of the work that he had already done. Thankfully
Bowie and Ronsonassisted by some of Englands best session
guys and Bowie engineer Ken Scottrose to occasion and all
told, thirty years later, Transformer remains one of Reeds
finest post-Velvet Underground solo albums. And for good reason. The
songs (including perennial favorites like Satellite Of Love,
Perfect Day and Vicious) really hold up and
the state of the art production by Bowie and Ronson is as good as any
the pair could have wished for. Reeds original label, RCA has
done a great job on their 2002 Transformer reissue, loading the
CD with a detailed booklet, a pair of bonus tracks and of course the
indelible Transformer artwork that graced the original Lp.
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ROBBIE
ROBERTSON Classic Masters (Capitol)
Back in the late 90s, rock legend
Robbie Robertson released two albums that drew alot of attention to
his native American Indian heritage. For his 2002 Classic Masters
release on Capitol Records, Robertson assembles thirteen
tracks from his late 90s albums Music For The Native Americans
and Contact From The Underworld Of Redboy.
With several songs featuring new remixes from studio experts like
Glen Ballard, the albumwhile not quite as accessible as
the 60s and 70s song classics Robbie wrote as the leader
of The Bandsounds quite amazing and is a fitting tribute
to Robertsons pioneering spirit and quest for musical integrity.
New liner notes by Robertson further reexamines his musical origins.
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DAN
AR BRAZ Made In Breizh (Tinder)
One
of the leading World Music labels in America today, Tinder Records
recently released a 2002 compilation from French Brittany native
Dan Ar Braz. Made In Breizh features the music legend performing
all sorts of electric and acoustic guitars while receiving support from
dozens of players. With its inspiring mix of Celtic pop and folk
musics, the album compiles a range of traditional and original instrumental
and vocal (sung in English) music from the guitarists earlier
albums. Back in the 70s Ar Braz played with Alan Stivells
group and was a member of Fairport Convention and as such, his solo
music has always had a similar folk-based timeless quality to it. Instrumental
pieces like the lush orchestral sounding Faces Of Spain
mix nicely with other tracks layered with bagpipes, flutes, whistles
and female vocals that are at times reminiscent of Celtic songstress
Enya. In addition, the CD booklet features beautiful color photos and
track info. www.tinderrecords.com
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AL
CAIOLA Bonanza 1960-1969 (Raven) The wide-ranging influence of 60s and 70s American and British pop music on all parts of the world is still reaping rewards. When it comes to keeping the spirit of American 60s pop music alive, Australia-based Raven Records are tops down under! Sort of like the Aussie version of Americas Sundazed Records, Raven is widely appreciated for their colorful compilations featuring the best of British and American pop sounds. On the labels 2002 schedule is a 33 track compilation from 60s session guitar great Al Caiola entitled Bonanza! Of course, it was Caiolas guitar on the fabled 60s TV show Bonanza! and Ravens compilation is the first CD available of Caiolas 60s instrumental guitar-based recordings. The 77 minute set is balanced by a full color CD booklet that can be described as dazzling. Another 2002 Raven compilation worth checking out is An American Quilt 1967-1974 from 60s pop songstress Bobbie Gentry. Gentry scored an out of sight left field Summer 67 hit on Capitol Records with her self-composed Ode To Billy Joe. Often thought of as a one hit wonder, Gentry was a highly underrated singer-songwriter as the 26 track CD deftly proves. As is typical with Raven, the CD booklet reads like a color encyclopedia about the legendary 60s singer proving the Aussies really know their American pop. Also up and out on Raven in 2002 is Lightnings Girl: Greatest Hits 1965-1971 from Franks daughter Nancy Sinatra. Her collaborations with the great Lee Hazelwood yielded the massive mid 60s chart hit These Boots Are Made For Walkin and other excellent 60s chart entries and the 26 track Lightnings Girlwith possibly the most eye-catching Raven CD book ever!covers all the highpoints of Nancys Reprise Records releases. Another 2002 winner on Raven is a two for one, 25 track reissue from Sir Douglas Quintet entitled 1+1+1=4 (from 1970) / The Return Of Doug Saldana (1971). Pairing two classic early 70s albums from Texas honky tonk blues-pop guitarist Doug Sahm and companyalong with four bonus tracks from 1972Ravens reissue is a fitting look back at the underrated Sir Douglas Quintet. Filled with expertly detailed and sumptuous looking pop collections of the highest caliber, the entire Raven catalog remains a goldmine of 60s and 70s pop. www.ravenrecords.com.au
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