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November 2002

 

     
 

 
TOM PETTY


ANTON FIG


THE ELMS

 
DJ SAMMY
 
JUGHEAD
 
RONNIE WOOD
 
     
  TOM PETTY
The Last DJ
(Warner Bros.)

Back in the ‘80s, Tom Petty worked with both Jeff Lynne and George Harrison and while those two are not on The Last DJ, both Lynne and Harrison would be proud of Petty’s latest album recorded with his long time band The Heartbreakers. Recorded in L.A. and produced by George Drakoulias, the 2002 release features a dozen new Petty tracks that feature guitarist Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench (keyboards) and Scott Thurston on guitars and lap steel guitar. Armed with a killer band, some of the best songs he’s ever written and a supporting cast of guest artists like Lindsey Buckingham (backing vocals) and arranger Jon Brion, Petty rises to the occasion on The Last DJ. For long time Petty fans there will be two versions of The Last DJ to choose from—the regular CD, consisting of the entire CD enhanced with filmed studio performances of the title track, “The Last DJ” and “Have Love Will Travel”, while a limited edition Last DJ package will feature the CD packaged with a 38 minute DVD consisting of a behind the scenes look at the making of the new album.
www.tompetty.com


 
  ANTON FIG
Figments
(Planula)

One of the best albums of 2002, Figments is the long awaited album from celebrity drummer Anton Fig. Best known as the house drummer in the David Letterman Show band, Fig has sagaciously assembled a number prominent music heroes for his solo debut. Also the drummer in the house band at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Fig has over the years worked with the best in the biz. First off, the voices Fig spotlights on the CD are brilliant and among the fine vocalists taking center spotlight here are legendary folk-rocker Richie Havens, Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson, Wilson’s former band mate in the ‘Boys, singer/guitarist Blondie Chaplin and legendary songwriter, Chip Taylor (“Wild Thing”), singing the Fig/Taylor tune “When The Good Die Young”. Brian Wilson’s ever-amazing harmonies supporting Chaplin’s striking vocals on “Hand On My Shoulder” is clearly a Figments highlight. According to Anton, “This record reminds me of the days when we used to put on headphones and listen to the details in the music. The combinations of singers and musicians, different from song to song, are exciting.” From a guitarists perspective, the album features ace fretboard work from Chaplin, Ace Frehley, Chris Spedding and Vincent Nguini (to name a few) as well as keyboards legends like Al Kooper, Paul Shaffer and the dozens of other notable Fig cohorts partaking in the upbeat musical moods here. Whatever your favorite flavor of music—rock, pop, jazz and more—Figments has it covered on what has to be among the coolest surprises of 2002.
www.antonfig.com


 
  THE ELMS
Truth, Soul, Rock & Roll
(Sparrow )

One of the premier Christian music labels in the U.S., Sparrow Records recently released the Fall 2002 album from The Elms. Jangly pop with a rock twist, Truth, Soul, Rock & Roll is a good bet for anyone who appreciates Beatles-inspired melodic pop (check out “The First Day”). The driving electric guitar sound of vocalist Owen Thomas and Thom Daugherty leads the charge and the material on the CD is a fine showcase for their talents. Stating that “It’s been like breathing new air to see this album come together”, Thomas also admits that “bands like The Who, The Verve, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and The Beatles inspired us to get into music,” and the results are obvious on the 2002 Elms set. An excellent follow up to their overlooked 2001 release The Big Surprise (also on Sparrow), Truth, Soul, Rock & Roll resonates with a fresh and classic pop-rock sound.
www.theelms.net


 
  DJ SAMMY
Heaven
(
Robbins Entertainment)

One of Europe’s most popular DJ’s, DJ Sammy has his finger on the pulse of the current dance and club music scene. For the release of Heaven, his full length debut CD on NYC-based Robbins Entertainment, the native of Majorca in the Mediterranean Sea unites a number of uptempo dance groove originals with cool, uptempo dance music covers of pop jewels like “California Dreaming” (the John Phillips classic), “El Condor Pasa” (made famous by Simon & Garfunkel), “The Boys Of Summer” (written by Don Henley) and the title track “Heaven” (a worldwide hit in 1985 for Bryan Adams). In the words of DJ Sammy, “Choosing a song to freshly interpret is a long process for me”, yet on Heaven Sammy breathes new life into these songs. Featuring several outstanding female vocalists such as the lovely Loona, the fresh, carnal dance grooves running throughout the 13 track Heaven makes it a major milestone for 21st Century club and dance music disciples.
www.dj-sammy.com


 
  JUGHEAD
Jughead
(IOMA)

No, it’s not the Archies comic hero, this Jughead teams the Bisonnette brothers, Matt and Greg with Derek Sherinian and Ty Tabor and the results are a striking fusion of immense musical depth and expertise. Tabor and Sherinian were the respective guitarist and keyboardist in an another great prog-pop band called Platypus and with the Bisonnette rhythm section on hand, they’ve crafted an excellent album that takes it’s spirit and tone both from The Beatles and ELO and the best contemporary pop groups like Stone Temple Pilots. Featuring complete lyric sheet, the eleven track Jughead CD just gets better with repeat spins as is best exemplified in such modern Jughead pop gems such as “Shame On The Butterfly” and “Flowers”. A combination of pop whimsy and musical might, Jughead is a rare prog-pop treat indeed. www.insideoutmusic.com


 
  RONNIE WOOD
Not For Beginners
(SPV)

Best known as the guitar behind the sound of those early ‘70s Rod Stewart and The Faces albums—and since the early ‘70s, also as the guitarist with The Rolling Stones—guitar great Ronnie Wood released Not For Beginners on SPV Records in late 2001. A bluesy, rootsy, vintage set of acoustic and electric guitar-based rockers, Not For Beginners features several legends such as Elvis Presley’s band members Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana. Bob Dylan even jams in on several of the instrumental tracks here as does Wood’s former bandmate in The Small Faces, keys man Ian MacLagan, Wood’s son Jesse Wood and drummer Andy Newmark. Wood sounds totally relaxed and is right at home on these tailor made blues and roots-rock gems. To top it off, Woody swiftly executes an excellent pop-inspired cover of The Byrds ‘60s hit “So You Want To Be A Rock And Roll Star”. Wood’s tasteful painting adorns the CD cover art on this, his seventh solo album.
www.spvusa.com


 
 
 
   
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