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THE FALL HARVEST:
New CD's and DVD's That You
Should Know
By Scott Baker With Fall in the air, it's time for another installment of music CDs and DVDs that you may not have known existed, or just plain never knew about but need to hear to believe.
Tickling the fancy of many classic
rock enthusiasts, Eagle Rock has launched enough music DVD
footage to keep fans glued to their set for months to come.
Flying just under the radar on the
heels of their reunion last year, Cream's Disraeli Gears
tops the list in Eagle Rock's 'Classic Album' series. If an
in-depth look behind-the-scenes of the recording of this stellar
trios second long-player doesn't sound enticing, then check out the
brand new interviews with Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and
Ginger Baker. New acoustic performances by Clapton and Bruce and
archival footage of Cream from 1967 & 1968 also round out this
awesome DVD spectacle.
In the same series, Queen's: The
Making of A Night At The Opera hails the same brilliance as the
other 'Classic Album' DVD's. From production standpoints to current
interview footage with the remaining members of Queen, this is the
ultimate back stage pass to what was in their heads back in 1975.
Under the same umbrella come a
couple of other highlights: Gary Moore's One Night In Dublin: A
Tribute To Phil Lynott and the very first Emerson, Lake &
Palmer show: The Birth of A Band: Isle Of Wight Festival,
Saturday August 29th, 1970.
Moore's DVD tribute to the Thin
Lizzy leader as well as Moore's one time band mate is a true
document of love and history. Filmed on what would have been
Lynott's 56th birthday, August 20, 2005, Moore invited former Thin
Lizzy members Brian Downey, Brian Robertson, Scot Gorham, and
Eric Bell along for the ride as they all take part in this
history revering their former vocalist/bassist. Every single by Thin
Lizzy is covered and Moore rounds out the show with some of his own
highlights. The DVD is a must for fans of the Irish rock kings.
ELP's new CD/DVD Dual Disc
combines the entire 67-minute set along with new interviews with the
band. The shock and sound of the group blew the gates out at the
Isle of Wight, leaving everyone to realize this new super group
meant business. Tracks such as Pictures At An Exhibition’ Rondo’
and Take A Pebble’ are only the beginning. ELP proved from
the first show what it was like to put on an eclectic style of rock,
combining elements from every musical genus into the show. The
beginning of a legacy captured and released 36 years later.
The Anti- label has a few new
nuggets floating under the radar. Neko Case's Fox Confessor
Brings The Flood is one of the most anticipated releases of
the year. Her unique voice, phrasing, and reverb-drenched tales lock
the listener in as only she can. Co-produced by Case and Darryl
Neudorf, the artsy feel of her music remains difficult to
categorize, and at the same time ultra-familiar.
Ramblin’ Jack Elliott,
Dylan's so-called 'Long lost father', has issued a statement in the
form of CD titled I Stand Alone. Together with Flea
from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, David Hidalgo from Los Lobos,
and Lucinda Williams, among many others, Elliott proves why
music from one of the last representatives of America's underground
folk tradition needs to be listened to. Tracks such as Engine
143’ Arthritis Blues’ Rake & Ramblin’ Boy’ and Woody's Last
Ride’ unleash a sound that has been silent in the past decade.
16 tracks packed, and you won't be able to go back.
Saxophonist John Ellis has
one of the most artful CD's in 2006. By A Thread
(Hyena) is an evolving work, one where repeated listens unveil
something new each time. The former Charlie Hunter sax man sums it
up best when he was quoted as saying: "I wasn't trying to make a
jazz record, a funk record, a music world record, but rather to make
a record that is an honest attempt to create a personal sound."
By A Thread is a sound like no other and continually worth the
listen.
Another interesting platter of
various sounds and familiar groove's is one by The Code Talkers
(Madison House). For a groove like no other, the Code Talkers
(including the one and only Col. Bruce Hampton of Aquarium
Rescue Unit fame) have a CD that can go anywhere, anytime and like a
fine wine, gets better with age. Already main-stagers on the Jam
circuit, The Code Talkers bring together many different aspects of
jazz and funky organ sounds that have been culminating over the past
30 years and offer up a fresh, radio-friendly spin on it all.
In the Blues department, the most
interesting sound to come along in a while is the new Cephas &
Wiggins, Shoulder To Shoulder. The so-called
Piedmont Blues, a blend of acoustic/folkie guitar and harmonica,
John Cephas and Phil Wiggins have put together a
wonderful array of tunes on the Alligator Records CD. They mix their
interpretations of some of the finest old songs by the likes of
Charley Patton, Skip James, and Blind Boy Fuller.
Six originals help add to the story
like an old friend.
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