09 Sep 2003

Blind Boys Craft a Holiday Vision

By John James
• This Tuesday brings the anticipated release of Go Tell It on the Mountain, the first holiday- themed album from the acclaimed Blind Boys of Alabama. The Real Word Records release boasts a wide range of guests, with highlights including Aaron Neville on "Joy To the World," Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders and Richard Thompson of Fairport Convention on "In the Bleak Midwinter," Funkadelic's George Clinton on "Away In a Manger," and Tom Waits on the title track.
02 Sep 2003

Bauhaus Founder Bows Strong Fifth Disc

By John James
• My pick of the week is this coming Tuesday's release of Estranged, by Bauhaus and Love & Rockets founding member David J. The new solo album is his fifth, and is welcome to my ears like warm sunshine, filled with lazy songs that glide along in his comfortable style of acoustic guitars and haunted, swelling backdrops.
26 Aug 2003

Soundtrack Gathers Hard-Rock Royalty

By John James
• This Tuesday brings the anticipated soundtrack to Underworld, the upcoming film in which vampire sophisticates battle street-thug werewolves in Budapest. The Lakeshore Records release features the return of former Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland, joining Nine Inch Nails guitarist Danny Lohner, Richard Patrick of Filter, and Josh Freese of A Perfect Circle under the name The Damning Well.
12 Aug 2003

GBV Issues Golden Tickets to Lucky Fans

By John James
• This Tuesday brings the long-anticipated Earthquake Glue album from Guided by Voices, and the band is beautifully riffing the "behind-the-scenes sweepstakes" concept à la Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. Not only is the album a sweet stunner, but also hidden inside a handful of the Matador Records release are "golden tickets" that will give the lucky buyer a free advance copy of the group's forthcoming six-disc box set.
05 Aug 2003

Covers Steal the Spotlight in New Releases

By John James
• Cover fever is the diagnosis this coming Tuesday, with three new releases boasting nifty interpretations that leave me stroking my chin in curiosity. Wynonna Judd's new album, What the World Needs Now Is Love on the Curb imprint, features covers of Elvis Presley's hit "Burning Love" and - dig this - guest guitarist Jeff Beck on her take on Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is.
29 Jul 2003

Terrific Trip-Jazz Album Worth Seeking Out

By John James
• My pick of the week is worth searching for in the import bins, lest no American label grabs the hypnotic trip-jazz masterpiece by the Broadway Project entitled The Vessel (which will be released this Tuesday).
22 Jul 2003

Blues Artists Cash in

By John James
• This Tuesday the Northern Blues label releases a terrific new tribute to the master songcraft of Johnny Cash, entitled Johnny's Blues. Cash was already saluted earlier this year in two other CD tributes on other labels, and this new project collects 13 Cash songs spun in a wide range of blues styles, from acoustic soul to roadhouse boogie.
15 Jul 2003

Early Norah Jones Recording Hits Shelves

By John James
• If you've caught the smooth fever of Norah Jones, a new seven-track EP reveals sessions from 2000 featuring covers of Magic Sam's "All Your Love" and Bob Dylan's "Heart of Mine." Simply titled The Peter Malick Group Featuring Norah Jones, the Koch Entertainment CD is the fruit of a friendship between the blues singer-songwriter and Jones, then a 21-year-old unknown artist trying to establish herself.
01 Jul 2003

New Rock Books Top a Summertime Reading List

By John James
• Perfect for poolside summer reading, three new rock-and-roll books have captured my attention and plenty of Coppertone smudges. Hot off the New York Times best-selling KISS & Make-Up, demon bassist Gene Simmons offers up his new book, Sex Money KISS, a fascinating rant on all things financial or romantic from a guy who seems to have had it all.
24 Jun 2003

Bevy of Benefit Albums on Tap

By John James
• Holding their flag of plea and protest high above them, three new benefit projects have recently surfaced bringing attention to AIDS in southern Africa, Parkinson's disease, sarcoma cancer, and the death penalty.

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