New Releases, July 18: Sammy Hagar, Tom Petty, Michael Franti, New York Dolls
Sammy Hagar “Livin’ It Up!”
The Red Rocker is set to release his fifth set of all-new material since he first split from Van Halen in 1996. The first single from the album–which features Hagar’s current band, The Wabos–is “Sam I Am.”
The album title and Hagar’s current tour share the same name–“Livin’ It Up.” For these shows, the vocalist/guitarist will lead The Wabos through an opening set that consists of both his recent solo material and classic hits, stretching back to his ’70s-era days fronting Montrose. In the second set, Hagar will take the stage with Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, Wabos-drummer David Lauser and guitarist Vic Johnson–a quartet dubbed The Other Half–to perform Van Halen numbers.
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Tom Petty “Highway Companion”
The celebration of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ 30th anniversary continues with the release of this highly anticipated new CD. Ironically, the new record is not a band effort–it’s Petty’s third solo collection.
The singer/songwriter/guitarist did call on some old pals to help him with the disc; Jeff Lynne–who was Petty’s mate in the Traveling Wilburys–produced the set with help from Heartbreaker guitarist Mike Campbell. The album’s first single is “Saving Grace,” which was world-premiered last month in front of 20-million people on ABC-TV’s NBA Finals.
Petty is supporting “Highway Companion” with a lengthy, multi-leg tour–which, the singer told Rolling Stone magazine, could be his last. The next leg of the trek starts with three dates in Washington. Such artists as Trey Anastasio, John Mayer, Frank Black and The Strokes are pulling opening duties.
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Michael Franti and Spearhead “Yell Fire!”
Like most everyone else in the United States, Franti got his first dose of information about the troubles in Baghdad, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip by watching TV news. Back in 2004, however, the guitarist/vocalist decided he wanted more and embarked with a team to visit those spots.
From those journeys, Franti created the documentary “I Know I’m Not Alone” and a reflective batch of original songs entitled “Yell Fire!” (The documentary will also be released on DVD July 25.) These new songs, which Franti has been road-testing in concert for several months, mix folk, jam-rock, reggae and hip-hop styles.
Michael Franti and Spearhead are currently scheduled to make a handful of North American appearances in support of the album. Notably, the band will perform as part of Northern California’s huge Reggae on the River festival on Aug. 6.
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The New York Dolls “One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This”
The New York Dolls, inarguably one of the most influential American rock bands of all time, are set to release their first collection of new tunes since 1974’s “Too Much Too Soon.”
The 13-track disc features surviving founders David Johansen (vocals) and Sylvain Sylvain (guitar), as well as guitarist Steve Conti, drummer Brian Delaney, bassist Sami Yaffa and pianist Brian Koonin. The CD also features guest appearances by Iggy Pop and Michael Stipe.
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Raul Malo “You’re Only Lonely”
Malo, the vocalist for the highly acclaimed country-roots-rock band The Mavericks, returns with a follow-up to 2004’s “The Nashville Acoustic Sessions.” The album features a diverse array of cover material, including the Everly Brothers’ “So Sad” and The Bee Gees’ “Run to Me.” Malo also duets with country vocalist Martina McBride on the album’s closing track, “Feels Like Home.”
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Flogging Molly “Whiskey on a Sunday”
This live package, which includes a 10-song CD as well as a DVD, captures the L.A.-based Irish-punk darlings during a sold-out hometown gig at the Wiltern Theater. Always a raucously entertaining live band, Flogging Molly performed such fan favorites as “Black Friday Rule” and “Drunken Lullabies” at this show.
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Various Artists “Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man”
This soundtrack to the Lian Lunson-directed “Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man” film, which hit theaters on July 14, features several notable singers covering the great songwriter’s tunes. Artists include Martha Wainwright, Nick Cave, Teddy Thompson, Rufus Wainwright and Beth Orton.
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More new releases:
Randall Bramblett, “Rich Someday” (New West)
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, “Stranger Things” (Fantasy)
Boy Kill Boy, “Civilian” (Island)
Gaelic Storm, “Bring Yer Wellies” (Megaforce)
Bruce Hornsby, “Intersections 1985-2005” (RCA)
Jurassic 5, “Feedback” (Interscope)
LeToya, “LeToya” (Capitol)
Toby Lightman, “Bird on a Wire” (Lava)
Midlake, “The Trials of Van Occupanther” (Bella Union)
Pharrell, “In My Mind” (Star Trak/Interscope)
Pimp C, “Pimpalation” (Rap-a-Lot)
Puffy AmiYumi, “Splurge” (Tofu)
The Rippingtons, “20th Anniversary Celebration” (Peak)
Linda Ronstadt and Ann Savoy, “Adieu False Heart” (Vanguard)
Silversun Pickups, “Carnavas” (Dangerbird)
Vienna Teng, “Dreaming Through the Noise” (Zoe)
Ali Farka Toure, “Savane” (Nonesuch)
Various Artists, “Buzz Ballads” (Razor & Tie)
Soundtracks and scores:
“Miami Vice” (Atlantic)
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