New CD Releases, Sept. 4: Pink Floyd, Manu Chao, Patti Scialfa
Pink Floyd “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn”
The seemingly endless 40th anniversary celebrations–which have included marking the Summer of Love and the release of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”–continue with this worthy reissue of Pink Floyd’s debut album.
The special-edition package of “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” includes three discs. Two of those CDs will sound decidedly similar, yet different enough for audio aficionados–one features the original “Piper” in mono, while the other is a stereo mix. Both, however, have been remastered.
Disc 3 is what makes this a must-have for Floyd freaks. It is made up of bonus tracks, including all of the band’s singles from 1967. It also features rare B-sides and alternative versions of “Piper” tracks.
The whole set comes in a fancy, Storm Thorgerson-designed package, which is said to resemble a cloth-covered book, and has a 12-page reproduction of vocalist/lyricist Syd Barrett’s original notebook.
* * *
Manu Chao “La Radiolina”
Ending a six-year recording hiatus, the international music star returns with the highly anticipated “La Radiolina.” Chao’s last album was 2001’s well-regarded “Esperanza.”
The Latin alt-rock pioneer, who came to fame as the leader of Mano Negra, has been very active this year. His 2007 North America tour included high-profile stops at the Coachella, Sasquatch, Quebec Summer and Bonnaroo music festivals.
* * *
Patti Scialfa “Play It as It Lays”
The singer/songwriter/guitarist returns with her third solo album, which follows 1993’s “Rumble Doll” and 2004’s “23rd Street Lullaby.”
Scialfa, of course, is best known for being the wife of Bruce Springsteen. She is also a member of Springsteen’s fabled E Street Band and took part in hubby’s Seeger Sessions project.
* * *
Ted Nugent “Love Grenade”
The Motor City Madman takes a break from hunting wild animals to release his first CD in five years. Perhaps the most notable selling point for “Love Grenade” is that it includes a re-recording of the 1967 Amboy Dukes classic “Journey to the Center of The Mind.” And, yes, that ranks as yet another 40th anniversary celebration, for those of you who simply can’t get enough.
* * *
Greg Brown “Yellow Dog”
The folk/roots star returns with a follow-up to last year’s “The Evening Call.” The Grammy-nominated performer is known as a “songwriters’ songwriter” and his tunes have been covered by Willie Nelson, Shawn Colvin, Ani DiFranco and other acclaimed lyricists.
* * *
Other new releases:
Joshua Bell, “Red Violin Concerto” (Sony)
Suzy Bogguss, “Sweet Danger” (Loyal Dutchess)
Chiodos, “Bone Palace Ballet” (Equal Vision)
Every Time I Die, “The Big Dirty” (Ferret)
Ari Gold, “Transport Systems” (Centaur)
Calvin Harris, “I Created Disco” (Almost Gold)
Lee Hazlewood, “Lee Hazlewood-ism: Its Cause and Cure” (Water)
Israel and New Breed, “Deeper Level” (Sony)
Andre Rieu, “Radio City Music Hall: Live in New York” (Denon)
Michelle Shocked, “To Heaven U Ride” (Mighty Sound)
Various Artists, “Bam Margera Presents: Viva La Bands, Vol. 2” (Ferret)
Various Artists, “Guilt By Association” (Engine Room)
Categories