New CD Releases, November 4: Brad Paisley, Harry Connick, Jr., Hinder, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, more
Brad Paisley “Play” (RCA)
The country star shows off his guitar chops on this axe-oriented affair. “Play” features Paisley in collaboration with some of the industry’s top guitar heroes, including Buck Owens and B.B. King. The 16-track offering also features such guest stars as Keith Urban and Steve Wariner.
“Play,” a mostly instrumental outing, is Paisley’s seventh album. His previous disc was 2007’s platinum-selling “5th Gear,” which topped the country charts and produced five hit singles.
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Harry Connick Jr. “What a Night! A Christmas Album” (Sony)
The multi-talented star, who has achieved success in various genres of music as well as with film, TV and theater projects, returns with something new for fans to put on their Christmas wish lists.
“What a Night! A Christmas Album” is Connick’s third holiday offering, following 1993’s “When My Heart Finds Christmas” and 2003’s “Harry for the Holidays.” The album is a mix of holiday favorites, such as “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Jingle Bells,” and new originals.
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Hinder “Take It to the Limit” (Universal)
These rockers–drummer Cody Hanson, singer Austin Winkler, guitarists Joe “Blower” Garvey and Mark King, and bassist Mike Rodden–are set to release their sophomore CD. “Take It to the Limit” follows 2005’s “Extreme Behavior,” a work that has been certified triple platinum.
Hinder is currently supporting “Take It to the Limit” on the road. The band is headlining the Jagermeister Music Tour, which also includes Rev Theory and Trapt. The jaunt is scheduled to last through a Dec. 20 date in Cleveland.
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Andrea Bocelli “Incanto” (Decca)
The Italian pop/opera star offers up his second CD of the year. “Incanto” follows “Vivere Live in Tuscany,” a two-disc effort that featured all of his best-known tunes and guest appearances by Kenny G, Chris Botti and Sarah Brightman, to name a few. This time around, the famed tenor’s set consists of 14 classic Italian love songs, including “Because,” “Mamma,” “Granada,” “Funiculi Funicula” and “Un Amore Cosi Grande.”
Correspondingly, Bocelli has booked two-night stands in Washington, DC, and San Antonio, TX, for later this month. On Nov. 21-22, he’ll make his debut at the Washington National Opera, performing Rossini’s “Petite Messe Solennelle” with conductor by Placido Domingo. On Nov. 25-26, he’ll perform a concert version of the opera “Cavalleria Rusticana” at the San Antonio Municipal Auditorium.
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Sarah Brightman “A Winter Symphony” (Manhattan)
The British soprano star gets in the holiday mood with “A Winter Symphony,” a work that features such Christmas-time tunes as “Silent Night” and “I Believe in Father Christmas.” The album’s title is a reference to Brightman’s release “Symphony,” which came out earlier this year.
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More new releases:
Deadmau5, “Random Album Title” (Ultra)
Hilary Duff, “Best Of” (Hollywood)
Jeff Dunham, “Don’t Come Home for Christmas” (Image)
Gamma Ray, “Hell Yeah!!! The Awesome Foursome: Live in Montreal” (Steamhammer)
OhGr, “Devils in My Details” (SPV)
Randy Owen, “One on One” (Broken Bow)
Axel Rudi Pell, “Tales of the Crown” (Steamhammer)
Q-Tip, “The Renaissance” (Universal)
Lou Reed, “Berlin: Live at St. Ann’s Warehouse” (Matador)
Shiny Toy Guns, “Season of Poison” (Universal)
Mavis Staples, “Live” (Anti)
Cat Stevens, “Tea for the Tillerman” (A&M)
Cat Stevens, “Teaser and the Firecat” (A&M)
Pastor Hezekiah Walker, “Souled Out” (Verity)
Soundtracks and scores:
“Twilight” (Atlantic)
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