New CD Releases, January 27th: Bruce Springsteen, Franz Ferdinand, Renee Olstead
Bruce Springsteen “Working on a Dream” (Columbia)
The Boss is set to release his 24th album, “Working on a Dream.” The album follows 2007’s “Magic,” which reached platinum status and scored two Grammy Awards.
“Working on a Dream” was recorded with Springsteen’s best-known group of musical cohorts, the legendary E Street Band. It features 12 new Springsteen compositions plus two bonus tracks, and it marks the Boss man’s fourth collaboration with Brendan O’Brien, who produced and mixed the record.
Springsteen has been busy advancing the album in a variety of high-profile ways. Most notably, he recently teamed with Bono, Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks and other big-name acts for a free concert in Washington, DC, that marked the start of inaugural festivities for President Barack Obama. He’ll receive even more exposure when he performs during the halftime show at the Feb. 1 Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, FL.
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Franz Ferdinand “Tonight: Franz Ferdinand” (Sony)
The Scottish rock band, which is named after historical figure Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, returns with its third studio release. The set follows the band’s 2004 eponymous release and 2005’s “You Could Have It So Much Better.”
“Tonight: Franz Ferdinand” was produced by Dan Carey, whose credits include working with Lily Allen, Hot Chip and Brazilian Girls. The first single from the album is the track “Ulysses.”
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Renee Olstead “Skylark” (Reprise)
The 19-year-old vocal sensation, who received a big boost in popularity after performing on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” finally releases a follow-up to her self-titled 2004 set, which hit No. 2 on the jazz charts.
Olstead is backed on “Skylark” by several accomplished players, including producer/arranger David Foster (who performs on strings, horns, piano and other instruments), trumpeter Chris Botti and pedal-steel wizard Robert Randolph.
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Various Artists “2009 Grammy Nominees” (Rhino)
Get ready for the so-called “biggest night in music” by listening to this collection of Grammy-nominated artists/tracks. The 20-track disc includes such offerings as Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida,” Radiohead’s “House of Cards,” Ne-Yo’s “Closer,” Maroon 5’s “Won’t Go Home Without You” and Jonas Brothers’ “Burnin’ Up.” The Grammys will be held Feb. 8 in Los Angeles and air live on CBS.
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John Frusciante “The Empyrean” (Adrenaline)
Frusciante, an artist best known for his guitar work in The Red Hot Chili Peppers, is set to release his 11th solo record. “The Empyrean,” said to be a concept record, features contributions from fellow Chili Pepper Flea, Modest Mouse man Johnny Marr and others.
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More new releases:
The Bird and the Bee, “Ray Guns are Not Just the Future” (Blue Note)
Pat Green, “What I’m For” (RCA)
Hoobastank, “For(n)ever” (Island)
Keith Jarrett, “Yesterdays” (ECM)
Dean Martin, “Amore” (Capitol)
Steve Martin, “The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo” (40 Productions)
Paul McCartney, “Amoeba’s Secret” (EP) (Hear Music)
Kylie Minogue, “Boombox” (Astralwerks)
Mark Olson, Gary Louris, “Ready for the Flood” (New West)
Enrico Rava, “New York Days” (ECM)
Duncan Sheik, “Whisper House” (RCA)
Various Artists, “Wow Gospel 2009” (Verity)
Various Artists, “WWE: The Music, Vol. 9” (Sony)
Soundtracks and scores:
“World’s Fair: To Broadway with Love” (DRG)
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