New CD Releases, March 31st: Keith Urban, Diana Krall, Leonard Cohen, Chris Botti, Queensryche and more
Keith Urban “Defying Gravity” (Capitol)
Mr. Urban cowboy is set to ride once again with the release of his first studio offering since 2006’s chart-topping “Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing.” The country crooner was last heard on 2007’s best-of collection, “Keith Urban Greatest Hits: 18 Kids.”
The first single from “Defying Gravity” is the tune “Sweet Thing,” which has already risen on the charts to become the singer’s 18th Top 5 hit.
Currently in the process of wrapping up his Verizon-sponsored “No Frills” mini-tour of smaller clubs, Urban will soon turn his attention to his upcoming arena trek. The vocalist/guitarist kicks off that run with a two-night stand, May 7-8, in Uncasville, CT.
* * *
Diana Krall “Quiet Nights” (Verve)
The current queen of jazz is hoping to extend her reign with the release of “Quiet Nights,” her 12th album and her first set of new recordings since 2006’s “From This Moment On.” The vocalist/pianist’s previous release is 2007’s “The Very Best of Diana Krall,” which is her first career retrospective.
Krall co-produced the new album with Tommy LiPuma (Miles Davis, Al Jarreau) and worked with composer/arranger Claus Ogerman (Antonio Carlos Jobim). The set includes three covers of songs originally composed by Jobim, a bossa nova legend.
Krall, who’s married to Elvis Costello, will support “Quiet Nights” with a month-long slate of dates in her home country of Canada, beginning April 15 in Calgary, Alberta. She’ll then bring the show south to the US for dates in June, July and August.
* * *
Leonard Cohen “Live in London” (Sony)
Tickets to Leonard Cohen’s tour, his first to hit the US in some 15 years, have been mighty hard to come by. The master songwriter has been posting sell-outs in most of the markets that he’s playing.
Now, all of his fans–with or without tickets–can enjoy the master songwriter in action as Sony releases this new live set, available in both audio-only and DVD/CD formats. The offering features such Cohen classics as “Hallelujah,” “I’m Your Man,” “Everybody Knows” and “Suzanne,” and was recorded in London.
Cohen’s North American tour begins in earnest with an April 2 date in Austin, TX.
* * *
Chris Botti “Chris Botti in Boston” (Sony)
The trumpet star follows 2007’s “Italia,” which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Jazz Albums chart and earned a Grammy nomination for best Pop Instrumental Album, by releasing a live set.
“Chris Botti in Boston” was recorded last fall during two concerts that featured Botti performing with the Boston Pops as well as guest stars Sting, John Mayer, Josh Groban, Steven Tyler and Yo-Yo Ma. Those gigs were filmed for broadcast this spring on PBS-TV’s annual pledge drive.
The set is available in both CD and CD/DVD formats.
Botti, a regular road warrior, will again take to the highways in early April. His lengthy trek begins April 4 in Atlantic City, NJ, and is currently scheduled to last through early January of next year.
* * *
Queensryche “American Soldier” (Atco)
The prog-metal band’s latest offering is a “musical examination of the life of a soldier and the consequences of war,” according to the group’s record label. The album’s theme reportedly was inspired by dozens of interviews singer Geoff Tate conducted with veterans ranging from World War II through Iraq.
Queensryche will support “American Soldier” with a tour that begins April 16 and 17 in Snoqualmie, WA.
* * *
More new releases:
Clay Aiken, “Playlist: The Very Best of Clay Aiken” (Sony)
Rodney Atkins, “It’s America” (Curb)
Bruce Cockburn, “Slice O Life: Bruce Cockburn Live Solo” (Rounder)
Gavin DeGraw, “Free” (J-Records)
Bob Dylan, “New Morning (Original Recording Remastered)” (Sony)
Bob Dylan and The Band, “The Basement Tapes (Original Recordings Remastered)” (Sony)
Flo Rida, “R.O.O.T.S. (Route of Overcoming the Struggle)” (Atlantic)
Gomez, “A New Tide” (ATO)
PJ Harvey, John Parish, “A Woman a Man Walked By” (Island)
Gregg Karukas, “GK” (Trippin’ and Rhythm)
Donnie McClurkin, “We All Are One (Live In Detroit)” (Verity)
Stevie Nicks, “The Soundstage Sessions” (Reprise)
Nightwish, “Made in Hong Kong (and in Various Other Places)” (Roadrunner)
Peter Bjorn and John, “Living Thing” (Almost Gold)
UGK, “UGK 4 Life” (Jive)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “It’s Blitz!” (Interscope)
Categories