New CD Releases, April 24: Patti Smith, Arctic Monkeys, The Nightwatchman
Patti Smith "Twelve"
Smith is widely considered to be one of the greatest songwriters in rock music history. That's why "Twelve," a collection of cover tunes, comes as a bit of surprise. But, then again, Smith has certainly delivered her share of surprises during her 30-plus-year career.
Smith and her band--Lenny Kaye (guitar), Jay Dee Daugherty (drums) and Tony Shanahan (bass, keyboards)--tackle a dozen cover tunes originally penned by such artists as Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Paul Simon. The set includes such songs as Tears For Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," Young's "Helpless," The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter," Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" and Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit."
"Twelve" is the first new studio offering for Smith since 2004's "Trampin'." The poet/punk-rocker was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year, as part of a class that also included R.E.M. and Van Halen.
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Arctic Monkeys "Favourite Worst Nightmare"
The British indie-rock act, which ranked as the ultimate buzz band of 2006, will hope to generate more attention with the release of its sophomore set. The first single from the new disc, "Brianstorm," has already been released to radio.
"Favourite Worst Nightmare" follows the 2006 debut "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not." That disc was a smash in the band's native country, debuting at No. 1 on the British album charts and quickly going triple platinum.
The Brits will back the new album with a North American tour that kicks off with an April 27 appearance at the Coachella festival in Indio, CA.
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The Nightwatchman "One Man Revolution"
Guitar whiz Tom Morello--best known for his unorthodox six-string stylings with Rage Against the Machine and, more recently, Audioslave--goes it alone for his first solo album. The politically and socially active Morello--who handles lead vocals on the set--channels his idealism into "One Man Revolution" via his alter ego, The Nightwatchman.
The album's release comes in the wake of Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell's February announcement that he had left the group--a situation to which Morello is no stranger; Rage frontman Zack de la Rocha jumped ship in 2000.
Morello, who has been touring in advance of his new album's release, will appear as part of a reunited Rage Against the Machine lineup during a handful of summer festivals.
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Donny Osmond "Love Songs of the '70s"
Hoping to follow in the footsteps of Rod Stewart and Barry Manilow--two stars that found new success by covering old songs--the most-famous Osmond brother releases "Love Songs of the '70s."
The set features Osmond's covers of such former hits as Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," The Bee Gees' "How Deep is Your Love," Leo Sayer's "When I Need You" and Billy Preston's "Will It Go Round in Circles." Most appropriately, Osmond also visits the Manilow songbook and walks away with his own rendition of "Mandy."
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Porcupine Tree "Fear of a Blank Planet"
The experimental rock troupe will support its latest set with a nearly month-long North American tour that kicks off on May 8 in Seattle.
"Fear of a Blank Planet," an obvious (and clever) play on the title of Public Enemy's classic "Fear of a Black Planet," has already been released on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean and has charted in the Top 20 in some European countries.
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Various Artists "A Tribute to Joni Mitchell"
An eclectic crew of artists band together to pay tribute to the great singer/songwriter. "A Tribute to Joni Mitchell" features recordings by such stars as jazz pianist Brad Mehldau, quirky pop/rock queen Bjork and funk-master Prince.
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More new releases:
Norman Brown, "Stay with Me" (Peak)
Patrizio Buanne, "Forever Begins Tonight" (Republic)
Charlotte Gainsbourg, "5:55" (Vice)
Bebel Gilberto, "Momento" (Six Degrees)
Colin Hay, "Are You Looking At Me?" (Compass)
Joe, "Ain't Nothing Like Me" (Jive)
Marillion, "Somewhere Else" (MVD)
Keiko Matsui, "Moyo" (Shout Factory)
Jane Monheit, "Surrender" (Concord)
The Nightwatchman, "One Man Revolution" (Sony)
John Prine and Mac Wiseman, "Standard Songs for Average People" (Oh Boy)
Neil Sedaka, "The Definitive Collection" (Razor and Tie)
Simply Red, "Stay" (Simply Red)
Mavis Staples, "We'll Never Turn Back" (Anti)
Soundtracks and scores:
"Evil Dead: The Musical (2006 Original Off-Broadway Cast)" (Time Life)
'Doctor Who' Season Three Travels to Sci Fi
Sci Fi Channel and BBC Worldwide Americas has acquired the third season of the popular time travel series "Doctor Who" for premiere on Sci Fi in July.
Season Three stars David Tennant as the tenth actor to play the titular timelord and introduces Freema Agyeman as Martha Jones, his new companion who replaces last season's Rose Tyler (Billie Piper). The Doctor's new adventures kick off with the "Doctor Who Christmas Special: The Runaway Bride," guest-starring award-winning comedy actress Catherine Tate.
"'Doctor Who' has become a favorite among Sci Fi audiences," says Chris Regina, the channel's Vice President of Programming. "We are happy to bring the show back for its third season and look forward to following the Doctor's continuing adventures with his newest companion."
The series' executive producer and lead writer Russell T. Davies adds, "We were delighted and honored by the second series' success, and we can promise new thrills, new laughs and some terrifying new aliens. The Doctor and Martha are destined to meet William Shakespeare, blood-sucking alien Plasmavores, The Judoon -- a clan of galactic stormtroopers -- and a sinister Dalek plot in 1930s New York."
"Doctor Who" is the longest-running science fiction TV series to date and was revived recently starring Christopher Eccleston ("Heroes") as the ninth incarnation of the Doctor. Tennant replaced him last season, which aired on Sci Fi to solid viewership.
May Sweeps will flower with finales, cliffhangers
We've reached the May Sweeps, a time for see-you-in-September cliffhangers from shows that are coming back and we're-outta-here goodbyes from shows that aren't. It's jam-packed; USA TODAY leads you through the May maze.
•April 26
30 Rock, NBC, 9 ET/PT (Thursday)
Raines, NBC, 9 ET/PT (Friday)
The sweeps kick off with two early farewells, one of them final. 30 Rock wraps up with a special episode featuring fabulous Broadway diva Elaine Stritch, which should be a great setup for the show's fall return. No such luck for Raines, which pours out its last hour Friday.
•May 3
My Name Is Earl, NBC, 8 ET/PT
Those jokers at NBC are spicing up — more exactly, smelling up —Earl with a "scratch and sniff" episode, which sounds like fun. Unfortunately, they're also "super-sizing" the whole schedule, including a 67-minute ER, which sounds like considerably less fun. Not that it matters: Most people will likely watch the two-hour Grey's Anatomy (ABC, 9).
•May 6
The Amazing Race, CBS, 8 ET/PT
This "all-star" version of the Race has been less amazing than a mistake. But if you've been watching this long, you probably want to see who wins. Or at 9, tune to NBC for a special look back at SNL in the '90s.
•May 7
Drive, Fox, 8 ET/PT
Well, that was fast — which I guess is only fitting. Fox's cross-country car race comes to a sudden stop with what it hopes is a cliffhanger, and not just a plunge off the TV cliff.
•May 10
Without a Trace, CBS, 10 ET/PT
Trace ends its season on the night where it belongs. Welcome back, old friend. Where have you been?
•May 13
7th Heaven, CW, 8 ET/PT
The family soap meets its maker after a long run. The run was a year longer than it should have been, but loyal fans will still want to say goodbye.
•May 14
King of Queens, CBS, 9 ET/PT
Speaking of long runs and late goodbyes, CBS' working-class, worker-bee sitcom signs off after nine seasons. Find it hard to believe the show lasted that long? They probably do, too.
•May 16
The Price is Right Spectacular, CBS, 8 ET/PT
If anyone deserves a salute for longevity, it's Bob Barker. He gets two this week: Wednesday's Spectacular and Thursday's Bob Barker: A Celebration of 50 Years on Television.
•May 17
Ugly Betty, ABC, 8 ET/PT
It's the last Thursday of the season, meaning you'll also be taking leave of the night's biggest hits, Grey's and CSI. But considering the ride so far, you just know Betty has one of the year's wildest ends in store.
•May 21
24, Fox, 8 ET/PT
Jack's dreariest day ends. We know he'll prevail over the bad guys. Whether he prevails over Heroes (NBC, 9) remains to be seen.
•May 22
Veronica Mars, CW, 8 ET/PT
Goodbyes can be tough even when the time is right for parting. Like the two-hour finale of Veronica Mars, a great show that has sadly run its short course.
•May 23
American Idol, Fox, 8 ET/PT
Lost, ABC, 9 ET/PT
Not an easy choice: Idol winner or the two-hour finale of Lost? I'll be Lost, but most of you will be running on Idol.
Letterman to appear on Regis' talk show
NEW YORK - David Letterman will be Regis Philbin's first guest when he returns Thursday to "Live With Regis and Kelly" after having triple heart bypass surgery six weeks ago.
Philbin was a guest host on CBS' "Late Show" after Letterman underwent heart bypass surgery in 2000. He also stepped in when Letterman was recovering from an eye infection in 2003.
"Very appropriate," said "Live" co-host Kelly Ripa, who made the announcement Monday on the syndicated talk show.
Philbin, 75, has been at home recuperating since his surgery last month.
He has been a frequent guest on Letterman's late-night show.