Kasey Chambers and The English Beat celebrate the past with new releases

Singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers and The English Beat have new releases worth celebrating.

Artist: Kasey Chambers

Album: Storybook (Sugar Hill Records)

You might be interested in buying this if you like: Joan Osborne, Lucinda Williams, Jann Browne

Tell me more: 2012 has been marked by a number of excellent tribute albums, with Joan Osborne's "Bring It On Home"(featuring vintage blues and soul standards) and Macy Gray's "Covered" (offering a mix of rock material) being two of the best. Now comes a similarly-ambitious effort from Aussie songstress Kasey Chambers, whose aptly-titled "Storybook" (due July 30 on Sugar Hills Records) equals those gems.  The uptempo version of Lucinda Williams' "Happy Woman Blues," a tender take on the late Gram Parson's "Return of the Grievous Angel" and the intoxicating Matthew Ryan-penned country-rocker "Guilty" are among the standouts on an across-the-disc treasure. Chambers is a fantastic singer, and her emotional soprano really thrusts material originally covered from everyone from Steve Earle to John Prine in a new light.

Get Storybook (Amazon Exclusive) here

Artist: The English Beat

Album: The Complete Beat (Shout! Factory)

You might be interested in buying this if you like: General Public, Fine Young Cannibals, Pato Banton

Tell me more: Founded in England back in 1978, 2 Tone ska outfit The English Beat fused ska, reggae, pop, soul and a dash of punk rock musical stylings against lyrics mostly addressing love and social-political topics. Headed by singer-guitarist Dave Wakeling and vocalist Ranking Roger, the group scored success on radio and across dance floors in the early '80s with hits such as "Mirror in the Bathroom," "Too Nice to Talk To" and "All Out to Get You." Now Shout! Factory has issued "The Complete Beat," a boxed set that features the band's original three CDs ("I Just Can't Stop It," "Wha'ppen?" and "Special Beat Service") and two bonus discs featuring rare and unreleased tracks. The collection also includes a 24-page book with an essay and rare photographs. Released on July 10, "The Complete Beat" is the ultimate keepsake for fans of the groundbreaking band.

Get The Complete Beat (5 CDs)

Robert Kinsler  2012