The last recording from Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek, a classic performance featuring the late rock 'n' soul giant Solomon Burke, as well as sterling new releases featuring singer-songwriter Steve Earle and blues trio Trampled Under Foot add up to an especially forceful wave of early summertime releases.
Artist: Ray Manzarek and Roy Rogers
Title: Twisted Tales (Chops Not Chaps)
You might like if you enjoy: The Doors, Roy Rogers, Otis Taylor
Tell me more: Although celebrated keyboardist Ray Manzarek lost his battle against cancer on May 20, 2013, his legacy will certainly remain through his role as a founding member of The Doors. In addition, his final recording project, Twisted Tales, also celebrates his rich legacy. A follow-up to their acclaimed 2011 album Translucent Blues, slide guitarist Roy Rogers and Manzarek share lead vocal duties and showcase their virtuoso skills across the 10-track Twisted Tales. Mining that rich intersection of blues and rock that spawned the Doors back in the mid-60s, Rogers and Manzarek shine throughout including on "Black Wine/Spank Me With a Rose," and the gypsy-flavored "State of the World." Information: http://www.raymanzarek.us.
Listen to more and get Twisted Tales here
Artist: Michael and the Lonesome Playboys
Title: Bottle Cap Sky (Blackwater Records)
You might be interested if you like: John Fogerty, Gram Parsons, Johnny Cash
Tell me more: Like John Fogerty or the late Gram Parsons, Michael Ubaldini crafts instantly-memorable songs that somehow blend traditional country with blues, Western swing, folk and rock into a unique sound bound by his profound ability to stir the soul with songs that are decidedly his own. On Bottle Cap Sky, Ubaldini's latest project released under the Michael and the Lonesome Playboys moniker, the cult hero continues to expertly straddle past and future. From the gospel-tinged "Walk Through Time" and blues nugget "Someone Should Put You On Trial" to the outstanding rocker "Three Cheers for Heartache," Bottle Cap Sky offers up literate and accessible songcraft across its winning 15-track run. Information: http://www.rocknrollpoet.com/.
Bottle Cap Sky will be available 07/23/13
Artist: Solomon Burke
Title: Live at Montreux 2006 (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: Al Green, Vintage Trouble, Otis Redding
Tell me more: There is an undeniable spirit that fills Solomon Burke's Live at Montreux 2006 (released July 9 on CD, DVD and digital audio). Personified by the medley of his hit "Got to Get You Off My Mind" and Sam Cooke's "Having a Party," the fast-moving 17-song collection finds Burke leading his group of top musicians and singers through his timeless blend of soul, blues and gospel. Burke, who passed away in 2010, was still on the top of his game as a vocalist at Montreux at the concert chronicled here. Burke's powerful version of "Georgia On My Mind," a rousing "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" and a heartfelt delivery of "What A Wonderful World" are among the standouts. Information: http://www.eagle-rock.com.
Get Live at Montreux 2006 here
Artist: Steve Earle
Title: The Warner Bros Years (Shout! Factory)
You might like if you enjoy: Steve Earle, Michael Ubaldini, Emmylou Harris
Tell me more: One of the most notable periods of Americana roots champion Steve Earle's celebrated career has been perfectly captured in the newly-issued The Warner Bros Years. The box set includes three studio albums (Train a Comin', I Feel Alright and El Corazon) as well as a previously-unreleased concert album (Live at the Polk Theater recorded in 1995) and a DVD featuring a concert filmed at Cold Creek Correctional Facility in Tennessee in 1996.The entire set comes recommended, with classics such as "Mystery Train Part II," "Nothin' Without You" (with Emmylou Harris" and "N.Y.C." (with The Supersuckers) among the many gems positioned in the 5-disc box set. Information: www.ShoutFactory.com.
Get Steve Erle The Warner Bros. Years ( 4CD/ 1 DVD) Here
Artist: Trampled Under Foot
Title: Badlands (Telarc/Concord Music Group)
You might like if you enjoy: Shemika Copeland, Janiva Magness, Indigenous
Tell me more: Every time the blues seems poised to be relegated to nostalgia a young artist comes and brings new relevancy courtesy of a tour de force that reminds music lovers what made the genre so potent in the first place. Leave it to a trio of siblings comprised of singer-bassist Danielle Schnebelen, guitarist-singer Nick Schnebelen and drummer Kris Schnebelen to release an album (Badlands) that is both accessible and inventive. The forceful blues-rock of "Bad Bad Feeling" is balanced by the jazz-tinged "Mary." There is cool groove-soul ("Badlands," featuring Nick on lead vocals), guitar-anchored showcases ("Desperate Heart") and Delta blues ("Down to the River"). Danielle is a gifted singer who is able to sing across a vast range (listen to "You Never Really Loved Me") and her brother Nick offers up some great fretwork that is impressive without ever being excessive. Information: http://www.tufkc.com.
Get Badlands Here
Robert Kinsler 07/2013
