The Lonely Goatherd Blog And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats - Matthew 25:32
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Al Barger and MoreThings - getting people's goats since 1998.
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April 22, 2008
New CD Album Releases, 4-22-2008: Jonathan Richman, Ashlee Simpson, Otis Redding and Love Re-issues One new album this week that looks like a must-hear: Jonathan Richman has his 20th or so album this week, Because Her Beauty Is Raw and Wild. He's best known for his songs and cameo in There's Something About Mary - which was just fine, but no fan of Jo-Jo would tell you that's his best. He'd never sold a lot of records, but his original The Modern Lovers album recorded in 1972 was a glorious pre-punk masterpiece.
He was a poor fit for the punk rock scene however, as he was something of a punk rock Buddy Holly - a lover, not a fighter or belligerant. He quickly turned down the volume and tended toward childlike wonder. Some considered classics like "Back in Your Life" or "Dodge Veg-a-Matic" to be emotionally regressive. That he was prone to things like playing acoustic shows in nursing homes probably didn't help his standing with angry Sex Pistols fans and such.
Those critics were very wrong, however, starting with missing the crucial difference between being child-like versus being childish. With age, he has definitely become a more subtle and skillful musician - though it's generally just him on acoustic guitar and long-time partner Tommy Larkin on drums. But he's got a lot more technique as a guitarist over time - not playing fancy solos, but having a broader palette of style and affect. For one thing, he now sometimes does songs or albums in French or Spanish. He has one of each on this album.
Moreover, after singing about lonely dinosaurs and misunderstood abominable snowmen, as an older man he has become quietly and unpretentiously deeper and more preceptive. He's quieted down enough to hear things that others would miss with more recent elusive perceptions such as "I Can Almost Hear Her Fighting with Herself" and "True Love Is Not Nice." Imagine Buddy Holly at age 60.
Because Her Beauty Is Raw and Wild is a particularly beautiful and promising title. From the bits I've heard, "No One Was Like Vermeer" and "When We Refuse to Suffer" sound like particularly hot little jams. His new arrangement of his vintage "Old World" would be a good illustration of his improved musicianship. The album concludes with the "As My Mother Lay Dying" in which he describes listening closely during those last days in the nursing home, eagerly gleaning those last few lessons.
Other than that, the biggest commercial name new release is Ashlee Simpson. Bittersweet World apparently aspires to be competition to Gwen Stefani. Independently, they're both officially designated Enemies of the People. The world situation is too grave even to joke about such things. It's a wearying job being The People's Leader.
But there are also a couple of particularly promising re-issues. The 1965 album Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul may be the very best classic style soul album ever. Among other classics, this was where he first published his most famous song, "Respect." His arrangement of "Satisfaction" was a hit single. Personally, I find this more listenable at this point than the overplayed Stones original. Also, this album contains his very best song, "I've Been Loving You Too Long." This Rhino re-issue has a whole second disc, with b-sides and rarities, and live recordings.
Perhaps a half-notch lower on the food chain, but Love's Forever Changes is right up there in the all-time rankings. If you dig vintage 60s baroque arty pop, this'll run pretty close to up with Pet Sounds or Sgt Pepper. "The Good Humor Man Sees Everything Like This" rates as my personal fave. This two disc Rhino deluxe re-issue has a whole different mix of the original album, plus lots of alternative and outtakes, including "Wooly Bully." Besides the bonus stuff, Brother Glen Boyd assures us that the re-mastering of the basic album sounds really sharp.
Here's the listing of this week's new album releases, courtesy AMG:
Billy Bragg Mr. Love & Justice Cooking Vinyl Alternative Folk, Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Flight of the Conchords Flight of the Conchords Sub Pop Comedy Rock
The Replacements Let It Be [Deluxe Edition] Twin/Tone/Ryko/Rhino American Underground, College Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Hard Rock, Rock & Roll
Ashlee Simpson Bittersweet World Geffen Teen Pop, Pop/Rock, Dance-Pop
Tokyo Police Club Elephant Shell Saddle Creek Indie Rock
Barry Adamson Back to the Cat Central Control Punk Blues, Retro-Rock, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Retro Swing, Original Score, Film Music, Space Age Pop, Post-Punk, Cabaret, Jazz Blues, Modern Big Band
Atreyu Lead Sails Paper Anchor 2.0 Hollywood Punk Metal, Alternative Metal
Roy Ayers Ubiquity Vibrations Verve Soul-Jazz, Jazz-Funk, Funk
Tab Benoit Night Train to Nashville Telarc Louisiana Blues, Modern Electric Blues, Swamp Blues, New Orleans Blues
Blind Melon For My Friends Adrenaline Alternative Pop/Rock, American Trad Rock
Terry Callier Occasional Rain [Remastered] Verve Chicago Soul, Folk-Jazz, Singer/Songwriter, Progressive Folk, Soul
The Cinematic Orchestra Live at the Royal Albert Hall Domino Downbeat, Orchestral Jazz, Film Music, Contemporary Jazz
Ornette Coleman The Art of the Improvisers Atlantic Avant-Garde Jazz, Free Jazz
Marilyn Crispell Vignettes ECM Structured Improvisation, Avant-Garde Jazz, Modern Composition
The Jazz Crusaders Old Socks, New Shoes...New Socks, Old Shoes Motown Soul-Jazz, Jazz-Funk
Dov Davidoff The Point Is Comedy Central Observational Humor, Standup Comedy
Van Duren Are You Serious? Air Mail Power Pop
Earles and Jensen Just Farr a Laugh, Vol. 1 and 2: The Greatest Prank Phone Call Ever! Matador Prank Calls
Elbow The Seldom Seen Kid Polydor Dream Pop, Britpop
The Feelies Crazy Rhythms A&M American Underground, College Rock, Jangle Pop, Alternative Pop/Rock
Goldfinger Hello Destiny... Side One Dummy Ska-Punk, Punk-Pop, Alternative Pop/Rock
Marilyn Horne The Complete Decca Recitals Decca Operatic Selections
Jorma Hynninen Elamalle: Songs by Oskar Merikanto Ondine Modern Vocal Music
The Jealous Girlfriends The Jealous Girlfriends Last Gang Indie Rock
Stanley Jordan State of Nature Mack Avenue Contemporary Jazz
Carole King Tapestry [Legacy Edition] Sony Legacy Pop/Rock, Soft Rock
