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A.M. (Deluxe Edition) (Album of the Day)
After his former group Uncle Tupelo broke up, singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy took the bulk of the band—most notably bassist John Stirratt and drummer Ken Coomer—and quickly recorded Wilco’s 1995 debut, A.M. The collection includes several fan favorites like “Casino Queen” and the funny-sad ode to drunk driving and unrequited love, “Passenger Side.” The new Deluxe Edition of the album offers up eight unreleased bonus tracks that feature an early version of “Outtasite (Outta Mind)” and “When You Find Trouble,” which is the last studio recording made by Uncle Tupelo. Wilco continues to make excellent records and play shows that stir the soul, and it all started here on A.M.
Being There (Deluxe Edition) (Album of the Day)
With its sophomore effort, the double album BEING THERE, Wilco maintained the gravitas of roots music it established on its debut without being hemmed in by it, creating a 21st century version of folk music that mixes happy-go-lucky rockers (“Monday”) and ballads (“Red-Eyed And Blue”), with two signature songs from the Wilco canon – “Misunderstood” and “Sunken Treasure.” The new 5-CD Deluxe Edition of the 1996 collection builds on the original with 15 bonus tracks released for the first time, including alternate versions of tracks “I Got You” and “Say You Miss Me,” as well as Wilco’s 20-song performance at the Troubadour from November 12, 1996, and four songs the band played on radio station KCRW the next day. BEING THERE has been cited by both Rolling Stone and Pitchfork as one of the 100 best albums of the 1990s, and this is the definitive look at the seminal album.
Anything Goes (Mono) (Album of the Day)
Previously known as The Tikis, Harper's Bizarre was one of the leading exponents of “sunshine pop” during the latter half of the 1960s. Following a hit cover of Simon & Garfunkel's “The 59th Street Bridge Song,” the quintet carved out a niche at Warner Bros. Records with several breezy albums of richly layered harmony vocals and beautiful arrangements. The group's second album, 1967's ANYTHING GOES, features 14 songs split between vintage standards like the Cole Porter title track and new material from the likes of Randy Newman, Van Dyke Parks and band members Dick Scoppettone & Ted Templeman (yep, the future hit producer). ANYTHING GOES celebrates its 50th anniversary this month, but its distinctive mix of pre-rock and pre-singer-songwriter material gives it an ageless appeal.
Elite Hotel (Expanded & Remastered) (Album of the Day)
Emmylou Harris' talent was evident when she was singing in the shadow of Gram Parsons, and grew undeniable as her solo career progressed. Her second album, ELITE HOTEL, was released this month in 1975, and shows that Emmylou has a great ear as well as a great voice; the songs here offer an engaging mix of Parsons' cosmic Americana, pop-rock (a wonderful take on The Beatles “Here, There And Everywhere”) and country standards from decades past (“Sweet Dreams” and “Together Again,” both No.1 Country singles). Harris and producer Brian Ahern assembled a pretty hot band for these sessions, including James Burton, Byron Berline and former Eagle Bernie Leadon – not to mention Rodney Crowell and Jo-El Sonnier, who appear on the two bonus tracks of the Expanded & Remastered Edition of ELITE HOTEL.
Back For The Attack (Album of the Day)
Dokken's meteoric rise through the 1980s L.A. glam metal scene reached its apogee with BACK FOR THE ATTACK. The 1987 Elektra album shows the quartet blazing through 13 melodic headbangers including “Kiss Of Death,” “Burning Like A Flame” and “Dream Warriors” (the latter immortalized in an installment of the Nightmare On Elm Street film franchise). Anchored by a tight rhythm section, namesake frontman Don Dokken and guitarist George Lynch both soar to new heights, and fans responded, driving the album to #13 on the Billboard chart and platinum sales certification. The final studio set before Dokken's 1989 split, the ambitious and enjoyable BACK FOR THE ATTACK remains a fan favorite.