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Vinyl Releases of the Week: November 9, 2011
Post By: Katherine.Eleanor
This week we’ve got vinyl records from two Kings (Carole and Crimson), a classic from Pink Floyd, and a new cosmic offering from Florence + the Machine! Top that off with some exciting 180-gram audiophile reissues from Friday Music and the news that major record labels will cease production of CDs in 2012, and I’d say there’s plenty to talk about.
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (EMI)
For the second phase of the massive Why Pink Floyd…? reissue campaign comes 1975’s Wish You Were Here from the English prog-rock band’s classic era. Named one of the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone, Wish You Were Here is also the favorite Pink Floyd album of band members Richard Wright and David Gilmour.
Florence + the Machine – Ceremonials (Universal Republic)
Double vinyl LP pressing of the British powerhouse’s sophomore album. Decidedly bigger, bolder, and darker than 2009’s Lungs, Ceremonials is a testament to what frontwoman Florence Welch refers to as her “incorrigible maximalism.” Dealing with the theme of death by drowning—its lead single “What the Water Gave Me” specifically inspired by the suicide of Virginia Wolf—Ceremonials is teaming with vast anthems and emotional bombast.
Rush – Moving Pictures: Live 2011 (Roadrunner Records)
Brace yourself, Rush fans: the Canadian prog-rock band’s landmark 1981 album as performed live in its entirety during the trio’s recent Time Machine World Tour is presented here on 180-gram vinyl with brand new artwork. Also includes a download of the audio in high-quality FLAC files as well as standard MP3s.
King Crimson – In the Wake of Poseidon (Panegyric)
Super heavyweight 200-gram vinyl pressing of the band’s 1970 sophomore album. In the Wake of Poseidon was newly cut from masters approved by the band’s guitarist Robert Fripp and is packaged here in an original replica gatefold sleeve.
Carole King – A Holiday Carole (Hear Music)
Carole King’s first-ever holiday album! Produced by her daughter, Louise Goffin, A Holiday Carole features standards like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “Sleigh Ride” alongside originals co-written by Goffin. There are also a few atypical selections like William Bell and Booker T. Jones’ Stax classic “Every Day Will Be Like a Holiday” and the jazz-inflected “Chanukah Prayer” featuring King, her daughter, and her grandson on vocals.
Deep Purple – Made in Europe (Friday Music)
180-gram audiophile vinyl reissue of the hard-rock legends’ 1976 live album. Recorded on the final dates of their 1975 tour in support of their albums Burn and Stormbringer, Made in Europe features the classics “Burn,” “Mistreated,” “You Fool No One,” and “Stormbringer”—not to mention the indelible guitar licks of Ritchie Blackmore and vocals of David Coverdale. Mastered from the original master tapes and featuring original replica album art.
*also from Deep Purple is the BBC Sessions 1968-1970, an EMI import box set featuring two CDs and two 180-gram vinyl LPs.
Ray Charles – What’d I Say (Friday Music)
For the first time on 180-gram vinyl is Ray Charles’ 1959 masterpiece, re-mastered from the original Atlantic mono tapes. This album, which easily helped define American soul music, features the immensely influential title track, “What’d I Say,” along with classics like “Rockhouse,” “You Be My Baby,” and “Tell Me How Do You Feel.”
Jeff Beck – Rock ‘n’ Roll Party: Honoring Les Paul (Friday Music)
The first-time 180-gram audiophile vinyl release of this live tribute album to the late guitar icon. The performance was recorded on June 9, 2010—what would have been Paul’s 95th birthday—at New York’s Iridium Jazz Club where Paul played every Monday night for 14 years before his death in 2009. Beck is joined by Imelda May, Brian Setzer, Trombone Shorty, Darrel Higham, Jason Rebello, and Gary U.S. Bonds on hits of the ’50s and ’60s including many that Paul sang himself like “Train Kept a-Rollin’,” “How High the Moon,” “Vaya Con Dios,” “Mockin’ Bird Hill,” and “The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise.” Double LP.
Jean-Luc Ponty – King Kong: Ponty Plays the Music of Frank Zappa (Friday Music)
This 1970 prog-jazz classic is now available on 180-gram vinyl. A collaborative masterwork between Frank Zappa and the French jazz electric violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, King Kong includes Zappa’s earlier classics like “Idiot Bastard Son” as well as the extraordinary orchestral piece “Music for Electric Violin and Low-Budget Orchestra.” Also contributing to the album is George Duke on piano, Ernie Watts on alto and tenor sax, Wilton Felder on bass, Ian Underwood on tenor sax, and Art Tripp on drums.
The Louvin Brothers – Tragic Songs of Life, Satan Is Real, Handpicked Songs 1955-1962 (Light in the Attic)
180-gram vinyl reissues of two classic albums from the country/gospel duo, Tragic Songs of Life (1956) and Satan Is Real (1959), both meticulously re-mastered from the original tapes and featuring new liner notes, rare period photos, and the original replica artwork. Also from Light in the Attic is a best-of collection handpicked by the artists that the Louvin Brothers inspired including Dolly Parton, Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, Graham Nash, Beck, M. Ward, Devendra Banhart, and Will Oldham.
Tim Buckley – Dream Letter: Live in London 1968 (Manifesto Records)
Vinyl pressing of this double live album, originally recorded in 1968 at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall and first released in 1990. Tim Buckley’s incredible voice is accompanied by guitarist Lee Underwood, vibraphone player David Friedman, and bassist Danny Thompson on classics like “Morning Glory” and “”Once I Was.” Features several songs not recorded elsewhere.
Brian Eno – Panic of Looking EP (Warp Records)
The second release of the year from sound artist Brian Eno, Panic of Looking continues his collaboration with British poet Rick Holland with six more tracks from their Drums Between the Bells recording sessions. Produced by Eno, the EP also features his original artwork.
Modeselektor and Thom Yorke – “Shipwreck” 7-inch single (Monkeytown Records)
Collaboration between Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke and the German electronic production duo Modeselektor. From Modeselektor’s new LP, Monkeytown.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (Roc-A-Fella)
The debut solo album from the former Oasis guitarist and songwriter. 180-gram vinyl in gatefold sleeve.
Kurt Vile – So Outta Reach EP (Matador)
This six-song EP features five unreleased tracks from the Smoke Ring for My Halo sessions, plus a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Downbound Train.”
Atlas Sound – Parallax (4AD)
The third proper full-length album from Atlas Sound, the psych-pop solo project of Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox. Artwork by Mick Rock, the legendary photographer best known for his work with David Bowie.
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