The recorded legacy of Elvis Presley continues to be discovered by new generations that never saw him or heard him perform live. It's hard to appreciate that he started so much of what we take for granted now in popular music. Until 1956, the teenagers of suburban America, and the rest of the world, had to endure ditties by Rosemary Clooney and Perry Como but everything was about to be tossed upside down. On January 28 on a cold night in New York, Elvis took America by storm as he appeared on CBS-TV's Stage Show hosted by Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey. On February 4 for his second appearance he sang a song that literally changed the world of popular music "Heartbreak Hotel". Its unique sound and style literally blew everything before it away while at the same time inducing the blueprint for everything that was to come; by April, it would be #1 on Billboard.
Manolo García (Barcelona, 1955) is a Spanish singer, composer and painter. García made his way into the world of music as a member of Los Rápidos y Los Burros, two bands from the early eighties with which he recorded some albums without much luck. Everything changed when in 1984 together with Quimi Portet he formed El Último de la Fila, duo that would become one of the most important and successful Spanish pop / rock. After the dissolution of the group in 1998, Garcia undertook an acclaimed solo career with Arena in the pockets. Admired for his mixture of rock with Arabic and flamenco music and his poetic lyrics, García continued editing albums of excellent bill such as Saldremos a la lluvia (2008) or Todo es ahora (2014).
Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia reunite some 30 years later for a follow-up to their beautiful and groundbreaking Call of the Valley. Sharma (santoor) and Chaurasia (flute) were highly regarded on their instruments back then, and are now acknowledged as living masters. Although Brij Bhushan Kabra has been replaced on Indian acoustic slide guitar by Jayanti Shah, the overall mood is just as lovely and contemplative, even though the role of the guitar has been diminished. The Valley Recalls is beautiful, gentle work, and a worthy successor to Call of the Valley.
Sir Roger Norrington is best known for his historically informed performances of Baroque, Classical and Romantic music. On this album he turns his attention - and that of the Zurich Chamber Orchestra - to some of the most popular of Haydn's 104 symphonies. For Parisians prior to the French Revolution, Haydn's symphonies were seen as powerful, innovative works which demonstrated the composer's brilliance and invention. Here, the 30-strong ensemble - tightly drilled by Norrington - clearly demonstrate why they've achieved international importance. Sir Roger brings to these performances the expected solid historical scholarship, to give us a Haydn collection that is dazzling, charming and fascinating.
Cardboard sleeve box set release from Bruce Springsteen contains five albums released from "Tunnel of Love" (1987) through "The Ghost of Tom Joad" (1995) as well as two EP works "Chimes Of Freedom" & "Blood Brothers." All albums are remastered for this release by Bob Ludwig and Toby Scott. Comes with a deluxe booklet. Each mini LP faithfully replicates it's original vinyl design. Contains 60-page booklet with rare photos, memorabilia and newspaper clippings from the years 1987-1996.