Concord release Thank You Friends: Big Star’s Third Live… and more celebrating the musical legacy of one of rock’s most influential bands – Big Star- and their legendary Third album. Experience this classic of late ’70s power pop through the prism of a collective of immensely talented fans, including members of Wilco, R.E.M., Yo La Tengo, and, of course, Big Star. Following the untimely death of Alex Chilton two days ahead of Big Star's SXSW performance in 2010, famous friends and fans came from far and wide to play the gig in his honour. Much of that spontaneous ensemble, along with other musical titans, assembled at Glendale, CA’s Alex Theatre in April 2016 to record and film an epic performance.
A post-Blue Note effort, and Donald's changing things up a bit with his 125th Street Orchestra and Uptown Singers – funking along in a way you'd expect from the longwinded title! Byrd loostens up the smoother backgrounds of his recent Larry Mizell helmed work, and in their place are grooves that have more of a heavy slap bass sound, punchier horns and guitars!
Issued as a precursor to Antony and the Johnsons' Swanlights, Thank You for Your Love contains five tracks – the title cut is taken from the album; "My Lord, My Love," was issued as a bonus on The Crying Light; and there are a pair of surprising covers. The title is the thematic track the EP hinges on. Antony Hegarty's longing has always been at the heart of his arresting, courageous, yet vulnerable voice. On this track, however, in a relaxed, easy, flowing manner, backed by a host of downtown NY jazz musicians, Hegarty makes a direct declaration of gratitude for the kind of love that provides rescue.
As a new generation is discovering Mister Rogers and his famed neighborhood, another generation of artists are celebrating his tremendous talent, career, and humanity in a newly released album project - Thank You, Mister Rogers: Music & Memories. Lee Greenwood joins an award-winning cast which includes Kellie Pickler, Vanessa Williams, Rita Wilson, Jim Brickman, Jon Secada, Jaci Velasquez, Micky Dolenz, Tom Bergeron, Sandi Patty, The Cowsills, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.