This recording of lute music may be of most interest to fans of the lute and of the Renaissance-Baroque transition era, but it will be of considerable interest to them: it marks the first recording of the Libro d'intavolature di liuto, or Book of Lute Tablatures, of Vincenzo Galilei (1584). Galilei was the father of none other than astronomer Galileo. The work is given the title The Well-Tempered Lute here; that was not Galilei's title, but the music was apparently the first collection intended to demonstrate the possibilities of equal temperament that Bach would exploit so dramatically a century and a half later. Some scholars have opined that this was a primarily theoretical work; as music, it is both technically difficult and a little monotonous, consisting of groups of dances that may or may not have been danced to. Lutenist Žak Ozmo makes a good case for these little pieces as performer's music, differentiating learned counterpoint from works of a more expressive character.
By sheer size alone, Universal’s 2011 Deluxe Edition of the Kinks' debut album trumps any previous reissue of the album, weighing in at a whopping 56 tracks spread over the course of two CDs. This includes the album in both its stereo and mono mixes, both sides of the “Long Tall Sally,” “You Still Want Me,” and “All Day and All of the Night” singles, the tracks from the Kinksize Session EP, the demo of “I Don’t Need You Anymore,” a couple of alternate takes and mixes, and a clutch of BBC sessions punctuated by interviews with Ray Davies. Although the album proper is slowed down by a little filler, the wealth of bonus material improves the overall experience: many of the single and EP tracks are better than what’s on the LP, the live sessions smoke, and the remastering kicks hard, all factors in making this the best edition ever of the Kinks' debut.
The last night of this North American tour was very special - it was shortly before Christmas (December 22) so the band performed an acoustic version of White Christmas during the acoustic set. Also several crew members and friends (incl. John Reid and Peter Straker) sang backing vocals in the first encore (Sheer Heart Attack). An audio recording exists and is available on the bootleg market.
Spread A Little Happiness, is the band's 8th studio album, was recorded at Chick Corea's state of the art former studio in Hollywood, the Mad Hatter Studios, and features original tunes such as their recent single, La Dolce Vita. The 12 track album is full of classic and original songs guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. The album also features Hollywood pin-up vocal & dance group The Satin Dollz on an up-beat version of In The Mood. Being inspired by thousands of their fans constant praise of your music just makes me feel happy, lead singer Ian Clarkson commented: We listen to our fans, and wanted to create an album which gave them the very reason why they love the band's music.
Super deluxe edition of "News Of The World" from Queen consists of 3 CDs, a DVD, and a LP. Disc 1 (original album) includes "All Dead, All Dead" featuring Freddie Mercury on vocal. *The original album version features Brian May. Disc 2 (raw sessions) consists of alternate takes, demo ones, and rough mix versions, including "We Are The Champions" with entirely different rendition and vocal from the previous recordings…
Fatback was always well aware of where the future lay. Keeping their eyes and their funk firmly on the pulse of R&B, Fatback (aka Fatback Band) took their audiences on a two-decade journey of perpetual evolution, wrapping their roots in psychedelic R&B, pop, soul, disco, and on into hip-hop, as that genre was formulated as well. By 1983, the musical pulse was firmly in the hands of the new wave – both in soul and pop. Michael Jackson, Prince, and Cameo ruled the R&B roost, while a thousand bubblegum wannabes beat at the door behind them. Fatback absorbed all this excitement, and once again proved that they could match anyone. Is This the Future? is eminently danceable, light funk infused with synthesizers and '80s bass to create a vital brew. Fatback recorded one of the first rap records in 1979, and they repeat the form here.