1.Steve Forbert – The Magic Tree
Legendary American songwriter, Steve Forbert releases his evocative new album ‘The Magic Tree’ out October 26th on Blue Rose Music. In support of the new record, Steve will also play a very special show at Nell’s Jazz and Blues on October 21st.
Produced by Karl Derfler (Tom Waits, No Doubt, Two Gallants),
Steve Forbert plays the following UK shows:
October
Sun 21st LONDON, Nell’s Jazz & Blues
Tues 23rd OXFORD, Jericho Tavern
Wed 24th CAMBRIDGE The Robinson Theatre
More than four decades have passed since Steve Forbert made his way to New York City from his Meridian, Mississippi birthplace in quest of a career in music. It was the most unlikely time and place for a folk singer to leap into the fray in a burgeoning scene where new wave and punk were emerging while he took the stage as the archetypal folkie, armed with just an acoustic guitar and sheaf of very personal songs.
The Magic Tree track listing: (All songs written by Steve Forbert except #11 which was written by Steve Forbert and Robert Johnson)
1. The Magic Tree (Version One)
2. That’d Be Alright
3. Carolina Blue Sky Blues
4. Let’s Get High
5. Tryna Let It Go
6. Lookin’ At The River In The Rain
7. Diamond Sky
8. Movin’ Though America
9. I Ain’t Got Time
10. The Magic Tree (Version Two)
11. Only You (And Nobody Else)
12. The Music Of The Night
2.Barbara Streisand – Walls
Columbia Records has released “Don’t Lie To Me,” a new single written and recorded by Barbra Streisand from her upcoming album Walls, due out November 2nd. It’s Streisand’s first album primarily consisting of original songs since 2005. “Don’t Lie To Me” is a stirring precursor to the forthcoming Walls, the first Barbra Streisand album to encompass a unified social theme. Led by the passionate plea, “Don’t Lie To Me,” Streisand shares the guiding principles and values she has believed in, spoken about, and fought for her entire life.
Fans can obtain “Don’t Lie To Me” and pre-order Walls both available today here.
Streisand is the only recording artist in history to achieve a #1 Album in six consecutive decades. She has recorded 52 gold, 31 platinum and 13 multi-platinum albums in her career. She is the only woman to make the All-Time Top 10 Best Selling Artists list. Streisand has had 34 albums make the Top 10 on the US charts, the only female artist to have achieved this milestone, tying her with Frank Sinatra. She is also the female artist with the most number one albums in Billboard’s history. Widely recognized as an icon for her artistic achievements, she has been awarded two Oscars, ten Grammys including two special Grammys, five Emmys, three Peabodys, and eleven Golden Globes including the Cecil B. DeMille Award. In 2015, President Barack Obama presented her with the highest civilian honor the United States bestows, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She had already received the National Medal of Arts from President Clinton in 2000, as well as France’s prestigious Legion of Honor.
Tracklisting Below:
1. What’s On My Mind
2. Don’t Lie To Me
3. Imagine / What A Wonderful World
4. Walls
5. Lady Liberty
6. What The World Needs Now
7. Better Angels
8. Love’s Never Wrong
9. The Rain Will Fall
10. Take Care Of This House
11. Happy Days Are Here Again
3.OMD – Vinyl Reissues
Kicking off what promises to be a massive year of 40th birthday celebrations, OMD will reissue their first four classic albums on 180g vinyl, mastered at half speed by Miles Showell at Abbey Road and housed in their original iconic die cut sleeves designed by the legendary Peter Saville.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, best known and loved as OMD, were formed in1978 by teenage friends Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys. They quickly became electro-pioneers with a string of hit albums released throughout the 1980’s including the four to be re-issued on Universal Records November 2nd, eventually selling over 25 million singles and 15 million albums across their career to date.
Earlier this year the band announced two concerts at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on October 6th and 7th. Both shows are sold out. They coincide with the anniversary of OMD’s first ever gig which took place at legendary Liverpool club Eric’s in October 1978.
These shows featured orchestral arrangements of many of OMD’s biggest hits, also fan favourite ambient tone poem pieces like ‘Stanlow’, ‘Sealand’ and ‘Ghost Star’ written especially for these concerts by Ian Stephens and Gary Carpenter, in addition to songs which have never been performed live before including rare B-sides.Alongside the classic vinyl re-releases, the autumn shows with the Liverpool Royal Philharmonic Orchestra were recorded as a live album, and a very special 40th anniversary book will tell the story of OMD from the garage beginnings right through to the latest sell out tours. Featuring memories from band members, other musical artists that they have influenced, famous admirers and loyal fans.
4.The Kinks – The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks will release a 50th Anniversary Edition of one of the greatest British rock albums of all time ‘The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society’ on BMG October 26th.
Somewhat overlooked upon its release in November 1968, ‘The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society’ is now regarded as one of the best British albums ever recorded. Created in difficult circumstances by a band on the verge of disintegration and who refused to follow fashion, it is an album of timeless, perfectly crafted songs about growing up and growing old, and the decline of national culture and traditional ways. Enduring and unsurpassed, with its wit, sadness, quiet anger, regret and charm, it is generally considered the high point of The Kinks’ outstanding career and Ray Davies’ masterpiece.
Included in this anniversary edition are many previously unreleased tracks and versions, including the previously unreleased track ‘Time Song’. Despite never been included on a release, ‘Time Song’ was performed by The Kinks at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in January 1973, celebrating Britain’s entry into the Common Market.
The deluxe box set includes extensive sleeve notes, interviews, photography and specially created online & press content “telling the story” of the album’s production, release and cultural impact. Also included are two essays on the album written by Pete Townshend and renowned journalist Kate Mossman.
