Let’s take a look at this week’s albums, reissues and other musical goodies from classic artists making musical waves yet again.
Spotlight Release of the Week: Between the dissolution of the Beatles in 1970 and the founding of Wings in late 1971, Paul McCartney managed to release two albums. While his first self-titled debut was comprised of home recordings, for 1971′s RAM, McCartney collaborated with his wife Linda for their only album as a duo, inspired by their time in the Scottish countryside. The album – full of vivid instrumentation – was a hit, spawning the No. 1 U.S. hit “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” and kick-starting the formation of Wings. This week, RAM gets a big, totally remastered reissue, including a bonus disc of songs recorded during the album sessions (like single “Another Day”) and a DVD featuring performances and McCartney’s stories behind the album. For vinyl enthusiasts, it’s also being re-released on its original format.
Stream Paul McCartney’s “RAM” In Full
Moving along from one solo albums from a member of a massive rock band to another, we land on Slash’s new record, Apocalyptic Love. Out today, the album is a more focused effort than the Guns N’ Roses guitarist’s first solo album in 2010, which featured a whole slew of vocalists ranging from pop stars Fergie and Adam Levine to rockers Ozzy Osbourne and Iggy Pop. Slash used just one vocalist, Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy, for Apocalyptic Love, though Kennedy’s vocal range is easily that of several artists combined. Watch the video for “You’re a Lie,” from Slash’s new album, below.
Not many artists release not one but two posthumous albums, but Ramones leader Joey Ramone has always done things his own way. His …Ya Know?, out this week, was assembled from demos and B-sides and features contributions from Joan Jett, Steven Van Zandt, and members of the Cheap Trick.
Coming off a Grammy win for Best Blues Album this year, the Tedeschi Trucks Band – comprised of Allman Brothers Band guitarist Derek Trucks and his wife Susan Tedeschi – releases its second album this week. The live album, titled Everybody’s Talkin’, features covers of rock, blues and soul songs by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers and Harry Nilsson (naturally, his hit “Everybody’s Talkin’” makes an appearance).
And finally, Alice Cooper’s 1979 concert film, The Strange Case of Alice Cooper, sees its DVD release this week.
–Jillian Mapes, CBS Local
