Jon Larsen - Strange News from Mars (Zonic Entertainment; ZEN 2001)
Strange News From Mars, guitarist Jon Larsen’s collaboration with several of Frank Zappa’s former bandmates, has an air of Zappa strangeness about it, while remaining strikingly original… READ MORE
Janis Martin and Elvis Presley - Janis and Elvis (El Toro; ETCD 1015)
When RCA Victor dubbed their new teenage singing sensation, Janis Martin, “The Female Elvis,” they weren’t just whistlin’ Dixie. While the title was undoubtedly bestowed upon her as a promotional gimmick, Janis Martin had two very important traits in common with labelmate Elvis Presley. First, she was a remarkable talent. Second, she was a rockabilly pioneer… READ MORE
Buddy Holly - Not Fade Away - Buddy Holly 1957 The Complete Recordings (3 Discs; El Toro; ETCD 1016)
El Toro’s new 3-disc collection of Buddy Holly’s 1957 recordings is truly a wonder to behold. There are so many priceless goodies here, it’s hard to know where to start. Even before you get to the tracks, there’s the Buddy Holly Discography booklet. The detailed entries, listing recording dates, locations, and musician credits, will make any Holly completist drool… READ MORE
Bobby Darin - Sings the Shadow of Your Smile / In A Broadway Bag (Edsel; EDSS 1012)
The first disc in the UK-based Edsel label’s four volume Bobby Darin reissue series features the classic 1966 LPs Sings The Shadow Of Your Smile and In A Broadway Bag. These albums signaled Darin’s return to Atlantic Records after a 7-album stint at Capitol.
A desire for more creative control has been cited by many sources as a leading reason for Darin’s original departure from Atlantic, so it should come as no surprise that Sings The Shadow Of Your Smile finds Mr. Darin sitting in the producer’s chair. With an artist of such fine taste and talent at the helm, the result is pure magic… READ MORE
New releases from JSP, Blue Label, and EMI. READ THE FULL ARTICLE
