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25th Day of December (Album of the Day)
From rock 'n' roller to pop crooner to folk-rocker, Bobby Darin's career was defined by surprising turns and THE 25TH DAY OF DECEMBER is no exception. The 1960 Atco collection, produced by label head honcho Ahmet Ertegün, celebrates the religious aspect of Christmas with a mix of traditional hymns and gospel songs. And while a couple of the usual seasonal suspects are present (such as a heartfelt version of “Silent Night”), the track selection is mostly off the beaten path – spirituals like “Go Tell it on the Mountain” and “Jehovah Hallelujah,” both with rousing accompaniment by the Bobby Scott Chorale, are a particular joy. Turn to Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bobby Darin for some inspiring holiday music on THE 25TH DAY OF DECEMBER.
This Christmas (Album of the Day)
More than 40 years into one of the most legendary careers in music history, Aretha Franklin cut her first holiday album, THIS CHRISTMAS, in 2008. Franklin began that career in the church (her father was one of Detroit's most prominent ministers), so songs like “Ave Maria” and “Angels We Have Heard on High” fit her like a glove. But the collection goes well beyond traditional carols, encompassing R&B with a Gamble & Huff composition and the Donny Hathaway title track (in which Aretha duets with son Edward). And she puts a sassy stamp on “'Twas the Night Before Christmas” that's sure to put a smile on your face. The Queen of Soul may be gone, but on THIS CHRISTMAS, that glorious voice still rings out joyfully.
The Christmas Attic (20th Anniversary Edition) (Album of the Day)
For more than 20 years, progressive metal group Trans-Siberian Orchestra has cornered the market on holiday concept albums. The second installment in a trilogy, THE CHRISTMAS ATTIC tells the story of a little girl who spends nights in an attic filled with Yuletide reveries, a concept that TSO's sweeping soundscapes play to the hilt. Solo and choral vocals soar over the septet's rock orchestral backing across 16 tracks interweaving traditional and classical material with compositions by bandleader Paul O'Neill and cohorts. “Christmas Canon” would become a signature song for TSO, and this 1998 album and subsequent tour helped turn the group into a commercial juggernaut. The new 20th Anniversary Edition of THE CHRISTMAS ATTIC includes a previously unreleased on CD and vinyl version of “Christmas Jam (Live).” Merry Christmas from Rhino and Trans-Siberian Orchestra!
Grab It! (Album of the Day)
Rachel de Rougemont and Elana Cager were South Florida teenagers who bonded over a shared love of hip-hop; rechristening themselves Lady Tigra and Bunny D, the pair formed L'Trimm. Named after a then-popular brand of designer jeans, L'Trimm had a sense of style along with a sense of rhyme, and the girls' first album, GRAB IT!, remains infectiously entertaining. The 1988 Atlantic collection is sure to appeal to fans of old school rap with such tracks as “Cuttie Pie,” the title song and “Cars With the Boom,” an ode to autos with supercharged subwoofers that Rolling Stone recently included in their list of Top 100 Hip Hop Songs of all Time. If you're interested in the Miami bass sound – or just want something fun to dance to – seek out L'Trimm's debut and GRAB IT!
Trini Lopez at PJ's (Live) (Album of the Day)
When Dallas-born singer Trini Lopez made his way to Southern California to follow his dreams, he wound up at PJ's nightclub (later to become the Starwood), where Frank Sinatra caught wind of his act. Sinatra was sufficiently impressed to sign the young hopeful to his Reprise label, and with TRINI LOPEZ AT PJ'S, a star was born. Produced by Don Costa, the 1963 live collection features energetic versions of folk and pop songs including “La Bamba,” “What'd I Say” and “If I Had a Hammer,” which was released as a single and became a Top 10 hit (the album itself reached #2). Lopez displays plenty of charisma here, aided by a good band (drummer Mickey Jones later backed Dylan on his legendary 1966 tour) and an enthusiastic crowd. Just a couple of years before folk-rock exploded in Los Angeles, you can hear the excitement building with TRINI LOPEZ AT PJ'S.
Inside Information (Album of the Day)
Three years after the smash AGENT PROVOCATEUR, Foreigner returned with INSIDE INFORMATION. The 1987 collection was the band's sixth studio album for Atlantic Records – and their last featuring the core quartet of guitarist/keyboardist Mick Jones, vocalist Lou Gramm, bassist Rick Wills and drummer Dennis Elliott. Jones and Gramm came up with another fine set of originals here, including Top 10 hits “Say You Will” and “I Don't Want to Live Without You,” and the album earned a Platinum sales certification. Neatly balancing the group's signature guitar rock with '80s electronics, INSIDE INFORMATION was produced by Mick Jones, and we'll give it another spin now to celebrate the Foreigner founder's birthday.
SONG OF THE DAY - "In the Air Tonight" (Album of the Day)
Already a star with prog-rockers Genesis, Phil Collins launched his solo career in spectacular fashion with 1981's “In The Air Tonight.” Co-produced by Hugh Padgham (who would become a regular Collins collaborator), the single reached #2 on the chart in the singer's native England, and through frequent use in film and TV soundtracks and samples it has become one of the performer's most recognizable hits. The track's stark atmosphere reflects the anger and recrimination of the lyrics, written in the aftermath of a wrenching divorce, and makes the famous gated reverb drum solo particularly cathartic. As Phil pointed out in a much-retweeted message, if you start the recording at 11:56:40 on December 31st, that drum break will play just as the clock strikes midnight. To get your New Year going, “In The Air Tonight” is our Song of the Day.
Pain in My Heart (Album of the Day)
Otis Redding's debut, PAIN IN MY HEART, promised great things to come from the Georgia-born performer. The 1964 collection was recorded at Stax in Memphis, with studio co-founder Jim Stewart behind the boards and house band Booker T. & The M.G.'s (augmented by keyboardist Isaac Hayes) behind Redding to provide instrumentation that packed a real punch. About half the album consists of covers, and from “You Send Me” to “Lucille,” Otis proves equally at ease singing simmering ballads and uptempo shouters. Originals including the pulsing “Security” and “These Arms of Mine” (Redding's breakthrough single) show him to be a gifted songwriter to boot. Released 55 years ago today, PAIN IN MY HEART will bring joy to the heart of any '60s R&B fan
Pretenders (Album of the Day)
The 1980 self-titled release by Pretenders was a record that classic rock, new wave and punk fans all could love. Its dozen tracks include such distinctive originals as “Precious,” “Kid,” “Mystery Achievement” and the hit single “Brass In Pocket,” as well as an inspired cover of The Kinks' “Stop Your Sobbing.” That former music journalist Chrissie Hynde would prove an outstanding songwriter may not have been a surprise, but her alternately tough and tender vocals surpassed all expectations; throw in a top-flight guitarist (James Honeyman-Scott) and rhythm section (bassist Pete Farndon and drummer Martin Chambers) and you have a band ready to take on the world. PRETENDERS made the Top 10 on the Billboard chart, went platinum and is still cited as one of the greatest debuts of all time. We'll give it another spin now in honor of Farndon, who was born on this day in 1952.
The Ballad of Sally Rose (Album of the Day)
For years, Emmylou Harris used “Sally Rose” as an alias on tour, so when she started writing songs about a singer whose lover and mentor - a hard-living, hard-drinking musician - is killed while on the road, the name was a natural fit. Based loosely on her time with influential singer-songwriter Gram Parsons, 1985's THE BALLAD OF SALLY ROSE was Harris' first self-composed album and remains one of her favorites. Highlights include the singles “White Line” (which reached #14 on the country charts) and “Rhythm Guitar” with Waylon Jennings on lead guitar. In addition, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt sing harmony throughout the album. Now available from Rhino, a two-disc Expanded Edition of THE BALLAD OF SALLY ROSE features a newly remastered version of the original along with unreleased demo recordings for 10 tracks, most of which feature the stripped-back intimacy of Harris alone on acoustic guitar.