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Okay, are you ready for another month of new and recent music releases? I’m not...but you can’t have everything. Okay, just kidding! The tunes just keep flooding along and it can sometimes be difficult to grasp how much rock ‘n roll is out there. Let’s stand back for a moment and pause and take it all in. It’s simultaneously overwhelming and exciting. Alright, that’s enough of this silliness. In August we were treated to a mostly solid album from Alabama singer/songwriter Pierce Pettis entitled “Great Big World”. I’d give it four out of five stars, but make no mistake, he’s one of the masters of the art. I highly recommend his entire catalogue. In fact, to paraphrase the guy from the movie Office Space, I celebrate his entire catalogue! But, let’s not confuse Pierce Pettis with Michael Bolton...EVER! Now that
we’ve got that out of the way, let’s dig in. We’ve got a new month and therefore a new ARTIST of the MONTH. Former Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler gets the nod this time around and releases his fourth solo album. Mark’s got a unique voice and playing style and I am fully prepared for his new album to display alternately more of his brand of humor, romanticism and poignancy. When you think about it, you could divide all of his material into those three categories....anyhow, it doesn’t matter. He’s got a brand new album out soon and that’s always a good thing.

Without further ado, let’s get to it....here’s the September artist of the month with a secondary recommendation:

September ARTIST of the MONTH:

Mark Knopfler - “Shangri-La” (releases September 28th. His fourth solo album and 10th overall including his material with England’s Dire Straits. He’s also got quite a few film soundtracks to his credit.) 

Also recommended this month: the new one from Social Distortion. It’s been eight years since SD’s last album and inbetween the music world saw the death of guitarist Dennis Danell. Frontman Mike Ness has been maturing more and more from that last album to his more recent solo albums and has continued soldiering on. I expect this new album will have more revelations lyrically and to be a big, strong album from the Orange County combo. A man from difficult beginnings whose star is on the rise...comes recommended. Also releases September 28th.
 

Recently released and not mentioned in last issue:

Miles Of Wire - “All There Is” (a St. Louis band led by  Ray Maurice.....check out info at www.garageband.com/artist/milesofwire.)
Pink Floyd - “The Final Cut” (remastered reissue w/ extra tracks.)
Will Hoge - “America” EP (available at his official website.)
Ceili Rain - “Change In Your Pocket”
Ian Moore - “Luminaria”
The Ramones - many remastered reissues
Richie Havens - “Grace Of The Sun”
Steve Wickham - “Geronimo” (import; The Waterboys fiddle player.)
The Animals - “Retrospective” (22 track best of)
Dio - “Master Of The Moon”
Norah Jones - “Feels Like Home” (Deluxe Edition w/ bonus DVD.)
Passion Of The Christ - (Collection of original songs inspired by the film.)
Stephen Foster - “Beautiful Dreamer” (various artists sing the songs of Stephen Foster.)
Blue Nile - “High” (the Glasgow band’s first album in 8 years.)
12 Stones - “Potter’s Field”
Mott The Hoople - “Live” (30th anniversary reissue.)
Jeff Buckley - “Grace” (Special Edition remaster w/ a bonus disc and a 5 song DVD.)
Billy Joe Shaver - “Billy & The Kid”
Carter Family - “Unbroken Circle: The Musical Heritage Of The Carter Family” (Various artists.)
Rush - 4 Titles remastered: “Presto”, “Roll The Bones”, Counterparts”, and “Test For Echo”.
Sister Hazel - “Lift”
Tears For Fears - “Ultimate Collection” (3 CD import.)
Dougie MacLean - “Shaigow” (Irish singer/songwriter.)
Uncle Devil Show - “A Terrible Beauty” (Justin Currie of Del Amitri’s ‘kooky’ side project.)
Polyphonic Spree - “Together We’re Heavy”
The Tea Party - “Seven Circles”
Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music - “Ultimate Collection” (2 CD best of) 
Jason Mraz - “Tonight Not Again” (includes an 18 track DVD.)
Sue Foley - “Change”

New Releases (as usual, all titles and dates are subject to change....you know that.):

9/7

Matthew Sweet - “Living Things”
Trashcan Sinatras - “Weightlifting”
Medeski, Martin & Wood - “End Of The World Party (Just In Case)”
Greg Brown - “In The Hills Of California”
Paul Westerberg - “Folker”
The Smithereens - “From Jersey It Came!” (2 CD best of anthology consisting of 39 tracks.)
Christine McVie - “In The Meantime”
Jill Sobule - “Underdog Victorious”

9/14

Kasey Chambers - “Wayward Angel” (U.S. release)
Woven Hand - “Consider The Birds” (Official release is 11/2; UK import available on 9/27; presale starts on this day at www.soundsfamilyre.com)
Jelly Jam - “Jelly Jam 2” (side project of King’s X guitarist Ty Tabor with John Myung of Dream Theater and Rod Morgenstein of Dixie Dregs. This also comes highly recommended.)
Chris Whitley - “War Crime Blues”
Flogging Molly - “Within A Mile Of Home”
Crosby, Stills & Nash - “Best Of”
Gov’t Mule - “Deja Voo Doo”
Big Head Todd & The Monsters - “Live At The Fillmore” (2 CD set)
Tears For Fears - “Everybody Loves A Happy Ending”
Megadeth - “The System Has Failed”
The Thrills - “Let’s Bottle Bohemia”
The Datsuns - “Outta Sight/Outta Mind”

9/21

Bill Mallonee - “Dear Life,” (The July Artist of the Month’s official release to retail.)
Buddy Miller - “Universal United House Of Prayer”
Creekdippers - “Political Manifest”
Ben Harper & The Blind Boys Of Alabama - “There Will Be A Light” (a collaboration made up of originals & gospel classics.)
John Fogerty - “Deja Vu (All Over Again)”
Green Day - “American Idiot” (A punk rock opera.....believe it or not.)
Keb’ Mo’ -  “Peace.....Back By Popular Demand” (Keb’ Mo’ performs peace themed classics.)
Elvis Costello - “The Delivery Man”
Bryan Adams - “Room Service”
Rich Robinson - “Paper” (Black Crowe’s guitarist.)
Saga - “Network” (import)
The Kinks - 7 remastered reissues
The Clash - “London Calling” (25th anniversary reissue w/ a bonus disc and a DVD.)
Star Wars - “Trilogy” (Just a friendly reminder that the original, well, not so original...special edition versions of the original trilogy comes out today for the first time on DVD: A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi; includes a bonus feature-length documentary on the making of these cinematic classics.)

9/28

Mark Knopfler - “Shangri-La” (In case you missed it!)
Social Distortion - “Sex, Love And Rock ‘N Roll” (first new studio album since 1996.)
Lucinda Williams - “Live At The Fillmore West” (2 CD live set.)
Leonard Cohen - “Dear Heather” (all new album.)
Everclear - “Ten Years Gone - The Best Of Everclear 1994-2004”
New York Dolls - “Pre-Crash Condition” (a live album recorded in London in 2003.)
John Denver - “Definitive All-Time Greatest Hits” 

Also in September:

Jason Truby - “String Theory” (P.O.D. guitarist’s solo album.)
The Casbah Club - “Eastworld” (Released in the UK ­ September 20th; North America - October 26th; a new band featuring J.J. Gilmour formerly of The Silencers on vocals and guitar, Bruce Foxton formerly of The Jam and Stiff Little Fingers on bass, and Mark Brezicki
(drums), Bruce Watson (guitar) and Josh Philips (session and live keyboardist) all formerly of Big Country; this is a live album recorded during their April 2004 UK tour and features songs from all of their former bands. They are currently working on an album of all new originals.) 

10/1 

Bob Dylan - “Lyrics: 1962-2002” (a 560 page hardcover book published by Simon & Schuster.)

10/5

R.E.M. - “Around The Sun” (Their 13th album.....permanent new drummer is Bill Rieflin formerly of Ministry.)
Tom Waits - “Real Gone”
Fates Warning - “FWX” (The Connecticut progressive metal band’s 10th album.)
Cake - “Pressure Chief”
Jonathan Rundman - “Public Library”
Barenaked Ladies - “Barenaked For The Holidays” (It seems a bit early for a holiday album, but such is our crazy, mixed-up world....features old classics and originals including an appearance by Sarah McLachlan.) 
Duran Duran - “Astronaut” (Their first album featuring all 5 original members in 19 years......to the fans out there, you know who you are.....)

10/12

Camper Van Beethoven - “New Roman Times” (Band reformed w/ David Lowery at the helm.)
Caedmon’s Call - “Share The Well” (features the debut of newest member Andrew Osenga formerly of the band The Normals.)
Bob Dylan - “Chronicles: Volume 1” (a 304 page autobiographical hardcover book. 1st in a planned 3 book series. Published by Simon & Schuster.)

10/19

John Mellencamp - “Words & Music” (37 track, 2 CD best of including two new songs.) 
Elliott Smith - “From A Basement On The Hill” 
Neville Bros. - “Walkin’ In The Shadow Of Life”

10/26

Sixpence None The Richer - “The Best of Sixpence None The Richer” (18 tracks includes three new songs and a few rarities from throughout their career.)
Unkle - “Never, Neverland”

Also in October:

King’s X - “Live All Over The Place” (2 CD set.)
Doug Pinnick/Jeff Ament - “Montana” (Tentative title...side project from the bass players of King’s X and Pearl Jam; also features Mike McCready of Pearl Jam on guitar; Doug Pinnick handles many of the vocals.)
Manic Street Preachers - “Life Blood”
Freedy Johnston

11/2

“Live Aid” Concerts (the famous famine relief concerts finally released on a 4 DVD set recorded and filmed on the same day in 1985 in both London and Philadelphia.)
Woven Hand - “Consider The Birds” (Official US release.)

11/9

Screaming Trees - “Ocean Of Confusion: Songs of Screaming Trees 1989-1996”

11/23

U2 - (Title not yet known; possibly titled “Vertigo”. November 23rd seems to be the date for what’s said to be a very guitar Edge oriented album. I’ve even read there’s a song on it with, get this.......power chords!?! :-)

Also in November:

Bruce Springsteen - “1992 In Concert: MTV Plugged” (first time on DVD)
new Choir album.

September LYRIC of the MONTH:

Let’s not forget those who went before us three years ago this month and all of those who have gone before us. 

May your strength give us strength.
May your faith give us faith.
May your hope give us hope.
May your love give us love.

......and May The Force Be With You!

See you in Rocktober!

Chris Barlow