Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Pop Editor, Rickey Wright FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * Word for Word: Tony Bennett * New and Notable: Barry White, Mary J. Blige, Belle and Sebastian, "Onda Sonora: Red Hot & Lisbon," K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Quasi * Digital Downloads: Richard Thompson * Feature: Lois Maffeo: If I Ran Lilith Fair, Take 2 * Editor's Choice: April March * Book Notes: The Rise of Rock, 1947-1977 WORD FOR WORD: TONY BENNETT *************************** "If you are, like myself, one of those people who long for the bygone days of the 12-inch vinyl LPs, then you can easily recall the thrill of possessing these albums. They were large enough to make you feel like you were taking home your very own work of art." --Tony Bennett, from his introduction to Eric Kohler's book "In the Groove: Vintage Record Graphics, 1940-1960" Read more of Bennett at Pop NEW AND NOTABLE *************** "Staying Power" Barry White <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JJN2/entertainmentsit> A canny update of White's classic style, "Staying Power" is his first album in nearly five years--and a deserved success. Here he covers War and Sly Stone and duets with Chaka Khan and Lisa Stansfield, but nothing quite steals the show from the Deep-Voiced Man. "Mary" Mary J. Blige <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JWQH/entertainmentsit> Soul and hip-hop diva Mary J. Blige makes her long awaited return to the studio with "Mary." Her voice and truth- telling ways remain intact on this deeply sensual set. "Tigermilk" Belle and Sebastian <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000I9MK/entertainmentsit> The first Belle and Sebastian album--originally pressed as a limited edition of 1,000 copies for a college class project--shows the ruling Scots of delicate pop already working near top form. If you haven't been blessed with a bootleg copy, this official re-release is sure to place songs such as "You're Just a Baby" and "I Don't Love Anyone" among your B&S faves. "Onda Sonora: Red Hot & Lisbon" Various Artists <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JIMK/entertainmentsit> "Onda Sonora," the 12th in the Red Hot Organization's series of AIDS-benefit compilations, effects a wildly successful marriage of current and traditional Brazilian and Portuguese styles performed by native stars (Nana Vasconcelos, Vinicius Cantuaria) and varied guests (David Byrne, k.d. lang). "25th Anniversary Collection" K.C. and the Sunshine Band <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JFV5/entertainmentsit> Master practitioners of disco-pop, K.C. and company get a definitive survey on this double CD. It's not only a reminder of great hits such as "Get Down Tonight," "Keep It Comin' Love," and "Boogie Shoes," but an introduction to killer pre-fame singles like "Queen of Clubs" and "I'm a Pushover." "Field Studies" Quasi <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K1MY/entertainmentsit> Let's hope Sam Coomes never discovers Prozac. His failure to even acknowledge the sunny side infuses Quasi's sweeping, anthemic, distorted organ-and-drum pop with pathos. On "Field Studies," Coomes, backed by his ex, Janet Weiss (who also pounds skins for Sleater-Kinney), ruminates on the glass-half-empty side of life in songs such as "A Fable with No Moral," "It Don't Mean Nothing," and "Under a Cloud." DIGITAL DOWNLOADS ***************** Folk-rock trailblazer Richard Thompson backs up the sterling reputation he's built up over three decades with the cutting album "Mock Tudor," the latest release from the singer- songwriter and virtuoso guitarist. Download a full-length song from "Mock Tudor" (as well as a previously unreleased track) free of charge at Amazon.com. We currently offer more than 20 free digital downloads from more than a dozen major artists including Barry White, Alison Krauss, and Los Lobos. Just visit the link below to visit this exciting new section of our store. Pop LOIS MAFFEO: IF I RAN LILITH FAIR, TAKE 2 ****************************************** Lilith Fair's head honcho Sarah McLachlan claims that 1999 is the last year of the tour. Could it be that she's feeling the heat? Singer-songwriter Lois Maffeo once again puts together her dream team for an alternative lineup. Pop EDITOR'S CHOICE *************** "Chrominance Decoder" April March <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000HZPT/entertainmentsit> Using faux French '60s lounge pop as the starting point for her sonic discourse, former "Ren & Stimpy Show" animator Elinor Blake, a.k.a. April March, displays plenty of musical savvy and the rare ability to come up with a good hook on this year's "Chrominance Decoder." Those longing for an update of the sass of Lesley Gore and the Go-Go's will love "No Parachute." BOOK NOTES: "FLOWERS IN THE DUSTBIN" ************************************ "Flowers in the Dustbin: The Rise of Rock and Roll, 1947-1977" by James Miller <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684808730/entertainmentsit> Former Newsweek rock critic James Miller weighs in with this examination of the music and the social changes it moved (and vice versa). Those looking for a cogent, amusing, opinionated overview of rock history up to the punk era could hardly do better. ****** You'll find more great music, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's Pop Music section at Pop
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