There is alot of exciting new music coming to close out 2007. The list is fantastic. The most notable for me are the new albums by Mary J. Blige, Angie Stone, Jill Scott, and Alicia Keys. The new latin album by Gloria Estefan should be hot. Yet another Hector Lavoe compilation.
Looking forward to Herbie Hancock’s Joni Mitchell inspired new album as well as her own new set of music. Also, PJ Harvey, Annie Lennox are dropping new albums which should be interesting. The rock vets Springsteen and Neil Young still making music and R.E.M. with a live album. Last but not least rare and unreleased music from Aretha Franklin and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Hot stuff !!!
www.dallasnews.com
By MARIO TARRADELL / Music Critic
There’s so much music, yet so little time. That might be your mantra once you get a load of the vast variety of compact discs landing on store shelves from now until the end of 2007. We’re talking big releases from huge names such as Rascal Flatts, Will.i.am, Brooks & Dunn, Annie Lennox, Bruce Springsteen, Juanes, LeAnn Rimes, Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood, the Eagles, Garth Brooks, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Jordin Sparks and Mariah Carey, to name a few.
Here’s a list to get you planning. All release dates are subject to change, of course.
Sept. 18
James Blunt, All the Lost Souls (Atlantic) – Much-maligned for his hit
ballad “You’re Beautiful,” Mr. Blunt digs deeper into his musical
psyche on his sophomore set.
Chamillionaire, Ultimate Victory (Motown) – Houston’s underground
rapper unleashes his anticipated second disc.
Circo, Cursi (Sony BMG Norte) – Puerto Rican band merges rock, new
wave, electronica, pop melodies and sweeping sonic textures on its
third CD.
The Donnas, Bitchin’ (Purple Feather) – A no-holds-barred hard-rock
album from the female foursome; cool CD cover, too.
Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Playlist (Mercury) – The once prolific and
influential R&B-pop singer-songwriter-producer puts his stamp on
mostly adult-contemporary ’70s classics.
Gloria Estefan, 90 Millas (Sony/Burgundy) – Miami’s famed resident
pays homage to her Cuban homeland on her fourth solo Latin studio CD.
Emmylou Harris, Songbird: Rare Tracks and Forgotten Gems (Rhino) –
Four CDs and one DVD of odds and ends from Ms. Harris’ critically
acclaimed career.
Mark Knopfler, Kill to Get Crimson (Warner Bros.) – Fifth solo album
from the former Dire Straits kingpin showcases his recognized guitar
sound and raspy pipes.
Diana Krall, The Very Best of Diana Krall (Verve) – Jazz singer and
pianist drops her first career-spanning compilation featuring 10
staples and three unreleased recordings.
Barry Manilow, The Greatest Songs of the Seventies (Arista) – To
follow his successful tributes to ’50s and ’60s nuggets, Mr. Manilow
takes on the decade of shag and disco.
Reba McEntire, Reba Duets (MCA Nashville) – The queen of melodramatic
country sings with Kelly Clarkson, Justin Timberlake, Trisha Yearwood, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts and others.
Ministry, The Last Sucker (13th Planet/Megaforce) – The final Ministry
studio album was recorded in El Paso with leader Al Jourgensen at the
helm.
Pat Monahan, The Last of Seven (Sony) – Lead singer of Train takes his solo leap on a gathering soulful pop and rock tracks.
Motion City Soundtrack, Even If It Kills Me (Epitaph) – Indie band’s third release arrives produced by Fountain of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger and formers Cars front man Ric Ocasek.
Paul Potts, One Chance (Sony) – The operatic winner of England’s
Britain’s Got Talent sees his debut disc released in the States.
John Scofield, This Meets That (Decca) – Modern jazz guitarist loosens
and jazzes it up on a batch of originals and cover numbers.
Sept. 25
Chris Botti, Italia (Sony) – Smooth jazz trumpeter recorded his new
album in London, Los Angeles and, of course, Italy.
Keyshia Cole, Just Like You (Geffen) – Lauded R&B-pop singer unveils
her second project, a follow-up to 2005’s million-selling The Way It
Is.
Steve Earle, Washington Square Serenade (New West) – Three years after his last CD, the influential country-rocker returns with a piece of work produced in New York City.
Melissa Etheridge, The Awakening (Island) – The ninth studio album from the confessional rock singer-songwriter has been called “powerful and playful.”
Vicente Fernández, Para Siempre (Sony BMG Norte) – The ranchera king interprets the songs of his friend and touring partner Joan Sebastian.
Foo Fighters, Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (RCA) – Ten years and six studio albums later, Dave Grohl and company still rock it up.
Herbie Hancock, River: The Joni Letters (Verve) – Progressive jazz pianist-composer delivers his paean for Ms. Mitchell on an album produced by Larry Klein.
Jagged Edge, Baby Makin’ Project (So So Def) – Here’s more contemporary R&B from the urban vocal quartet; the album is produced by Jermaine Dupri.
Chaka Khan, Funk This (SMG) – New material and covers such as Prince’s “Sign O’ the Times” from the always-explosive R&B belter.
Bettye LaVette, The Scene of the Crime (Anti-/Epitaph) – Veteran R&B vocalist employs “dirty south” rockers the Drive By Truckers on her semiautobiographical record.
Raul Malo, Marshmallow World & Other Holiday Favorites (New Door) –
First Christmas effort for the former lead singer of country group the
Mavericks.
Joni Mitchell, Shine (Hear Music) – Ten new tunes from the legendary
singer-songwriter all have an environmentally conscious bent.
Queen Latifah, Trav’lin’ Light (Verve) – Jazz and R&B covers performed by the Grammy-winning rapper, singer and actress.
Rascal Flatts, Still Feels Good (Lyric Street) – The fifth studio effort for the multimillion-selling, award-winning pop-country trio features the first single, “Take Me There.”
Jill Scott, Real Thing: Words & Sounds 3 (Hidden Beach) – The neo-soul diva unveils her third studio project, which follows two praised sellers.
Ricky Skaggs and the Whites, Salt of the Earth (Skaggs Family Records)
– Country-bluegrass superstar records for the first time with the Whites on an album mixing traditional hymns, gospel tunes and inspirational originals.
Brian Setzer Orchestra, Wolfgang’s Big Night Out (Surfdog) – Swing along to a collection of largely instrumental rock ‘n’ roll takes on classical compositions.
Randy Travis, Songs of the Season (Word/Curb) – First new Christmas CD in 18 years for the revered country singer features sacred and traditional tunes.
Will.i.am, Songs About Girls (Interscope) – The Black Eyed Peas honcho and in-demand record producer finally saves some studio time for his own solo debut.
Oct. 2
Brooks & Dunn, Cowboy Town (Arista Nashville) – Honky-tonk duo previews its latest record with the current country hit, “Proud of the House We Built.”
Peabo Bryson, Missing You (Peak) – New originals dot this latest offering from one of the smoothest R&B-pop singers of the last three decades.
J.J. Cale, Rewind: The Unreleased Recordings (Time Life) – Out of the vaults and onto a compact disc for these songs by the bluesy-rocking singer-songwriter.
Cross Canadian Ragweed, Mission California (Universal South) – From Oklahoma to Texas to, well, California for the red-dirt sound pioneers; features guest vocalist Lee Ann Womack.
John Fogerty, Revival (Fantasy/Concord) – Creedence Clearwater Revival mastermind finds his rock ‘n’ roll center on this set of new songs.
PJ Harvey, White Chalk (Island) – Alternative rock’s Polly Jean Harvey succeeds 2004’s Uh Huh Her with this set of 11 fresh tunes.
Faith Hill, The Hits (Warner Bros. Nashville) – Mrs. Tim McGraw compiles country radio staples, live tracks and a new cut or two on her first hits compilation.
Annie Lennox, Songs of Mass Destruction (Arista) – Highly anticipated
fourth solo album from the former Eurythmics singer comes buoyed by
the powerful song “Dark Road.”
Matchbox Twenty, Exile on Mainstream (Atlantic) – Six new tracks for
the megaselling pop- rock group are accompanied by an 11-cut CD of
radio staples.
Toni Price, Talk Memphis (Texas Music Group) – Austin’s blues-soul
singer jams to the rhythms of Memphis and New Orleans on her new
effort.
Chuck Prophet, Soap and Water (Yep Roc) – Singer, guitarist and
songwriter called in the Vine Street Kids choir, 25 youthful voices ages 7-10, for several cuts on his new CD.
Siouxsie, Mantaray (Decca) – First solo CD for Goth queen Siouxsie of
Siouxsie and the Banshees fame captures her industrial yet glamorous
musical personality.
Trey Songz, Trey Day (Atlantic) – Sophomore project for the Virginia-born soul crooner who splashed onto the scene with 2005’s I Gotta Make It.
Bruce Springsteen, Magic (Columbia) – The Boss comes back to writing
original material on his studio follow-up to 2005’s Devils & Dust.
Gloria Trevi, Una Rosa Blu (Univision) – Controversial Latin pop singer-songwriter returns to her pen for her first batch of new songs in three years.
Oct. 9
Alter Bridge, Blackbird (Republic/Universal) – Band featuring former Creed members cranks up the guitars again for its second album.
Cafe Tacuba, SINO (Universal Music Latino) – Pioneering Mexican rock
band releases its first studio album in four years, preceded by the single “Volver a Comenzar.”
Vanessa Carlton, Heroes & Thieves (Motown) – Best known for her hit “A Thousand Miles,” Ms. Carlton co-produced her third album, which
features guest vocalist Stevie Nicks.
Deana Carter, The Chain (Vanguard) – Album is a tribute to her father,
Fred Carter Jr., featuring guests Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Jessi Colter, John Anderson and others.
Eric Clapton, Complete Clapton (Reprise) – Two discs and 36 songs
spanning 38 years from one of the most respected guitarists of the
rock era.
Marc Cohn, Join the Parade (Decca) – The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter’s first studio album in nearly a decade features 10 fresh originals.
Sara Evans, Greatest Hits (RCA Nashville) – First career compilation for the pop-country singer who’s recently been tabloid fodder thanks to her messy divorce.
Josh Groban, Noel (Reprise) – The opera-pop singer celebrates the joys of the holiday season on this 13-song collection of yuletide classics.
Deborah Harry, Necessary Evil (Eleven Seven Music) – Blondie vamp’s
sixth solo album is also her first in a whopping 14 years.
Kid Rock, Rock N Roll Jesus (Atlantic) – The Kid’s new album travels
through hard rock, hip-hop, country and soul.
Jennifer Lopez, Brave (Epic) – Two studio albums in one year for J.Lo;
this one follows her lovely Latin CD, Como Ama una Mujer.
Puddle of Mudd, Famous (Geffen) – Fourth studio album for the modern
metal rockers best known for 2001’s hit record Come Clean .
LeAnn Rimes, Family (Curb) – A mature Ms. Rimes continues her expanding journey through country and pop on this 14-song set.
Van Zant, My Kind of Country (Columbia Nashville) – Second country CD
for brothers Johnny and Donnie Van Zant follows 2005’s successful Get
Right With the Man.
Oct. 16
Aretha Franklin, Rare & Unreleased Recordings From the Golden Reign
(Rhino) – Two CDs worth of vault offerings from the soul queen’s first
six years with Atlantic Records.
The Fray, Reason EP (Epic) – To keep fans salivating for more after
2005’s surprise hit album How to Save a Life, the Fray comes back with
this seven-song EP.
Jimmy Eat World, Chase This Light (Interscope) – Three years after
2004’s Futures, Arizona group delivers another studio outing.
Toby Keith, A Classic Christmas (Show Dog Nashville) – Ambitious, two-CD gathering of well worn holiday fare from the testosterone country champ.
Kenna, Make Sure They See My Face (Interscope) – A long four years
after his debut comes CD No. 2 for the progressive soul singer.
Hector Lavoe, Fania Greatest Hits (Fania) – Another compilation of
staples from the late, pioneering salsa singer whose legend has been
revived by the biopic El Cantante.
R.E.M., R.E.M. Live (Warner Bros.) – Two CDs and one DVD of live
concert performances and footage from Michael Stipe and his R.E.M.
cronies.
Angie Stone, The Art of Love and War (Stax/Concord) – Welcome back the potent neo-soul singer on her first studio set since 2004’s Stone
Love.
Underworld, Oblivion With Bells (ATO) – England’s electronica veterans
resurface with new music half a decade after their last CD release.
Neil Young, Chrome Dreams II (Reprise) – More music from the ever-prolific and usually outspoken singer-songwriter.
Oct. 23
Gary Allan, Living Hard (MCA Nashville) – Gritty California honky-tonk artist follows 2005’s Tough All Over with the single “Watching Airplanes” and other new tunes.
Steven Curtis Chapman, This Moment (Sparrow) – One of contemporary Christian pop music’s favorite sons cranks out another album of life-affirming songs.
Coheed & Cambria, No World for Tomorrow (Sony) – Progressive metal outfit bounces back into the scene with more conceptual music.
Dave Gahan, Hourglass (Reprise) – Depeche Mode front man whips up his second basket of solo tunes following 2003’s Paper Monsters.
Shooter Jennings, The Wolf (Universal South) – Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter’s son brings us CD No. 3 featuring a cover of Dire Straits’ “Walk of Life” and guests the Oak Ridge Boys.
Juanes, La Vida Es … un Ratico (Universal Music Latino) – Colombian
rocker readies his fourth solo album, a highly anticipated effort
following three acclaimed releases.
Mya, Liberation (Motown) – Baltimore’s urban R&B singer breaks her
silence with a new CD four years after her last, 2003’s Moodring.
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Raising Sand (Zoe/Rounder) – Led Zeppelin rock singer-songwriter and Union Station bluegrass songbird
make beautiful music together.
The Temptations, Back to the Front (New Door) – Legendary vocal group harmonizes on 11 R&B and pop cover songs.
Carrie Underwood, Carnival Ride (Arista Nashville) – Can the American
Idol winner repeat the 6 million-selling triumph of her debut, 2005’s
Some Hearts? Stay tuned.
Ween, La Cucaracha (Rounder) – Twenty-three years after its inception Ween keeps plugging along its 14th disc.
Dwight Yoakam, Dwight Sings Buck (New West) – Country’s new-traditionalist cool cat pays homage to his late buddy Buck Owens’ timeless songs.
Rob Zombie, Zombie Live (Geffen) – 18 live concert recordings from
this generation’s answer to Alice Cooper.
Oct. 30
Alexis & Fido, Sobrenatural (Sony BMG Norte) – Third CD for the
reggaeton duo that specializes in music for dancing the perreo.
Backstreet Boys, Unbreakable (Jive) – New B-Boys album launches sans band member Kevin Richardson.
Will Downing, After Tonight (Peak) – New York soul crooner continues
to record nearly two decades after his first CD in 1988.
The Eagles, The Long Road Out of Eden (ERC) – This is clearly one of
the most delayed and awaited reunion CDs in the history of popular
music.
Levon Helm, Dirt Farmer (Vanguard) – The Band member offers his first
solo studio album in 25 years, a disc featuring traditional songs from
his childhood in rural Arkansas.
The Kinks, Kinks Greatest 1970-86 (Velvel) – Sixteen years of Kinks hits come in a single CD packaged with one DVD.
Mario, Go (J Records) – Third CD for the rising R&B stars gets here
three years after 2004’s Turning Point.
Seal, System (Warner Bros.) – Sealhenry Samuel’s sixth album, his
fifth studio project, follows 2003’s sleeper hit Seal IV .
Josh Turner, Everything Is Fine (MCA Nashville) – A standout among
country’s current crop of new male traditionalists, Mr. Turner reveals
his third studio disc.
Phil Vassar, Prayer of a Common Man (Universal South) – Pop-country
singer-songwriter switches labels for his fourth album of new
material.
Bebe Winans, Cherch (Koch) – Gospel and sometime R&B singer goes back to the pulpit for more musical inspiration.
Nov. 6
Garth Brooks, The Ultimate Hits (Pearl) – “Retired” country superstar
compiles his hits again and adds a new song or two to entice the
masses.
Chris Brown, Exclusive (Jive) – Pop-R&B singer tosses out his second
CD, which follows 2005’s self-titled surprise hit.
Jimmy Buffett, Live in Anguilla (Mailboat) – The Parrothead in concert
at the Caribbean island, the perfect setting for his tropical music.
Alicia Keys, As I Am (J Records) – Sure to be sought-after third studio album from the talented R&B singer, songwriter and pianist.
Little Big Town, A Place to Land (Equity Music Group) – Marvelous
homespun harmonies no doubt form the musical core of the country
quartet’s third CD.
James Taylor, One Man Band (Hear Music) – Mr. Taylor joins
contemporaries Paul McCartney and Joni Mitchell on the artistically freeing Hear Music label.
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Solos, Sessions and Encores (Sony Legacy) –
Another trip through the vaults to mine the late Texas blues singer-guitarist’s music.
Nov. 13
Boyz II Men, Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA (Decca) – R&B
vocal quartet reaches into the Motown pot of musical gold for this set
of cover songs.
Celine Dion, Taking Chances (Sony) – She’s back, in full makeup and
ready to reclaim her record-buying audience. But will pop radio spin
her again?
Duran Duran, Red Carpet Massacre (Epic) – The underrated Astronaut from 2004 should have been huge. Let’s see if the U.S. masses warm up to this one.
Goo Goo Dolls, Greatest Hits (Reprise) – The Goo Goos compile 13 radio staples and offer a new remix of “Feel the Silence.”
The Hives, Black & White Album (Interscope) – Get a load of the fourth record for Sweden’s garage pop-punk quintet.
Led Zeppelin, Mothership (Atlantic) – Do we need another compilation
of Led Zeppelin essential tunes? Atlantic is pulling out all the stops
on this two-CD set.
Queensrÿche, Take Cover (Rhino) – If just about everybody else has done an album of cover tunes why shouldn’t Queensrÿche? Well, here it is.
Britney Spears, Title TBA (Jive) – Will the tabloid magnet named
Britney Spears survive the fiasco that was her recent MTV Video Music
Awards performance? She sure hopes so.
Amy Winehouse, Frank (Republic/Universal) – Here’s a reissue of the
big-selling, headline-making, rehab-joining star’s first CD.
Trisha Yearwood, Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love (Big Machine) – The title cut and “Cowboys Are My Weakness” find the soulful country-pop singer in fine form.
Nov. 20
Mary J. Blige, Growing Pains, (Geffen) – The queen of hip-hop releases
a follow-up to the Grammy-winning The Breakthrough .
Mariah Carey, Illusions: The Butterfly Within (Island) – Ms. Carey
wants to continue her successful come- back, which began with 2005’s
huge The Emancipation of Mimi.
Jordin Sparks, Title TBA (Jive) – The debut major-label recording from
the most recent American Idol winner.
Nov. 27
Blake Lewis, A.D.D. (Arista/19 Recordings) – Idol runner-up delivers
his major-label debut; the title stands for Audio Day Dream.
Dec. 4
B.G., Too Hood to Be Hollywood (Atlantic) – New Orleans’ Christopher
Dorsey, better known as “Baby Gangsta,” clocks in with his 13th album.
Three 6 Mafia, Last 2 Walk (Sony) – Oscar winners try for more fame
with CD No. 13 since 1995.
Dec. 18
Lil’ Wayne, Tha Carter III (Cash Money/Universal) – Dwayne Michael
Carter Jr., also from Louisiana, continues his successful string of
Tha Carter releases.
Q-Tip, The Renaissance (Motown) – Former leader of A Tribe Called
Quest comes back with his second commercial CD since 1999’s Amplified.
