Neil Young, “Live at the Fillmore East”
CLASSIC ROCK|Reprise, released Nov. 14
This live 1970 recording from the legendary New York venue has been the ever-elusive holy grail for Neil Young fans who dreamed of a quality release of Young playing with Crazy Horse and the band’s leader at the time, Danny Whitten. Whitten died of a heroin overdose in 1972 and was Young’s inspiration for “Tonight’s the Night,” and the two guitarists’ close relationship preceding those events is made obvious by the clever, second-nature playing in these songs.
At only six songs, the crisp, colorful recordings leave you salivating for more. But what’s there makes it worth the money. The extended interplay of “Cowgirl in the Sand” and “Down by the River,” both topping 10 minutes, are sweetly melancholic. The succinct “Everybody Knows This is Nowhere” and “Winterlong” are a ferocious opening duo showcasing the vulnerable grooves that have always defined Young’s music. “Wonderin’ ” was brand new when it was recorded here, and “Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown” is special because it was Whitten’s composition that made it swing and rock. |Ricardo Baca
Alison Balsom, “Caprice”
CLASSICAL|EMI Classics, released Sept. 4
Critics don’t usually pay attention to albums of excerpts; such releases tend to be more about commercialism than artistry. But it’s hard to ignore this immediately appealing collection by an impressive young trumpet soloist, who made her debut with the Colorado Symphony in January.
The surprisingly diverse repertoire ranges from Oskar Lindberg to Claude Debussy to Manuel de Falla, and Balsom captures the innate flavor of each, deftly adjusting her stylistic approach and even the timbre of her playing.
The trumpeter shows a special affinity for the contemporary tangos of Astor Piazzolla, bringing the necessary passion and earthiness to the two selections by the Argentine composer. Maybe Balsom should consider an entire album devoted to him. |Kyle MacMillan
Jamiroquai, “High Times: Singles 1992-2006”
GROOVE-POP|Epic, released today
As indebted to Stevie Wonder as he is, British-born vocalist Jay Kay and his band Jamiroquai carved their own path through the ’90s. Jamiroquai’s reliance on driving, ’70s disco-funk made sense since our retro-fondness for that decade surged in the ’90s. Jamiroquai’s greatest hits collection includes all the once-ubiquitous radio hits (“Virtual Insanity,” “Alright”) and lesser-known tracks that really only took hold in the U.K.
Impressive on this 19-track compilation is the band’s single-mindedness. Granted, the stylistic focus shifts from track to track, employing acid jazz and jam band tactics as much as funky bass lines and string sections. But Kay’s vibe is typically passionate (if a bit stoned) and his band’s rubbery bass lines and quick percussion never flinch. |John Wenzel
Other releases today:
U2, “U218 Singles” (Interscope) It’s nearly Christmastime, and here’s the first big-name, repackaged best-of that will likely top wish lists all over the world. It’s one disc and 16 singles along with two new tracks, one of which is “The Saints Are Coming” as recorded with Green Day.
Tom Waits, “Orphans” (Anti) Some of these songs are new, some are old. Some are Waits’ own compositions, some belong to others. But none had a home until this sprawling three-disc, 54-song set was released. Waits covers himself, The Ramones, Leadbelly and Daniel Johnston.
