Tuesday Throwback - ALTHEA AND DONNA

So, I'm a little bored with new music this month. Sure, there are new releases by Kanye West, Coldplay, and the dreaded surfacing of the now infamous new Guns 'N' Roses album. I could care less. It's times like these that send me back to the forgotten moments in music.

Althea and Donna were a teenage Jamaican duo who surprised everyone with their infectious 1978 reggae hit "Uptown Top Ranking". Not only is the track irresistible, but the entire album (their only release) is well worth exploring.  Tracks like "No More Fightng" and "The West" are so timeless, it's kind of crazy.  And I usually don't gravitate towards reggae at all.

I'm about to catch a plane, en route for Thanksgiving holiday, so I'm especially in the mood for the escapist, smooth vocals and beats that Althea and Donna offered. Perfect for relaxing on a beach anywhere, or snuggled up close to a fire sipping whiskey. We all need a little holiday. Enjoy.

You can get the full album here.

Tuesday Throwback - MY BLOODY VALENTINE

In light of the news that My Bloody Valentine are reforming and will soon be releasing the follow-up to their classic 1991 LP "Loveless", let's take a look back at why the band are regarded on an almost Godlike level.

After a series of EP's in the eighties, MBV released the 'You Made Me Realise' EP in 1988, considered to be the band's breakthrough release. The title track was released as a single, garnering a heapload of acclaim for the shoegazer band from Ireland.

You Made Me Realise (1988)


A new single quickly followed. 'Feed Me With Your Kiss' was taken from the official debut LP "Isn't Anything", an album that solidified MBV as a strong force in the post-modern rock world of the late 80's.

Feed Me With Your Kiss (1988)


In 1991 My Bloody Valentine released "Loveless", an album that is now considered one of the best albums of the 90's and the greatest shoegazer set ever recorded. Endless bands and artists note "Loveless" as a major inspiration.

Only Shallow (1991)


To Here Knows When (1991)


Soon (1991)


Following the staggering critical success of "Loveless", the band's record deal dissolved and they went into near obscurity. Kevin Shields went on to join Primal Scream for the albums "XTRMNTR" and "Evil Heat" and Colm O'Ciosoig eventually joined Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions.

In 2003, Shields contributed new solo songs to Sofia Coppola's beloved film 'Lost in Translation', a move that brought My Bloody Valentine's music back into the spotlight.

Kevin Shields - City Girl (from Lost in Translation) (2003)


A new MBV album is expected in the next few months. The recording will be a combination of new stuff and collected unreleased material from the "Loveless" era.

TUESDAY THROWBACK - DEBBIE HARRY

DEBBIE HARRY is a household name because she fronted the legendary 70's post-punk band BLONDIE. But amazingly her solo work has gone largely unnoticed by the mainstream after being unfairly overshadowed by the emergence of Madonna and Cyndi Lauper in the 80's. So, in celebration of Debbie's 5th solo album "Necessary Evil" being released today, let's look back on her solo career...

In 1981, Debbie Harry released her first solo album Koo Koo, a sharp departure from the genre-bending punk/disco/reggae/pop that Blondie had become famous for. The record took Debbie in a more dance-oriented direction, produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of CHIC. H.R. Giger directed two music videos for the album - 'Backfired' and one of my favorite Debbie Harry songs 'Now I Know You Know'.

'Backfired' from Koo Koo (1981)


'Now I Know You Know' from Koo Koo (1981)


Blondie broke up in 1982 after the album "The Hunter" was released. In 1983, Debbie released the Giorgio Moroder produced single 'Rush Rush', taken from the soundtrack to the Al Pacino classic Scarface. 1985 saw the release of the Jellybean Benitez produced single 'Feel the Spin', taken from the Krush Groove soundtrack.

'Feel the Spin' from the Krush Groove soundtrack (1985)


Debbie's second solo album Rockbird was released in 1986, spawning her most famous solo single 'French Kissin'. The album artwork was designed by Stephen Sprouse, featuring a background painting by Andy Warhol.

'French Kissin' from Rockbird (1986)


'In Love With Love' from Rockbird (1986)


'Free to Fall' from Rockbird (1986)


When Def, Dumb & Blonde was released in 1989, she suddenly became embraced by modern rock radio stations, who helped the first single 'I Want That Man' become a modest success. Around this time, Debbie embarked on the "Escape From NY Tour" with The Ramones, Tom Tom Club, and Jerry Harrison (of Talking Heads).

'I Want That Man' from Def Dumb & Blonde (1989)


'Sweet & Low' from Def, Dumb & Blonde (1989)


'Brite Side' from Def, Dumb & Blonde (1989)


In 1990, Debbie teamed up with Iggy Pop for the Red, Hot & Blue compilation. Their music video for the duet 'Well, Did You Evah' is really humorous.

'Well Did You Evah' (w/ Iggy Pop) from Red, Hot & Blue (1990)


1993 saw the release of Debbie's fourth solo album Debravation. The album was met with lukewarm reviews, but pleased her fans (me included) nonetheless. A somewhat controversial music video was made for the album's second single 'Strike Me Pink', but cannot currently be found on YouTube.

'I Can See Clearly' from Debravation (1993)


Throughout the 90's Debbie executed a string of collaborations and fronted the avante-garde jazz ensemble The Jazz Passengers. In 1999, Blondie reunited and released the album No Exit, followed by 2003's The Curse of Blondie.

In 2006, Moby featured Debbie on his single 'New York, New York', which was included on his 2006 hits compilation GO: The Very Best of Moby.

'New York, New York' (w/ Moby) from Go - The Very Best of Moby (2006)


And today sees the release of Debbie's fifth solo album Necessary Evil. The album features 17 new tracks, the first single being the opening track 'Two Times Blue'.

'Two Times Blue' from Necessary Evil (2007)

TUESDAY THROWBACK - ERIC CLAPTON

Living legend ERIC CLAPTON churns out two huge releases today. "Complete Clapton" chronicles the guitar genius' amazing career in a 2-disk set, spanning the breadth of his solo work. As well, the collection includes key tracks from CREAM, BLIND FAITH and DEREK & THE DOMINOS.

No one can deny Clapton's vast contribution to the history of rock 'n' roll. After all, he has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame a record three times (as a solo artist, and as a member of both THE YARDBIRDS and Cream).

'Clapton: The Autobiography' is also out today. The book is described as "a rare self-portrait of an outsized cultural icon" wherein "Clapton offers his legions of admirers unprecedented access to the man behind the legend."



Purchase Complete Clapton on iTunes now.

TUESDAY THROWBACK - THE B-52'S

So, I'm introducing a new weekly series...Tuesday Throwback...and no one better to kick it off with than THE B-52'S. With a new album on the way and the upcoming Halloween show in NYC with THE RAPTURE, let's dig in to the past and explore the origins of the greatest party band ever (sorry CSS). Here are some very rare, vintage clips showcasing The B-52's in all their eclectic glory. Enjoy.

'Hero Worship' has always been one of my favorite tracks. From the 1979 debut album, it features Cindy Wilson in her finest howling wail. This ultra-rare video shows her in her rawest state - a sexy growl and deadpan demeanor - this is classic. Not to mention Kate Pierson on guitar!!!

Hero Worship


'Rock Lobster' is certainly one of their most well-known songs, but here you get to see The B's in a very early carnation. Doesn't Fred Schneider look frighteningly thin?

Rock Lobster


Another all-time favorite of mine, 'Devil In My Car' is an awesome, gritty garage rock track. Sometimes I wish they never went electro, but due to the untimely death of guitarist Ricky Wilson, a transformation inevitably occurred.

Devil in My Car


Yet again, a fave of mine. 'Dirty Back Road', featuring splendid split vocals by Kate and Cindy.

Dirty Back Road


I know, they are definitely lip-syncing in this video, but it's cool to see this era of The B's, coming into popularity with one of the most recognizable new wave songs of the early 80's, 'Private Idaho'.

Private Idaho


Though shot for a TV spot and clearly lip-syncing (Hey! It was the 80's), 'Give Me Back My Man' is another amazing solo-vocal track by Cindy Wilson.

Give Me Back My Man


And finally, the least known hit single from the 1989 breakthrough album "Cosmic Thing". The video for 'Deadbeat Club' finds The B-52's in vintage "throwback" style, hanging out with Michael Stipe, among others.

Deadbeat Club