Monday, May 24, 2004
Marvin Gaye, "What's Going On" (Motown): Gaye's brilliant 1971 fusion of sultry soul and social commentary was reissued in 2001 in an expanded edition that demonstrates the innovative ways record labels continue to mine their archives. In addition to a remastered version of the original studio album, a second disc was included with an early, raw mix of all the songs. This is how EMI/Capitol should have revisited the Beatles' "Let It Be" last year.
Randy Newman, "Good Old Boys" (Rhino/Warner Bros.): This 2002 deluxe edition includes Newman's biting 1974 album as it originally appeared (but with improved sound quality) and a second disc called "Johnny Cutler's Birthday," Cutler being Newman's protagonist embodying the redneck archetype in a forerunner to "Good Old Boys." Several of the "Johnny Cutler" songs are shining examples of Newman's songwriting brilliance.
Johnny Burnette and the Rock 'n' Roll Trio, "The Complete Coral Rock 'n' Roll Trio Recordings" (Hip-O Select): The first release from Universal's new custom reissue label revisits the scorching mid-'50s rockabilly of Memphis brothers Johnny and Dorsey Burnette, including "Train Kept A-Rollin'," "Tear It Up," "Rock Therapy" and "Rock Billy Boogie."
Various artists, "Cowabunga! The Surf Box" (Rhino Records): This now-out-of-print four-disc set from 1996 chronicles the evolution of surf music, from the Fireballs' "Bulldog" from 1959 through such latter-day recordings as the Sandals' extraordinary "Wingnut's Theme." A perfect example of the fine line separating musical scholarship and stubborn fanaticism in the reissue field.
Original soundtrack "The Best of Godzilla 1954-75" (GNP Crescendo): This 1998 single disc gathers themes from about a dozen grade-C movies starring the world's angriest, most resilient reptile, letting listeners revel in the seemingly infinite variations on composer Akira Ifukube's original musical theme as reworked for the big guy's Tokyo-mashing battles with other monsters. If you can't look to reissues for guilty pleasures, where can you look?
Source: Los Angeles Times