A NEW FRANK SINATRA ALBUM, SORT OF!

Being Frank Sinatra, Jr. is a double edged sword. Doors that might never have opened for him if his name was Steve Tyrell or John Pizzarelli swing wide at the mere mention of his last name. People who wouldn't otherwise give him a second thought pack his shows all over the country, especially in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, where he's a top draw at the casinos, and his latest album, That Face, is being released on Reprise Records, the label his father founded in 1960. At the same time, the mere mention of that name gives rise to expectations that he's never going to be able to live up to, or live down. No matter how good he is -- and That Face shows him to be very, very good -- he can't help but disappoint people who want him to not only be like, but be, his father.

In some respects, Frank Jr. himself is to blame. Nobody put a gun to his head and made him not just become a singer, but decide to sing the same kind of music as his dad. At least Nancy had the good sense to sing rock-oriented pop that was miles away from what Frank was doing. It's as if Michelangelo Jr. had decided to become a sculptor. What kind of chance does the kid have? But that being said, Sinatra has made the most of his not-quite-as-good-as-the-0ld-man abilities.

At 62, Sinatra looks a lot like his father did at the same age, and without seeming to try, he sounds a lot like Ol' Blue Eyes, with a dollop of Mel Tormé and a dash of Bobby Darin thrown in. That Face is far and away better than recent standards albums by aging rock hacks such as Rod Stewart and Michael Bolton, and it also tops the pop dreck Frank Sr. was recording in the late '70s, when he was the same age his son is now. It's a solid listen -- mostly standards with a handful of newer, less well-known tunes thrown in, featuring arrangements by Nelson Riddle, Torrie Zito and Billy May (all of whom arranged for Frank Jr's dad), to name a few.

The three Billy May charts are of most interest to Sinatra Sr. fans, because they were written for the Chairman of the Board in 1988. Junior, who at that time had just taken over the reins as conductor for his father's live shows, was pushing hard to get Frank back into the studio to record a new album of standards he'd never previously tackled. The arrangements were written, the band was hired, and studio time booked, but only one song was recorded before Frank Sr. got cold feet and abandoned the project. "Cry Me A River," "The Masquerade Is Over," and "Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise" are highlights of the album, and Junior's swinging performances are damn good.

In the end, That Face won't make you forget Songs For Swingin' Lovers or In The Wee Small Hours. It won't even make you forget Duets (although I wish it could). That's the problem with being Frank Sinatra, Jr. He's got to measure up to something that can't be measured up to. All of Junior.'s considerable talent can't recreate that certain... magic, charisma, spark, whatever you want to call it, that his father was born with. But hey, Frank Sr. rang his last ring-a-ding ding in 1998, and the Sinatra estate seems to be losing interest in releasing material from the vaults. So this is not only as close as you're gonna get to a living, breathing Ol' Blue Eyes, it's also a strong pop vocal album from one of the most talented purveyors of the Great American Songbook who's working today.

THE READERS RESPOND

We've been doing the newsletter for a while now, and what have we learned? That nothing gets our readers worked up like negative comments about our favorite pseudo-magician, DAVID BLAINE. A couple of you defended him in the wake of our anti-Blainery, but most of you gave us the thumbs-up. Here's our favorite email so far:

blaine is a self serving dick whose claim to fame is ramping up ratings for himself and ABC through cruel and unusual voyeurism.

given that television is a stunt itself these days (lest we forget great moments like fear factor and survivor) maybe next time he'll actually drown and star eyed parents can explain to their google eyed kids why he's floating inside a bubble like a dead goldfish. the next day they'll be doing endless features on whether his fatal bubble bath caused p.t.s.d... or some other psycho babble on the air... (anchors would cry, in mock sincerity i'm sure)

i'm sure ABC and shelly ross had already prepared an hour on a career, which should rate about 30 seconds.

we now live in a country where community is defined by what you watch andsee on a machine, not by what you watch, see and hear from your neighbors.

i bet Blaine would play in France where those sanctimonious frogs await the death of Jerry Lewis.>>

On a non-Blaine note, here's another email from a longtime reader:

3 weeks out of the warranty the ipod died. The whole time I used it I thought, "This can't possibly last, all those tiny little parts whirring away, everyday. I'm dependent on this little piece of shit and it's going to break my heart."

So I'm going back to cd's. Fuck the ipod.... now when I want to hear music in shuffle I put on WFMU.

While we sympathize with your plight, let your tragic fate be a warning to all the hipper-than-thou types who turn up their noses at the mere mention of CDs and worship at the altar of downloads and iPods. You'll see. You'll ALL see....

Thanks for the feedback! Keep those cards and letters coming!

FROM THE "TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE, BUT THANKS ANYWAY" DEPT.

While idly thumbing through the 2006 Zagat New York City Shopping Guide, we noticed that our now-defunct store is not only still listed, it has a nice new writeup as well:

"Owners 'Sal and Tony do it right' at this 'gem' of a "Greenwich Village-type old-time rock 'n' roll music store' on the Upper West Side, one of the 'friendliest places in town' for 'cool finds of CDs', LPs, DVDs, books and memorabilia; their 'staff knows everything' about their 'nice sampling of live albums and collector rarities', so 'you're bound to find something unexpected.'"

Kinda makes you wish you'd shopped there, huh? Too bad the Upper West Side values lattés more than music....

NEWSLETTER #17!

NYCD has touched many a nerve over the last few years with its abrasive musical commentary. We cut to the chase, but at least we're honest. But we have received more feedback with our recent negative comments about "magician" DAVID BLAINE than with any other subject we have written about. Even when we called Britney Spears a ho'bag. We are sorry. We really don't mean any harm to Mr. Blaine, especially if his "tricks" like being suspended in midair while not eating inspires so many. As a matter of fact, the staff of NYCD has made a solemn commitment to abstain from eating while bathing for at least the next week, in honor of Mr. Blaine and his genius-osity.

and now... NEXT WEEK'S NEW RELEASES!

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN

Polygram continues their 2 CD Deluxe Edition campaign with two classics from the '70s. THE ALLMAN BROTHERS' "EAT A PEACH" sees the original album remastered on disc 1, while the other disc features the complete performance of the final June 27, 1971 Fillmore East concert, with nearly 70 minutes of previously unreleased performances! And ERIC CLAPTON's 1970 solo debut (arguably his best) gets remastered on disc 1, while disc 2 features a previously unreleased version of the same record produced by Delaney Bramlett, as well as a plethora of session outtakes and related singles. And speaking of Delaney, DELANEY AND BONNIE'S sophomore release, "HOME," is now available for the first time in 30 years, digitally remastered with six bonus tracks!

DEF LEPPARD, arguably the best '80s rock/metal band with a one-armed drummer ever, pays tribute to their favorite songs of the '60s and '70s by covering such bands as The Kinks, Roxy Music, Badfinger, T. Rex, Free, and Mott The Hoople on their new album, "YEAH!" This is much better than you would think. Gone is the overblown '80s production, and while it doesn't sound much like vintage Def Leppard, it still rocks. And you can't go wrong with the song selection!

PAT DiNIZIO - "THIS IS PAT DiNIZIO." We used to love the Smithereens -- until they released seven bad records in a row. Now, on this new solo record from the head Smithereen, DiNizio takes his favorite pop songs of the '60s and arranges them for solo voice and piano. The odd platter-stack includes "This Guy's In Love With You," "You Only Live Twice," and "Surfer Girl," as well as a couple of Smithereens tunes. Initial pressings already come with a "$2.99 Used" sticker on them!

DIRTY PRETTY THINGS - "WATERLOO." Remember how great "Up The Bracket" by the Libertines was? Remember how not-great Babyshambles' "Down In Albion" was? Well, here is the Pete Doherty-less Libertines with their debut release, and initial listens makes us suspect that maybe Carl Barat, a.k.a. the Libertines guy who doesn't get arrested all the time, was the real talent in the band. This could get better with each listen.

DR. JOHN - "MERCERNARY." The good Doctor uses his gris-gris on a bunch of Johnny Mercer tunes. Let's face it -- even when it doesn't work, it's still Dr. John, and you'll find something plenty to love about it.

HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS - "GREATEST HITS." There have been compilations before, but none as complete as this new 21 track best-of by an '80s band who are much better than their reputation would lead you to believe. Come on! "I Want A New Drug!" "The Heart Of Rock And Roll!" "Hope You Love Me Like You Say You Do!" Those are great songs, dammit! And he's a good friend of Elvis Costello, that Huey!

REISSUE SCHMEISSUE

Two CDs by the unbelievably incomparable HARRY NILSSON get remastered and expanded. "SON OF SCHMILSSON" and "A LITTLE TOUCH OF SCHMILSSON IN THE NIGHT" both include bonus tracks and new packaging.

PHOENIX - "IT'S NEVER BEEN LIKE THAT." Phoenix never really broke out with their Tears For Fears-meets-Pet Shop Boys brand of British pop, but maybe this, their third release, will change all that. Great hooks and great melodies makes for the perfect radio-friendly record -- if there was still radio.

SPEAKING OF TEARS FOR FEARS...

"SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR," their enormous smash album from 1985, gets the Polygram 2 CD Deluxe Edition treatment, with the newly remastered version of the album from the original tapes plus a whopping 28 bonus tracks, featuring B-sides, remixes, and alternate versions.

DIXIE CHICKS MEET RICK RUBIN!

The DIXIE CHICKS' first release since pissing off the Bush Administration, "TAKING THE LONG WAY," produced by the great Rick Rubin, continues with their brand of country-pop that benefits from the remarkable musicianship of all three. The lead single, "Not Ready To Make Nice," addresses the comments that Natalie Maines made in 2003, which all but blacklisted this fine group of Bush haters.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK!

Speaking of Rick Rubin... his bare-bones recordings of JOHNNY CASH revitalized the Man In Black's career in the '90s. Now comes the release of two discs of previously unreleased solo acoustic tracks made a good 20 years earlier, that share the spirit of records like "American Recordings I-IV." "PERSONAL FILE" is a joy from beginning to end, and an absolute must for all Cash collectors. Buy it from NYCD and make us cash collectors!

MILES DAVIS - "THE LEGENDARY PRESTIGE QUINTET RECORDINGS." A 4 CD set featuring remastered versions of the famed quintet sessions from the '50s that included John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones. Includes eight previously unreleased performances! Buy it from NYCD and make us unreleased performances!

AND LAST AND CERTAINLY LEAST...

MICHAEL BOLTON - "BOLTON SWINGS SINATRA." No, no he doesn't. He couldn't swing a dead cat if you handed it to him tail first. WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY??????

TO ORDER ANY OF THESE DISCS, OR IF THERE'S ANY CDs YOU WANT THAT WE DIDN'T MENTION, LET US KNOW BY EMAIL (HEYNYCD@aol.com) OR PHONE (212-244-3460, ask for Nevaeh)!

HELLO, MUSIC LOVERS, WHEREVER YOU ARE... GREAT IMPORTS IN STOCK!

We've got ONE COPY EACH of three amazing releases that we must insist one of you buy. (Or is it "buys"? Is it "youse"?)

CAROLYN FRANKLIN - "SISTER SOUL: THE BEST OF THE RCA YEARS." Aretha's younger sister (that should be enough for you to buy this CD, but we'll continue) gets compiled on this amazing 22 track release from the great Kent soul label in the UK. 1969-76 recordings.

BOBBY TAYLOR - "THE MOTOWN ANTHOLOGY." OK, you say Motown, you think Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, and all the usual hits you either already have or are still sick of from their inclusion in "The Big Chill." But how many of you have a Bobby Taylor anthology? And why do you need one, you may ask? Because it's amazing! Think Temptations-type arrangements with only one lead vocalist. And the Funk Brothers never sounded better -- check out "Malinda." Now THAT's hot!

RODDY FRAME - "WESTERN SKIES." The first release in years from the Aztec Camera frontman is the best thing he's done since Aztec's "Knife" album.

ONE EACH! FIRST-WRITE, FIRST-SERVED!

WE STILL NEED YOUR CDs AND DVDs!

When we had the store, we had to use a wiffle bat to beat off all the customers who were bringing in their lousy used CDs. Now that we're here in our office with cash in hand and smiles on our faces, we're using the wiffle bat for other things. (Don't ask...) COME ON, PEOPLE! LOAD EVERYTHING IN YOUR HARD DRIVES AND BRING YOUR CDs TO US! YOU WIN! ISN'T THAT WHAT YOU WANTED TO HEAR ALL ALONG? Don't you need the shelf space for your Hummel collection and your grandson's pictures? And we'll take your soon-to-be-obsolete DVDs, too.

CALL OR EMAIL! (212) 244-3460 or HEYNYCD@aol.com. WE MAKE HOUSECALLS!

UNTIL NEXT WEEK, WE LEAVE YOU WITH THIS:

BUY STUFF FROM US ON AMAZON!
SHOW YOUR RESPECT FOR DAVID BLAINE! HE'S A GOOD MAN! www.davidblaineisagoodman.com

Your friends,
THE INSPIRATIONAL MAGICIANS: Tony "I Can Touch My Toes For 45 Seconds While Eating A Mallomar" Sachs and Sal "I Will Do No Unpleasant Bending Whatsoever For Any Amount Of Time Without Being Thrown A Mallomar" Nunziato

OUR FIRST IN-OFFICE PERFORMANCE!

An enormous THANK YOU to JON AUER of Posies and Big Star fame, who was in town -- and at the NYCD offices -- touring behind his excellent full length solo debut, SONGS FROM THE YEAR OF OUR DEMISE. Given a full 18 hours to prepare for the event (Jon suggested it at his Mercury Lounge gig the night before), we managed to attract a crowd of exactly five people. But Jon was not deterred. He whipped out his instrument -- er, guitar -- and dazzled us with a selection of our requests, plus his handpicked choice, an absolutely stunning cover of the Replacements' "Swingin' Party."

It's not often that a member of not one but two of our favorite bands comes by our office to play essentially a private performance, and it was a thrill we won't soon forget. Until his next trip to our pad... get his album and catch his shows! If you're a fan of great songwriting and gorgeous singing, you won't regret it.

NEWSLETTER #16!


THE PRODIGAL SAL RETURNS FROM NEW ORLEANS:
MANY STORIES ABOUT MUSIC AND FOOD -- ASK HIM PRIVATELY SO TONY DOESN'T HAVE TO HEAR ANY OF IT!

SOME NEW RELEASES, AS ALWAYS!

SOME BILE-SPEWING, AS ALWAYS!

SPRINGTIME RECAP OF SOME OF THE YEAR'S BEST RECORDS!

But first... NEXT WEEK'S NEW RELEASES!


THE RACONTEURS: BROKEN BOY SOLDIERS. There's been plenty of hype about this band, which would normally lead to disappointment. But in this case, it's actually justified. Brendan Benson, Jack White, and those guys from the Greenhornes team up for what sounds like their homage to '60s psych-pop. A little bit of Syd Barrett-era Floyd, a dash of Arthur Lee's Love, and a soupçon of psychedelic sounds make up this hook-laden, melody-filled winner. It's just askew enough to appeal to White Stripes fans, catchy enough to appeal to Brendan Benson's fans, and it features those guys from the Greenhornes for the Greenhornes fans.

SPEAKING OF THE '60s...

Two reissues from THE ASSOCIATION, AND THEN ALONG COMES THE ASSOCIATION (their first album, from 1966) and the 1969 soundtrack to GOODBYE COLUMBUS, get remastered and reissued. The Association often get labeled as a soft-pop bunch of wusses. And they are wussy, but this is great music regardless.


2-BONE BURNETT!

TRUE FALSE IDENTITY is the first release of all new material from the producer extraordinare in 14 years, sounding a little like a Rain Dogs-era Tom Waits meets Hank Williams. This release is a welcome return from Mr. Burnett. Oh brother, where were thou? And TWENTY TWENTY is a 2 CD, 40 track retrospective, including rarities, lyrics, and previously unreleased tracks.


DINOSAUR 2-NIOR! (God help us)

The reissues of 1990's GREEN MIND and 1994's WHERE YOU BEEN take us back to a time when a band as weird as DINOSAUR JR could get on a major label and sell a decent amount of records. Also, at the same time, you could buy a used copy of Eric Clapton's "Backless" at Smash on St. Marks Place for $19.99. Those were the days.... Both of these CDs, by the way, come with rare and unreleased bonus tracks.

TIM EASTON: AMMUNITION. Singer-songwriter Tim Easton has always had a little bit of a following, but maybe with the release of his new CD, his current tour opening for Lucinda Williams, and the strength of the material on Ammunition, he will get a little more acclaim. This is a strong record of story-driven roots rock that also features Ms. Williams on vocals.

JELLYFISH: THE BEST. 20 track anthology from a band who only had two official releases. Features four live tracks and two demos previously only released on the now out of print box set (that's right, they only released two albums, but they had a box set -- now shut up). If you're not familiar with Jellyfish's brand of retro-pop, this is a fantastic place to start. Think the Beatles and the Hollies with the flamboyance of Queen in their heyday, and much worse clothing.

TWILIGHT SINGERS: POWDER BURNS. Afghan Whigs leader Greg Dulli releases a fourth record by his awesome post-Whigs band, the Twilight Singers. Dulli's always been able to rock and thrash with the best of them, but at heart, he's a soul man, and both of those qualities shine on this new release.

VARIOUS ARTISTS: RETURN TO THE DARK SIDE. Remember all those Irwin Allen films from the early '70s which featured every unemployed actor in Hollywood alongside one superstar just working for the paycheck? You know, Towering Inferno, Poseidon Adventure, Earthquake, Imitation Of Life.... Well, this tribute to Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon is sort of like those movies, except of course that it's a CD. Starring: Adrian Belew, Robby Kreiger, Colin Moulding, Tommy Shaw, Tony Levin, Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, John Wetton, Malcolm McDowell, Robin Ford, Jeff Baxter, Tony Kaye, Dweezil Zappa, Bill Bruford, Edgar Winter, Geoff Downes, David Sancious, and E.G. Marshall as "The Senator."

THIEVERY CORPORATION: VERSIONS. This duo remixes some of their favorite artists, including Nouvelle Vague, the Doors, Herb Alpert and Sarah McLachlan. If you can find a thread running through that list, we tip our hats to you.

CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE: DELTA HARDWARE. The great blues harpist follows up his brilliant release, "Sanctuary", with a rocking companion.



YOU KNOW THE DRILL... to order any or all of these, or to order anything we didn't mention but you want, EMAIL US (SALJAY3@AOL.COM) or CALL US (212-244-3460)!

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG! www.NYCDonline.blogspot.com, where you can read about any and all things that come to the minds of Tony and Sal, provided they have nothing to do with New Orleans beyond the first three days of Sal's trip.

BUY THINGS FROM US ON AMAZON! http://tinyurl.com/gvgm5

SELL THINGS TO US SO WE CAN SELL THEM ON AMAZON! WE PAY GOOD MONEY! CALL OR EMAIL!

SPOTLIGHT RECORD OF THE WEEK!!!

Longtime NYC music scene fixture JOHN CEPARANO, who gained a respectable following with his bands THE FOUR ONES and BEAT POSITIVE, returns with his new project, SOUNDPOOL. Their debut release, "ON HIGH", is his foray into the trance-like world of shoegazers such as Stereolab and Spiritualized, but thanks to Ceparano's love for '60s Britpop, the melodies shine amongst the droning and buzzing production. A highly recommended new release.

A LI'L DIVERSION AMIDST THE CD NEWS...

Does anyone really think that David Blaine is entertaining? Were you all just wishing that something terrible would happen? Watching a guy float around underwater for a week is even less entertaining than getting insulted in person by J.R. Taylor. And since when is that magic? In the words of Chris Rock: "David Blaine is a trickless magician. Not eating and living in a box is not magic. It's called living in the projects." You wanna impress us, Blaine? Try making some of the devastation in New Orleans disappear, ya big putz!



NYCD'S QUARTERLY REPORT: THE BEST RECORDS OF THE YEAR, SO FAR!

JAMES HUNTER: PEOPLE GONNA TALK. In the words of Rob, "Number one with a bullet, and I believe it's gonna stay that way until the end of the year." If you missed out the first time we raved about it, it's like this: if you didn't know better, you'd swear that it was a great lost soul record from the early '60s.

THE ESSEX GREEN: CANNIBAL SEA. Imagine a less twee Belle & Sebastian with hooks that recall the Monkees and the Mamas & The Papas. A great pop record.

VARIOUS ARTISTS: SING ME BACK HOME. Many New Orleans tribute CDs this year, some of which were really amazing, but this one shines above them all. Incredibly moving performances by the likes of Cyril and Ivan Neville, Irma Thomas, Dr. John and more.

RAY DAVIES: OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES. The first proper solo record from one of the alltime great songwriters was a welcome return to form, even though it sank without a trace when it came out a few months ago.

NEIL YOUNG: LIVING WITH WAR. You've heard about it, now hear it. A rock n' roll album with a purpose and a message, from one of the great voices in the history of music.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME. We've said it before, we'll say it again -- this is not just some throwaway covers record. It's totally unlike any Springsteen album you've ever heard, and it's the best time you'll have since you watched David Blaine float around underwater for a week.

And even though you've got another three weeks of waiting... ELVIS COSTELLO & ALLEN TOUSSAINT: THE RIVER IN REVERSE. As unlikely as the pairing sounds, that's how musically amazing it really is.


UNTIL NEXT WEEK, WE LEAVE YOU WITH THIS:

Which of the following band names is real?

LUBRICATED GOAT
SKAVOOVIE
LORD OF WORD & THE DISCIPLES OF BASS
PINKEYE D'GEKKO
CLAY AIKEN
CHER U.K.
COMPOST
SLOW GHERKIN

Your friends,
David Blaine's intestines

WE DON'T WANT TO SAY WE TOLD YOU SO, BUT...

We knew it was only a matter of time before CDs would become retro-hip, but we didn't realize it would happen so soon. Check out this article in the NY Times -- it's almost enough to make us like Tool.

NEWSLETTER #15!

SAL STILL IN NEW ORLEANS!

TONY AND ROB STILL NOT IN NEW ORLEANS!

BIG BIG SALE IN OUR OFFICE!

LOTS OF EXCITING NEW RELEASES!

But first, this message...

BRING US YOUR CDs AND DVDs!

Running out of room on your CD shelves? Running out of money for new CDs? Both? Neither? Whatever -- WE WANT TO BUY YOUR CDs AND DVDs! Trade them in for credit towards other discs or get cold hard cash. Bring 'em to our office or, if you've got too many, WE WILL MAKE HOUSECALLS, as long as you're a reasonably priced cab ride from our office. All types of music and movies accepted! Just remember that we've got to resell this stuff, and the market for Vitamin C and old N'Sync discs is not exactly red-hot right now, so expect to be paid according to what you've got. CALL US at (212) 244-3460 or EMAIL US at HEYNYCD@aol.com!

THE RETURN OF THE $1.99 CRATES!

Do you long for those bygone days when you could stop by NYCD, root through a bunch of mail crates, and find a bunch of great CDs for a mere $2 apiece? Well, hold on to your hats -- THIS TUESDAY, MAY 9, from 10 AM- 4 PM, NYCD will once again be opening its doors to you, our loyal public, for a BIG BIG $1.99 CRATE SALE! That's right, thousands of titles, all kinds of music, for only $1.99 each -- 10 for $15! COME ON BY! 325 West 38 St., between 8-9 Ave., Suite 505. DON'T MISS IT!

And now... NEXT WEEK'S NEW RELEASES!

NEIL YOUNG: LIVING WITH WAR. Neil wrote and recorded this album, a critique of the Iraq War and the Bush Administration, in a mere three days just a few weeks ago. Get it hot off the presses this Tuesday! This is arousing more attention than any Neil Young album in recent memory, not just for its lyrical content, but because it's a strong album musically as well. Includes the hit single "Let's Impeach The President!"

JOHN CALE: NEW YORK IN THE 1960s. Apart from his work with the Velvet Underground, John Cale was a bigtime contributor to the downtown NYC avant-garde scene in the '60s. This 3 CD archival set includes rare and unreleased recordings of his non-Velvets work from that golden era.

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART: CAPTAIN'S LAST LIVE CONCERT... PLUS. Not only do you get Mr. Van Vliet's last live performance, you also get an interview with Ry Cooder about his work with Beefheart, PLUS an interview with the Captain himself!

JIM DICKINSON: FISHING WITH CHARLIE. A spoken word album by the legendary producer and recording artist. The man's certainly got some stories to tell, having worked and drunk with just about everyone who passed through Memphis over the last 35 years or so.

GNARLS BARKLEY: ST. ELSEWHERE. The eagerly anticipated collaboration between the famed hip-hop producer Danger Mouse and rapper Cee-Lo from Goodie Mob.

CHRIS ISAAK: BEST OF. All of the brilliant retro-rocker's biggest hits from his two decade recording career, as well as three new songs. Available as a CD or a CD/DVD combo, which features 18 videos and commentary by the man himself.

KORN: LIVE & RARE. 13 tracks, 10 of which are previously unreleased, by the band who, no matter how little we may care about them, are certainly a lot better than Limp Bizkit.

NICK LACHEY: WHAT'S LEFT OF ME. By criss-crossing the country and weeping on any TV and radio station that will have him, Nick has won the public's sympathy and made ex-wife Jessica Simpson seem like a pretty rotten gal. Buying a copy of his latest solo album will certainly make him feel a little less heartbroken, don't you think? Come on, have you seen how miserable he is? It's so sad!

BETTYE LAVETTE: CHILD OF THE SEVENTIES. From Rhino Handmade comes a limited edition version of a previously unreleased album by the amazing soul songstress, recorded at Muscle Shoals for Atlantic Records in 1972. Includes the entire album along with rare single tracks and outtakes from her other early '70s Atlantic sessions.

BARRY MANILOW: REMASTERS. Barry Manilow II, Even Now and Tryin' To Get The Feeling, all newly remastered with previously unreleased bonus tracks. Buying these is definitely less embarrassing than getting his dreadful new album, so don't be ashamed.

NEW YORK DOLLS: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY. 3 CDs of rare live recordings from 1973-84, many of which are previously unreleased. Comes in a very purty 5"x5" lift-top box!

NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS: PARADISE ROCK CLUB - BOSTON, MA 11/12/05. A limited edition live recording from one of the most cookin' bands around. Get it while you can!

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS: STADIUM ARCADIUM. The Chili Peppers' first album in four years is a sprawling, 2 CD set that the band is calling the best thing they've ever done, and advance press is suggesting that they're not just whistling Dixie. Includes the hit single "Dani California."

PAUL SIMON: SURPRISE. The surprise here is that the new Paul Simon album features songs co-written with producer/recording artist/genius/weirdo Brian Eno. We're not sure whether that's a cool or annoying thing, given Simon's past stylistic dabblings, but we're definitely eager to hear it.

SUSANA BACA: TRAVESIAS. Not only is Susana Baca one of our favorite Afro-Peruvian artists, she's also probably the only one who we're familiar with. Regardless, she's got an incredible voice, and we have loved her last few albums. Her latest, which explores styles from Africa, Haiti, France, Ireland and Italy in addition to her native Peru, should continue her string of excellent records.

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS: Severe Tire Damage. A reissue of their long-out-of-print first live album. Mentioned only because Sal, who hates TMBG, is not here, and Tony, who not only likes TMBG but attended the shows which wound up on this CD, is writing the newsletter solo this week.

VARIOUS ARTISTS: SAIL AWAY: A RANDY NEWMAN TRIBUTE. One of the greatest songwriters of the rock era gets covered by the likes of Steve Earle, Sonny Landreth, Guster, Marc Broussard and more. One of those rare tribute albums that may actually be good!

TO ORDER ANY OF THESE CDs, OR IF THERE ARE ANY WE DIDN'T MENTION THAT YOU WANT TO GET, EMAIL US (HEYNYCD@aol.com) OR CALL (212) 244-3460!

IN STOCK NOW, IN LIMITED QUANTITIES!

RODDY FRAME: WESTERN SKIES. The latest solo album by the former Aztec Camera frontman -- IMPORT ONLY!

BOBBY TAYLOR: THE MOTOWN ANTHOLOGY. Best known for his 1968 smash hit "Does Your Mama Know About Me," this European collection gives you 46 classic late '60s Motown groovers, including over a dozen previously unreleased tracks. The Motown vaults are deep with great music, and this is no exception.

CAROLYN FRANKLIN: SISTER SOUL. Aretha's younger sister was quite the singer in her own right, even if she never really broke through commercially. This is a collection of her hard-to-find RCA recordings -- 22 tracks spanning 1969-76. Not out in the US!

RESERVE YOUR COPY NOW! VERY VERY FEW IN STOCK! EMAIL OR CALL!

UNTIL NEXT WEEK, WE LEAVE YOU WITH THIS:

Don't forget to come by for the RETURN OF NYCD's $1.99 CRATE CD SALE! THIS TUESDAY, 5/9 FROM 10 AM-4 PM!

Your friend,
That guy who did the Pathmark commercials in the '70s and '80s who looked a little like John Chancellor -- you know who I'm talking about?