NEWSLETTER #19!

BILLY PRESTON, HILTON RUIZ, VINCE WELNICK R.I.P.

GARY SHEFFIELD, HIDEKI MATSUI R.I.P.

ANN COULTER R.I.P.

UPCOMING RELEASES!

STUPID NEW RECORD FROM STING!

Let's get right to it, shall we?

NEXT WEEK'S NEW RELEASES!

MORE THAN A REISSUE

The first two classic records by BOSTON, their 1976 self-titled debut and 1978's “DON'T LOOK BACK,” get remastered from the original master tapes for the very first time. One report claims that each features two previously unreleased bonus tracks, but we've seen a hard copy of “Don't Look Back,” and it doesn't feature any bonus tracks, so we can't confirm or deny. But the packaging is deluxe, and the sound is deluxer. With albums this killer, why do you need bonus tracks, anyway?

FUTUREHEADS - “NEWS AND TRIBUTES.” The UK punk/new wave throwbacks made a name for themselves with their awesome cover of Kate Bush's “Hounds Of Love.” Their sophomore release features more XTC-meets-Big Country punk bliss. Highly recommended.

JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS - “SINNER.” Originally released in 2004 as a Japanese import, the first studio album from the former Runaway and rock semilegend in over a decade has been slightly tweaked, but still is one of her strongest releases since 1982's “I Love Rock & Roll.” Features the usual smattering of cool covers such as the Replacements' “Androgynous” and the New York Dolls' “Personality Crisis.” Also from Ms. Jett, expanded remasters of her first two classic albums, “BAD REPUTATION” and “I LOVE ROCK N' ROLL,” each featuring bonus tracks as well as enhanced video material, including live material from the early '80s!

“HI, MY NAME IS BILLY AND I HAVE A PROBLEM”

“The Piano Drunk” has now documented his record-setting 12 night run at Madison Square Garden with the double live recording “BILLY JOEL: 12 GARDEN NIGHTS.” Sal was at one of the shows, and if you listen carefully during “Vienna,” you can hear him say “Wow, this drunken bastard's not that bad!” Actually, it was an amazing set list featuring songs Joel had never performed live before, such as “Laura” and “The Great Wall Of China,” and others he had long retired. This will make you remember why you used to love him before he recorded “We Didn't Start The Fire.” The fact is, he's much better behind the piano than behind the wheel.

LIVE - “SONGS FROM BLACK MOUNTAIN.” Exactly.

THE REPLACEMENTS - “DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I THINK I WAS?” A 20 track compilation spanning their entire incredible career, from indie punk screwups to major label rock screwups. Features two new tracks from one of the most improbable rock reunions of all time. If you don't know this band, you're really missing out, and this is a great place to start exploring.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

SONIC YOUTH releases their 100th record on Geffen Records! “RATHER RIPPED” features Thurston, Kim, Steve and Lee doing what they've been doing exactly the same way since the heyday of “Dirty.”

REGINA SPEKTOR - “BEGIN TO HOPE.” We didn't like her last record, but this is getting a lot of buzz, so order a few - we could use the eight bucks.

MATTHEW SWEET - “GIRLFRIEND (LEGACY EDITION).” Power-pop classic from 1991, now given the Sony/BMG Legacy treatment, with the famed promo-only disc “Goodfriend” as the bonus disc. For those who don't know, “Goodfriend” features rare live and acoustic tracks from the now-enormous Sweet.

KEB' MO' - “SUITCASE.” In the same sense that James Taylor was never the new Dylan but always the new Tony Bennett, Keb' Mo' was never going to be the new Robert Johnson, but always the new Harry Belafonte. (Thanks to Offbeat magazine for that wonderful description of this so-not-blues guy.) But buy this album - we could use the eight bucks.

ALLISON MOORER - “GETTING SOMEWHERE.” Shelby Lynne's cleaner sister releases her new, kinda-country-kinda-pop album on Sugar Hill Records.

BUSTA RHYMES - “THE BIG BANG.” Another record from Mr. Rhymes, featuring special guests Mary J. Blecchh, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Stevie Wonder, and Rue McLanahan.

ORDER ANY OR ALL OF THESE FINE NEW RELEASES, OR ANYTHING ELSE YOU MAY WANT CD AND DVD-WISE, BY CALLING OR EMAILING US! (212) 244-3460 or HEYNYCD@aol.com!

BUY STUFF FROM US ON AMAZON!

SELL STUFF TO US! You know you want to load up your iPods, make some shelf space, and use the cash for your f***in' lattes at $5.50 a pop. CALL OR EMAIL! WE MAKE HOUSECALLS!

CD HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS WEEK - AVAILABLE NOW!

Sorry to say, you've gotta be fast on these, as we only have one left of each.

“THE COMPLETE METEOR BLUES, R & B AND GOSPEL RECORDINGS” - Another brilliant 2 CD compilation from Ace Records. Here for the first time is every blues, gospel and R & B release from the Memphis, TN label. You got your Elmore James, Buster Smith, James Anderson, Little Milton, Fenton Robinson, Minnie Thomas, and the legendary Earl “Whoopin' And Hollerin'” Forest, and more. 54 tracks!

BETTYE LAVETTE - “CHILD OF THE SEVENTIES.” Rhino Handmade's limited edition compilation from the soul legend features an unreleased full album recorded in 1972, plus ten bonus tracks, collected all in one handy-dandy CD for the first time. Only 7,500 made!

SPEAKING OF THAT STUPID NEW STING RECORD…

All you fans who have been holding your breath waiting for Sting to record an album of 16th century lute music, you can exhale! Your moment is here! Coming soon from Deutsche Grammophon, also known as the label which releases rock stars' unlistenable and pretentious side projects, is “SONGS FROM THE LABYRINTH,” featuring songs by that Elizabethan hepcat John Dowland. OK, now it's time for you to play! Pick your favorite snide comment, or email one of your own! The best one will get a free lute lesson from NYCD's own Robert Eichel!

1. That crap release “Sacred Love” is sounding a lot better now, isn't it?

2. Features a duet with Mary J. Blige on “Message In A Goblet”!

3. Can now justifiably change his name to Stink.

4. Features guest appearance from Andy Summers on “Everye Breathe Thou Takest.”

5. Top imbecile!

Once again, all you newsletter subscribers, keep checking out the blog for even more content and a chance for you to participate!

UNTIL NEXT WEEK, WE LEAVE YOU WITH THIS:

If music be the food of love, does that make Leo Sayer a side of couscous?

Your friends,
Henry Bibby and Bubba Crosby