NEWSLETTER '07 #4!

THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES:

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES LINE-UP; SAL SEEN CRACKING SMILE

COLDEST DAY IN TWO YEARS IN NYC; TONY SEEN WEARING COAT

"THE PASSION OF THE CRANKS" GETS NICE RESPONSE ON NYCD'S BLOG; PARTS 4 & 5 COMING NEXT WEEK.

SPEAKING OF NEXT WEEK, HERE ARE SOME NEW RELEASES!

LILY ALLEN - ALL RIGHT, STILL. The cute little British phenomenon is making everyone crazy-go-nuts with her first single and video, "Smile." What can we say? We think she sounds like a 16-year-old girl trying, not entirely successfully, to sing. Call us cranks. You won't be the first. Needless to say, we are not impressed, and it's still going to be big.

CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH - SOME LOUD THUNDER. This is supposed to be big too, we guess. But we played the first one in the store when it came out, and about a half dozen people, including the staff, actively hated it. So we're expecting to "Clap Our Hands Over Our Ears And Scream 'Turn That Off!'" with this one, but feel free to buy it, because what do we know? We still like the Beatles.

THE IMPRESSIONS - THIS IS MY COUNTRY/THE YOUNG MODS' FORGOTTEN STORY. Now THIS -- THIS is music! In and out of print for years now, these two absolutely classic soul records can be found on this fantastic and essential new reissue. Curtis Mayfield at his finest.

NORAH JONES - NOT TOO LATE. The following is from Bob "Hate 'Em Or Really Hate 'Em" Lefsetz's newsletter: "Everyone knows that the Norah Jones album is gonna stiff. She was too big too fast with too little a personality and identity to sustain her success. The tour numbers tell us everything. There aren't enough believers."

Now what the hell does that mean? She's already had two multi-platinum CDs with whatever personality she's accused of having. Just because her audience would rather listen to her in Starbucks than go see her play live doesn't mean the CD won't sell. It just means that the industry is probably going to hurt sales by saying things like "It's a bomb" before anyone gets to hear it. We've heard it, and you should buy it, whether or not she changes costumes during her shows. Available as a CD or limited edition CD/DVD with, apparently, boring live footage of her not changing costumes in front of 4 people.

MADONNA - THE CONFESSIONS TOUR. A CD/DVD package by a woman with lots and lots of personality, but it's still going to sell less than the Norah Jones album, because who really thinks of Madonna as a live artist? An expensive live package by an artist who lip-syncs is going to save the industry? Still, the DVD probably has footage of her up on that mirrored cross, which is kind of cool in its own blasphemous way.

SNEAKERS - NONSEQUITUR OF SILENCE. (We believe that's the first time we've typed "nonsequitur.") The not-exactly-legendary but still very good '70s power-pop band which featured Chris Stamey and Mitch Easter gets compiled on this reissue from Collectors' Choice. It features the Don Dixon-produced EP from 1976, their full-length album from 1978, and their reunion record from '92.

LEWIS TAYLOR - THE LOST ALBUM. This very pasty, Moby-looking Brit created a buzz with his US debut, Stoned, thanks to his strong sound which belied his wimpy looks. Taylor takes the pop sensibility of Todd Rundgren, the lush production of Pet Sounds-era Brian Wilson, and the vocal attack of Marvin Gaye, and wraps it all up into one big, shiny package with a bow on it. This record, we believe, was recorded prior to Stoned, and has more than enough gems to keep everyone happy.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - ENDLESS HIGHWAY: THE MUSIC OF THE BAND. A not-bad tribute to the Band featuring some really strong performances by Rosanne Cash, My Morning Jacket, Death Cab For Cutie, and Jakob Dylan with Lizz Wright. Better than your average tribute record, even if Widespread Panic ruin "Chest Fever."

HARRY CONNICK, JR. - Not one but TWO new releases! CHANSON DU VIEUX CARRE is Harry and a 17 piece big band running through a heartfelt repertoire of New Orleans classics. This record does not focus on Harry's Sinatra-like crooning, but on his underrated James Booker-like piano playing. OH, MY NOLA is the vocal record that features Connick running through some more New Orleans classics, many by Allen Toussaint and Dave Bartholomew, as well as a handful of originals. Both these records were high on Connick's priority list, and are highly recommended. Connick is a major talent even if you didn't like "Copycat."

LORRAINE ELLISON - SISTER LOVE: THE WARNER BROS. RECORDINGS. Ellison never scored many hits, but serious soul fans know what a great singer she is. This limited edition package ("limited edition" meaning "pricey, so we're only making a few") contains her classic recordings from 1966-73, including 24 previously unreleased tracks.

ALREADY OUT, BUT WE FORGOT IT LAST WEEK!

FRANK SINATRA - ROMANCE: SONGS FROM THE HEART. For obsessive collectors, this new compilation includes a previously unreleased alternate take of "Nice N' Easy" and the first Stateside CD appearance of the beautiful ballad "If You Are But A Dream." For non-obsessives, it's a great 21 track collection with nice packaging, liner notes, and a good selection of uptempo songs as well as ballads.

PLEASE ORDER ALL OF THESE CDs FROM US, EVEN THE ONES WE DON'T LIKE! YOU CAN DO THIS BY SIMPLY EMAILING US OR CALLING US (212-244-3460)! WE CAN ALSO GET ANY OLDER CDs OR DVDs, AS WELL AS SOME OF THE NEWER RELEASES THAT WE FAILED TO MENTION! ALTHOUGH SEVERAL WEIRD AL YANKOVIC CDs ARE NOW OUT OF PRINT....

SPEAKING OF WEIRD AL YANKOVIC...

The lineup for this year's NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL has just been released, and Weird Al Yankovic got shut out again. Both Sal and Tony have been cranky for different reasons over the last three weeks, but just say "JazzFest" in front of Sal, and the bile magically disappears. The same thing happens with Tony when you say "steamed dumplings."

THANKS FOR READING THE BLOG! Our readership is up to seven people now, and we are damn proud. www.NYCDonline.blogspot.com. Don't forget parts 4 & 5 of our award losing series "THE PASSION OF THE CRANKS," coming next week!

DON'T FORGET TO SELL US YOUR CDs AND DVDs! Because without you, we're just flying TVs around the world. Oh no, that's Jet Blue. Without you, we're even crankier. (OK, we know many of you think we really are cranky, and we really don't enjoy life, but it's just a facade! We're loads of fun! We're just trying to make you laugh through the misery that is our current retail life... KIDDING, KIDDING! Ha ha ha, we're laughing! Life is good! We love everybody, and everyone loves us! Almost everyone... Ha ha ha! Oy.) (Seriously, sell us your CDs and DVDs, we need the product. Call or email for details on how we can give you money for stuff you don't want anymore!)

UNTIL NEXT WEEK, WE LEAVE YOU WITH THIS:

It is so cold in New York City right now that the rats are wearing Uggs.

Your friends,
Christine Ebersole and Gary Kroeger