LUCKY NEWSLETTER 'O7 #7!

ANNA NICOLE SMITH JOINS CAST OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR TO ALL OF TONY'S FRIENDS!

PITCHERS & CATCHERS REPORT TO TAMPA; BERNIE WILLIAMS, ANNA NICOLE SMITH NO-SHOWS

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

BLACK LIPS - VALIENTES DEL MUNDO NUEVO. Their last record, Let It Bloom, still gets heavy rotation on Sal's iPod for its excellent mix of '60s garage and psychedelia. This new release is a compilation of sorts in that it contains new versions of songs from their previous albums and singles. At times, they sound like the Velvet Underground, at other times like Them. They're always interesting and never boring.

JILL CUNNIFF - CITY BEACH. It seems like everyone in Luscious Jackson disappeared off the face of the earth about five years ago, but lead vocalist Cunniff finally breaks the silence with her first solo album, featuring a guest vocal from Emmylou Harris. Tony, for one, is excited. ALSO OUT NEXT WEEK: LUSCIOUS JACKSON - GREATEST HITS. 18 tracks, only three of which were actually hits, but they're all damn good. Features rare remixes and non-album tracks! Tony, for one, is excited. A great and unjustly forgotten band of the '90s.

ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA - OUT OF THE BLUE (EXPANDED EDITION). One of the remaining two LPs by ELO that did not get an upgrade (the other being Balance Of Power, an admittedly weak record that has been upgraded but will not get a US release. Look for this practice to become more common as the record industry continues its journey into the shitter), Out Of The Blue was a monster success which features the hits "Turn To Stone," "Mr. Blue Sky," and "Sweet Talkin' Woman," as well as Jeff Lynne's most treacly (and we mean that in a good way) melodies. Now includes three bonus tracks, one of which is apparently a brilliant tribute to John Lennon. Sal, for one, is excited.

VIKTOR KRAUSS - II. Studio sessionman extraordinare, Krauss' bass playing has been heard behind such artists as Lyle Lovett, Elvis Costello and Dolly Parton, to name a few. This record sounds like something you would hear if you go into an upscale place to buy nail polish. It does feature a kind of interesting (read: terrible) version of Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" with Shawn Colvin on vocals.

ELVIS PERKINS - ASH WEDNESDAY. Highly touted debut from the sensitive singer-songwriter with the stupid name.

POLYPHONIC SPREE - WAIT. If you've never heard or seen this band, now's the time. A 70 member choir, all dressed in white, who look less like rock stars and more like they're on the way to drink some punch and reside in that big indie record store in the sky. That said, this new EP features two songs from their upcoming album, The Fragile Army, as well as absolutely brilliant cover versions of Nirvana, the Psychedelic Furs, and Tripping Daisy.

JOHN SEBASTIAN - REISSUES. Leader of the legendary Lovin' Spoonful gets some respect with five new remasters of his '70s solo albums from Collectors Choice. Long out of print, JOHN B. SEBASTIAN, CHEAPO CHEAPO PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS, TARZANA KID, "FOUR OF US," and "WELCOME BACK" are all solid records that sold fairly well in their day and deserve to be heard again.

SAL'S PICK OF THE WEEK!

SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS - COUNTRYPOLITAN FAVORITES. It's hard to really describe the sound of this band if you've never heard them, but we'll try. Think of good-time rockabilly crossed with a big ol' bucket of fried chicken and a bit of Memphis stew. This new CD has 15 cover versions made famous by Wanda Jackson, The Kinks, and The Byrds, as well as absolutely brilliant takes on T. Rex's "Life's A Gas," The Golliwogs' "Fight Fire," and The Who's "Happy Jack." This one's a winner, just like Mario Andretti.

TRANSLATOR - REISSUES. "Wow, CD sales are in the toilet, the industry's going to hell... hmmmm.... let's put out the Translator catalog!" TOP. In the words of a very dear friend of ours, "Why oh why did the '80s have to end?" You probably know them for their biggest hit, "Everywhere That I'm Not," and now you can get the album, Heartbeats And Triggers, that featured it, plus their other three albums. Please write if you're interested in the titles!

CHARLIE LOUVIN - CHARLIE LOUVIN. The legendary Brother releases his new solo record, which includes some Louvin Brothers classics and other country favorites. Special guests include Elvis Costello, Jeff Tweedy, and George Jones.

STEVE KUHN - LIVE AT BIRDLAND. We have not heard this CD yet, but we know it's great because we have a friend who works at Blue Note who reads our newsletter, and might possibly hook us up with a pair of Norah Jones tickets.

TO ORDER ANY OR ALL OF THESE NEW RELEASES, NOT TO MENTION THE HUGO LARGO REISSUE THAT'S COMING OUT NEXT WEEK, OR ANY OTHER CDs & DVDs YOU MIGHT WANT, EMAIL US OR CALL (212) 244-3460!

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We also need your CDs and DVDs! SELL US YOUR OLD DISCS! Some of you have emailed and inquired, and others have already promised us many boxes, but we're still waiting. Come on by, the sooner the better! And don't forget, WE MAKE PICKUPS, especially on days when it's not snowing and really nice out and warmer! But we'll come out in crappy weather, too. CALL OR EMAIL TO SCHEDULE!

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UNTIL NEXT WEEK, WE LEAVE YOU WITH THIS:

In the words of Dean Martin, "I've got seven wonderful children... don't applaud, it took me seven minutes."

Your friends,
Franken and Halle Berry