Thursday, May 21, 2020

Last Week's Surprises and Significant Known Releases of 5/22/2020

Last week was quite a busy week regarding surprise releases for me, with several major artists I love releasing singles and even one EP.  Noah Cyrus released her second EP, which Spotify even called an album, which compiled several singles released this year and last year and featured some good new songs, like "Ghost," "Liar" and "Young and Sad."  I feel, though, all her experiences and the COVID pandemic may have caused her to develop clinical depression, which I've experienced for a generous portion of my life and is not fun whatsoever.  Please keep her in your prayers if you pray.  K.Flay team with X-Ambassadors and grandson for a song called "Zen," an angry song about being isolated and stir-crazy during the quarantine.  It definitely hit some parts I could identify with, so I found it liberating.  Alice Cooper also released a song related to COVID titled "Don't Give Up," encouraging people to hold on, we will get through this.  This was definitely needed at this point in time, as well.  Metallica also released a stripped-down version of their hit "Blackened" from the "...And Justice For All" album, which was fun to listen to due to the more low-key version of a heavy thrash metal song, now with acoustic rhythm guitar and more decipherable lyrics.

This week is a busy week with several releases to look forward to.  I will mention four that I'm interested in.

Dennis DeYoung-26 East, Vol. 1: Dennis DeYoung was the original keyboard player for Styx and the man responsible for the concept album "Kilroy Was Here."  He is the one who sings "Mr. Roboto" on said album.  Now a solo act, Dennis DeYoung makes his own music and this is a release from Hard Rock Giants Frontiers Records.  Two songs have been singles thus far, one featuring Julian "Son of John" Lennon on guest vocals.

Various Artists-Love Lives On: This is a Country Music Compilation album featuring several collaborations.  Of course, what I'm looking forward to is Billy Ray Cyrus' contribution, featuring retired Staff Sergeant Mark Plummer and country musicians Eddie Raven and Lee Roy Parnell.  Cyrus and Plummer already teamed up with the rocker "Do What I Do," which also featuring Steve Stevens and Matt Sorum, and Lee Roy Parnell teamed with Billy Ray and Shooter Jennings on their cover of Waylon's "I've Always Been Crazy," so this sounds like it'll be a fun experience.

Jeff Healey-Heal My Soul (Deluxe Edition): Jeff Healey is a blues musician who I've enjoyed through Spotify.  This album features a live version of his cover of The Beatles' "Yer Blues," a favorite of its composer, John Lennon, who would perform it live twice without the other members of The Beatles.  The only other Beatles song he performed in his solo career was "Come Together," so this song is in esteemed company.

The Tabernacle Choir and Temple Square-When You Believe: At the Movies: This EP features covers of movie choir songs, with them already releasing a cover of Star Wars' "Duel of the Fates."  Of personal interest here is the version of "When You Believe" from Prince of Egypt, which my Church Choir sang one Easter service.  It's a good piece to give people hope and I think it will sound great.

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