Great Albums From The Legends

Yesterday I drove down to my local Best-Buy for one significant reason.  Brain Wilson has a new album.  It's called 'That Lucky Old Sun."  For those of you who don't know, Brian Wilson was the legendary arranger, writer and creator of The Beach Boys back in the 60's.  He is by no stretch of the imagination a musical genius.  It was his talent and creativity which led to the groundbreaking 'Pet Sounds' album, which many consider to be the greatest rock album of all time (Yes I said it--all you Beatles 'Revolver' fans will just have to eat it).  

An album of new material from the great Brian Wilson is great news for us fans.  Brian has only released three other solo albums of original material (the other solo albums have been live

recordings or reworkings of classic Beach Boys songs, like on the excellent 'Smile' album) over the last twenty five years.  So any new tunes from this genius are great to hear.  So far, I'm half way through 'That Lucky Old Sun,' and it's great.

It also got me thinking about a number of great albums recently released by other musical legends. My wife Cakes says she likes new records from old artists because they are at a stage in their careers when they no longer have anything to prove.  They are just talented people sharing their music, without all the hype and flash normally associated with today's current music scene.

Don't get me wrong.  I love the music of today.  It is just that some older performers could really teach those young tykes and thing or two about music and song-writing.  So, without further adui, here are my picks for the best new albums from old artists. Enjoy!

1.  Neil Diamond  -  Home Before Dark

This is Neil's 2nd album with legendary music producer Rick Rubin (His first, '12 Songs' is great too!).  It harkens back to the glory days of Neil, great tunes without the overly orchestrated sound that haunted Neil through so much of the 80's and 90's. This is a fun record that reminds you of Neil's early glory days. Check out the tune "Pretty Amazing Grace."

2.  Richie Havens  -  Nobody Left To Crown

Yes this guy is still around.  The legendary singer/songwriter (Heck, this guy played at the original Woodstock!) is back with a new album of both new material and some great cover songs that he makes all his own.  Specifically, The Who's "Won't get Fooled Again" which I guess most people only know as CSI Miami's theme song.  Isn't is a shame what has happened to Rock N' Roll. Try his first track of the record, "The Key."

3.  Glen Campbell  -  Meet Glen Campbell

That's right. Mr. Rhinestone Cowboy is back; but it's not really what you think.  I myself am not a big country music fan, but I am a fan of good songs, and that is what we have here. It is similar to many of Johnny Cash's latter 'American Recordings' with Glen singing great cover songs from current artists like The Foo Fighters "Times Like These" and U2's "All I Want Is You." You should check out his track called "Sing."

4.  Randy Newman  -  Harps And Angels

Before Randy Newman became a movie-soundtrack composer and Pixar's go-to guy for sentimental moments in their animated films, Randy Newman wrote pop songs.  In fact his 1972 album 'Sail Away' is one of the aforementioned Brian Wilson's favorites albums of all time.  What I've always liked about Newman's tunes is the way he writes his songs as a specific character.  Most artists only write through their own eyes, but Randy Newman writes songs like an actor would, finding a whole different person and creating the song from their perspective. It's so brilliant.  And he's back at it again with new songs on 'Harps And Angels'.  His tune "Easy Street" has the charm and humor we expect from Randy Newman.

5.  Tom Petty  -  Highway Companion

This album is actually two years old.  But nobody I know has ever listened to it or even heard anything about it. I guess they don't play this stuff on the radio any more (Hey--isn't that what Tom Petty's song "The Last DJ" was about?).  Tom Petty did this one himself, without all those Heartbreakers.  It is so rare these days to have every track on an album be great, but that is what Petty has accomplished with this record.  Every song is great!  Find this album and enjoy it!  That's an order.

You know, I could probably think of a lot more, but I'll save it for another day.  Have any new records from established artists I should be aware of? Let me know.  I'm always looking for new music.