self-released
Some groups start out doing albums of long-form psychedelic music and later hone their craft to produce reasonably short rock songs. For others, it’s vice versa. The debut CD from Sacramento-based East Portal Express gives listeners the best of both worlds.
RCA/Legacy
Yes, it’s been 40 years. This is one of five releases in a series from Legacy that pairs studio albums from 1969 with the artist’s previously unissued complete Woodstock performance. The other limited-edition, individually numbered, two-CD sets are by Janis Joplin, Santana, Sly & the Family Stone and Johnny Winter.
Dirt Farmer/Vanguard
Grateful Dead covers are always fun — remember the 1991 tribute album, “Deadicated”? And “Tennessee Jed” is a great song no matter how you slice it. So when Helm begins the followup to his comeback disc, “Dirt Farmer,” by singing “Cold iron shackles and a ball and chain” against a wall of sound made up of resonator guitar, piano, organ and horns (including the ubiquitous Howard Johnson on tuba), one can’t help but grin from ear to ear.
self-released
Up-and-coming, Austin-based singer-songwriter Rondeau’s sophomore effort is a real beaut. His brand of “I did it my way” country is at once original and traditional; mainstream and avant garde; foreign yet familiar.
Abe’s
L.A.-based hired gun Hawthorn did well enough playing for local artists and supplying music for TV and movies to release a self-titled solo album in 2006 under the Johnny Hawthorn Band moniker. Encouraged by the response, he’s back as just Johnny Hawthorn with “Death & Taxes.”
