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.
Blues Acres
Unpretentious, heartfelt, modern country blues played on classic resonator guitars just doesn’t get any better than this. A member of the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame and the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Price’s blues are infused with the residual rock inclinations of his ’70s group, the progressive Mother Blues Band (which spawned another amazing musician, Bo Ramsey).
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.
