Van Morrison (2 X LP)
Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Listen to the Lion

It didn't spawn any radio hits but critics have long pointed to Morrison's 1968 release Astral Weeks as being the defining point in the soul singer's career. Surprisingly enough for such a beloved album, Morrison had never performed the entire song cycle live in concert until this recording was made in November of last year. Morrison is in excellent vocal form throughout even though it is, as always, difficult to understand much of what he's singing. That's of little consequence though as his heart comes through on these songs that were mostly inspired by things that he remembers from his childhood. Morrison only gave his band one quick rehearsal before the two shows that this recording was culled from but they are right on the money here with guitarist Jay Berliner's work being particularly impressive, especially on opener, "Astral Weeks/I Believe I've Transcended." Fans who own the original Astral Weeks will find this revisitation a welcome addition to their collections and those who know Morrison only by hits like "Moondance" and "Wild Nights" will have their eyes opened to the fact that his art goes a lot deeper than the Top 40. Morrison closes the show with three non-Astral Weeks bonus tracks including a rousing version of "Gloria" that is not found on this album's CD counterpart.

King Tubby & Friends
Rod of Correction Showcase
Abraham

This collection of reggae tunes comes from what many would consider to be the golden age of the genre---1974-1979. Every cut was overseen by producer King Tubby and some of Jamaica's finest musicians comprise the back-up band; Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Chinna Smith, Aston "Family Man" Barrett and horn man Tommy McCook all are in attendance. One side is comprised of vocal numbers highlighted by a Johnny Lover cut called "Jah Station" while the other side features instrumentals including "Forever" by Augustus Pablo who uses melodica as the lead instrument. Rod of Correction Showcase is pressed in Canada but it sounds like a real Jamaican record from the era---lots of pops and clicks.

Chris Darrow (2 X 180 GM LP)
Under My Own Disguise
Ever Loving

This double-disc set is a reissue package of Darrow's albums from the early '70s; Chris Darrow and Under My Own Disguise were both originally put out on the United Artists label. Darrow never got the recognition he deserved as a solo artist but he was a major contributor to the nascent country-rock movement; he was a founding member of the highly influential band Kaleidoscope (Jimmy Page loves them), toured with Linda Ronstadt and John Stewart and played on countless recording sessions including on James Taylor's classic Sweet Baby James. These twenty-two tracks find Darrow exploring all the side roads that would lead to what is now called Americana. Fans of Gram Parsons will find a kindred spirit in Darrow's high-lonesome vocal style.

Michael Hurtt and His Haunted Hearts (7" Single)
"Lonely Mardi Gras" b/w "Orbit Twist"
Allons

This Louisiana-based band plays the soulful country, blues and rock mash-up that's often referred to as "swamp rock." On "Lonely Mardi Gras" Hurtt puts Mickey Gilley-like vocals to work on a song that's about having to spend Mardi Gras away from his favorite female while still being determined to let the good times roll; "Orbit Twist" is an energetic slice of surf rock that sounds like something X might have done in their early days.