Entertainment

The Clash Announce Deluxe “Sound System” Box Set

Designed and compiled by The Clash, the deluxe “Sound System” box set features all five of the band’s studio albums remastered, plus three CDs of rarities, a DVD, Clash fanzines, a poster, dog tags, stickers, badges, and more. For more information visit www.TheClash.com. (PRNewsFoto/Legacy Recordings)

NEW YORK, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ –

Designed and compiled by The Clash, the new deluxe 12-disc Sound System collects for the first time all of the band’s seminal studio albums remastered, plus three CDs of demos, non-album singles, B-sides and rarities; Also includes a DVD which couples all of the band’s videos with unseen footage from the archives of Julien Temple and Don Letts

Box set comes fully loaded with original and newly-commissioned Clash fanzines, an exclusive poster, dog tags, stickers, badges and more

Released separately on the same date are a new compilation The Clash – Hits Back (available on 2-CD/3-LP/digital), as well as The Clash 5 Studio-Album Set, separate box sets which collect the band’s original five studio albums (The Clash, Give ‘Em Enough Rope, London Calling, Sandinista! and Combat Rock) on CD and vinyl LP

All titles available September 10, 2013

Sony Music Entertainment releases The Clash’s Sound System , the band’s remastered recorded works collected together for the first time, on September 10, 2013. Contained within classic boombox packaging designed by Paul Simonon, the box set contains the band’s five seminal studio albums (across eight CDs) remastered by The Clash; a further three discs featuring demos, non-album singles, rarities and B-sides; a DVD with previously unseen footage shot by both Julien Temple and Don Letts, original promo videos and live footage; an owner’s manual booklet; reprints of the band’s original ‘Armagideon Times’ fanzine as well as a brand-new edition curated and designed by Paul Simonon; and merchandise including dog tags, badges, stickers and an exclusive Clash poster.

In this clip, newly created by the band, watch The Clash announce the release of Sound System in “The Cut Out Show”:  http://smarturl.it/CutOutShow.  See the trailer for Sound System here: http://youtu.be/bgL_CBC83qk .

Conceived and compiled by The Clash, Sound System is a significant and unique collection of the complete recorded works by the 20^th century’s most influential British band. Greatly enhanced by the careful remastering which renders the original recordings more vital and crisp, all contained in Paul Simonon’s iconic design, with a selection of bonus material, Sound System is the most important and unique box set to ever be released by the band.

Prompted by demand for a complete collection, Sound System is a powerful reminder of The Clash’s enduring legacy.  It’s hard to think of a band before or since that have exerted such universal influence. The 1970s punk movement gave birth to some important bands, but none were more important than The Clash. Here were a band who pushed and broke musical boundaries, while fusing musical experimentation with a socio-political conscience. From their eponymously-titled debut album in 1977, the band incorporated elements of reggae, rap, jazz, dance, rockabilly and ska in their music. Their passionate, political agenda continues to inspire new fans and musicians alike. Indeed, the issues The Clash tackled are as relevant today as they were in the late ’70s/early ’80s. Dubbed “the only band that matters” in their heyday, the same could be said almost 40 years later.

Sound System box set contents:

1. The Clash
2. Give ‘Em Enough Rope (1 CD)
3. London Calling (double album, 2 CDs)
4. Sandinista! (triple album, 3 CDs)
5. Combat Rock (1 CD)

All newly remastered by The Clash with award-winning engineer Tim Young

• Three CDs featuring rare tracks, demos, non-album singles and B-sides (track listing follows)
• DVD including unseen Julien Temple footage, early Super 8 film shot by Don Letts, all the band’s promo videos and previously unseen live footage (details below)
• Owner’s Manual booklet
• Folder containing reprints of Armagideon Times 1 & 2 and Armagideon Times 3 (new edition of fanzine compiled and designed by Paul Simonon)
• Merchandise; dog tags, badges, stickers and a Future Is Unwritten note book designed by Harland Miller
• An exclusive photo poster

Sound System Extra CDs tracklist:

Disc One
1. White Riot (Single version)
2. 1977 (B-side)
3. Listen (Capital Radio EP) / Interviews (Capital Radio EP)
4. Capital Radio (Capital Radio EP)
5. London’s Burning (Live B-side Remote Control)
6. Complete Control (Single version)
7. City Of The Dead (B-side)
8. Clash City Rockers (Original single version)
9. Jail Guitar Doors (B-side)
10. White Man In Hammersmith Palais (A-side)
11. The Prisoner (B-side)
12. 1-2 Crush On You (B-side Tommy Gun)
13. Time Is Tight (Black Market Clash)
14. Pressure Drop (B-side English Civil War)
15. I Fought The Law (Cost Of Living EP)
16. Groovy Times (Cost Of Living EP)
17. Gates Of The West (Cost Of Living EP)
18. Capital Radio (Cost Of Living EP)
19. Armagideon Time
20. Bankrobber (A-side)
21.  Rockers Galore On A UK Tour (B-side)

Disc Two
1. Magnificent Dance (12″) 5:36 (available on Singles box set)
2. Midnight To Stevens (Outtake)
3. Radio One (B-side Hitsville UK)
4. Stop The World (B-side The Call Up)
5. The Cool Out (US 12″ B-side of The Call Up)
6. This Is Radio Clash (A-side)
7. This Is Radio Clash (B-side 7″ – different lyrics)
8. First Night Back In London (B-side Know Your Rights)
9. Rock The Casbah (Bob Clearmountain 12″ mix) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
10. Long Time Jerk (B-side Rock The Casbah)
11. The Beautiful People Are Ugly Too (Outtake) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
12. Idle In Kangaroo Court (Outtake listed as Kill Time) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
13. Ghetto Defendant (Extended version – unedited) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
14. Cool Confusion (B-side Should I Stay Or Should I Go 7″)
15. Sean Flynn (Extended ‘Marcus Music’ version) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
16. Straight To Hell (Extended unedited version from Clash On Broadway) – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Disc Three
Extracts from The Clash’s first ever recording session at Beaconsfield Film School 1976. Recorded by Julien Temple
1. I’m So Bored With The USA
2. London’s Burning – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
3. White Riot
4. 1977 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Polydor Demos – The Clash’s second recording session November 1976
Produced by Guy Stevens
5. Janie Jones
6. Career Opportunities
7. London’s Burning – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
8. 1977 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
9. White Riot – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Live at The Lyceum, London 28^th December 1978
10. City Of The Dead
11. Jail Guitar Doors – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
12. English Civil War
13. Stay Free  – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
14. Cheapstakes – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
15. I Fought The Law

Bonus DVD
Julien Temple Archive – 6:20
White Riot Interview – 7:10
Promo and interviews with Tony Parsons
1977 1:87
White Riot 1:48
London’s Burning 2:05

Sussex University 1977
I’m So Bored With The USA 2:14  – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Hate & War 1:94  – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Career Opportunities 1:42 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Remote Control 2:73  – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

Don Letts Super 8 Medley 11:40
White Riot 1:52
Janie Jones 1:73
City of the Dead 2:04
Clash City Rockers 2:15
White Man in Hammersmith Palais 2:53
1977 1:41

Clash On Broadway – 19:50
London Calling
This Is Radio Clash
The Magnificent Seven
Guns Of Brixton
Safe European Home

Promo Videos
Tommy Gun 3:00
London Calling 3:20
Bankrobber 4:00
Clampdown (Live) 5:00
Train In Vain (Live) 2:10
The Call Up 3:10
Rock The Casbah 3:20
Should I Stay Or Should I Go (Live at Shea Stadium) 2:50
Career Opportunities (Live at Shea Stadium) 3:00

The Clash – The Clash - Hits Back

Released simultaneously, The Clash – Hits Back features 33 of the band’s iconic tracks across a 2-CD set or a 3-LP vinyl set. The tracklist is sequenced from the band’s legendary Brixton Fairdeal show in 1982.

The Clash – Hits Back contains the best studio recordings of the full set, plus 8 additional iconic tracks.  It comes with the original setlist, handwritten by Joe Strummer which he usually taped to the back of his Telecaster before each gig.

“Every show was different. Joe would spend a lot of time composing the running order, considering dynamics, emotional impact and the key the songs were in. This record is based on Joe’s setlist from The Casbah Club UK Tour, Brixton Fairdeal, 10^th  July 1982 “. Mick, Paul & Topper.

Disc 1
1. London Calling
2. Safe European Home
3. Know Your Rights
4. (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais
5. Janie Jones
6. The Guns of Brixton
7. Train in Vain
8. Bankrobber
9. Wrong ‘Em Boyo
10. The Magnificent Seven
11. Police On My Back
12. Rock The Casbah
13. Career Opportunities
14. Police & Thieves
15. Somebody Got Murdered
16. Brand New Cadillac
17. Clampdown

Disc 2 (Joe Strummer’s setlist continued)
1. Ghetto Defendant
2. Armigideon Time
3. Stay Free
4. I Fought The Law
5. Straight To Hell
6. Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
7. Garageland

Additional Tracks:

8. White Riot
9. Complete Control
10. Clash City Rockers
11. Tommy Gun
12. English Civil War
13. The Call Up
14. Hitsville UK
15. This Is The Radio Clash

The Clash – The Clash 5 Studio-Album Set
(Includes The Clash, Give ‘Em Enough Rope, London Calling, Sandinista!, Combat Rock)
Available separately as CD or vinyl box sets, and download.  CD box set includes 8 discs.  Vinyl LP box set includes 8 vinyl LPs.

www.theclash.com

SOURCE Legacy Recordings

Web Site: http://www.theclash.com

See larger image Hits Back (2-CD Set) (Audio CD) List Price: $11.98 USD New From: $14.72 In Stock This title will be released on September 10, 2013.

American Red Cross Honors Trace Adkins with Crystal Cross Award

American Red Cross. (PRNewsFoto/American Red Cross)

Country superstar is major Red Cross supporter, competes for Red Cross on “All-Star Celebrity Apprentice”

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The American Red Cross honored award-winning country music star and Red Cross spokesman Trace Adkins last night with the Crystal Cross for his support of the humanitarian organization. The Crystal Cross award honors celebrities who have shown exemplary support of and service to the Red Cross mission.

“Trace brings humor, honesty, hard work, and grit to everything he does,” said Red Cross President and CEO Gail J. McGovern. “We could not ask for a better representative of the Red Cross.”

Adkins was personally helped by the Red Cross when his family survived a fire and he joined the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet in 2012. He is currently competing on behalf of the Red Cross on this season of Donald Trump’s “All-Star Celebrity Apprentice” on NBC and is a finalist for the grand prize of $250,000 to the charity of the winner’s choosing. Adkins will compete against magician Penn Jillette in tonight’s season finale on NBC at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. Adkins has already raised more than $700,000 for the Red Cross through his participation with this season of All-Star Celebrity Apprentice.

During last night’s awards ceremony, Adkins entertained an audience of Red Cross Tiffany Circle Summit attendees for a short performance at the organization’s Washington, DC headquarters. The Tiffany Circle is a group of women who donate $10,000 or more to their local Red Cross chapters annually.

“When my home was claimed by fire last year, Red Cross volunteers were among the first on-site,” Adkins said. “They looked after my family when I couldn’t be there and offered help. We were fortunate because we could replace the things we lost, but that’s not always the case for every disaster victim. That’s when the Red Cross steps in. I am supporting the mission of the Red Cross and hope to help them reach more people in need.”

To download photos, visit apimages.com .

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org  or join our blog at blog.redcross.org .

About Trace Adkins :
Trace Adkins’ trademark baritone has powered countless hits to the top of the charts and turned albums into Platinum plaques, selling over 10 million albums, cumulatively. His hit list includes “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing,” “You’re Gonna Miss This,” “Ladies Love Country Boys,” “Songs About Me,” “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk ,” “I Left Something Turned On At Home,” “Every Light In The House,” “Hillbilly Bone (Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins),” “The Rest Of Mine,” “Hot Mama,” “I’m Tryin’,” “Just Fishin’,” “Then They Do,” “Chrome,” and “More.” 

The Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry is a television personality, actor, author, spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Program, the American Red Cross and has performed seven USO Tours.

In his 2007 autobiography, A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck, the 6’6″ oil-rigger recounted his rise to fame, brushes with death and battles with personal demons. He also explains just how the world’s biggest alpha-male handles fatherhood with five daughters. In 2008, Trace’s integrity and wry humor served him well as a finalist on NBC’s The Celebrity Apprentice and for NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice on behalf of the American Red Cross.

Trace has played a tough as nails biker in The Lincoln Lawyer (starring Matthew McConaughey), he developed and hosted GAC’s “Great American Heroes” honoring every-day Americans doing great things and he has hosted the American Country Awards on FOX for three consecutive years.

In 2011, Trace album, Proud To Be Here debuted atop the Billboard Country Chart with the Top Ten hit, “Just Fishin’.” His eleventh studio album, Love Will … debuted May 14, 2013.

SOURCE American Red Cross

Web Site: http://www.redcross.org

See larger image Love Will... (Audio CD) List Price: $14.00 USD New From: $7.73 In Stock Used from: $5.99 In Stock Release date May 14, 2013.

Gospel Music Legends The Blind Boys Of Alabama Sign To Sony Masterworks Worldwide

The Blind Boys of Alabama Sign To Sony Masterworks. (PRNewsFoto/Sony Masterworks)

New Album Coming in the Fall Produced by Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Featuring Special Guests

A superweapon of roots music – Rolling Stone

They proclaim their reverence in close harmonies and gutsy improvisations that leap heavenward -The New York Times

NEW YORK, May 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – The Blind Boys Of Alabama have signed a worldwide deal with Sony Masterworks, and the label will release the band’s next album this Fall. Produced by Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, the release will feature an array of unexpected special guests to be announced soon.

The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized worldwide as living legends of gospel music. Celebrated by The National Endowment for the Arts and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) with Lifetime Achievement Awards, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and winners of five Grammy® Awards, they have attained the highest levels of achievement in a career that spans over 60 years.

The Blind Boys are known for crossing multiple musical boundaries with their remarkable interpretations of everything from traditional gospel favorites to contemporary spiritual material by songwriters such as Ben Harper, Eric Clapton, Prince and Tom Waits. They have appeared on recordings with Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, k.d. lang, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Willie Nelson, Susan Tedeschi, Solomon Burke, Aaron Neville, Ben Harper and many others.

“We are honored to welcome The Blind Boys of Alabama to the Sony Masterworks roster and can’t wait to start adding to one of the most impressive discographies in any genre of music. Even in such company, the project with Justin Vernon will stand out as something very special. Listeners will be blown away by this collaboration,” says Bogdan Roscic , President of Sony Masterworks.

“We are thrilled to be on our new label, and we have a real surprise on the way with this new album. I think it’s the coolest thing we’ve ever done,” enthused octogenarian Jimmy Carter , the last original member still touring with The Blind Boys.

The Blind Boys of Alabama have made appearances on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman , The Grammy® Awards, 60 Minutes, and their own holiday special on PBS.

The Blind Boys of Alabama are currently on tour.  For more information go to www.blindboys.com.

Sony Masterworks comprises Masterworks Broadway, Masterworks, OKeh, Portrait, RCA Red Seal and Sony Classical imprints. For email updates and information please visit www.SonyMasterworks.com.

SOURCE Sony Masterworks

Web Site: http://www.SonyMasterworks.com

See larger image Take The High Road (MP3 Music) New From: $9.49 In Stock Release date May 3, 2011.

Harry Nilsson’s THE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION Commemorates Decade Of Recording From 1967 To 1977, On Deluxe 17-CD Box Set

Who is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him)? is a wildly entertaining, star-studded documentary that tells the story of one of the most talented and versatile singer-songwriters in pop music history and the man The Beatles dubbed their favorite American musician.

GRAMMY®-WINNING SINGER/SONGWRITER/PRODUCER AT VORTEX OF 1960s/’70s MUSIC REVOLUTION REVEALS DEEP ASSOCIATIONS WITH THE BEATLES, THE MONKEES, RANDY NEWMAN, DOZENS MORE

Box set coincides with arrival of Nilsson: The Life of a Singer-Songwriter, first full-length biography by Alyn Shipton, published July 18 by Oxford University Press

Available July 30, 2013, on RCA/Legacy Recordings

NEW YORK, May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The profound musical gifts of Harry Nilsson, an artist whose fans ranged from all four Beatles to the Monkees, Randy Newman, Keith Moon, Jimmy Webb, and dozens more, are on full display in THE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION .  This deluxe 17-CD box set will be available everywhere July 30 through RCA/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

THE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION will be a must-have for Nilsson devotees, and a seductive lure for those whose awareness is limited to his Grammy Award®-winning versions of Badfinger’s “Without You” (#1) and Fred Neil’s “Everybody’s Talkin’” (a #6 hit from the soundtrack to Midnight Cowboy, 1969).  Then there are the notable covers of his own songs by Three Dog Night (“One”), the Monkees (“Cuddly Toy”), the Yardbirds (“Ten Little Indians”), and Blood, Sweat & Tears (“Without Her”).  Others will recall the duo of hits that appeared alongside “Without You” on 1971′s Nilsson Schmilsson album, “Coconut” (#8) and “Jump Into The Fire.”  Finally, the playful “Me And My Arrow” (from the soundtrack of his animated film The Point! ) and “Girlfriend” (theme of the early ’70s sitcom The Courtship Of Eddie’s Father) have their own coterie of admirers.

THE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION presents the definitive 14 albums in Nilsson’s RCA Records U.S. discography, from his 1967 debut Pandemonium Shadow Show (among whose high points are his takes on the Beatles’ “You Can’t Do That” and “She’s Leaving Home”) to his final album for the label in 1977, Knnillssonn .  Bonus material on those albums add up to 65 tracks, of which 26 are previously unreleased.  Adding to the box set’s historical provenance are three newly-compiled CDs, Nilsson Sessions 1967-1968 , Nilsson Sessions 1968-1971 , and Nilsson Sessions 1971-1974 , containing a total of 58 tracks, exactly half of which (29 tracks) are previously unreleased.

The 17 CDs contained in HARRY NILSSON – THE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION are as follows:

• CD 1: Pandemonium Shadow Show (1967)
• CD 2: Aerial Ballet (1968)
• CD 3: HARRY (1969)
• CD 4: Nilsson Sings Newman (1970)
• CD 5: The Point! (1971)
• CD 6: Aerial Pandemonium Ballet (1971)
• CD 7: Nilsson Schmilsson (1971)
• CD 8: Son Of Schmilsson (1972)
• CD 9: A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night (1973)
• CD 10: Pussy Cats (1974)
• CD 11: Duit On MON Dei (1975)
• CD 12: Sandman (1976)
• CD 13:   . . . That’s The Way It Is (1976)
• CD 14: KNNILLSSONN (1977)
• CD 15: NILSSON Sessions 1967–1968
• CD 16: NILSSON Sessions 1968–1971
• CD 17: NILSSON Sessions 1971–1974

THE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION is the newest entry in Legacy’s critically acclaimed and commercially successful Complete Album Collections series, introduced in 2011.  The album catalogues of rock, pop, jazz, fusion, country, R&B, and classical artists from the Sony Music archives have been handsomely reissued in the series.  In every case, each album in the box set is packaged in a replica mini-LP sleeve reproducing that LP’s original front and back cover artwork.  Where applicable, the albums in each box include the bonus tracks that have been released on the various expanded CD editions over the years.  Booklets are included with each box set, containing new liner notes essays and complete discographical information, including sources for all bonus material.

In the case of Harry Nilsson’s THE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION , extensive summaries of every album have been written by Andrew Sandoval, who compiled and produced the box set with Rob Santos of Legacy Recordings.  Sandoval has previously worked on multiple reissue projects on Nilsson.

Within THE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION , every one of Nilsson’s 14 original albums is expanded with bonus material, starting with the first two, Pandemonium Shadow Show (1967) and Aerial Ballet (1968).  On each of those, the full album sequence is presented in stereo, and then reprised in monaural sound. This marks the mono debuts of both programs in the digital era, and the first time they have been available in mono since their original releases 45-46 years ago, respectively.  Aerial Ballet also adds a radio spot ad for the album as a bonus track, and with only a handful of exceptions, radio spots are then included for nearly every album in the box set.

Many of Nilsson’s albums have been the subjects of expanded edition reissues over the years.  1970′s 10-song Nilsson Sings Newman , for example, was reissued in 2000, as part of a Buddah Records series, and was expanded with an 11^th song (“Snow”) and alternate versions of four songs.  In the same Buddah series of 1999-2000, 1971′s Aerial Pandemonium Ballet added five bonus tracks, but this 2013 version ups the ante with newly-discovered Italian versions of five tunes, plus six tracks (four of which are full-length songs) documenting Nilsson’s visit to the BBC’s Saturday Club with compere Brian Matthew.

Likewise, there is the Buddah series expanded reissue of 1974′s Pussy Cats , produced by John Lennon (who once told a journalist, “Nilsson’s my favorite group”) at studios in Los Angeles and Hollywood in March and April 1974.  This was the very beginning of John’s 18-month “Lost Weekend” hiatus from Yoko Ono, when May Pang rented a beach-front house in Santa Monica for John, Ringo, Nilsson, and Keith Moon (all of whom play on Pussy Cats ).  Listening to Pussy Cats , with its contributions by that all-star cast of “roommates” alongside Jim Keltner, Bobby Keys, Jesse Ed Davis, and others, and its freewheelin’ versions of  Jimmy Cliff’s “Many Rivers To Cross,” Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” Doc Pomus’ “Save The Last Dance For Me,” and the bonus tracks of the 1999 Buddah CD reissue, is a heady flashback to 1974.

The dozen swing era standards of 1973′s A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night , from Irving Berlin’s “Always” and “What’ll I Do,” to Casablanca ‘s evocative “As Times Goes By,” could serve as a contemporary template for the likes of Michael Buble, Josh Groban, and Steve Tyrell.  The orchestral sessions recorded in London were lushly arranged by veteran Gordon Jenkins (renowned for his long association with Frank Sinatra).  The LP also marked the debut of former Beatles press officer Derek Taylor as a producer.  (It was Taylor who turned the Beatles on to Nilsson, when he gave them all copies of Pandemonium Shadow Show back in 1967).  An entire album of completely different songs from the London sessions was issued by RCA Germany in 1988, A Touch More Schmilsson in the Night .  Twenty-five years later in 2013, it provides six bonus tracks, among them “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows,” Bob Hope’s “Thanks For The Memory,” and two by Harold Arlen, “It’s Only A Paper Moon” and “Over The Rainbow.”

Throughout these expanded versions, there are a wealth of demos, single mixes, alternate versions, foreign language versions, radio advertisements, non-U.S. album rarities, and much more.  These are put to excellent use on the three compilations entitled Nilsson Sessions (aka Sessions Schmessions ).  When he was first signed to RCA in early 1967, Nilsson’s humble request was for an office where he could work on his songs.  He often answered phone calls there, as many can attest.  That office became his laboratory of sorts, and the 18 tracks on Nilsson Sessions 1967-1968 bear witness to his experiments.

The 14 previously unreleased tracks on Nilsson Sessions 1967-1968 begin with five demos taped for the Monkees: “1941,” “World,” “Signs,” “Cuddly Toy” and “This Could Be The Night.”  There are three outtakes from his Pandemonium Shadow Show debut, “As I Wander Lonely,” “Miss Butter’s Lament,” and the previously unreleased “The Family.”  Early previously unreleased takes of the classics “One,” “Together,” “Bath,” and “I Said Goodbye To Me” did not make the final cut for Aerial Ballet , and are heard here for the first time.  Cover attempts of the Coasters’ “Searchin’,” the Addrisi Brothers’ “She’s Just Laughing At Me,” and Procol Harum’s “She Wandered Through The Garden Fence” were all scuttled.  Finally, two rare, single-only tracks, “Sister Marie” and the Italian single “Leggenda” make their stereo debuts on Nilsson Sessions 1967-1968 .

Nilsson Sessions 1968-1971 and Nilsson Sessions 1971-1974 carry on this unveiling of studio oddities, alternate versions, television rarities, etc.  The box set’s concluding ‘souvenir’ track is the previously unreleased ode to Tricky Dick, “Also Sprach Schmilsson Schmixon.”

The release of THE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION coincides with the July 18 ^th arrival of Nilsson: The Life of a Singer-Songwriter by Alyn Shipton.  Published by Oxford University Press, this is the first ever full-length biography of Nilsson, drawing on interviews with family, friends, and associates, plus material from Nilsson’s unfinished autobiography.  Shipton is a jazz critic for The Times in London, a jazz presenter on BBC radio, and an award-winning author of more than 20 books on music including Hi-De-Ho: The Life of Cab Calloway (2013), A New History of Jazz (2007), and Groovin’ High: the Life of Dizzy Gillespie (2001).  Shipton outlines Nilsson’s fatherless childhood in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, through his teenage years in Los Angeles where he found his legs as a singer-songwriter, ultimately winding up at the epicenter of the music revolution that engulfed the world in the late 1960s.

Another essential source is the 2010 documentary film, Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talking About Him?).  A labor of love by executive producer Lee Blackman, producer-writer-director John Scheinfeld, and producer David Leaf, the two-hour documentary is a detailed and authoritative portrait of Harry Nilsson.  Film clips, home movies,  family photographs, and other revelatory material is worked into interviews and footage starring Nilsson and his family, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr, Micky Dolenz of the Monkees, Randy Newman, Dustin Hoffman, the Smothers Brothers, Jimmy Webb, Brian Wilson, Paul Williams, Robin Williams, Terry Gilliam and Eric Idle of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Stanley Dorfman of the BBC’s Top Of the Pops and In Concert series, Al Kooper, Mark Hudson, Danny Hutton of Three Dog Night, and others.  The film is available on DVD from Lorber Films.

“In their marriage of ten years, Nilsson and RCA were the archetypical odd couple,” Sandoval writes.  “He certainly was a talented beast: a prodigious songwriter, possessor of one of the most remarkable voices in popular music and a charming, intellectual wit.  Through his music, Nilsson interpreted life and longing in a way few others have. . . Over some fourteen studio albums, [Nilsson and RCA] teamed for a musical aerial ballet.  Nilsson did his song-and-dance on high while RCA held the safety net down below.  The results were a genre-defying array of releases, no two alike in style or substance.

“This set represents nearly every recording Nilsson made under the RCA umbrella: remastered classic albums, alternate versions, single-only tracks, demos, foreign language one-offs, brilliance, whimsy, pathos and just a touch of sadness.  This collection definitively documents Harry Nilsson’s gift to us all, a fearless feat of boundless creativity, direct from the center ring.”

HARRY NILSSON – THE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION
( RCA/Legacy 88697 91550 2)

CD 1:
Pandemonium Shadow Show (originally released October 1967, as RCA 3874)  Selections – Stereo : 1. Ten Little Indians • 2. 1941 • 3. Cuddly Toy • 4. She Sang Hymns Out Of Tune • 5. You Can’t Do That • 6. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend • 7. She’s Leaving Home • 8. There Will Never Be • 9. Without Her • 10. Freckles • 11. It’s Been So Long • 12. River Deep – Mountain High • Selections – Mono : 13. Ten Little Indians (single 47-9298) • 14. 1941 • 15. Cuddly Toy • 16. She Sang Hymns Out Of Tune (single 47-9383) • 17. You Can’t Do That (single 47-9298) • 18. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend • 19. She’s Leaving Home • 20. There Will Never Be • 21. Without Her (single 47-9206) • 22. Freckles (single 47-9206) • 23. It’s Been So Long • 24. River Deep – Mountain High (single 47-9383).

CD 2:
Aerial Ballet (originally released June 1968, as RCA 3956)  Selections – Stereo : 1. Daddy’s Song • 2. Good Old Desk • 3. Don’t Leave Me • 4. Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song • 5. Little Cowboy • 6. Together • 7. Everybody’s Talkin’ • 8. I Said Goodbye To Me • 9. Little Cowboy • 10. Mr. Tinker • 11. One • 12. The Wailing Of The Willow • 13. Bath • Selections – Mono : 14. Daddy’s Song • 15. Good Old Desk • 16. Don’t Leave Me (single 47-9544) • 17. Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song • 18. Little Cowboy • 19. Together • 20. Everybody’s Talkin’ (single 47-9544 and 47-0161, Hot 100 #6) • 21. I Said Goodbye To Me • 22. Little Cowboy • 23. Mr. Tinker • 24. One (single 47-9462) • 25. The Wailing Of The Willow • 26. Bath •  Bonus track: 27. Aerial Ballet radio spot (previously unreleased).

CD 3:
HARRY (originally released July 1969, as RCA 4197)  Selections : 1. The Puppy Song • 2. Nobody Cares About The Railroads Anymore • 3. Open Your Window • 4. Mother Nature’s Son • 5. Fairfax Rag • 6. City Life • 7. Mournin’ Glory Story • 8. Maybe (single 74-0207) • 9. Marchin’ Down Broadway (single 74-0207) • 10. I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City (single 74-0261 and 74-0755 as “Buck Earl,” Hot 100 #34)  • 11. Rainmaker • 12. Mr. Bojangles • 13. Simon Smith And His Amazing Dancing Bear • BONUS TRACKS : 14. I Will Take You There – single mix (single 47-9675) • 15. Waiting (from the motion picture Jenny) (single 74-0310) • 16. Rainmaker – single mix (single 47-9675) • 17. Mournin’ Glory Story – single mix (UK single 1765, previously unissued on CD) • 18. Garbage Can Ballet – alternate version (previously unreleased) • 19. HARRY Radio Spot (previously unreleased) • 20. Voices Of Vista radio spots (previously unreleased).

CD 4:
Nilsson Sings Newman (originally released January 1970, as RCA 4289)  Selections : 1. Vine St. • 2. Love Story • 3. Yellow Man (single 74-0336) • 4. Caroline (single 74-0336) • 5. Cowboy • 6. The Beehive State • 7. I’ll Be Home (single 74-0310) • 8. Living Without You • 9. Dayton, Ohio 1903 • 10. So Long Dad • BONUS TRACKS : 11. Snow • 12. Love Story – alternate version • 13. Cowboy – alternate version • 14. I’ll Be Home – alternate version • 15. Living Without You – alternate version.  Tracks 11-15 first issued on Nilsson Sings Newman (Buddha CD 74465 99703 2, released 2000).

CD 5:
The Point! (originally released January 1971, as RCA 1003)  Selections : 1. Everything’s Got ‘Em • 2. The Town – narration • 3. Me And My Arrow (single 74-0443 and promo single 45-248, Hot 100 #34) • 4. The Game – narration • 5. Poli High (promo single 45-248) • 6. The Trial And Banishment – narration • 7. Think About Your Troubles • 8. The Pointed Man – narration • 9. Life Line (promo single 45-248) • 10. The Birds – narration • 11. P.O.V. Waltz • 12. The Clearing In The Woods – narration • 13. Are You Sleeping? (single 74-0443) • 14. Oblio’s Return – narration • BONUS TRACKS : 15. Think About Your Troubles – alternate version • 16. Life Line – alternate version • 17. Down To The Valley – alternate mix with extended ending • 18. I’ll Never Leave You • 19. The Point! Travel Brochure radio spot with Bill Martin (previously unreleased).  Tracks 15-18 first issued on The Point! (BMG Heritage CD 07863 65128 2, released 2002).

CD 6:
Aerial Pandemonium Ballet (originally released June 1971, as RCA 4543)  Selections : 1. Introduction • 2. 1941 – slowed down track and remixed • 3. Daddy’s Song – new vocals, guitar/piano out of sync • 4. Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song – new background vocals and remixed • 5. Good Old Desk – slowed down track and remixed • 6. Everybody’s Talkin’ – dumped second voice and remixed • 7. Bath – re-eq’d original tacks • 8. River Deep–Mountain High – new vocals and remixed • 9. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend – remixed • 10. Don’t Leave Me – remixed • 11. Without Her – new vocals and remixed • 12. Together – new vocals, edited out bridge and remixed • 13. One – remixed • 14. Closing • BONUS TRACKS : 15. You Can’t Do That – remix (first issued on Aerial Pandemonium Ballet , Buddha CD 74465 99704 2, released 2000) • 16. It’s Been So Long – Italian version (previously unreleased)  • 17. Sleep Late, My Lady Friend – Italian version (previously unreleased) • 18. Without Her – Italian version (previously unreleased) • 19. Cuddly Toy – Italian version (previously unreleased) • 20. You Can’t Do That – Italian version (previously unreleased) • 21. BBC Saturday Club introduction by Brian Matthew (previously unreleased) • 21. 1941 – Live on BBC’s Saturday Club (previously unreleased) • 23. Mr. Richland’s Favorite Song – Live on BBC’s Saturday Club (previously unreleased) • 24. Nilsson talks with Brian Matthew (previously unreleased) • 25. Together – Live on BBC’s Saturday Club (previously unreleased) • 26. Good Old Desk – Live on BBC’s Saturday Club (previously unreleased) • 27. Aerial Pandemonium Ballet radio spot (previously unreleased).

CD 7:
Nilsson Schmilsson (originally released November 1971, as RCA 4515)  Selections : 1. Gotta Get Up (single 74-0604) • 2. Driving Along • 3. Early In The Morning • 4. The Moonbeam Song (single 74-0673) • 5. Down (single 74-0718) • 6. Without You (single 74-0718, Hot 100 #1) • 7. Coconut (single 74-0604, Hot 100 #8) • 8. Let The Good Times Roll • 9. Jump Into The Fire • 10. I’ll Never Leave You • BONUS TRACKS : 11. Si No Estas Tu – Spanish version Of “Without You” (Spain single 3-10693) • 12. How Can I Be Sure Of You • 13. The Moonbeam Song – demo • 14. Lamaze • 15. Old Forgotten Soldier – demo • 16. Gotta Get Up – alternate version • 17. Nilsson Schmilsson radio spots.  Tracks 12-17 first issued on Nilsson Schmilsson (RCA/BMG Heritage CD 82876 57265 2, released 2004).

CD 8:
Son Of Schmilsson (originally released July 1972, as RCA 4717)  Selections : 1. Take 54 • 2. Remember (Christmas) (single 74-0855 Hot 100 #53) • 3. Joy (single 74-0755 As “Buck Earl”) • 4. Turn On Your Radio (single 74-0788) • 5. You’re Breakin’ My Heart • 6. Spaceman (single 74-0788. Hot 100 #23) • 7. The Lottery Song (single 74-0855) • 8. At My Front Door • 9. Ambush • 10. I’d Rather Be Dead • 11. The Most Beautiful World In The World • BONUS TRACKS : 12. What’s Your Sign? • 13. Take 54 – alternate • 14. Campo De Encino • 15. Daybreak – single version (single 0246, Hot 100 #39) • 16. It Had To Be You/I’d Rather Be Dead • 17. Son Of Schmilsson radio spot.  Tracks 12-16 first issued on Son Of Schmilsson (RCA/Legacy CD 82876 78249 2, released 2006).

CD 9:
A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night (originally released June 1973, as RCA 1-0097)  Selections : 1. Lazy Moon • 2. For Me And My Gal • 3. It Had To Be You • 4. Always • 5. Makin’ Whoopee! • 6. You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want To Do It) • 7. Lullaby In Ragtime (single 0039) • 8. I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now • 9. What’ll I Do • 10. Nevertheless (I’m In Love With You) • 11. This Is All I Ask • 12. As Time Goes By • BONUS TRACKS : 13. I’m Always Chasing Rainbows • 14. Make Believe • 15. Trust In Me • 16. It’s Only A Paper Moon • 17. Thanks For The Memory • 18. Over The Rainbow.  Tracks 13-18 first issued on A Touch More Schmilsson In The Night (RCA Germany 90251, released 1988).

CD 10:
Pussy Cats (originally released August 1974, as RCA 0570)  Selections : 1. Many Rivers To Cross (single 10001, Hot 100 #109) • 2. Subterranean Homesick Blues (single 10078) • 3. Don’t Forget Me (single 10001 and 10139) • 4. All My Life • 5. Old Forgotten Soldier • 6. Save The Last Dance For Me • 7. Mucho Mungo/Mt. Elga (single 10078) • 8. Loop De Loop • 9. Black Sails • 10. Rock Around The Clock • BONUS TRACKS : 11. Down By The Sea • 12. The Flying Saucer Song • 13. Turn Out The Light • 14. Save The Last Dance For Me – alternate • 15. Don’t Forget Me – demo • 16. Black Sails – demo • 17. Pussy Cats radio spots with Eddie Lawrence (previously unreleased).  Tracks 11-16 first issued on Pussy Cats (Buddha CD 74465 99815 2, released 1999).

CD 11:
Duit On MON Dei (originally released March 1975, as RCA 0817)  Selections : 1. Jesus Christ You’re Tall • 2. It’s A Jungle Out There • 3. Down By The Sea • 4. Kojak Columbo (single 10183) • 5. Easier For Me • 6. Turn Out The Light (single 10183) • 7. Salmon Falls • 8. Puget Sound • 9. What’s Your Sign? • 10. Home • 11. Good For God • BONUS TRACK : 12. Goin’ Down – alternate (previously unreleased).

CD 12:
Sandman (originally released January 1976, as RCA 1031)  Selections : 1. I’ll Take A Tango • 2. Something True • 3. Pretty Soon There’ll Be Nothing Left For Everybody • 4. The Ivy Covered Walls • 5. Here’s Why I Did Not Go To Work Today • 6. The Flying Saucer Song • 7. How To Write A Song • 8. Jesus Christ You’re Tall • 9. Will She Miss Me? • BONUS TRACK : 10. A Tree Out In The Yard (Central Park) (previously unreleased).

CD 13:
. . . That’s The Way It Is (originally released July 1976, as RCA 1119)  Selections : 1. That Is All (single 10759) • 2. Just One Look/Baby I’m Yours – Harry Nilsson And Linda Laurence (single 10759) • 3. Moonshine Bandit (single 10634) • 4. I Need You • 5. A Thousand Miles Away • 6. Sail Away (single 10634) • 7. She Sits Down On Me • 8. Daylight Has Caught Me • 9. Zombie Jamboree (Back To Back) • 10. That Is All – Reprise • BONUS TRACK : 11.  . . . That’s The Way It Is radio spot (previously unreleased).

CD 14:
KNNILLSSONN (originally released 1977, as RCA 2276)  Selections : 1. All I Think About Is You (single 11144) • 2. I Never Thought I’d Get This Lonely (single 11144) • 3. Who Done It? (single 11059) • 4. Lean On Me • 5. Goin’ Down • 6. Old Bones • 7. Sweet Surrender • 8. Blanket For A Sail • 9. Laughin’ Man • 10. Perfect Day • BONUS TRACKS : 11. Ain’t It Kinda Wonderful (from the motion picture The World’s Greatest Lover) (single 11193) (first issued on The World’s Greatest Lover: Original Soundtrack Recording , RCA Red Seal 2709, released 1978) • 12. Sweet Lorraine – Harry Nilsson And Dr. John (previously unreleased) • 13. Shuffle Off To Buffalo (previously unreleased) • 14. Ballin’ The Jack – Harry Nilsson And Dr. John (previously unreleased) • 15. All I Think About Is You – demo, Harry Nilsson And Dr. John (previously unreleased) • 16. KNNILLSSONN radio spot (previously unreleased).

CD 15:
NILSSON Sessions 1967–1968 – Selections : 1. 1941 – demo (previously unreleased) • 2. World – demo (previously unreleased) • 3. Signs – demo (previously unreleased) • 4. Cuddly Toy – demo (previously unreleased) • 5. This Could Be The Night – demo (first issued on Perfect Day: The Songs Of Harry Nilsson 1971–1993 , Retro Active Promo CD 006, released 2006) • 6. As I Wander Lonely • 7. The Family (previously unreleased) • 8. Miss Butter’s Lament • 9. Mr. Tinker – alternate version (previously unreleased) • 10. Leggenda (Italian Single 1658) • 11. Sister Marie (previously unreleased stereo remix) • 12. She Wandered Through The Garden Fence (previously unreleased) • 13. One – alternate version (previously unreleased) • 14. I Said Goodbye To Me – alternate version (previously unreleased) • 15. Searchin’ (previously unreleased) • 16. She’s Just Laughing At Me (previously unreleased) • 17. Together – alternate version (previously unreleased) • 18. Bath – alternate version (previously unreleased).
Tracks 6 & 8 first issued on Personal Best: The Harry Nilsson Anthology (RCA CD 07863 66354 2, released 1995).
Tracks 1-16 recorded 1967; tracks 17-18 recorded 1968.

CD 16:
NILSSON Sessions 1968–1971 – Selections : 1. You Are Here (previously unreleased) • 2. The Cast And Crew • 3. Garbage Can Ballet • 4. I Will Take You There • 5. Girlfriend (theme from The Courtship Of Eddie’s Father) • 6. Wasting My Time – alternate mix (previously unreleased) • 7. Rainmaker – alternate version (previously unreleased) • 8. Open Your Window – alternate take (previously unreleased) • 9. Postcard (previously unreleased) • 10. Think About Your Troubles – alternate version (previously unreleased) • 11. Marry Me A Little (previously unreleased) • 12. Ballin’ The Jack (previously unreleased) • 13. Gotta Get Up – demo (previously unreleased) • 14. Down To The Valley – single mix (single 74-0362) • 15. Buy My Album – single mix (single 74-0362) • 16. Joy – alternate version • 17. Blackbird (previously unreleased) • 18. Paradise (previously unreleased) • 19. Lucille (previously unreleased) • 20. Early In The Morning – alternate version.
Tracks 2-4 first issued on Skidoo – Original Soundtrack Recording , RCA 1152, released 1968.
Track 5 first issued on Personal Best: The Harry Nilsson Anthology (RCA CD 07863 66354 2, released 1995).
Tracks 16 & 20 first issued on Aerial Pandemonium Ballet (Buddha CD 74465 99704 2, released 2000).
Tracks 1-8 recorded 1968; tracks 9-11 recorded 1969; tracks 12-17 recorded 1970; tracks 18-20 recorded 1971.

CD 17:
NILSSON Sessions 1971–1974 – Selections : 1. Walk Right Back • 2. Jump Into The Fire – alternate version (previously unreleased) • 3. Isolation • 4. Without You – demo • 5. Driving Along – demo • 6. Gotta Get Up – demo • 7. Coconut – demo • 8. Old Forgotten Soldier – alternate demo • 9. Down – demo • 10. The Moonbeam Song – alternate demo • 11. Jump Into the Fire – single version (single 74-0673, Hot 100 #27) • 12. Per Chi – Italian Version Of “Without You” (single 74-0673) • 13. Joy – guitar demo • 14. Joy – piano demo • 15. You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want To Do It) – alternate version • 16. Lullaby In Ragtime – alternate version • 17. Always – alternate version • 18. It Had To Be You – alternate version • 19. I Want You To Sit On My Face (previously unreleased) • 20. A Souvenir – Also Sprach Schmilsson Schmixon (previously unreleased).
Tracks 1 & 3 first issued on Aerial Pandemonium Ballet (Buddha CD 74465 99704 2, released 2000).
Tracks 4-10 first issued on Nilsson Schmilsson (UK Camden Deluxe CD 74321 75742 2, released 2000).
Tracks 13 & 14 first issued on Son Of Schmilsson (UK Camden Deluxe CD 74321 75746 2, released 2000).
Tracks 15-18 first issued on A Touch More Schmilsson In The Night (RCA Germany 90251, released 1988).
Tracks 1-12 recorded 1971; tracks 13 & 14 recorded 1972; tracks 15-19 recorded 1973; track 20 recorded 1974.

(Note: THE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION does not include Nilsson’s 1974 album, Son Of Dracula , because it merely adds film dialogue and incidental cues to tracks from Nilsson Schmilsson and Son of Schmilsson .)

SOURCE Legacy Recordings

Web Site: http://www.legacyrecordings.com

See larger image The RCA Albums Collection (Audio CD) List Price: $139.98 USD New From: $146.56 In Stock This title will be released on July 30, 2013.