January is typically one of the lightest months for new releases. Accordingly, there are only a couple that qualify as new, but several others that might be considered to be new again.
Ringo Starr - 'Y Not'
Hip-O Records
Ringo Starr's 15th solo studio release doesn't lack star power. There's Paul McCartney (featured on the first single from the album, "Walk With You") for starters. And then there's Joe Walsh (Eagles) and Dave Stewart (ex-Eurythmics) and Benmont Tench (The Heartbreakers) and Joss Stone and, well, you get the idea. After utilizing producers like Mark Hudson and the aforementioned Mr. Stewart on recent albums, Ringo opted to produce this one himself. Y Not (1/12, Hip-O Records) is being released via CD, MP3, and (on 1/19) vinyl.
Ace Frehley - 'Behind The Player' DVD
RED Distribution
If (like me) you very much enjoy paying attention to "the man behind the curtain" then you are the perfect audience for Ace Frehley's new DVD, Behind The Player (1/19, RED Distribution). The ex-KISS guitarist shows us how it's done in a documentary, jam session, and specific lessons on how to play "Cold Gin" and Shock Me" (titles well known to soldiers in the KISS Army.) Frehley released his first solo album in 20 years (Anomaly) in 2009.
Live to Tape
Live performance releases scheduled for January include:
• David Bowie - A Reality Tour CD (1/26, Sony Legacy)• Elvis Costello - Live At Hollywood High: The Costello Show 2 CD (1/12, Hip-O Records)
• Jethro Tull - Living With The Past CD (1/19, Eagle Records/Fontana)
• Johnny Winter - Live Bootleg Series Volume 6 MP3, CD (remastered) (1/12, Friday Music)
Rarities
Sanctuary Records
Universal Music Group have a couple of their Rarities Edition series ready to drop in January:
• Lynyrd Skynyrd - Street Survivors: Rarities Edition
The "rarities" include alternate versions of the tracks from the original release, and songs recorded for the 1977 album that didn't make the cut. The Geffen Records release (1/5) is available via CD and MP3.
• Motörhead - Ace Of Spades: Rarities Edition
In this version, Motörhead's 1980 studio release (their fourth) is augmented by alternate versions of the original tracks. Considered a metal/hard rock classic, the album's title track is, for many fans, the band's signature song. It's available (1/5) via MP3 and CD.
Play It Again
Mobile Fidelity
In case you missed them the first time around, January brings these remixes, remasters and reissues:
• The Band - Rock Of Ages CD, SACD (1/26, Mobile Fidelity)
• Blue Cheer - Outside Inside and Vincebus Eruptum - Vinyl LP (1/26, Sundazed Music)
• The Cars - Shake It Up CD (original master recording) (1/26, Mobile Fidelity Koch)
• Alice Cooper - Welcome To My Nightmare 180 gram Vinyl LP (1/26, Sony Legacy)
• Doobie Brothers - The Captain And Me CD, SACD (1/26, Mobile Fidelity)
• Gentle Giant - In A Glass House, The Power And The Glory and Freehand - CD (remastered) (1/12, Alucard Records)
• King Crimson - Lizard CD (remixed) (1/12, Discipline Us)
Compilations
Sony Legacy
For those who want to collect, sample, or be introduced to some of classic rock's best known tracks:
• Blue Öyster Cult - Playlist: The Very Best of Blue Öyster Cult CD (remastered) (1/26, Sony Legacy)
• The Guess Who - Playlist: The Very Best of The Guess Who CD (remastered) (1/26, Sony Legacy)
• Joe Satriani - Playlist: The Very Best of Joe Satriani CD (remastered) (1/26, Sony Legacy)
• Michael Schenker - Instrumental Intensity CD (1/26, Shrapnel)
• Steve Vai - Playlist: The Very Best of Steve Vai CD (remastered) (1/26, Sony Legacy)
• Van der Graaf Generator- Now And Then MP3, CD (1/26, Eastworld)
