several script pages for Jeff Bridges ' narration of Bob Smeaton ' s documentary film . The documentary soundtrack concludes with folk-rock favorite “ Who ’ ll Stop the Rain ,” another Creedence classic recorded for the chart-topping Cosmo ’ s Factory . The song ' s Vietnam-era protest lyric also served as John Fogerty ' s reflection upon the Woodstock generation with fresh eyes . The film itself chronicles the band ' s Bay Area beginnings , their signing with Fantasy Records , and the path that led them to the Royal Albert Hall .
A previous live album was released under this name in 1980 but was discovered to be a performance from the Oakland Coliseum . The Royal Albert Hall set is the real deal . When you listen , you ' ll wonder how this material remained buried for more than 50 years . The sound quality of the live album and film is very good , with restoration work by Beatles acclaimed remixers Giles Martin and Sam Okell .
– Jeff Elbel
8
STEELY DAN Can ' t Buy a Thrill
LP Reissue ( Geffen / UMe )
Steely Dan ' s reputation for meticulous studio craftsmanship made the band an ideal candidate for the original transition from the ' 70s vinyl format to high-fidelity digital in the mid- ' 80s on compact discs . 2000 ' s reunion effort Two Against Nature arrived when technology had caught up to Donald Fagen and Walter Becker . Nonetheless , the band ' s string of seven classic albums found their audience in the ' 70s on FM radio and LP . Now , there ' s a campaign to return Becker and Fagan ' s clever and ironic songs to their original format with audiophile enhancements for hungry turntables . 1972 debut album Can ' t Buy a Thrill is the first to receive its retro refresh . The standard 33 1 / 3 RPM LP arrives on black vinyl . True devotees can seek a limited-edition 45 RPM version on 200-gram vinyl from the Analogue Productions label , which will also produce a Super Audio CD version . Can ' t Buy a Thrill notched a pair of
indelible singles that are now classic rock staples . Fagen sings # 6 single " Do It Again ," with its conga-fueled groove , Fagen ' s shimmering electric piano , and a neo-psychedelic electric sitar solo by guitarist Danny Diaz . " You go back , Jack , do it again ," sings Fagen about a character who can ' t stay out of trouble with violence , women , and money . Pop shuffle " Reelin ' in the Years " rides Becker ' s loping bass and drummer Jim Hodder ' s spirited beat , and features Elliot Randall ' s stinging one-take lead guitar . Fagan plays acoustic piano and sings a world-weary lyric to a former flame . Sung by tenor David Palmer and featuring New Orleans-styled brass , the soulful and mid-tempo " Dirty Work " is a harmony-laden highlight about a man trapped in an affair with trouble ahead . Drummer Hodder sings " Midnite Cruiser " while Fagen strikes a balance between Warren Zevon and brainy jazz on piano . Fagen ' s piano on " Fire in the Hole " blends that jazz savvy on piano with affection for carnivalesque Leon Russell-styled rhythm . Noted studio guitarist Jeff " Skunk " Baxter plays slick , and supple Latin licks during " Only a Fool Would Say That ." The Palmersung " Brooklyn ( Owes the Charmer Under Me )" is long lost from Steely Dan set lists , but is interesting for Baxter ' s pedal steel . It ' s the closest thing to a reminder that Steely Dan ' s debut album was released in the same year as debut records by the Eagles and Jackson Browne . The album concludes with " Turn That Heartbeat Over Again ," a wry tale of a botched crime in which no one was supposed to get hurt .
The album was remastered with strict quality control by Bernie Grundman from original analog tapes . If your 51-year-old first pressing is full of pops and scratches , here ' s your chance to upgrade .
– Jeff Elbel
8
THE HUMAN LEAGUE Vinyl Collection Box Set
( Virgin )
This 5xLP vinyl box covers the crucial years in the career of New Wave touchstones and ' 80s icons The Human League . The journey begins with the band ' s breakout third album , 1981 ' s Dare , and concludes as the group ' s mass appeal cools with 1990s
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