ACMJ International Blog

Michael Franks 70-80's 10 solo albums Japanese reissues and French 5 CD Box Set "Dream 1973-2011" will be coming !

Spring will be coming soon with Michael Franks this year!? In 38 years since his 1973 self-titled debut for Burt Records, Michael Franks has constantly released 18 studio recording original solo albums as at end of 2011. In Japan, Michael Franks' first 9 studio recording albums from1975 to 1987, that is to say,  from his major solo debut album "The Art Of Tea" (1975) to "Camera Never Lies" (1987)  and the much sought-after album MICHAEL FRANKS WITH CROSSFIRE LIVE (1980) will be re-released as limited collector's items with miniature LP style paper artworks on SHM CD (Super High Material CD), needless to say Remastered, which will be available on 25th April 2012 as the second releases of Warner Japan Light Mellow 2012 Collection.

Turning my eyes to Europe, Warner Rhino France has published that they will release Michael Franks Anthology box set titled "Dream 1973-2011"  on 26th March 2012 with 73 Remastered Tracks on 5CDs, featuring unreleased tracks, rarities & many more. This Box Set supervised by Michael Franks (including tracklisting) offers the most complete anthology of Michael Franks work. 5CDs focusing on 4 themes; [POP & FUNKY GROOVE], [JAZZ & EXOTIC SUMMER],  [SOFT & COOL SCHOOL] and [RARITIES & PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACKS + DUETS & SOME COVERS] . As you see below-listed track listing of 4th CD, you must be surprised to know what would be featured because it will include previously Japanese only tracks; "Antonio'€™s Song / The Rainbow" (duet with apanese popular female singer named ANRI, originally appeared on her 1996 album "Angel Whisper" )and Michael's Japanese pops cover  "Somewhere In The Rain" (originally performed by Japanese female superstar over the decade Yumi Arai (later, Yumi Matsutoya), known aka Yuming, in 1975, taken from 2003 Japanese only compilation album "OVER THE SKY : Yuming International Cover Album") The 5th CD contains the rare and mythical live recording of Michael Franks with Crossfire with miniature LP style paper artworks.  A 16 page booklet with a foreword by Michael Franks and track-by-track liner notes + photos, Box Set supervised by Michael Franks.

• Label: Warner Rhino France
• Release Date: 26th March 2012
• Tracks:
  • Disc 1 [POP & FUNKY GROOVE]
    1. Cant's Seem To Shake This Rock'n Roll
    2. Born With The Moon In Vergo
    3. Monkey See, Monkey Do
    4. B’wana-he No Home
    5. When The Cookie Jar Is Empty
    6. All Dressed Up (With Nowhere To Go)
    7. Jealousy
    8. Laughing Gas
    9. Alone At Night
    10. When Sly Calls (Don’t Touch That Phone)
    11. Your Secret’s Safe With Me
    12. Woman In The Waves
    13. Barefoot On The Beach
    14. Somehow Our Love Survives
    15. Practice Make Perfect
    16. Now That Your Joystick’s Broke
    17. The Dream
  • Disc 2  [JAZZ & EXOTIC SUMMER]
    1. Monk’s New Tune
    2. Hearing «Take Five»
    3. Don’t Be Blue
    4. When You Smiled At Me
    5. Popsicle Toes
    6. Sanpaku
    7. Eggplant
    8. Sometimes I Just Forget To Smile
    9. Mice
    10. Rendezvous In Rio
    11. The Way We Celebrate New Year’s
    12. Under The Sun
    13. Tell Me About It
    14. Tahitian Moon
    15. Like Water, Like Wind
    16. The Art Of Love
  • Disc 3  [SOFT & COOL SCHOOL]
    1. Dragonfly Summer
    2. Nightmoves
    3. Lotus Blossom
    4. The Lady Wants To Know
    5. On My Way Home To You
    6. Living On The Inside
    7. String Of Pearls
    8. One Day In St. Tropez
    9. Hourglass
    10. Rainy Night In Tokyo
    11. Never Say Die
    12. All I Need
    13. Like Moon Behind A Cloud
    14. Blue Pacific 15 Still Life
    15. The Cool School
  • Disc 4 [RARITIES & PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACKS + DUETS & SOME COVERS]
    1. Coming Home To You
    2. Jealousy -Geyster Remix- (Previously Unreleased)
    3. Blue Pacifi c -Alternate Version- (Previously Unreleased)
    4. This Will Never Do (Previously Unreleased)
    5. Somewhere In The Rain
    6. I Bought You A Plastic Star For Your Aluminum Tree
    7. Foolish Heart - Bob Mintzer with Michael Franks
    8. Antonio'€™s Song / The Rainbow - Anri with Michael Franks
    9. Leading Me Back To You - Joe Sample with Michael Franks
    10. Think...) Where Are You Goin? - Me Phi Me with Michael Franks
    11. Ladies’ Nite - Michael Franks with Bonnie Raitt
    12. When I Give My Love To You - Michael Franks with Branda Russell
    13. Now Love Has No End - Michael Franks with Valerie Simpson
    14. Island Christmas - Michael Franks with Veronica Nunn
    15. Popsicle Toes - The Manhattan Transfer
    16. Nightmoves - Dee Dee Bridgewater
  • Disc 5 [MICHAEL FRANKS WITH CROSSFIRE : LIVE]
    1. Don't Be Blue
    2. When the Cookie Jar is Empty
    3. The Lady Wants to Know
    4. B’Wana-He No Home
    5. Chain Reaction
    6. Antonio'€™s Song
    7. Monkey See, Monkey Do
    8. Popsicle Toes

 

The Art Of Tea [Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)] [SHM-CD] [Limited Release]

Michael Franks

 

 

Sleeping Gypsy [Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)] [SHM-CD] [Limited Release]

Michael Franks

 

Live [Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)] [SHM-CD] [Limited Release]

Michael Franks with Crossfire

 

The Camera Never Lies [Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)] [SHM-CD] [Limited Release]

Michael Franks

Other Michael Franks Japanese Limited Edition Collector Items

ONE FAMILY - raise money for Japanese Tsunami and World Disaster Relief by Terry Ilous & Jeff Paris feat. Eddie Money, Jim Jamison, Bobby Kimball

 

 

"One Family" is the charity single by UnitedRockers 4U featuring an all-star cast of rock performers from Eddie Money, TOTO, Survivor, Dokken, Great White, LA Guns, MSG, XYZ, Rough Cutt, Jeff Paris and more, along with Instrumental artists from such bands as Ozzy Osbourne, Poison, Foreigner, Whitesnake, Quiet Riot, Mr. Big, Hurricane and Michael Thompson Band. Proceeds from the sale of this charity will go to The American Red Cross for Disaster Relief. All the singers and musicians have graciously donated their time, talent and resources. Now they need your help. They are seeking donations that will be used to promote and market "One Family." The proceeds from the charity single will go to the American Red Cross for World Disaster Relief. No donation is too small. Please give whatever you can and thanks for your support.

If you will donate more than USD 25.00, you will receive special gifts from them in January 2012 following the official music release of "One Family." Please visit their special website "United Rokers 4U" for details.

Here is the message from Jeff Paris;

After the Japan tsunami in March, Terry Ilous (XYZ, Great White) and I ("a nice bloke"- Charlotte Bailey) approached the Red Cross with an idea to use music to raise money for disaster relief -- I know, it's not a revolutionary concept...but we're not Sting or Angelina Jolie.  Somehow we convinced them a couple of lowly rock dogs were worth listening to.  We were initially focused on Japan, but this year proved to be so catastrophe prone that we expanded to a global perspective.

It's been quite a learning curve, but everything's set up.  Our organization is called "United Rockers 4 U" (UR4U).  On December 12 we're releasing our single "One Family," featuring Eddie Money, Jimi Jamison, Robin McAuley (Survivor), Don Dokken (Dokken), Bobby Kimball (Toto), Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt), Michael Thompson, Ritchie Kotzen, and members of Whitesnake, Quiet Riot, Dio, Guns ‘n’ Roses and others.  All these artists donated their performances to our cause.  Beau Hill (Ratt, Winger, Warrant, Alice Cooper, Europe, etc.) mixed it and it's slamming.  It's straight up melodic rock, and really worth having.It'll be available on iTunes, Amazon, etc. shortly.

All proceeds from the sale of "One Family" go to the Red Cross.  So in order to handle some unavoidable costs (mixing, CD pressing, publicist, etc.) we're asking for donations.  If you want to help, and believe me, no donation is too small, go online to unitedrockers4u.org .  There's a PayPal button for contributions, and whatever you can do, we appreciate.

Terry and I are dads, and we saw clips on the news that just brought us to tears.  "That could be us," we said to each other.  Do you have to be Sting or Angelina Jolie to do something significant to help the afflicted?  Nah!!

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  Check out the website, and honestly, anything you do is awesome.

Thanks and happy holidays,

Jeff

Bill LaBounty "Time Starts Now" The definitive Anthology 75/11

It might be quite natural that  Warner / Rhino Records France has released  Bill LaBounty's Definitive Anthology 4 CD Box set titled "Time Starts Now - The Definitice Anthology 75/11" on October 31st, 2011. Bill LaBounty is also very popular in Japan but he established his firm status in French Westcoast music scene over the years. The box set features remarkable Bill LaBounty's solo albums tracks since 1975, and 2 songs taken from his collaboration with his long-time friend Larry Carlton from the album "Larry Carlton Plays Sound of Philadelphia". Bill's 1975 first solo album "Promised Love" was never reissued on CD till now. The album features 9 tracks, among of which 4 tracks, i.e. "Open Your Eyes", "Lie To Me", "Crazy" and "I Hope You'll Be Very Unhappy Without Me" were put again on his 1978 2nd solo album "This Night Wo't Last Forever". When I interviewed him several years ago, Bill stated that Curb Records bought the master rights of "Promised Love" from 20th Century Records and put the same onto his 2nd effort. Therefore, rest of 5 tracks have been wanted to be reissued on CD sometime. Yes, this box set includes these 5; "Always Be Near", "Together", "Pretty Little Girl", "Take A Step (Yesterday's Waltz)" and "Another Drunk". This box set would give us much surprise. 18 previously unreleased demos are included on Disc 4 "Untold Stories" which includes mid 80's precious demos and never-materiallized album project for Warner Bros. This box set is definitely your must-have CDs.

 

Get "When The Waiting is Over", the out-take for Chicago 18

Check out the blog post "Never before released track..." on Blue Infinity Music dated February. 2, 2010! On this post, Robert Lamm commented "Japanese fans, and perhaps those elsewhere in the world have been aware of the rumor of "When The Waiting is Over" the out-take title of which was disputed between my self and David Foster, at the time of recording this track for Chicago 18. It was one of my favorite songs for a long while, so much so, that it was included, re- arranged and re-cut (with it's correct title) "When Will The World Be Like Lovers?" on "Life is Good in My Neighborhood" (Blue Infinity Music). I prefer the solo RL version, Produced by Phil Ramone, becase of the Salsa vocalists in the coda, also the samples of Beginnings and Saturday in the Park. However it's interesting to contrast the 2 versions." [It will be offered sometime in the next few days..]

And on February 6, it is actually offered. Anyone interested in ordering CHICAGO's version of Robert Lamm's "When Will the World Be Like Lovers?" (AKA) "When The Waiting Is Over" can click below!

GET CHICAGO VERSION

Fly Away - The Songs Of David Foster

Most of David Foster fans are probably enjoying the recent CD/DVD release "You Are The Inspiration - The Music Of David Foster & Friends" (or "Hit Man - David Foster & Friends"). Having said so, if you are die-hard Foster fans since he created great music in late 70' s and early 80's with first-call L.A. studio musicians and great singers, this commercial mass appealing product would not be enough satisfactory in terms of singers and musicians involved. Now, you will solve this matter with the forthcoming another David Foster tribute album entitled "Fly Away - The Songs Of David Foster" . Here is the official press release;

Fly Away / The Songs of David Foster is an album that brings new life to some of the brighter gems in the immense catalogue of David Foster. Featuring a spectacular cast of vocalists, including Bill Champlin, Jeff Pescetto, Cecily Gardner, Robbie Dupree, Bill LaBounty, Joe Pizzulo, Ole Borud, Bill Cantos, Arnold McCuller, Frank Adahl, Lisa Lovbrand, and the unforgettable Warren Wiebe, backed-up by an elite group of studio musicians, including David Foster himself, Jay Graydon, John Robinson, Michael Landau, Paul Jackson Jr, Nathan East, Abe Laboriel, Neil Stubenhaus, Dan Warner, Jeremy Lubbock, Tollak Ollestad, Ramon Stagnaro, Brandon Fields and many others, this is a once-in-a-lifetime record that will not fail to live up to the expectations of the most demanding Foster fans.

In advance of the release of the full-length album, Contante & Sonante presents a limited edition 3-song EP previewing two of the album's songs, "In The Stone" and "No Explanation", plus a bonus track,"After All", performed by the soulful Leslie Smith, which is available only on this EP release. "In The Stone" is a powerful cover of the Foster-penned Earth, Wind & Fire classic. This amazing version is respectful to the original yet presents exciting new elements. The legendary Bill Champlin on lead vocals adds some soul to this funky jam, supported by the smoking Danish All Star Horns and an all-star rhythm section that includes John "JR" Robinson on drums, Nathan East on bass and Paul Jackson Jr. on guitar.

"No Explanation", originally performed by Peter Cetera for the Pretty Woman soundtrack, is a ballad that Foster co-wrote with singer/songwriter Bill LaBounty. What a treat to listen to LaBounty’s take on his own song! The acoustic setting is perfect for the singer's evocative performance, supported by the wonderful harmonica of Tollak Ollestad and some tasteful guitar playing by Dan Warner. The result is pure bliss.

"After All" is one the musical gems that Foster created with Jay Graydon for Al Jarreau. Here, an inventive arrangement breathes new life into this smooth ballad, featuring the voice of the very soulful singer Leslie Smith, a horn arrangement by Jan Glaesel, and fantastic musicianship by session greats John "JR” Robinson, Abe Laboriel and Dan Warner. Remember, this wonderful track won't be included in the full-length album, so you won't want to miss it!

Track listings:

EP (available exclusively at www.contanteysonante.com):

1. In The Stone (Bill Champlin)
2. No Explanation (Bill LaBounty)
3. After All (Leslie Smith) * bonus track not included on the full-length CD

full-length CD (due to release on March 2009):

1. Prelude (Tomi Malm --featuring David Foster)
2. In The Stone (Bill Champlin)
3. No Explanation (Bill LaBounty)
4. Jojo (Arnold McCuller)
5. The Colour Of My Love (Frank Adahl)
6. Heart To Heart (Jeff Pescetto)
7. Fly Away (Robbie Dupree)
8. Look What You've Done To Me (Cecily Gardner --featuring David Foster)
9. Through The Fire (Ole Borud)
10. The Best Of Me (Lisa Lovbrand)
11. Nothin' You Can Do About It (Frank Adahl)
12. Whatever We Imagine (Bill Cantos)
13. When Will The World Be Like Lovers (Jeff Pescetto, Robbie Dupree, Bill Cantos, Arnold McCuller, Joe Pizzulo and Frank Adahl)
14. Live Each Day (Warren Wiebe)

Marc Jordan's 2008 Holiday Single now available on physical CD!

As you may probably know, Marc Jordan released Chirstmas single entitled "Every Time It Snows" to conicide with the 2008 holiday seaon with a bonus track "Have Yourself A Merry Christmas" , the timeless standard produced by his wife Amy Sky . It was being serviced to radio and is available only on iTunes Canada Store. It meaned that most of his long-time fans over the world could not get its physical CDs. And only canadian residents could get its downloaded file via iTunes Store. I am pleased to let you know that the physical CD has become available through Amy Sky's Official Website Store. How about buying this CD single for 2009 Holiday Season from now!?

• Label: Café Records (CR010)
• Producers: Don Breithaupt (track 1), Amy Sky & himself (track 2)
• Musicians;
• • Don Breithaupt: Piano (track 1)
  • Steve Hunter: Piano (track 2)
  • Mike Francis: Guitar (track 2)
  • Maury Lafty: Bass (track 2)
  • Lyle Molzan: Drums (track 2)
• Tracks:
  1. Every Time It Snows
  2. Have Yourself & Merry Little Christmas

David Roberts Japan tour and another album release very soon

David Roberts is now busy for preparing his first Japan Tour 2008 to fill his missing 26 years absence and promote his brand-new 2nd solo album "Better Late Than Never" released in July breaking his 26 years silence. David will perform 2 shows in Tokyo, 1 show in Osaka and 1show in Nagoya early October.

And you will be very pleased to hear that David will release another album titled "Missing Years", a collection of his unreleased demos recorded mainly in early-mid 90's.
This release will be sold ahead of its official release date, at Club Quattro, when David Roberts will perform there.

Label: Vivid Sound Corp., Japan (VSCD3365>

Release Date: October 8, 2008
Tracks:
1. Run Back
2. Misunderstood
3. Gone But Not Forgotten
4. Until Your Heart's Content
5. Run Away With Me
6. Forbidden Fruit
7. Nothing Matters Tonight
8. I Love You So Much It Hurts
9. Higher Power
10. One Soul
11. No Ordinary Girl
12. Cry Me A River Tonight
13. I Still Believe

Live shows deatils would be as below;

Live Dates and Venues:

October 4, Saturday at Club Quattro Shibuya, Tokyo
(Show Start: 7PM)
October 6, Monday at Club Quattro Shinsaibashi, Osaka
(Show Start: 7PM)
October 7, Tuesday at Club Quattro Nagoya, Nagoya
(Show Start: 7PM)
October 8, Wednesday at Club Quattro Shibuya, Tokyo
(Show Start: 7PM)

Venue's official website: Club Quattro

Tour Members:

David Roberts: Keyboards and Vocals
Paul Mabury : Drums
Lauren Ellis : Bass

Pat Bergeson : Guitar

Brad Cole : Keyboards (known for his recording and tour supporting for Phil Collins)
Fred Mollin : Rhythm and Acoustic Guitar and Percussion (producer of the album "Better Late Than Never")

More Information: Tom's Cabin

In addition to the live gigs, David Roberts will perform for the promotion of "Better Late Than Never" and "Missing Years" at Tower Records Shibuya on October 3 Friday. The promotional in-store live will start from 7PM.

Tower Records Shibuya official website

Jay Graydon All Stars "Live in Japan 1994.1.19" Super High Material CD with bonus DVD

We could have DVD release of the Jay Graydon All Stars' 1994 live performance in Japan with 2 bonus CDs with the live audio recordings deleting MC as "Airplay For The Planet Live In Japan 1994.1.19" in December 2007. This was the must-have DVD for all of AOR/Westcoast music lovers, even though the video of the performance was shot as the private recorded data for the band, using a single camera and not intended to be published those days. And now again , The Super High Material CDs 2008 remastered version has just been released on 2 discs. If the difference between the first edition and the re-released version were only the materials of the disc and not omitting MC during the live performance, it is easy to skip. However, the re-released version is now on sale with a bonus DVD.... The bonus DVD includes Jay Graydon All Stars 1996 live videos. 6 tracks were taken on February 13, 1996 at Gino, Stockholm Sweden. And 2 tracks with live rehearsal taken on February 2, 1996 at Theater Drama City, Osaka Japan. It cannot help being criticized that the quality of the video are much worse than 1994's. Sound is also not so good regarding Swedish one. Therefore, this version should not be recommended to everyone but Jay's mania must express sincere gratitude to share the valuable memories by publishing this video. As you may know, 1996 tour members includes the voice of Airplay, Tommy Funderburk and Ned Doheny. Further, on February 13, two surprising guest players were captured by this video. These guys are Bill Champlin and Jason Scheff! On "She Just Can't Make Up Her Mind ", Bill appeared from behind and started to sing. Jason also appeared on stage and stayed in the background playing bass for a couple of songs.

• Label: Isol Discus Organization / Ward Records, Inc. Japan (GQCP-59044)
• Release Date: September 24, 2008
• Tracks on bonus DVD (Tracks 1-9: Live in Stockholm, Tracks 11-12: Live in Osaka)
  1. Cryin' All Night
  2. Bix
  3. It Will Be Alright
  4. She Just Can't Make Up Her Mind
  5. Nothin' You Can Do About It
  6. Whatcha Gonna Do For Me
  7. Pamela
  8. After The Love Has Gone
  9. Stranded
  10. Live Rehearsal (February 2, 1996 in Osaka)
  11. She Just Can't Make Up Her Mind
  12. Stranded

Joseph Williams' rare tracks now available: "Tony 'N' Tina Wedding" Movie Soundtrack CD

Tony 'N' Tina is well-known as the long-running Off-Broadway interactive play (in which the actors interact with the audience, which acts as the audience of the wedding being performed both on-stage and around them in the aisles. The movie based upon the play was created and granted a limited release in 2004, featuring Joey McIntyre (ex. New Kids on the Block, a boy band that enjoyed enormous success in the late 1980s and early 1990s).

When the movie premiered at the 2004 Tribeca Film Festival in November 2004, we had to pay our attention to the soundtrack of the movie because Joseph Williams dedicated his tunes to this movie. Joseph performed 2 Toto's songs;"Rosanna", "Hold the line", "Can You Feel The Love Tonight", "Angel Eyes" (composed by Joey), and "Scream and Shout" (composed by Joseph and Joey). And at that moment, they published that "Angel Eyes" and "Scream and Shout" would be appeared in the soundtrack of this movie. Thus, huge Joseph Williams and Toto fans had been keeping their eyes whether the soundtrack CD will be released or not. More than 3 years passed since then. Now, I am delighted to let you know this news....

Yes, the soundtrack CD is now available! Joseph sings 6 tunes in total: "Kids From Queens", "Scream & Shout", "Don't Leave Me Tonight", "I Don't Want To Lose Your Love", "Wishing You Were Here" and "Waiting". "Scream & Shout" is the alternative version of "Everywhere I Go" (original version appeared on Joseph's 3rd solo album "3" released in 1997). "I Don't Want To Lose Your Love" is very beautiful love song duet with Miari Peterson. "Wishing You Were Here" is another alternative version of Joe's well-known tune "Perfectly Clear", the opening track of the album "I Am Alive" (1996).

Joseph Williams & Jason Scheff on the latest Japanese movie soundtrack CD

"Blue Wolf: To The Ends of the Earth and Sea", a Japanese major movie released in March 2007 will also be released more than 60 countries and you can take a look at Genghis Khan's life, from his birth to conquests in Asia in late 12th century. Genghis Khan is said to be the father of Mogolia.
Apart from the movie itself, we should pay our attention to the soundtrack album because of two singers. One is Jason Scheff and the other is Joseph Williams.

　Jason Scheff would perform a power ballad titled "Anything For You" written with Greg Mathieson and originally performed by Tommy Funderburk for his latest solo album "Anything For You"(2005). Joseph would sing mid-tempo a little bit TOTO-vein pop titled "Safe And Sound".

Label: Avex Arts, Japan (AVCF-26913)
Release Date: February 28, 2007