New music: The Aquabats!, Steeleye Span, Terry Adams

In this column, I highlight a diverse field of artists featured on outstanding titles available now.

Artist: The Aquabats!

Title: Finally (Gloopy Records / MVD Audio)

You might like if you enjoy: The Cars, Devo, Reel Big Fish

Tell me more: Anyone who caught The Aquabats! at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April knows just how much fun the Huntington Beach-spawned musical troupe is in concert. Released on June 21, 2024, The Aquabats!'s seventh studio album Finally fully delivers on the band's freewheeling and fun live shows and brings that undeniable party to a 17-track LP that will please the band's generations-spanning fan base known as "Aquacadets." The expansive sonic extravaganza — the band's first new album since 2020's Kooky Spooky...In Stereo — kicks off with the driving alt rocker "Whatever Forever!," a cut bolstered by melody and virtuoso guitar work. Other standouts include the pop-styled "Unicorn Babies!," sci-fi themed foray "Dr. Space Mummy!" (the latter among the highlights of the band's Coachella appearance), post-punk rockers "Algebro!" and "Roofus The Doofus!," electronica "Let's Go Live In A Cave!," comedic "Spider Love!," ska sortie "Sun Blocker!" and enticing melodic cut "Don't Make Me Run!"

The Aquabats! features the collective talents of The MC Bat Commander (lead vocals), Crash McLarson (bass guitar), Jimmy the Robot (saxophone, keyboards), Ricky Fitness (drums, percussion), Eaglebones Falconhawk (guitar, bass), Chainsaw The Prince of Karate (guitar, vocals), Cat Boy (trumpet, vocals) and Gorney (piano, keys, vocals, bass, guitar). Information: theaquabats.com and mvdaudio.com.

Artist: Steeleye Span

Title: Live At The Bottom Line, 1974 (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson, traditional Irish music, Solas

Tell me more: A previously-unissued performance by British folk-rock troupe Steeleye Span, Live At The Bottom Line, 1974 is an exciting and wonderful audio document of a performance captured 50 years ago that ranks as one of this year's most outstanding concert recording releases. The recording features instrumental standouts such as "Beg Your Leave," "Irish Jigs (Including Paddy Clancy's)," and a fiery medley ("The Musical Priest/The Silver Spear/The High Reel") as well as sweeping songs like the driving folk rocker "Alison Gross," the dazzling duet "John Barleycorn," the troupe's enticing #14 UK hit "Gaudete" and spirited fiddle-anchored closer "The Mason's Apron." The recording also introduces one of the sextant's most beloved songs, "Thomas The Rhymer," a perfect fusion of British folk and rock bolstered by bewitching vocal harmonies. The Scottish ballad "Cam Ye O'er Frae France," dark "Little Sir Hugh," the haunting "Saucy Sailor" and lovely "Summer is a Comin' In" are among the other wonderful tracks featured on the 74-minute set. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Terry Adams

Title: Terrible (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: NRBQ, jazz, GoGo Penguin, Vince Guaraldi

Tell me more: The first solo album from NRBQ founder Terry Adams has been reissued and remastered by Omnivore Recordings with four bonus tracks. Originally released in 1995, Terrible puts the focus on Adams' talents as a composer. Adams is backed by fellow New Rhythm & Blues Quartet bandmates Johnny Spaminato (guitar), Joey Spaminato (bass) and Tom Ardolino (drums) as well as a slew of other guests —  notably Marshall Allen (alto sax), Tyrone Hill (trombone) and Dave Gordon (trumpet). The track listing includes the bona fide jazz sorties "Toodlehead" and "Hilda," New Orleans-flavored "Venusian Sunset," cinematic "Yes Yes Yes," the sublime "Little One," beautiful ballad "Thinking Of You" and aptly-titled "These Blues." Two of the more interesting selections are the otherworldly "Distant Instant" and "Kalimba," which both feature Adams alone on dulcitone. The reissue includes new liner notes, remastered audio, and is available as a double-LP set, on audio CD and via digital. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Robert Kinsler

Omnivore Recordings Announces Previously Unissued Performance From Iconic Folk-Rock Band Steeleye Span

Although we are in early 2024, a number of exciting historic live performances have been announced. The latest is a forthcoming performance by groundbreaking folk-rock group Steeleye Span set for release on Feb. 16...Robert Kinsler

Omnivore Recordings Announces Previously Unissued Performance From Iconic Folk-Rock Band Steeleye Span Recorded Live at NYC’s Legendary Bottom Line

Live At The Bottom Line, 1974 will be available on

CD and Digital on February 16, 2024

January 10, 2024: On February 16, Omnivore Recordings will release Live At The Bottom Line, 1974, a previously unissued performance from the iconic British folk-rock band Steeleye Span, recorded live at New York’s legendary Bottom Line while on the band’s Now We Are Six tour.

 

Fairport Convention co-founder and bassist Ashley Hutchings and legendary singer Sandy Denny parted ways with the group after their classic Liege And Leaf album. Hutchings recruited Tim Hart and Maddy Prior (an established folk duo) and Terry and Gay Woods, naming their new band after a character in the traditional song “Horkstow Grange.” While their line-up fluctuated (Terry Woods would leave and later become the bassist in the classic Pogues line-up a decade later), the band solidified and continues to this day.

 

Staying true to their folk roots, the band found themselves not only supporting

Jethro Tull on tour, but signing to Chrysalis Records. Their breakthrough sixth

album released in 1974, Now We Are Six, referring to both number of album

releases and band members, (with a cameo from David Bowie on saxophone!)

That release included the track “Thomas The Rhymer,” which has become a Steeleye concert staple.

 

On their fourth tour of the US, Steeleye Span played New York’s fabled Bottom

Line in July of 1974, showcasing not only material from their new and previous

albums, but adding the classic jig and reel medleys the band had become known for

in performance. The 74-minute set includes their #14 UK hit “Gaudete,” the classic

“John Barleycorn,” and much more. Many of the US tour dates were headlining

shows, they garnered good press and some were broadcast on local FM radio, including the Bottom Line show which was carried on WNYU-FM.

 

Live At The Bottom Line, 1974 documents what may have been Steeleye Span’s

longest and most successful tour of the US, and we’re lucky that on this New York

City night, the tapes were rolling to capture this fantastic ever-evolving live band.

Slàinte mhath!

 

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/rQdxJ-Dhseg

 

Pre-order: https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/span-live-at-the-bottom-line/

 

Live At The Bottom Line, 1974 Tracklist:

1. Beg Your Leave

2. Irish Jigs (Including Paddy Clancy’s)

3. Alison Gross

4. Song Introduction To “Cam Ye O’er Frae France”

5. Cam Ye O’er Frae France

6. Song Introduction To “John Barleycorn”

7. John Barleycorn

8. Song Introduction To “Little Sir Hugh”

9. Little Sir Hugh

10. Song Introduction To “Two Magicians”

11. Two Magicians

12. Saucy Sailor

13. Robbery With Violins/Kitty Come Down From Limerick/O’Rourke’s Reel

14. Summer Is A Comin’ In

15. Staines Morris/In Peascod Time

16. One Misty Moisty Morning

17. Gaudete

18. Thomas The Rhymer

19. The Musical Priest/The Silver Spear/The High Reel

20. Nautical Medley: Hearts Of Oak/A Life On The Ocean Wave/Rule Britannia

21. Royal Forester

22. The Mason’s Apron