Two Miles High Music

2009 tribute to the Tex-Mex great. Doug Sahm created a vast musical impact over a 50- year career. Starting in Texas and traveling far beyond, he is considered by many to be one of the most significant figures in Blues, Rock, R&B, Country, as well as an originator of Tex-Mex Rock 'N' Roll. This all-star salute includes Los Lobos, Jimmy Vaughan, Alejandro Escovedo and others.

EXPLICIT VERSION

If it took a solo album for Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. to make sure his songs were finally heard, file this one under "their loss" for those egocentric East Siders. The first in the group to make his own record, Hammond (son of the triumphant '70s singer and composer) comes up big, hammering out 10 songs brimming with beatific melodies ("Call an Ambulance"), sugary harmonies ("Scared"), and the same rampant guitar ("In Transit") that he wields with the big band. Though he recruits prominent pals Sean Lennon and Ben Kweller for the ride, it's unnecessary, as Hammond's voice--both capable and charmingly unkempt--is a step above the monotonous murmur of Strokes singer Julian Casablancas (who also appears). Hammond's far-reaching influences drift from AM pop to punk rock, but the mop-topped musician mostly keeps it close to the vest, blending shades of the Beach Boys ("Cartoon Music for Superheroes," complete with toy piano), John Lennon ("Blue Skies"), and the Pixies ("Back to the 101"). Now he just has to make sure his band gets a copy of the record. --Scott Holter

This moving, absorbing documentary is about the making of singer-songwriter Warren Zevon's final CD, the much-admired, star-studded The Wind. But more than that, it's about the final year of Zevon's life, and the way he approached what he called his "imminent demise" (which came in September '03). Zevon surely didn't plan on dying of lung cancer (although given his wry, sly, subversive sense of humor, he probably saw it as a good career move). But when doctors gave him the word, he became driven by an intense desire, and then urgency, to finish the music and leave a lasting farewell before his final goodbye; and he did, with the help of Bruce Springsteen, members of the Eagles, Ry Cooder, and others. Zevon is without self-pity; he knows what's coming, he's dealing with it, and in the process, an artist who'd always been preoccupied with death in his songs wrote some of his best when faced with his own mortality. Add to that a generous helping of bonus material (videos of two songs from The Wind, with Springsteen on "Disorder in the House"; interviews, home movies, excerpts from the sessions), and you've gotta figure Zevon himself would be pleased. --Sam Graham

A great sampler of the music scene in Louisville, KY, this CD compiles 16 original songs featured in and inspired by the independent motion picture "Keep Your Distance." Louisville serves as the setting for the film, and is the hometown of writer/director Stu Pollard, as well as nearly all the musicians who contributed songs to the movie. This CD also includes a full-color, 32-page booklet that includes a double-page spread for each artist with exclusive photos and stories about how the music found its way into the film. For more info, visit www.distanceflick.com.

Debut solo album from Albert Hammond Jr., guitarist with The Strokes (and son of THE Albert 'It Never Rains In Southern California' Hammond) Recorded in New York's Electric Lady Land studios together with Josh Lattanzi on bass and Matt Romano on drums. That basic trio has been augmented on various tracks by Julian Casablancas, Jody Porter (Fountains of Wayne), Ben Kweller, Sean Lennon, Mikki James, Sammy James Jr. and Ryan Gentles. The album was produced by Greg Lattimer who first came to attention as vocalist with New York's Thin Lizard Dawn in the late '90s. Rough Trade 10 trakcs.2006