New Sting, Aaron Neville and David Sanborn Surround SACDs

This week’s new SACD releases from Universal Music feature Surround Sound SACD editions of albums by Sting, Aaron Neville and David Sanborn. Also new this week are further additions to the Universal Music SACD release schedule and the start of a mailing list for consumers interested in Universal’s SACD and DVD-A release plans in the U.S.

The Surround Sound SACD edition of Sting’s new Sacred Love album is being released on the same date as the regular CD Audio version in the U.S. market, making it a «day and date» release. However, in the European market it is being released as a special limited edition, single inventory SACD for a limited period of time to tie-in to Universal Music Europe’s promotion of the SACD format featuring Sting and other musicians in radio ads (see our earlier story from IFA 2003 linked below on Universal Music Europe’s SACD release plans for more details). At a later date, the album will be available in Europe in separate SACD and CD editions, as it is in the U.S.

The Aaron Neville and David Sanborn albums were released on CD Audio earlier this year and are now making their Surround Sound SACD debut this week. All three of the new SACDs feature Surround Sound SACD, Stereo SACD and CD Audio tracks. They are playable on SACD, CD and SACD compatible DVD Video players. Here’s more information on each release.

Sacred Love
Sting
Surround Sound SACD/Stereo SACD/CD Audio

(A&M Records B0000872-36)

Sacred Love is Sting’s first new studio effort in 4 years. It features the song «Send Your Love» which was released as a
single by Sting this summer as well as a duet with singer Mary J. Blige. Next week, A&M will release a DVD Video on the making of the album entitled «Inside the Sings of Sacred Love». Universal Music says the DVD Video is intended to be a «companion» to the SACD and CD Audio editions of Sacred Love and will be packaged in a standard jewel box (vs. a standard DVD Video box) to encourage it’s placement in the record section of music and video stores.

Album Tracks
1. Inside
2. Send Your Love [featuring Vicente Amigo]
3. Whenever I Say Your Name [featuring Mary J. Blige]
4. Dead Man’s Rope
5. Never Coming Home
6. Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing)
7. Forget About the Future
8. This War
9. The Book of My Life [featuring Anoushka Shankar]
10. Sacred Love
11. Send You Love (Dave Aude Remix)

Nature Boy: The Standards Album
Aaron Neville
Surround Sound SACD/Stereo SACD/CD Audio

(Verve 0440-076062-2)

Aaron Neville joins the Verve Records label with his newest album entitled Nature Boy: The Standards Album. As the album title implies, the SACD features Neville and a host of all-star guest musicians performing a series of musical classics. Included on the disc is a performance of The Very Thought of You which is a duet with Neville and Linda Ronstadt.

The Aaron Neville SACD features a 5.1 Surround Sound mix by Elliot Scheiner who also did the album’s Stereo mix. The SACD was mastered by Darcy Proper at Sony Music Studios in New York.

Album Performers

  • Aaron Neville — Vocals
  • Rob Mounsey — Piano, Organ, Keyboards & Percussion
  • Anthony Wilson — Guitar
  • Ron Carter — Bass
  • Grady Tate — Drums
  • Linda Ronstadt — Vocals
  • Roy Hargrove — Trumpet & Flugelhorn
  • Ray Anderson — Trombone
  • Michael Brecker — Tenor Sax
  • Charles Neville — Tenor Sax
  • Ry Cooder — Guitar
  • Gil Goldstein — Accordian
  • Bashiri Johnson — Congas & Percussion

Album Tracks
1. Summertime
2. Blame it on My Youth
3. The Very Thought of You — with Linda Ronstadt
4. The Shadow of Your Smile
5. Cry Me a River
6. Nature Boy
7. Who Will Buy?
8. Come Rain or Come Shine
9. Our Love Is Here to Stay
10. In the Still of the Night
11. Since I Fell for You
12. Danny Boy

Timeagain
David Sanborn
Surround Sound SACD/Stereo SACD/CD Audio

(Verve 0440-076155-2)

Timeagain is David Sanborn’s first new album in 4 years and is his debut recording for the Verve label. The album features performances that are a mixture of jazz and pop classics along with three new songs. Timeagain also stars several guest musicians including Christian McBride, Steve Gadd, Russell Malone & Mike Mainieri.

When describing the album, Sanborn says

«I came up with the title «Timeagain» because much of this album is reexamining things from my past. On «Timeagain», I’m readdressing songs that have meant a lot to me over the years — some of which I heard when I was growing up in St. Louis.»

 

The Surround Sound mix for timeagain was done by Al Schmitt, assisted by Steve Genewick at Capitol Studios in Hollywood. The SACD mastering was done by Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood.

Album Performers

  • David Sanborn — Sax
  • Steve Gadd — Drums
  • Christian McBride — Bass
  • Russell Malone — Guitar
  • Mike Mainieri — Vibes
  • Gil Goldstein — Piano
  • Ricky Peterson — Keyboards & Drum Loops
  • Don Alias — Percussion
  • Luis Quintero — Percussion
  • Randy Brecker — Trumpet & Flugelhorn
  • Lawrence Feldman — Alto Flute & Bass Flute

Album Tracks
1. Comin’ Home Baby
2. Cristo Redentor
3. Harlem Nocturne
4. Man From Mars
5. Isn’t She Lovely
6. Sugar
7. Tequila
8. Little Flower
9. Spider B.
10. Delia

Availability
The new Sting, Aaron Neville and David Sanborn Surround Sound SACDs are now in stock and available for purchase at Tower Records as well as the Elusive Disc and Music Direct web sites. The Neville SACD is also available from the Acoustic Sounds web site.

New Email List for Universal SACD and DVD-A Releases
Taking a page from Universal Music Germany’s successful SACD release email list, Universal Music in the U.S. has started a similar email list for their SACD and DVD-A release plans. To enroll in the list, visit the Universal Music New Formats web section (see link below) and fill out the «Sign Up» link on the page. You will be asked to provide your birthdate, name and email address to join the list.

Universal Music Updates SACD Release List
Universal Music continues to add titles to their SACD Release List. Of note here are plans to release the Elton John Surround Sound SACD in two versions — one with a bonus DVD Video disc and new SACD titles by Ryan Adams, Motley Crue and Nana Mouskouri. Here are the latest Pop, Rock & Jazz SACD titles on the release list with projected release dates.

October 14, 2003 SACD Release

  • Michael McDonald — Motown (Motown)

 

October 21, 2003 SACD Release

  • Ludacris — Chicken ‘n Beer (Def Jam)

 

October 28, 2003 SACD Releases

  • George Thorogood — George Thorogood & The Destroyers (Rounder)
  • George Thorogood — Move It On Over (Rounder)
  • The Who — Tommy (MCA)

 

November 4, 2003 SACD Releases

  • John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman — John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman (Impulse)
  • Joe Henderson — Lush Life: The Music Of Billy Strayhorn (Verve)
  • Sarah Vaughan — With Sarah Vaughan (Verve)
  • Dinah Washington — What A Diff’rence A Day Makes! (Verve)

 

November 11, 2003 SACD Releases

  • Elvis Costello — North (Deutsche Grammophon)
  • Elton John — Goodbye Yellow Brick Road [2 SACD Set](Island Records)
  • Elton John — Goodbye Yellow Brick Road [2 SACD Set + Bonus DVD Video Disc](Island Records)
  • Randy Newman — Seabiscuit Soundtrack (Decca)

 

November 18, 2003 SACD Releases

  • 112 — Hot And Wet (Def Jam)
  • John Hiatt — Bring The Family (A&M)

 

SACD Releases Coming Soon

  • Ryan Adams — Rock ‘N Roll (Lost Highway)
  • Allman Brothers Band — Live At Filmore East (Mercury)
  • Count Basie & His Orchestra — April In Paris (Verve)
  • Herbie Hancock — Gershwin’s World (Verve)
  • Motley Crьe — Greatest Hits (Hip-O Records)
  • Nana Mouskouri — Nana Swings (Deutsche Grammophon)
    Sacred Love by Sting (A&M Records B0000872-36)