Here are the major album releases, TV appearances, anniversaries and other events coming up in the next seven days. Mark your calendars and pre-order your favourites — but don’t blame me if things change at the last minute:
TOP NEW ALBUMS
Alessia Cara
The Pains of Growing
Canada’s latest pop princess unveils her second album — which will hopefully earn her enough money to finally afford a men’s suit that actually fits.
Bryan Ferry & His Orchestra
Bitter-Sweet
Eternally suave frontman Ferry continues to swing backward by putting a jazzy spin on another batch of Roxy Music classics and solo cuts.
Dolly Parton
Dumplin’
When I first glanced at the title of Parton’s latest release — the soundtrack to a musical comedy film starring Jennifer Aniston — I thought it was Dumpin’. That would have been a very different album.
Dennis Quaid & The Sharks
Out of the Box
Another movie star continues to nurse his rock dreams with a disc of new originals and cover versions of The Doors, Van Morrison and others. Yay.
The 1975
A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships
Will this third album be the one that finally turns Matt Healy and his bandmates into fully fledged stars in North America? Probably not. But it will likely be great anyway.
Jeff Tweedy
Warm
Go go along with his revealing new memoir Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back), the Wilco founder and frontman offers up his latest solo album. Your dad-rock holiday shopping is done.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
Sex, Dope & Cheap Thrills
The 50th-anniversary reissue parade continues with this collection of outtakes from Janis Joplin‘s final album with this San Francisco outfit.
Neil Diamond
50th Anniversary: Collector’s Edition
Six discs of hits, highlights and rarities from the career of the Jewish Elvis.
Elvis Presley
Elvis: ’68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition)
Seven discs of hits, highlights and ephemera from the triumphant return of the non-Jewish Elvis.
Neil Young
Songs for Judy
Shakey dips back into his bottomless archives with this collection of acoustic solo recordings from his 1976 Crazy Horse tour.
MUSIC ON TV
Monday, Nov. 26
Blood Orange | Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Tuesday, Nov. 27
Mike Will Made-It, Swae Lee, Young Thug | Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Trey Songz | Daily Pop
Wednesday, Nov. 28
J.I.D. feat. BJ The Chicago Kid & Thundercat | Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Sara Bareilles | Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Lauv & Julia Michaels | Late Late Show With James Corden
Meek Mill | Ellen DeGeneres Show
Thursday, Nov. 29
Sampha | Late Late Show With James Corden
Jennier Lopez | Ellen DeGeneres Show
Friday, Nov. 30
Garth Brooks | Live With Kelly & Ryan
Alessia Cara | Ellen DeGeneres Show
Trey Songz | The Real
Saturday, Dec. 1
Tall Heights | CBS This Morning
Anderson .Paak | Saturday Night Live
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Monday, Nov. 26
U.K. punk starts here: In 1976, The Sex Pistols released their first single Anarchy In The U.K. And then it ends here: In 2016, Joe Corre, the son of Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren and fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, burned punk memorabilia worth £5 milion in the middle of the River Thames in London. Speaking of rolling on the river, crank up Proud Mary today in honour of Tina Turner‘s 79th birthday. Anna Mae Bullock was born in 1939.
Tuesday, Nov. 27
In 1964, Mick Jagger was fined £16 for driving offences by a court in England. His solicitor told the judge: “The Duke of Marlborough had longer hair than my client and he won some famous battles. His hair was powdered, I think because of fleas. My client has no fleas.” Can’t argue with that logic. Blast your favourite Jimi Hendrix song — the guitar hero was both on this day in 1942.
Wednesday, Nov. 28
In 1974, John Lennon made his final live appearance when he joined Elton John on stage at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Lennon performed Whatever Gets You Thru The Night, I Saw Her Standing There and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds. Then leave your hat on while you wish Randy Newman a happy 75th birthday: The singer-songwriter was born on this day in 1943.
Thursday, Nov. 29
Double Beatles news: In 1980 John Lennon and Yoko Ono‘s Double Fantasy album was released. It went on to win the 1981 Album of the Year at the 24th annual Grammy Awards. On a sadder note, in 2001, George Harrison died in Los Angeles of lung cancer at age 58.
Friday, Nov. 30
In 1982, Michael Jackson‘s Thriller album was released. It became the biggest selling pop album of all time, moving more than 66 million copies. But you really should be listening to Deep Purple‘s Smoke on the Water today — it’s bassist Roger Glover‘s 73rd birthday.
Saturday, Dec. 1
What a difference a decade makes: In 1957, Buddy Holly and The Crickets appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, playing That’ll Be The Day and Peggy Sue. Ten years later, The Jimi Hendrix Experience released their second studio album Axis: Bold as Love. Something else to celebrate today: The 74th birthday of Doors drummer John Densmore. Come on baby, light his birthday cake on fire.
Sunday, Dec. 2
Strange crime day: In 1969, Cindy Birdsong of The Supremes was kidnapped at knifepoint by a maintenance man in her building. She escaped unharmed by jumping out of his car on the freeway, and he was arrested in Las Vegas four days later. In 2002, Oasis singer Liam Gallagher was arrested and charged with assault after he kung-fu kicked a police officer in Munich — not the smartest idea, since he lost his two front teeth in the brawl. And in 2003, Darkness singer Justin Hawkins was held for two hours at JFK Airport in New York after police mistook him for a wanted man with the same name and looks. How times have changed — these days, he can’t even get arrested in North America. Ba-da-boom! Thank you and goodnight!
