News
June 26th, 2009
THE THRILL IS GONE
The news couldn't come more shocking: Michael Jackson passed away on June 25th aged only 50... The victim of cruel heart attack, his music broke the hearts of many around the world. No matter what heap of dirt has been thrown at him over the last years, Jackson was a real genius and a revolutionary. His death might be caused by the medication he was using during the preparation course for the 50 concerts in London, yet it only went to show Michael's commitment to work. It's no time to speculate now, it's time to grieve.
June 18, 2009
GET YOUR FOLK OUT
From PINK FLOYD to Nick Drake and far out, the British rock scene would have been drastically different if Joe Boyd hadn't come over there from the US to become one of the most influential producers of all time. His recent book "White Bicycles - Making Music in the 1960s" is the essential read for everyone but, having finished the autobiography, Boyd's not resting on the laurels. The dust hasn't settle down yet from the Drake tribute show but Joe already has something new up his rolled up sleeve.
There'll be "Witchseason Weekend" at London's Barbican on July 18th and 19th. The first night is planned to gather the early line-ups of FAIRPORT CONVENTION - yes, with Ian Matthews and Judy Dyble alongside Richard Thompson, Ashley Hutchings, Dave Swarbrick and, of course, Simon Nicol, Dave Mattacks and Dave Pegg. More so, joining the veterans will be Chris and Kellie While, the former doing a great Sandy Denny impression, Martin Carthy, Teddy and Kamila Thompson, plus Linde Nijland. The second gathering will see Mike Heron and Clive Palmer presiding over the tribute to their mindchild, THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND, with not a little help from the Thompson clan, the marvellous DR. STRANGELY STRANGE, Robyn Hitchock, Alastair Roberts, TREMBLING BELLS and some still unannounced guests. Wish everybody were there...
STAR-DRIVEN BIBLE BLACK
"Come to the sabbat - Satan's there": these words pitch a hole in many a heavy music lover, although Leicester's own BLACK WIDOW weren't so about metal as about progressive strains, but then, there was that image... Formed in 1969 from the ashes of PESKY GEE, the band found some great notoriety yet didn't hit as big as BLACK SABBATH they often were heaped in with and broke up in 1972 with their fourth album canned and shelved. Released since then, it saw the rise in the ensemble's status, and now the time came for the reunion and another record, "Sleeping With Demons" being laid down now with the WIDOW's original femme fatale Kay Garret on vocals. More so, some vocals will be added by none other than the former SABBATH belter Tony Martin and, quite possibly, the album will feature Martin's old compadre Mario Parga on guitar.
Tony will record his parts once back from the July-August tour of the US with his band re-christened HEADLESS CROSS as the singer's up for celebrating the 20th anniversary of BLACK SABBATH's "Headless Cross" album by performing it in its entirety, including songs never played live before. Sure, there'll be more material dusted off including some from "The Eternal Idol". Martin band features his SABBATH colleague Geoff Nichols on keyboards and guitarist Rolf Munkes whose EMPIRE's "Trading Souls" had Martin on vocals.
NOT A SITUATION FOR A NERVOUS BOY
Putting out a box set in the times of credit crunch might get on the nerves on any music fan, but the UFO aficionados' burden feels especially heavy as the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP 4CD+DVD live collection mentioned on this page below is to be followed on July 6th by "The Official Bootleg Box Set" from the band the guitarist found fame with. There'll be six discs, all audio, with the dates of some of the shows represented therein not given yet. Still, at least half of these comes from the classic era which makes it quite a desirable flying object.
Disc 1
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Disc 2
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Disc 3
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Disc 4
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Disc 5
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Disc 6
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June 10, 2009
DADA WAS...
It was almost bound to happen in June as this month looms large in the SOFT MACHINE legend, but everybody hoped Hugh Hopper, the band's earth-shattering yet supple bassist, would overcome his illness. Unfortunately, unlike all the music battles Hugh endured, this one the 64-year-old Canterbury scene veteran lost. On June 7th Hopper passed away. But the artiste's legacy - and SOFT MACHINE LEGACY - lives on, and that's the way to be remembered, not only sorely missed.
HEAVY SINKING
After 25 years of glorious operation - mainly in the field of hard 'n' heavy but also with such artists as Loreena McKennitt on the roster - German record company SPV GmbH declared themelves bankrupt on May 25th. Still, the management informed the public that "normal business will continue even after the application for insolvency" and the label continue working in the areas of production and distribution in the usual way whatever it means. So is the ship really sinking?
ACCEPT IN ACCESS
This year will see a welcome return of German heavyweights ACCEPT who were in limbo since 2005's reunion of the classic line-up. Recently, though, bassist Peter Baltes and guitarist Wolf Hoffmann found such pleasure in each other's company that they decided to get to the studio and on-stage again in 2009. Udo Dirkschneider won't be a part of this, as his U.D.O. band get ready to unleash a new album in August, releasing the limited edition "Infected" EP on June 26th. So ACCEPT's new frontman is Mark Tornillo who sang previously with the '80s headbangers TT QUICK. The Deutsch veterans and their American vocalist have already tried the new combination on a version of the band's master smash "Balls To The Wall".
PARANOID GONZOID
It seems Ozzy Osbourne's greedy side, or best half, can't be tamed. First, there were royalties-related lawsuits and replacing Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake's parts on the singer's first solo albums. Now, he files a lawsuit against Tony Iommi demanding to share the BLACK SABBATH copyright which, allegedly, the founding guitarist used illegally. What a lie! Having jumped ship in 1979 and produced only two songs with the band twenty years later, Ozz has never been too much interested in al things SABS save for singing the odd hit live, while Iommi has led the ensemble through all these years and reached new hights with other vocalists, including Ronnie James Dio. This, 1981's incarnation of the group tours now as HEAVEN AND HELL to distinct themselves from original SABBATH, yet Osbourne's still irritated and infuriated; but, perhaps, it was Tony's decision to change his current band's name that made his old Nemesis take action?
BACK TO THE RIDGE
There was a hint when, on 2007's "Revival", John Fogerty set a connection back to his CREEDENCE times, but now he's linking to his first solo album, 1973's "Blue Ridge Rangers" - a pure solo record, with John playing not only guitar but all the instruments. Late summer of 2009 will see the release of "The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again", a real follow-up to Fogerty's classic LP in the full sense of the word as, like on that record, there's only country rock covers on it - plus a new take on the veteran's own "Change In The Weather", greatly covered in 1993 by Buddy Guy on his Grammy-snatching "Feels Like Rain". But here's one big difference: this time, John called to arms some heavy friends including Bruce Springsteen duetting with Forgerty on THE EVERLY BROTHERS' "When Will I Be Loved" and two EAGLES, Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit on Rick Nelson’s "Garden Party". Rootsy! And that's what makes the new album.
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1. Paradise |
A BILLION DOLLAR TRIO
There was the Million Dollar Quartet comprised of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash, but price can be tagged on the Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan collaboration that's rumored to take place soon with none other than Ringo Starr on drums? Looks quite unlikely, but lately we saw many unlikely things happen, including the remastering of THE BEATLES' catalogue...
THE ANGELS COME AGAIN
For July, the good folks of Angel Air have something great to offer.
What's the best hour for Verden Allen to come up with a new, his fourth solo, album if not now, that the keyboardist's name is the talk of the town with regards to the MOTT THE HOOPLE's October 2009 reunion? Not that the veteran recorded it on the occasion - it's been in the works for some time - but, together with Mick Ralphs tour with BAD COMPANY, the album will help get in the mood for some bovvering.
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1. My Masochistic Side |
Another goodie is "Animal Instinct 2" from the roaring ranks of TYGERS OF PAN TANG, a new album laid down in 2008 and updated with five bonus tracks in 2009. This, the label's 300th, release comes augmented with a concert DVD taped at Berlin Studios in England last year. Quite a package to celebrate the band's 30th anniversary!
Disc 1 - CD
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Disc 2 - DVD
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VOODOO'S GONE
Willie Dixon's protege, born in Memphis but coming to bluesy age in Chicago, Koko Taylor didn't get to be portrayed in "Cadillac Records" but the Chess story wouldn't be full without her name. Moving to Alligator later on, the singer has eight Grammy nominations for the nine albums recorded for the label and, unlike many of her contemporaries, never really slid into obscurity. The last track on the lady's last record, out in 2007, was Dixon's "Young Fashioned Ways"; that's how she lived. Sadly, on June 3rd the 80-year-old veteran passed away. Now all that's left is her voice preserved for eternity.
AXEMAN ATTACKS
Having just bought MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP's new, star-sprinkled album, the blonde devil fans will have to shell out some more money on June 22nd, when "Walk The Stage: The Official Bootleg Box Set" is to see the light of day. It's four CDs and a DVD from the former UFO guitarist's band's golden period of early '80s. While two shows from the same date in Japan might be one too many, as there's obviously more material which could have been used out there, there's much to rock out to here.
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CD1 - Hammersmith, 25.9.1980
1. Armed And Ready |
CD2 - Osaka Festival Hall, 19.8.1981
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CD3 - Osaka Festival Hall, 19.8.1981
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CD4 - Reading Festival, 29.8.1982
1. Armed And Ready |
DVD - Hammersmith Odeon, 1983
1. Intro |
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