News
January 30, 2009
GET BACK, HONKY CAT?
As reported before, Yusuf Islam is slowly but surely getting back on the track where Cat Stevens left off three decades ago, and this week he's made available for download on his site a new single, a cover of George Harrison's gem "The Day The World Gets Round", all proceeds from which will go to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, and Save The Children to help the families in Gaza. Whatever good is the cause, the recording is unique in that it features on bass Klaus Voormann, THE BEATLES' old friend from their Hamburg days who won a "Grammy" for the "Revolver" cover and subsequently recorded with Harrison as well as John Lennon and Ringo Starr, and then with Manfred Mann's band. This time, Yusuf has asked Klaus to help him design a cover for a new album - which is a but strange as Cat was one hell of a graphic artist himself, just remember the "Moonshadow" animated movie - and, in return for agreement, got asked to contribute to the bassist's album, "The Sideman's Journey", that'll be released soon and will finance a native Americans' reservation in South Dakota. So the song is to appear on both records. Quite a thing.
SECRET OF THE CHANCE
At first Brian Jones, than LED ZEPPELIN, now it's Ian Gillan... But no, the legendary warbler doesn't go to Marrakesh, it's just his new studio album, due out on March 6th, is called "One Eye To Morocco" and kicks of with the track with the same title. Should we expect some Eastern motifs? Who knows save for Big Ian and his band who road-tested another piece, "Texas State Of Mind", during the singer's last solo tour immortalized on "Live In Anaheim" CD and DVD. Anyway, why having recorded a song titled "South Africa" not go to the other end of the Black Continent?
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1. One Eye To Morocco |
MIGHT HE NEVER
He was one of a kind, as admitted even those who never liked John Martyn's style which somehow was not easy to get into because the musician often labeled as folk artist didn't restrict himself to a certain genre and some even considered him as a trip-hop pioneer thanks to 1977's "One World" that saw John collaborate with Lee Perry. There was more collaborations with Martyn helped out by such heavy friends as Eric Clapton, Paul Kossoff and David Gilmour who even went on tour with him - but even these masters' playing eclipsed shunned John's own guitar craft let alone compositional skills: his song "May You Never" covered a lot of fine artists including Clapton as well as Elkie Brooks, John Farnham, Linda Lewis and Ralph McTell. Having one leg amputated back in 2004, Martyn's spirits were high nevertheless. He was appointed OBE in the 2009 New Year Honours... The more shocking is the news of the veteran passing away on January 24th, aged 60. The man will be sorely missed by many.
THE BEDSIT CONCERTO
FOCUS is Thijs van Leer and Thijs van Leer is FOCUS. What's the point, then, in the man releasing solo records? To those who heard his "Introspection" series of albums there's no question as to why: they sound too refined when compared to what Thijs does with the band or to Ian Anderson's schtick. Hopefully, "The Home Concert", van Leer's first solo outing in a long time, isn't anything like those. Laid down at the veteran's house on portable domestic equipment during the composition of the "Focus 9", there's almost no embellishments involved, it's raw and honest. More so, there's going to be not a regular CD but the multimedia one, wuth music videos and a Q&A session about the band's next record. Who needs this, though, when there's another take on "Sylvia" on?
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1. Improv: Thijs Twice |
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TOO MUCH ROUGH STUFF
It's a legend lore, the story behind THIN LIZZY's "Live And Dangerous" album. According to its co-producer Tony Visconti's autobiography, the tracks recorded at different shows of 1977's "Bad Reputation" tour were on the tapes of different formats, had a lot of missed notes and leakages, so Phil Lynott re-sung all his parts and corrected the bass lines as did guitarists Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson, so with all the overdubs, one of the best concert albums of all times - judging by many polls - isn't very live at all. That's why on March 2nd out will be the companion piece, an album titled "Still Dangerous" put on tape at Philadelphia's "Tower Theatre": now, it's the full show including two songs that appeared on the set list yet didn't make it to "Live And Dangerous" - "Soldier Of Fortune" and "Opium Trail" - while the other cuts are also previously unreleased. All these come from recently discovered tapes which had been given to the legendary Glyn Johns to mix and master. Not that the new album that also has "Me And The Boys" not included on the original piece nixes it, as there were 17 tracks, but it nevertheless is a priceless bit of history.
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1. Soldier Of Fortune |
January 22, 2009
PARADISE UNLEASHED
Sometimes not everything goes down according to the original plan but that doesn't mean all changes for worse. There's another singer in SAVAGE PARADISE, a new band Mario Parga came up with in the company of stellar cast of former ALCATRAZZ bassist Tim Luce, pianist Eric Ragno well-known for his stint with TAKARA, and drummer Kevin Valentine who used to play with CINDERELLA. Instead of ex-BLACK SABBATH Tony Martin, a new singer stepped to the fore to record the ensemble's debut album, even more famous warbler by the name of Graham Bonnet who Mario played with before. Here's the statement from the guitarist:
“Tony was unable to record the new SAVAGE PARADISE album due to various other commitments that all came up at the same time. We’re still good friends and will undoubtedly work together in the future, and I wish him great success with his own projects. I’ve know Graham for over twenty years during which time we’ve been very good friends, he’s like an older brother to me. We’ve worked on several recordings together but never played in the same band so we’re both looking forward to working within SAVAGE PARADISE. Graham doesn’t need any introductions, everyone knows what a unique and totally amazing voice he possesses and I’m very excited and pleased to have him onboard”.
Well, we're all looking forward to it. But, man, what about the Bonnet-Martin duet? This won't be hard for Tony to lay down one track, will it?
THROUGH THE NEEDLE'S EYE THEY COME
Some years ago most CAMEL albums have been overhauled during the remastering process to include extra material, but on March 23rd released will be new re-issues of three of the band's mid-'70s classics much more expanded. They're so difficult to resist buying so some extra dough will surely be required. Here's what's on…
The Snow Goose (1975)
Disc 1
1. The Great Marsh |
Disc 2
1. Rhayader Goes To Town (BBC Radio One) |
Moonmadness (1976)
Disc 1
1. Aristillus |
Disc 2
1. Song Within A Song |
Rain Dances (1977)
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1. First Light |
ONE COOL CAT
Yusuf Islam is continuing his drift back into the clever pop world he once inhabited as Cat Stevens, and this year will see him put out a new record, a follow-up to "An Other Cup" from three years ago. This will be textured more acoustically, mainly with only voice and guitar. Still untitled, the record is to be introduced via the "Boots & Sand" single featuring Dolly Parton and Paul McCartney who touched on that in the 2008's exclusive interview for this site. The video to the song was shot by Jesse Dylan, his Bobness' son.
January 17, 2009
AIN'T NO LOVE IN THE HEART OF THE CITY?
Another year, another bout of doubts as to whether to carry on with this bloody site. All my hopes for even a tad of interactivity have died with the introduction of my blog. Nobody comes, nobody reads, nobody comments and generally gets in touch. What with season greetings, let alone the rockets falling quite close to my house, no visitor of the site wrote in save for Jim Cregan and Rudy Sarzo, God bless their gentle souls. Basically, there's a hit-and-run situation with more and more people coming to the site without showing their attitude - which is an attitude in itself but not a good one. Should I then, amidst all this economy situation and extra work that I have to do in order to keep my family afloat, continue? This question I ask myself time and again realizing there's only two record labels have left working with this site, Angel Air and MoonJune, the great ones standing their ground - thanks a lot, messrs Purnell and Pavkovic, you're fantastic. If I don't have the music what the little satisfaction of running a site for the potentially deaf, dumb and blind kids would be? Oh yes, the interviews. Just tell me which other independent site has brought you the exclusive Paul McCartney interview? There's much more interviews in the works yet with no incentive and so little time it's quite difficult to concentrate on these. And still, I'm carrying on - against all odds!
FLY ON, THE SWEET ANGELS
Our good friends at Angel Air have announced their tentative plan of releases for the first half of the year. As usual, great stuff whetting the appetite - the re-issues and rare and new stuff alike. Something fresh from the MOTT THE HOOPLE GUYS or Maggie Bell, isn't it nice? That's what the list looks like.
THE MONKS - Suspended Animation - January
Carlo Little's ALLSTARS - Never Stop Rockin' - January
HIGH SOCIETY - I Never Go Out In The Rain - January
KING EARL BOOGIE BAND - Loaded And Live - February
MOTT - By Tonight - Live 1975/76 - February
Rick Derringer - Rock Spectacular, New York 1982 - February
Eric Bell - Live Tonight Plus - March
ATOMIC ROOSTER - Anthology (2CD) - March
Jackie Lomax - The Ballard Of Liverpool Slim... Plus - March
BEAU - Edge Of The Dark - 1972-85 - April
IAN GILLAN BAND - Anthology: Sound & Vision (CD/DVD)
John Du Cann - Anthology - in production
Overend Watts - TBA - in production - summer
Verden Allen - TBA - in production - summer
Muddy Waters - TBA - in production
Maggie Bell - Belle Stars - in production
WHAT'S YOUR MOTT-O?
Speaking of MOTT THE HOOPLE is rather relevant as Overend Watts, Ian Hunter, Mick Ralphs, Verden Allen and Dale Griffin are to be reunited to play two 40th anniversary shows at London's Hammersmith on October 2nd and 3rd. Carry the news!
Any chance for the live recording and... perhaps... a new studio album, eh?
SHADOWS OF ANOTHER DAY
According to the DPAS, this year might see not only the 35th anniversary edition of "Stormbringer but also a re-issue of another DEEP PURPLE album, the one that they returned with in 1984. Yes, "Perfect Strangers. Roger Glover will oversee the remastering process for the 25th anniversary of this record and then for "House Of Blue Light" and "Slaves And Masters" which will arguably end the PURPLE re-issue programme that's started back in 1995, as when the band left Polydor and recorded "The Battle Rages On" they did it digitally.
SPIRIT FLIES HIGH
Mario Parga's single "Spirit Of Night" - featuring both original instrumental piece off the wonderful "Entranced" album and the vocal version with ex-BLACK SABBATH Tony Martin singing - was one of the last year's highlight. Now, it's lent its title to a special compilation of the guitarist's music including the aforementioned single as well as rare tracks such as "Valse Diabolique" from the various artists collection "The Alchemists II" and a couple of previously unreleased cuts - all themed nightbound and dark. The comp is available as a high quality download only from the MidnightCafe Music’s online store, quite cheap. Go, listen, grab and enjoy.
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1. Spirit Of Night (with Tony Martin) |
THEY COULD BE (THEIR OWN) HEROES
War Child is one of the best charities around, the fact many musicians know all too well and some of them from time to time take part in the most interesting compilation albums the organisation makes. The new one, "Heroes", must be out on February 16th and features young artists chosen by their idols to cover their own songs. Quite a great idea resulted in rather great combinations which will be a thrill to be listening to.
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1. Beck - Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat (Bob Dylan) |
ANOTHER RUNNER IN THE NIGHT
Chris Thompson might be a tad trivial a name but one of the name's owners is one of the greatest rhythm-and-blues singer England has ever produced (and certainly the best raised in New Zealand). Mostly known as Manfred Mann's sidekick in EARTH BAND, he's had hits of his own and participated in some great projects such as Jeff Wayne's "War Of The Worlds" or Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. Often heard and not so often seen, now Chris' talent is to shine on "One Hot Night In The Cold" a new DVD, filmed last year in Norway and out in March 2009.
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1. Wasting Time |
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