News
April 30, 2002
NOTHING SHE CAN DO THAT CAN'T BE DONE
"All You Need Is Love," this BEATLES' song Queen Elizabeth is going to be singing for the nation as part of her Golden Jubilee celebration on June 3. The Queen will start the song which will be passed around to musicians in 21 locations throughout the UK, and there will be 5 million balloons with the lyrics handed out by Lottery outlets for the public to sing along. Later in the day Sir Paul McCartney is to play the Lennon's song, the first ever broadcast worldwide in 1967, at a Buckingham Palace concert alongside Eric Clapton, Brian Wilson and the like.
A LONG WAY BEHIND OUR TIMES?
Two years on since the remastered version of DEEP PURPLE's "Who Do We Think We Are" album was released in Europe, an American issue is on the way. The CD will be the same as a European one even though there more tapes from the original sessions have been unearthed recently, the first containing early takes of "Woman From Tokyo" while the second has three early attempts of "Mary Long" on it - all without solo or vocal leads. Regarding material unreleased in any form, the dicoveries include a bluesy instrumental and a speeded-up version of "Telstar" written by Joe Meek, who Ritchie Blackmore worked for in the '60s. As of now, plans to issue the rarities are none.
RISING FOR THE MOON
Whatever long the FAIRPORT CONVENTION history may be, there was only one concert album, "Live / A Moveable Feast", released with marvellous Sandy Denny on vocals. Now there's going to be two, with the upcoming release from N-M-C Music. Titled "Before The Moon" and accompanied by an exclusive interview with the band's bassist Dave Pegg, the recording harkens back to early 1974 to a small club in Denver, Colorado. The initial pressing is the limited edition 2 CD set which includes two shows, each given a separate disc, while later it will be a single disc.
CD 1:
1. Rising For The Moon |
CD 2:
1. Matty Groves |
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ROLL ON!
THE ROLLING STONES seem to be slowly building plans for their 40th anniversary. With the touring possibility and a kind of anthology that's been promised for some time, there may be new tracks recorded to make it to the retrospective, as the complete album is hardly to happen as of now. The word has the band meeting this summer in Paris and four tracks to be committed to tape.
THAT GEORDIE WRITER
AC/DC throat-ripper Brian Johnson is spending his time finishing a musical called "Helen Of Troy" that he started working on six years ago. The love story based on Greek mythology will see the Geordie singer collaboration with British composer Brendan Healy and Sarasota Ballet artistic director Robert de Warren, and a narrator Zeus role is likely to be played by Johnson's famous friend Malcolm McDowell. Currently, there are 14 songs ready, so a premiere is to be held in March 2003 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota, Florida with a national tour to follow. The budget of the show goes up to $1.2 million.
April 29, 2002
FOR A PRETTY FACE
That's from Ian McLagan himself: the long-overdue FACES box set will be out around Christmas. The 4CD compilation will include every track the band recorded, each single side and previously unreleased studio, radio and live tracks.
Meanwhile, a year to the date since the Steve Marriott Memorial Concert took place in London's Astoria on April 20th, 2001, a CD document of the show is out. Called Mustn't Grumble, it is a single CD that will be followed later by a boxed set with the complete three-hour recording of th event, a book and interviews with the participants. Also there may be a video / DVD release yet this year won't see it out. The performers and songs on the CD are:
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1. Steve Ellis & THE MODS - Song Of A Baker |
11. HUMBLE PIE - 4 Day Creep |
April 28, 2002
AIN'T THAT NICE? FOR ASIA
Last week saw the brief reunion of THE NICE at the press launch of the new Keith Emerson piano CD, "Emerson Plays Emerson".
On the related note, ASIA's "Anthologia : 20th Anniversary / Geffen Years Collection:1982-1990" is to be released: the 2 CD set is digitally remastered and includes every track from John Wetton-era albums, "Asia", "Alpha", "Astra" and "Then & Now", as well as all B-sides - "Ride Easy", "Lying", "Daylight". A must.
TO WHERE YOU ONCE BELONGED
Once again rumours abound of THE BEATLES' "Let It Be" album eventually being released in remastered version that's been ready in the EMI vaults since 1993. There are many out-takes in the Apple Corps offices, so the DVD possibility is also likely. What's more exciting, and the question had been raised lately in the interviews with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, that the original "Get Back", mixed by Glyn Johns, also might be out in time of the Let It Be" re-release. The resentment with Phil Spector, who infamously "adorned" "Get Back" are long gone now.
SEE ALL GOOD PEOPLE
This June will see the release of the "Yes Symphonic" video and DVD. Well, a double one, with the first containing 157 minutes of concert footage and the second 37 minutes of bonus features including a "Dreamtime" documentary and the video of “Don’t Go”. The bonuses are restricted to DVD only and they aren't on the VHS release. The tentative selection is:
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Overture |
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April 25, 2002
ASIAN PEACEMAKERS
It might come hard to believe but that's official: original ASIA team of John Wetton and Geoff Downes will come on-stage together for the first time since 1990's "Now And Then" tour. With all the acrimony after the 1999's failed reunion, Geoff, who still is at ASIA's helm, will guest at the John Wetton Fan Convention taking place on July 20th-21st in Fogelsville, PA, and perform at the show benefiting Sierra Leone. The two are to be accompanied by John Mitchell on guitars and drummer Steve Christey, with another Wetton sidekick, John Young, will open the Saturday gig.
GET STONED AND FLY
STONE THE CROWS were mighty unit driven by Maggie Bell's raspy vocals and the great late Les Harvey's sophisticated guitar blues with Peter Grant handling the business end of things. Even so, the end of the band came when in 1972 Leslie was electrocuted on-stage and died. They tried to get further yet after that year's "'Ontinuous Performance", finished off by Jimmy McCulloch, the ensemble called it quits. Before, the only chance to hear the combo perform live was on the "BBC Sessions" series. Now there's an artefact from Maggies's own archives and featuring classic line-up - out on Angel Air, the album is called "Live In Montreux 1972" and contains about an hour filled with the following tracks:
Friend, Penicillin Blues, Love 74, Danger Zone, Ballad Of Hollis Brown
April 24, 2002
SOFTENING THE OLD MACHINE
There are miracles in the machine world: former SOFT MACHINE members, who have never worked all together before, are recording new album this summer for MoonJune Records. The band is called SOFTWARE and the "programmers" are: Allan Holdsworth on guitar, Elton Dean on sax and keyboards, Hugh Hopper on bass and John Marshall playing drums. The record will hit the Japanese shelves in September to be followed by Asian tour and only then, a worldwide release that will propel the foursome into 2003 when they're set to trek Europe and America with music both new and old.
AMERICA, ROCK ON!
Jim Peterik is known as Mr AOR, having written a ton of songs for an amazing range of artists - from his own SURVIVOR to John Wetton. Now, Jim is the latest signing for Frontiers Records for a release of an album called "Rock America - Smash Hits Live!". The album's comprised of Peterik-penned classics delivered by star musicians at the concert for post-September 11th America.
The songs and featured singers are:
Eye Of The Tiger - Jim Peterik and Jeff Boyle
Hold On Loosely - Don Barnes (38 SPECIAL) and Jim Peterik
Sister Christian - Kelly Keagy (NIGHT RANGER)
I Can't Hold Back - Kevin Chalfant (TWO FIRES)
The Search Is Over - Brian Anders and Kelly Moulik
Vehicle - Buddy Guy and Jim Peterik
I've Got A Lot To Learn About Love - Kevin Chalfant
Between Two Fires - Kevin Cronin (REO SPEEDWAGON) and Jim Peterik
Heavy Metal - Kelly Keagy
Rockin' Into The Night - Don Barnes and Jim Peterik
And there are exclusive bonus studio cuts previously available on the US release "The Day America Cried":
The Day America Cried - Jim Peterik and Johnny Van Zant (LYNYRD SKYNYRD)
Can't Say it Loud Enough - Jim Peterik and Johnny Van Zant
The Sum of Our Hearts - Jim Peterik and Kevin Chalfant
Changed by Love - Jim Peterik and Don Barnes
Long Road Home - Jim Peterik and Kelly Keagy
The release date is June 17th.
April 23, 2002
WOLF-HUNTING STONES
Still deciding on how to celebrate THE ROLLING STONES' 40th Anniversary, the Glimmer Twins Mick Jagger and Keith Richards joined the ranks of the guest musicians on "Sleepless", the new solo album by ex-J. GEILS BAND vocalist Peter Wolf. Keef provided his licks for "Too Close Together" and The Lips' voice is heard on "Nothing But The Wheel". The album is scheduled for August release.
ANOTHER PAGE FOR A GUITAR MAN
While Robert Plant is reluctantly revealing details of his upcoming album, his LED ZEPPELIN partner, Jimmy Page, together with wife Jimena, is back to the charity field. On May 8th in Florida, the master guitarist will be hosting the second annual Action For Brazil's Children (ABC) dinner and auction. Though his six-string axe is hardly to be out of its case, Page's arranging an array of star guests.
A TRUE BELIEVER
Jason Becker, who's suffering from the Lou Gehrig's disease and had been paid a loving tribute recently, knows what a pain is. So it's touching that this great guitarist has donated a song to an album benefitting the families of September 11th victims. The song called "Believe" is an old Jason's recording with Mike Bemesderfer's overdubs. Moreover, currently Becker is working on a new CD with a working title of "Volume II - The Blackberry Jams - Perpetual Burn Demos and Never Heard Music on Guitar" to be released on Shrapnel Records.
PHENOMENAL FANTASY
It was reported before that Tom Galley has the fourth PHENOMENA album in the works. Now there's a tentative title to it, "Psychofantasy", and a song list. Songs are six:
Sixty Seconds, Crazy House, Sunrise, Angels Don't Cry, Crazy Grooves, Killing For The Thrill,
and the still unconfirmed singers should be Tony Martin of BLACK SABBATH fame, GO WEST's Peter Cox and Lee Small from NATIVE CAIN.
EXTRA TEXTURE
"Harrison", the title says it all. There's a book compiled by the editors of "Rolling Stone" magazine about the great late George Harrison, whose life is told on the pages through more than a hundred pictures spread over a sixty-page gallery, news stories and interviews from the pages of "Rolling Stone".
April 22, 2002
SAY "YES"!
There's a revealing silence of gods: new YES' keyboard player is none other than Rick Wakeman. The most famous of all the band's ivory tinklers is back into the fold for their Summer 2002 USA tour with other countries to be possibly added to the next year's itinerary. No plans for a new album at the moment yet the live DVD release is very likely.
Not the first time to re-join, Rick says regarding what he thinks will last:
"YES appear to have strong management (for the first time for many, many years), and there seems to be a really good feeling about the future. there are no negatives floating about and that is always a great situation to be in."
Wakeman is currently laying fuinishing touches on THE ENGLISH ROCK ENSEMBLE new prog rock album,"Out There", due for a summer release.
As for his colleagues, that's how Chris Squire sees the future:
“We are very excited to have Rick joining us on this tour; it’s been something that the fans have wanted to see for quite sometime, and we are happy to be playing with him again.”
Squire, Alan White and Billy Sherwood have recorded
"Comfortably Numb" for a Sherwood-produced PINK FLOYD tribute project, with Chris and Billy sharing vocals.
WALTZ ON!
THE BAND's legendary album, "Last Waltz", sees the re-release in fully remastered and widely expanded version. Now it's a 4-CD box set and a DVD bringing delight to the eyes and ears of fans of, sure, THE BAND as well as Bob Dylan, Paul Butterfield, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Dr. John, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Ron Wood and Neil Young. Here's what's in the box:
CD1:1. Theme From The Last Waltz (with orchestra) |
CD2:
1. Rag Mama Rag |
CD3:1. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down |
CD4:1. The Last Waltz Suite |
April 18, 2002
QUEST FOR SPIRITUAL PLAY
Jon Anderson has always been a visionary, his images, especially in YES albums, inspirational even for artists of the Roger Dean calibre. For some last years the singer has been developing his concept for a computer adventure with a tentative title of "The Spirit Game" and now is looking for a video game developer able to bring his fantasies to virtual life and create a game for commercial release.
CONTRY LADY WHO KNOWS
Over the years, there have been many versions of "Stairway To Heaven", the weirdest one possibly performed by Frank Zappa. Still, there's a sexiest one on the way, by Dolly Parton. Country queen chose LED ZEPPELIN's classic for her upcoming album, "Halos & Horns" alongside "If" taken from BREAD repertoire. All other titles are wrtitten by Ms Tits herself.
ROBBERY OF A MADMAN
As it was reported before, new versions of two classic Ozzy Osbourne albums, "Blizzard Of Ozz" and "Diary Of A Madman", feature re-recorded drums and bass parts due to alleged "harassment" from Lee Kerslake and Bob Daisley. Veteran players deny this claiming all they want is to get unpaid royalties and stating, "For Ozzy to remove our performances from "Blizzard" and "Diary" is to tamper with, and rob, the buying public of the original magic captured on a milestone of rock history. Why Ozzy would want to do this to such a classic product is beyond us, and probably most of the people who count - the fans."
April 16, 2002
VARIATIONS OF THE OLD MULE
Tom Waits is no slouch in putting forth two new albums altogether. Early May will see the release of "Alice", described as "strange and exotic", and "Blood Money", which is "scratched out in bold, dark lines with marimba, trumpet and bass clarinet with songs declarative, sardonic, unforgiving, musical dispatches from the bottom of the heap."
FOR THE MATERIAL WORLD
There was another Rainforest Foundation benefit held at Carnegie Hall on April 13th with an array of heavy guests. Surprisingly - or not so - the first hour of the concert turned out to be a tribute to the great late George Harrison. Sting, James Taylor and Elton John performed Hari's "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" and, with Jeff Beck, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Then, Sting and Taylor sang "If I Needed Someone" before Sir Elton broke into "Something". The finale, of course, was "My Sweet Lord" for which Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka hit the stage as well.
PAICE-MAKER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
"Not For The Pro's", that's how Ian Paice's debut solo release is to be called. It will be the DVD featuring PURPLE's stalwart jam session, "Paicesetter & Dustbins", recorded with Miller Anderson and Colin Hodgkinson at Abbey Road on August 4th, 2001; Ian's drum clinic and interview; a documentary with Paice taking a viewer through his kits manufactures around the world and giving many professional tips; live tracks from PURPLES's USA 2002 tour with the "roadie eye view" on Ian's drum kit; and. finally, a collection of Paice's videoclips featuring his work with PURPLE, WHITESNAKE, Gary Moore and Paul McCartney.
April 15, 2002
SNAKE-BITES
David Coverdale has aborted his demo sessions for a new album he'd been working on with Tony Franklin. That's what David wrote on his message board:
"I am putting my album on hold, at this time... Sorry, and all... but, I am very uncomfortable about the state of the music business right now... and I am currently looking into the possibility of touring as soon as I can... I have every confidence in myself... and absolutely none with the current mentality of the recording industry... So... it is more likely you will see me performing BEFORE you hear any new recordings... As always... and one of the reasons I am sometimes reluctant to post on here any 'plans'... circumstances can change rather quickly in my life... and I must always be prepared to 'roll with the punches."
All the more likely, then, that prior to new Coverdale's songs we will hear something from the past. The masters for DEEP PURPLE classic "Burn" album as well as "Coronarias Redig" B-side had been found and EMI have asked Roger Glover if he will oversee the work. Though he didn't play on those recordings, Glover took the proposition to thinking and discussing with Jon Lord and Ian Paice. That means, the remastered album may see the light of day in 2003, yet the masters for both "Stormbringer" and "Come Taste The Band" are still missing.
What's on the way for sure is "Live In London" album originally out in 1982. Recorded in Kilburn during PURPLE's 1974 UK tour, now the tapes will be remastered and restored to full length with the addition of 30-minute "Space Trucking", that will make the package a double CD.
April 11, 2002
THIN WHITE PAGAN
On June 11th David Bowie is releasing new album, "Heathen", which sees The Duke reuniting with Tony Visconti, who produced Bowie's classics of the '70s, and appearances from Pete Townshend and DREAM THEATER's Jordan Rudess. The albums is the first recording to come from David's own ISO Records.
ONE MORE FLIGHT TONIGHT
Veteran Scots, NAZARETH have the new live album out called "Homecoming" for it was recorded in October 2001 in Glasgow. The video and DVD will be released towards the end of April. The greatest hits package delivered on-stage looks like this:
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1. Light Comes Down |
9. Bad Bad Boy |
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NAZARETH, who recorded "Danger, Danger" for forthcoming Frankie Miller tribute CD, were scheduled to play the tribute show in Glasgow in September, yet, due to touring commitments, the perspective looks unlikely.
LAST SARABANDE
It was a big disillusion for the DEEP PURPLE's British fans that they missed the chance to see the band with Jon Lord after February UK dates were cancelled and in March organist left the band. The quintet still, remain loyal to their supporters, and Lord will be back in action for re-scheduled September shows to make his final exit on September 19th.
CONQUERORS... AT LEAST
Last December, the URIAH HEEP's Magician's Birthday fest included the joint show of John Wetton and Ken Hensley the recordings from which are to appear soon on Classic Rock Productions. There will be a DVD and - warning! - not one CD but two: one including songs from Hensley and one from Wetton. The tracks on the DVD titled "More Than Conquerors" are:
Overture 'La Tristeza Secreta de un Corazon Gitano', A Minor Life, Easy Livin', One Way Or Another, Return To Fantasy, July Morning, Battle Lines, Confession, Emma, Hold Me Now, After All, The Wizard, I Don't Wanna Wait, Out Of My Control, Tell Me, Lady In Black, Heat Of The Moment
and here are the CDs:
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John Wetton &
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Ken Hensley &
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April 10th, 2002
GO, KULA
After long gestation period, former KULA SHAKER leader, Crispian Mills, revealed the news of what's been going on. Mills' new band is THE JEEVAS, comprised of Crispian on vocals and guitars, Dan McKinna on bass and Andy Nixon on drums. This raw and wild sounding trio have just finished recording their debut album details of which are still to be published. What is published - only at www.thejeevas.com, not in the press - are the dates of the band's UK 'warm up' tour. Keep salivating, that means.
MADMAN'S EVIL DOINGS
Ozzy Osbourne eventually starts his re-reissuing programme starting with four albums - "Blizzard Of Ozz", "Diary Of A Madman", "Tribute" and "No More Tears" - said to have been digitally remastered (one more time?) and feature original artwork, lyrics, vintage photography and new liner notes. Still, the first two albums will hardly replace the originals, as bassist Bob Daisley's and drummer Lee Kerslake's parts were re-recorded for the new releases by, respectively, Robert Trujillo and Mike Bordin. Ozzy's way of solving the enduring royalties problem with veteran players was articulated by Sharon Osbourne, wife and manager: "Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake have harassed Ozzy and our family for several years. Because of their abusive and unjust behavior, Ozzy wanted to remove them from these recordings. We turned a negative into a positive by adding a fresh sound to the original albums. We hope the fans enjoy the new versions as much as we do." The last suggestion seems quite unlikely though.
Equally unlikely but true is that on May 4th the Osbournes will attend The White House dinner arranged by TV news anchor Greta Van Susteren and Fox News Channel in Washington Hilton in presence of President George W. Bush. Will they serve bats?
TO THE LOVER, TO THE FRIENDS
April 1st was the first date of Paul McCartney's Driving USA Tour. Playing the Oakland Coliseum, San Francisco, Sir Paul paid homage to the ones loved yet diseased - he dedicated WINGS' "My Love" to his wife Linda, performed "Here Today", written in 1982 in memory of John Lennon, and delivered George Harrison's "Something" solo on a ukulele.
The entire setlist for the first Macca's concerts of the tour looks like this: Hello Goodbye, Jet, All My Loving, Getting Better, Coming Up, Let Me Roll It, Lonely Road, Driving Rain, Your Loving Flame, Blackbird, Every Night, We Can Work It Out, Mother Nature's Son, Vanilla Sky, Carry That Weight, Fool On The Hill, Here Today, Something, Eleanor Rigby, Here There And Everywhere, Band On The Run, Back In The USSR, Maybe I'm Amazed, C Moon, My Love, Can't Buy Me Love, Freedom, Live And Let Die, Let It Be, Hey Jude, Long And Winding Road, Lady Madonna, I Saw Her Standing There.
THE ALCHEMICAL THING
THE ALCHEMIST is the name of the band led by multi-instrumentalist Carl Kennedy, who recently played drums for Greg Lake. Their debut album, "Westside", is a mix of progressive rock and soul and features SAGA's Ian Chrichton and session man in demand Tim Pierce on guitars as well as vocal contributions from Glenn Hughes.
COUNTED DOWN TO EXTINCTION
Strange it may seem yet having been riding high for 20 years, MEGADETH seased to exist, their first ever live album, "Rude Awakening", turning out to be the testament. The reason, as explained by the mainman, Dave Mustaine, is problem with his left arm making it impossible for the guitarist to play, and the want to stay with his family. Mustaine's official statement statement ends on philosophical note that led many to believe the artiste decided to pursue the spiritual path: "To all the world, to all my friends. I love you, I have to leave".
IN HIS OWN WAY
N-M-C Music deliver a gem from Michael Bruce, the original member of THE ALICE COOPER GROUP fronted by one Vincent Furnier. In 1975, after he had split from the man who took the band's name for himself, Bruce recorded the album titled "In My Own Way", now being re-released with the valuable addition of bonus tracks - the demos produced by Jack Douglas and featuring Alice Cooper and Keith Moon, and the second CD of session recordings.
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CD1: In My Own Way1. King Of America |
CD 2: Lake Taho Sunburst Sessions1. Believe In Love |
April 1, 2002
BRAVE NEW TONY
Tony Franklin is an unstoppable player, so don't miss another chance to hear his work on the upcoming THE CAGE album from Dario Mollo and Tony Martin before getting more. That's what the fretless bass maestro sent in:
"Things are going well. I just returned from doing some recording on David Coverdale's new album. I'm also deeply involved in the completion of my next new album, which I'm really excited about. It's a lot heavier this time and I'm working with a vocalist called Scott Kail, who is an incredible talent. We have a great chemistry".
An interesting point, as all the vocal duties for his solo debut, "Brave New Tomorrow" Tony handled himself.
BUG THE KINK
After some 20-year hiatus in solo activity, the youngest of THE KINKS siblings, Dave Davies is releasing a new album proper, "Bug". Quite a strange title Davies explained thus:
"The basic idea behind "Bug" is that of an alien implant, of people leading seemingly ordinary lives while walking around with implants that could be triggered any moment by outside forces... Extra Terrestrials, covert government manipulation - mind controlling devices affecting behavior. The idea of "Bug" is to exorcise these implants, if you like, through the power of music... I think it’s a fun concept!"
With the album hitting the shelves on May 7th, Dave kicks off a short US tour beginning April 23rd in New York.
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1. Who's Foolin' Who |
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OF ROYAL KIND
PENDRAGON are completing two new products to be out later this month. The first is an unplugged live album recorded last November in Poland, a possibility of which was mentioned previously, while the second is a DVD entitled "Live At Last" that documents 1996's Masquerade Tour and boasts extra footage as well.
Meanwhile, all the band's members have some other work to do.
Nick Barrett started writing new songs yet there still no firm plans of recording an album.
Clive Nolan, who has released recently his second work with Oliver Wakeman, "The Hound Of The Baskervilles", put the finishing touches to Michelle Young's album "Marked For Madness", where he played keyboards and produced, and is currently writing material for the next ARENA offering with a tentative title "Contagion".
Fudge Smith had provided his sticks for the new band HENRY FOOL's debut and got into writing too, which may result in the drummer's first solo album ever.
Peter Gee is continuing creating his long-overdue solo stuff: there's a gospel album, with a working title "Your Love", on the way, and the bass man's third solo album, still untitled.
MEDIEVAL DISCOVERIES
GRYPHON, greatest prog-folk purveyors, who in the '70s had several arresting albums using many an authentic ancient instrument, release on Hux Records an archive album of the recordings made for BBC. There's a fitting title, "About As Curious As It Can Be", and tracks run like this:
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1. Renaissance Dance Medley |
TEARS FOR THE STICKSMAN
Randy Castillo, a drumming legend and a true mainstay of melodic playing, passed away on March 26, aged 51, having lost his battle with cancer. Castillo's most famous work was with Ozzy Osbourne, for whom he served for 10 years before sitting in at MOTLEY CRUE stool. A great loss for the music. Ozzy poured out his feelings of the drummer in this eulogy: "I am heartbroken about the passing of one of my dearest friends. I will see you on the other side Randy. I love you."
ALL THAT GLITTERS
In an era when the '70s glam and glitter rock seems to be back, the protagonists of the genre don't sleep as well.
MOTT THE HOOPLE's Ian Hunter and Mick Ralphs are to perform together for the first time in almost 30 years. Ralphs, invited by Hunter to join the singer's tour, will play his solo material as well before firing off the classics.
THE SWEET get further, releasing a new album, "Sweetlife", on April 29th. The samples can be heard at www.sweet-life.co.uk.
And then, SLADE - not that they have Noddy Holder or Jimmy Lea back into the fold, but with original members Dave Hill and Don Powell onboard the band are already in the recording process for the album to be out on Virgin Records later in the year.
WATERS' FLICKERING FLAME
"Flickering Flame" is a title of a new composition from Roger Waters and it made the title of the artiste's post-PINK FLOYD material, "Flickering Flame: The Solo Years Volume 1", that is scheduled for release in the spring. There will be some rarities as well, with Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" among them.
MIGRATOR TO THE STARS
April 22nd is the release date for Arjen Anthony Lucassen's new project STAR ONE first album, "Space Metal". It's not a saga in the vein of AYREON but still a concept work with songs based on space movies that left a print on Arjen's mind. The autor commented on the concept, "It's really hard to write a song based on a film and then not use names or make the references to the original too clear. I really wanted to write about my impressions of the films and not just tell the same story over again. I wonder how many people are going to recognize the films on which I based the songs!".
For all the fans there will be a special 2CD limited edition:
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1. Lift-Off |
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1. Hawkwind Medley |
As for musicians, Arjen is accompanied by Ed Warby on drums and additional instrumental work come from Jens Johansson, Erik Norlander and Gary Wehrkamp, while the singers are Damian Wilson, Sir Russell Allen, Dan Swano and Floor Jansen with Robert Soeterboek on backing vocals and the special guest Dave Brock performing on the HAWKWIND medley.
COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN
LED ZEPPELIN were always a privileged artists on the Atlantic Records roster. The more piquant is the fact of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and the heirs of late John Bonham suing the label for copyright infringement. Musicians state that Atlantic has refused to pay them increased royalty fees that today are almost four times the amount specified at the contract signing. In question are forty-two songs from the ZEPPELIN's first five albums.
SPIRIT RUNNING FREE
Ken Hensley's management announce that the former HEEP man's new band, FREE SPIRIT, are set to start recording their first album in May for a release later in 2002. Expected is some special guest. Meanwhile, after a Scandinavian tour the band plan to play Russia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Holland, Belgium and UK. Hensley is full of enthusiasm and is said to be having a great material on his hands to be committed to tape with a help from David Kilminster.
WHICH WAY THE WIND BLOWS
Eddie Hardin is known for his craft of turning children's books into musicals. He was involved with Roger Glover's "The Butterfly Ball", then Hardin came up with three parts of the "Wizard's Convention" project, but less famous is his "Wind In The Willows". The work, recorded in 1985 with a help from Zak Starkey, Ringo's son, on drums, have all but disappeared despite the presence of many a great performers. There were Steve Hackett, Tony Ashton and Annie Haslam duetting with no other than Donovan.
Not wanting to abandon the project, in 1991 Eddie organised a one-off live performance of "Wind In The Willows" in Germany, yet it's now that the original studio album makes it to CD for the first time, expanded with bonus tracks. Among them are rare demos and alternate versions, plus a couple of live tracks. Featured on tnose are Ian Paice, Maggie Bell, Denny Laine, Graham Bonnet and Don Airey and Jon Lord, current and former DEEP PURPLE organists, playing together.
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1. Birds In My Garden |
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Out-takes and demos: 1. I'm Looking Forward To Tomorrow |