News
October 30, 2002
STOMP ON STAMP
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For many, Irish rock means THE CRANBERRIES, Sinead O'Connor or someone else of a modern breed. The Emerald Isle, though, has long been a playground for great musicians, and some are celebrated now with the Irish Rock Legends stamp collection, released on October 24th. Each of four square stamps is given to great late Phil Lynott and Rory Gallagher and still more than active heavyweights Van Morrison and U2. The fans and philatelists alike have the privilege to buy the stamps in several presentation formats such as miniature sheet (both for each artist and for all four), First Day cover miniature sheet with the cancellation mark over it, A4 size slipcases containing miniature sheets and First Day covers, and First Day Cover with the set of four stamps bearing the same Irish Rock Legends cancellation mark.
YOU GOTTA HEAR HIM SING
One of the first songs the DEEP PURPLE Mk 2 came up with was "Kneel & Pray" which, in time for "In Rock" recording, evolved into "Speed King". And now "Kneel & Pray" makes the band discography as the title of a new "The Bootleg Series 1968-76" item. Recorded at the Montreux Casino, the venue later immortalised in "Smoke On The Water", on October 4th, 1969, it's the only tape known of the line-up playing "Kentucky Woman". The double-CD set is scheduled for release on Purple Records in late November - early December.
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1. Speed King (Kneel & Pray) |
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THE AIR GETS HOT
The Angel Air label is famous for bringing out rock treasures that had fans salivating for years and currently there's three more in the can ready for January release.
The first is "Rarities 1975-77" from IAN GILLAN BAND, culled from the guitarist Ray Fenwick's own archives and comprising more than one hour of alternative versions and previously unreleased material - featuring Ian's mate Roger Glover on four tracks.
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1. Finally The Finale (unreleased) |
Next is AFFINITY's "Live Instrumentals 1969" recorded by bassist Mo Foster, guitarist Mike Jopp, organist Lynton Naiff and drummer Grant Serpell at Ronnie Scott's Club in absence of the band's singer Linda Hoyle who had an operation on her vocal chords then. Taking in four tracks taped for a radio broadcast and one credited to THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX JAZZ TRIO, an AFFINITY precursor, this CD is a wonderful prequel to the ensemble's debut album issued in 1970.
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1. Jive Samba |
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The last is this installment comes from guitar-slinger by the name of Mick Ralphs and is entitled "That's Life". Mick's third solo outing answers the question as to what he's been doing while BAD COMPANY are on the road. No grudge anyway because the bonus tracks are both connected to BAD CO, one being the 1977's unreleased cut and the second the original "Can't Get Enough" demo written by Ralphs when still in MOTT THE HOOPLE.
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1. That's Life |
October 22, 2002
A GLIMPSE OF IMPOSSIBLE
It's an axiom that THE BEATLES' songs are prevented from inclusion into any legitimate compilation - and there were not more than a couple of those whilst the band still existed - but here they are: two classics, "A Hard Day's Night" and "Hey Jude", will be included in 6-CD set "Capitol Records: 1942-2002" that's out this month to commemorate the label's 60th anniversary. Alongside other perennials, the collection includes four solo Fab tracks - John Lennon's "Imagine", Paul McCartney's "Band On the Run", Ringo Starr's "It Don't Come Easy" and George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord".
HAPPY JUST TO DANCE FOR HIM
Meanwhile, close to the sad date marking the first year of George Harrison's death, The American Ballet Theater is paying tribute to the late great artist with a show called "Within You And Without You: A Tribute To George Harrison". Designed by famous choreographers Natalie Weir, Ann Reinking, David Parsons and Stanton Welch, it's set to the orchestral versions of Hari's songs, both recorded with THE BEATLES - "Within And Without You", "Something" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" - and solo: "My Sweet Lord", "I Dig Love" and "Isn't It A Pity". The world premiere of the ballet took place at New York's City Center om October 18th.
SCOT SALUTES AMERICA
One could hardly call Rod Stewart too British - or Scot - a singer. The raspy warbler always had this soft spot for American music - yet rather black than white. Now, Rod's focus moved a bit towards standards catalogue which he explores on a new album, "It Had To Be You ... The Great American Songbook", delivering evergreens by Gershwin and the like. To shine even more brightly, Stewart requested for some brass to be added, and his guests are renown trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and saxophonists Michael Brecker and Dave Koz.
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1. Everytime We Say Goodbye (with Dave Koz) |
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THE ROCK'S A HARD
With The Legends Of Rock Tour kicking off on November 13th, with the latest addition - alongside Uli Jon Roth, Jack Bruce, Michael Schenker and Glenn Hughes - being Frank Marino and MAHOGANY RUSH, there's a live document out of the first Legends performance which was held last year. Called "Live at Castle Donington 2001", the double CD set and a DVD feature Roth, Bruce and UFO. It's there and then that Uli Roth chanced to play with Schenker, who replaced him in SCORPIONS back in 1979, and Bruce, who came on-stage for a couple of CREAM numbers. So that's how it all goes...
CD 1:
1. Sky Overture CD 2:1. Trail In The Wind |
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DVD:
1. Trail In The Wind |
WITH TEARS TO DWELL UPON
November 26th will see the DVD release of The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert film recorded ten years ago at Wembley Arena in memory of the late great QUEEN primadonna. A glorious performance, one to re-live and enjoy endlessly - and, as Freddie sang, there's only tears to dwell upon now.
Disc 1:
1. Tie Your Mother Down - QUEEN with Joe Elliott and Slash |
Disc 2:1. TV Documentary 
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YOUNG AND BRAVE
John Young, a highly talented keyboard player whose art complemented, among others, the music of John Wetton, Ken Hensley, Fish and SCORPIONS, now has an ensemble of his own called simply THE JOHN YOUNG BAND. The group, consisting of John Mitchell (ARENA) on guitar, John Jowitt (IQ, JADIS) on bass and Steve Christey (JADIS) on drums, were to play their debut gig on October 26th but had to pull the plug due to Mitchell's illness. The show was postponed with no new date provided as of yet, but the next scheduled concert will be held on December 28th in Bradford. Get well John and the guys!
COME AND DRINK
Classic Rock Festival, the American leg of which took place on October 5th and 6th and the British one will follow on November 29th and 30th, has much to be remembered for, yet an oustanding event should be considered the reunion of the NEKTAR original line-up, featuring Larry Fast of SYNERGY fame on keyboards, and reconstruction of their legendary liquid light show. Now, this unique performance may be relished by those who wasn't and won't be present there in flesh - on DVD, with a CD to follow. Blame Classic Rock Productions for it all.
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1. A Tab In The Ocean |
October 15, 2002
THAT'S NEW CLASSIC
Classic Rock Productions come up with two new killer DVD, both by classic artists and both recorded this year.
The first comes from THE LAWTON-DUNNING PROJECT or, indeed, JOHN LAWTON BAND, because Steve Dunning adds bass to John Lawton's golden voice. "One More Night" was committed to tape at London's Mean Fiddler in May - and the DVD slightly differs from accompanying CD (the tracklisting's here, looking like this:
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1. I'm Alive |
The other title is CARAVAN's "A Knights' Tale", said to be recorded just ten days ago at the stage of the Classic Rock Festival in Trenton, NJ. Founder members Pye Hastings, Richard Coughlan and David Sinclair got violinist Geoff Richardson back and introduced bassists Doug Boyle and Jim leverton and percussionist Simon Bentall into the fold, so the DVD runs this way:
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1. The Dog He's At It Again |
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October 10, 2002
ASHES BURNING
In the wake of Annie Haslam's recent statement, the RENAISSANCE drummer Terry Sullivan informed the band's site of the active discussion he's in with keyboardist John Tout and bassist Jon Camp about the next incarnation of the ensemble. While it's great to have back Camp, who wasn't a part of 1999's reunion which brought forth the "Tuscany" album, without Ms Haslam whose voice became the RENAISSANCE trademark and guitarist and primary composer Michael Dunford it'll never be the same.
THE LORD-EY THANG
Having played his last ever concert with DEEP PURPLE - recorded for possible future release - the retiring Jon Lord doesn't stop writing, and February 16th, 2003 will see the world premiere of his new piece for piano and orchestra, "Boom of the Tingling Strings", performed by the Queensland Orchestra in Brisbane. The organ legend won't be there, leaving a piano stool to Michael Kieran Harvey, with Paul Mann conducting. The European premiere is planned to have place in Luxembourg in May.
NEW HEARTACHE
Well, not actually, but Bonnie Tyler's forthcoming album is called "Heart And Soul". To be released in late October in Scandinavia, a collection of thirteen rock classics performed by the grit-voiced lady with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra will hit the rest of the world early in 2003. No artwork as of yet, yet the tracks and their original performers are:
1. It's Over - Roy Orbison
2. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
3. In My Life - THE BEATLES
4. Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx
5. Learning To Fly - Tom Petty
6. Amazed - LONESTAR
7. Human Touch - Bruce Springsteen
8. And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going - Jennifer Holiday
9. Against All Odds - Phil Collins
10. Lean On Me - Bill Withers
11. Everybody Hurts - REM
12. I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt
13. Need Your Love So Bad - FLEETWOOD MAC
HARI REMEMBERED
Now it's confirmed: the George Harrison memorial concert will be held at London’s Royal Albert Hall on November 29th, one year since George’s passing. The evening will feature the music Harrison wrote and the music Harrison loved. Among the perfomers are two remaining Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, George's bandmates from TRAVELLING WILBURIES, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty, old buddies Ravi Shankar, Jim Keltner and Leon Russell who The Quiet One performed with at the Bangladesh concert, members of Monthy Python troupe that ex-Beatle helped film "The Life Of Brian", and Eric Clapton, a supervisor of the musical content of the tribute. Proceeds from the concert will go to The Material World Charitable Foundation established by Harrison in 1973.
October 3, 2002
SONG FOR NO SEASON
Yes, the news may be sad yet not unexpected: RENAISSANCE are no more!
The band's brilliant singer, Annie Haslam, posted a letter to all the fans, that, in particlular, says the following:
"There have been many wonderful times since the beginning when I joined the band in the '70s and these experiences will last for ever. The music business has changed drastically and seems to be on a downward spiral. It is now time to close another chapter in the history of the band, and it has been a hard decision to make. We were very unique and were to receive many accolades for the music we created. Looking back we really wrote some wonderful music and that body of work will be heard for years to come, thanks to modern technology. The future for everyone is more precious than ever, but more important is living in the moment, that is why we made this decision, a very difficult one."
Praising the last album, "Tuscany", Annie points out that she and her former colleagues are still making music: Michael Dunford is immersed in producing his musical "Scheherazade", Terry Sullivan has a solo CD "‘South of Winter" out soon, and Ms Haslam herself plans redesigning her website to accommodate new works.
AWASHING THE BRAIN
Finally, the content of forthcoming George Harrison album, "Brainwashed", out on November 19th, is revealed. Produced by George, Jeff Lynne and Dhani Harrison, the album features new songs - although some are said to be out-takes from the '80s sessions - and a cover of the standard "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea".
Alongside Harrisons, father and son, and Lynne, the album features legendary drummers Jim Keltner and Ray Cooper, keyboard players Mike Moran and Marc Mann, ex-DEEP PURPLE organist Jon Lord and Sam Brown on the title track, and Jools Holland's orchestra on "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea".
The music must be top-notch, while the artwork looks shoddy.
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1. Any Road |
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October 1, 2002
PUSHING THE FRONTIERS
Frontiers Records have all the reason to be proud with their new web site just launched. The web haven for the great melodic rock label has been completely redesigned and has now a more attractive look and a special discussion forum for the fans. Still, some parts of the site will be completed in the course of a couple of weeks.
LIVING PROOF
WISHBONE ASH always look forward and rarely allow a glance over their collective shoulder. Well, there were too many of those shoulders alongside Andy Powell's over the past three decades, but here they are, on the brilliant collection entitled simply "Tracks" comprising live tracks, rare versions of classic material and various surprises. This double CD-set available at the band's site for only 14 GBP - a must, ain't it? And a living proof of the ASH's longevity.
Disc 1:
1. Tangible Evidence (1988) |
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Disc 2:
1. In The Skin (1988) |
OLD WORKS RE-WORKED
More WISHBONE ASH archive material comes from N-M-C Music. Called "Heritage" the 3CD-set takes in two ASH albums, "Psychic Terrorism" and "Trance Visionary", both long out of print. The albums saw the double-axe veterans experimenting with trance and techno textures and were met with lukewarm feelings. Now is the time to re-assess them: so the first two discs of the set contain the original albums, while disc three has never before released mixes and the film "Wonderful Stash". Sleeve notes contain exclusive interview with Andy Powell regarding these recordings.
CD 1:
1. Numerology |
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CD 2:
1. Transliteration |
Another relics-filled item from N-M-ׁ is "Re-Works" by none other than EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER. The 3CD-set features rehashed versions of the ELP classics given a 21st century flavour and a booklet with exclusive Keith Emerson interview discussing this album.
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CD 1:
1. Re-Works One (Fanfare 2002 Golden Jubilation mix) |
CD 2:
1. Re-Works One (extended Jubilation mix) |
CD 3: Fanfare 2002 Remix Album
1. Digger’s Mix (by Digger) |
FUN LIKE HELL
With PINK FLOYD existence hanging in limbo, David Gilmour decided to give his fans some fun with a live DVD of his own that's due out on October 7th in Europe and only on November 5th the other side of the Atlantic. Filmed at the Meltdown Festival concert at London's Royal Festival Hall in June 2001, the performance features among others David's FLOYD bandmate Rick Wright as well as Robert Wyatt, Bob Geldof and a gospel choir led by Sam Brown. The rehearsal with the choir and choral version of "High Hopes" make two of the DVD extras, with other being lyrics for all the songs performed, guitar solos with focus on David's fingers, and bonus songs: "Don't", "I Put A Spell On You" and "Shakespeare's Sonnet 18".
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1. Shine on You Crazy Diamond Parts 1-5 |
THE BEST OF THE SITUATION
The last touring bout of Eric Clapton's proved a success, so the Slowhand doesn't miss a chance to present a live document to those who didn't chance to be where E. C. was. Called "One More Car, One More Rider" - an allusion of the guitarist's "Riding With The King" collaboration with B. B. King - the double-CD set is out on November 5th.
Disc 1:
1. Key To The Highway |
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Disc 2:
1. I Want A Little Girl |
ONE WHO NEVER GOT AWAY
Another great artist with a live album out is Paul McCartney who documented his 2002's tour on the double one with highly original title "Back In The U.S.". Released on November 26th, it'll feature the greatest hits, the latest hits and poignant dedications to Paul's late friends, John Lennon ("Here Today") and George Harrison ("Something"). A bit later, a DVD should be released under the same title.
Disc 1:
1. Hello Goodbye |
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Disc 2:
1. Eleanor Rigby |
TIME OF REVELATION
Those lucky owner's of URIAH HEEP "Sailing The Sea Of Light" CD / DVD / book set are familiar with the work that famous rock journalist Dave Ling has done. Still, included in the set was only a part of the book tracking down the band's long and glorious ride, and if the fans were happy to read the chapter dedicated to the HEEP's current line-up, they'll surely go ecstatic with "Wizards And Demons", the first ever official history of the band - given full cooperation from the artists themselves.
The signed copy of the book can be pre-ordered here, and those who plan jorneying to either U.S. or British part of the Classic Rock Festival will collect their coveted read there. And meet the author, too.