April 10, 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 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

Here’s 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.

April 22, 2002