“BUY, BUY”, SAYS THE JUNK
Rumors rolling of Paul McCartney working on a covers album (ain’t it there that Buddy Holly’s "It is So Easy" goes?), the Beatle’s next studio release is said to be called“McCartney III” to follow in the line of Paul previous self-titled records laid down in a completely solo mode, with no guest on board – these are to flock in to do the aforementioned covers. So with “Run Devil Run”, “Driving Rain” and “Chaos And Creation In The Backyard” out in May, and “McCartney” and “McCartney II” next, plus “Ram” and “Venus & Mars” scheduled for November – all with bonuses and DVDs – this year will bring on a Macca bonanza to empty many a fan’s bank account.
THE IMMORTAL GOES UP
“The Immortal”: that was a nickname a recording engineer Roger Nichols received for his ability to work 24/7 for his clients. Such was the man’s commitment to his subjects – who included Stevie Wonder and Placido Domingo, Frank Zappa and Diana Ross, plus most famously, STEELY DAN – that brought him seven Grammies, one for the DAN classic “Aja” and one for John Denver’s “All Aboard!” which Nichols produced. Ever active, on April 9th, the aural veteran passed away to remain immortal in the music he helped create.
WHAT WAS THE GREATEST BATTLE?
Sixteen years after his tragic demise, Rory Gallagher‘s profile shines ever brightly. His “Irish Tour ’74” has just received a great visual update and the new reissue programme is ready to get afoot, but June 6th will see the most unexpected treasure unearthed. “Notes From San Francisco” is a long-shelved studio album by the great late guitarist, recorded in November and December 1977 and January 1978 but scrapped because of the mixing problems; instead “Photo Finish” was delivered at the eleventh hour by the end of the year with half of the songs re-recorded and the other half thrown in the bin . Now, though, it’s time to dust it off to present a nice surprise to those who waited for their Rory fix since 2003’s "Wheels Within Wheels", a title track of which was first cut there, in SF. And it was there, at “The Old Waldorf” that a bonus disc was taped in December 1979. One fantastic gift!
CD 1 – Studio1. Rue The Day |
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CD 2 – Live1. Follow Me |
FACE OF YESTERDAY
Looks like Jim McCarty is working on a RENAISSANCE box set to be filed with demos, unreleased material and rarities – hard to say whether it’ll span the post-McCarty, most famous incarnation of the band. What also can make the collection is an 18-minute video from 1969’s BBC session that keyboardist John Hawken’s found in his archive. No other details at the moment, though.
MEET ON THE CATCH
2011 sees a lot of FAIRPORT CONVENTION-related acitivity. Sandy Denny’s solo albums get a second overhaul to receive a 2CD-treatment and include some gems from the 19-disc box set that many couldn’t afford to buy. Much cheaper, yet no less interesting is another box, a 3CD+DVD set “Live At The BBC” from Richard Thompson, out on June 20th. It’ll include both solo material, and songs cut with Linda Thompson, for various Beeb shows from 1973 to 2009 – with 18 tracks making their CD debut. Sadly, the visual part doesn’t represent any concert in its entirety. But a great package anyway, the one not to miss.
CD 1:1. The Little Beggar Girl (John Peel, 1.1.1973) |
CD 2:1. She Twists The Knife Again (Andy Kershaw, 1.7.1985) |
CD 3:1. Gethsemane (Andy Kershaw, 28.9.2001) |
DVD:1. Jet Plane In A Rocking Chair (The Old Grey Whistle Test, 7.3.1975)
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MILES OF “SMILE”
Seven years on since his first go at the legendary material and 45 years since THE BEACH BOYS had thrown themselves in the “Smile” extravaganza, Brian Wilson gave a nod to the release of “The Smile Sessions” box set towards the end of 2011. Now, most of the bootlegs – and there’s a plenty of those – documenting the doomed recording that melted Wilson’s mind will have become obsolete and “The Pet Sounds Sessions” box will have a companion.
THE CAPTAIN ROCKS OUT
Famous for his “Star Trek” endeavors, it’s a little wonder that William Shatner has chosen a space theme for his forthcoming album “Searching For Major Tom”, yet the selection and the guest list on it is jaw-dropping. Metal covers? Yes! Adding music to his legendary recital of “Rocket Man”? Sure ’nuff! Luring Ritchie Blackmore out of his Renaissance dream? Why not. Nothing’s impossible for Captain Kirk. And here’s the roll-call for the flight to marvel at:
| 1. Space Trucking (DEEP PURPLE) feat. Ian Paice and Johnny Winter 2. She Blinded Me With Science (Thomas Dolby) feat. Bootsy Collins and Patrick Moraz 3. In A Little While (U2) feat. Manuel Gottsching 4. Empty Glass (THE TEA PARTY) feat. Michael Schenker 5. Lost In The Stars (Frank Sinatra) feat. Ernie Watts 6. Twilight Zone (GOLDEN EARRING) feat. Warren Haynes 7. Space Cowboy (STEVE MILLER BAND) feat. Brad Paisley 8. Rocket Man (Elton John) feat. Steve Hillage 9. Space Oddity (David Bowie) feat. Ritchie Blackmore and Alan Parsons 10. Spirit in the Sky (Norman Greenbaum) feat. Peter Frampton 11. Bohemian Rhapsody (QUEEN) feat. John Wetton 12. Silver Machine (HAWKWIND) feat. Wayne Kramer and Carmine Appice 13. Major Tom (Peter Schilling) feat. Nick Valensi, Zakk Wylde and Mike Inez 14. Learning To Fly (PINK FLOYD) feat. Edgar Froese 15. Mr. Spaceman (THE BYRDS) feat. Dave Davies 16. Iron Man (BLACK SABBATH) feat. Zakk Wylde 17. Planet Earth (DURAN DURAN) feat. Steve Howe 18. Walking on the Moon (THE POLICE) feat. Toots Hibbert 19. Mrs. Major Tom – female singer to be announced |
BREAKIN’ THE STRAW
It might be a classic case of metal fatigue but it’s not so often that a founder member leaves a band after 43 years in charge. Yet that’s how it is for K. K. Downingwho’s just parted ways with JUDAS PRIEST. No animosity involved, and the rest of the group wish their retiring guitarist all the best – and get ready to hit the road with a young slinger named Richie Faulkner. Decent behavior.
NEVER A HERO
He was a real backbone – and backbeat – of TRAFFIC, but there was much more to Jim Capaldi. A drummer and a singer, he was a fantastic songwriter, and folks such as George Harrison felt honored to take part in his solo recording. And now, six years after Jim’s untimely passing, comes a time to celebrate his legacy. June 27th will see a release of “Dear Mr Fantasy: The Jim Capaldi Story”, a 4CD box set comprising 67 tracks, many previously unreleased, from different eras of Capaldi’s illustrious career, from THE HELLION he formed in 1963 with future TRAFFIC guitarist Dave Mason to that band’s rehearsal before the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2004. It’s all there and must be grabbed as soon as the box is out.
CD 1:1. Daydreaming Of You – THE HELIONS |
CD 2:1. It’s All Up to You |
CD 3:1. Let The Thunder Cry |
CD 4:1. Standing In My Light
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SECOND COMING
It’s all said and done, with no strings, save for the guitar and bass ones, attached. A year after their debut, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, in the same line-up of Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian, deliver their second album called simply “2” on June 13th and go on tour where a DVD will is to be filmed. A dizen scorching tracks in the classic vein: what else to be desired?
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1. The Outsider 2. Man In The Middle 3. I Can See Your Spirit 4. The Battle For Hadrian’s Wall 5. Save Me 6. Cold 7. Smokestack Woman 8. Faithless 9. An Ordinary Son 10. Little Secret 11. Crossfire 12. Crawl |
