DOCKED IN THE BAY
It’s been long overdue but finally it looks like Paul Rodgers is bent on doing some Otis Redding as the veteran singer plans to lay down a soul album at Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios in Memphis, with Steve Cropper in a producer’s chair. Classic Stax vibe is inevitable in such circumstances so the fingers are crossed for the next year’s outing.
LORD OF THE RINGS
These days, Olympic games are the talk of the town and the world over, so the former YES warbler Jon Anderson came up with a special song. Called “Race To The End”, his tribute can be accessed here.
JOKER’S WILD
Never stopping, Billy Sherwood who has recently finished a “Prog Collective” project, a solo album and a SUPERTRAMP tribute with many veterans in tow, signed on to produce another tribute, this time honoring the great blues maker Steve Miller. Guest artists are expected to join in the fun to grab ya. No further details as of now.
SAFE AND SOUND
John Ryan‘s producer credit range wide and include such unlikely shoulder-rubbers as BADFINGER and STYX, and there’s forthcoming AC/DC record. So it should be of little surprise that Dave Grohl invited the veteran to help with his documentary on LA’s Sound City Studios, with Jim Rota being the film’s producer. It’s the same facilities where Ryan worked with the likes of SANTANA and THE DOOBIE BROTHERS, so the interest’s piqued.
PAINT IT BLACK
City Canyons and Market Square Records announced the signing of THE PETER ULRICH COLLABORATION and forthcoming release of their new album, “The Painted Caravan”. Peter Ulrich, to those not in the know, was a drummer in DEAD CAN DANCE and played percussion with THIS MORTAL COIL. Restrained thunder is guaranteed, then.