AIN’T NO LOVE IN THE HEART OF THE CITY
Alone again or?.. This question was always hanging in the air when LOVE main man, Arthur Lee‘s voice called out from the grooves. A strange and complicated, though not sophisticated figure, Lee’s music seemed to be a reflection of his personality as well as the time the Californian band peaked. No other ensemble soundtracked the Summer of Love than LOVE. Was it the distance between’s Arthur’s birthplace, Memphis, and the West Coast that made his songs on “Forever Changes” album so timely outlandish or his unique position in the limbo between blackness and whiteness? No matter what – and no matter how he spent the last three and half decades which saw him serving time in jail and receiving the ovation from the Royal Festival Hall stage – Lee was a legend. And he remains it no matter what. No changes for Arthur any more: on August 3rd the rocker, aged 61, succumbed to leukemia while getting ready to go on the road with a new LOVE. Now he’s alone and in peace.
AT LAST!
One of the most underrated of the most influential bands, FREE are never far away, with the perennial anthem of optimism, “All Right Now”, always blasting out of the speakers somewhere near you. With the success of the “Songs Of Yesterday” box set and the re-issue programme, it was just a question of time when the British group’s BBC sessions will make their way to the public – but on September 18th, they do. Called simply “Live At The BBC”, the two CDs include all the Beeb recordings the original line up made; what’s left behind yet could have made a nice bonus is the three songs that Paul Rodgers’ power trio, PEACE, that, later on, surfaced on FREE’s“Heartbreaker” and BAD COMPANY’s “Burning Sky”. Still, that’s wishful thinking, as well as the hope the combo’s live tapes, circulating as bootlegs, will see the light of day one day. So, tune in:
Disc 1:1. Waiting On You (Top Gear, 15.7.68) |
Disc 2:1. The Hunter (Peel ,15.1.70) |
Even more exciting news than the FREE’s Beeb stuff is the band’s video collection, out on the same day. “Free Forever” isn’t just an updated version of old VHS tape but completely new product. On sale as a limited edition double-disc DVD set and as a standard version, it’s comprised of all previously available classic quartet clips yet there’s more to be mesmerised for 4.5 hours. While new interviews with Paul Rodgers, Andy Fraser, Simon Kirke and the great late Paul Kossoff’s brother, Simon, allow insight into the group’s working methods, the focus of the DVD for many will be the complete Isle of Wight Festival performance, edited anew. Earlier it was though only three songs were shot – well, fortunately, not, and now the show’s here in its entirety, with a multi-angle feature on those three cuts. After much researching, restoration, remixing and remastering for both 5.1 and stereo sound, with extensive liner notes and a poster a part of the package, there’s nothing left to be desired. Just because there’s nothing left now. And that’s what’s in store:
Disc 1:Beat Club, Germany 1970: |
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Disc 2:Isle Of Wight – 30th August 1970: |
PLENTY HARD LUCK
Just in from the acclaimed rock writer Martyn Hanson whose books must grace every serious music lover’s shelves:
“Just before my GROUNDHOGS book came out I started looking for another project. There were several bands I considered but I kept returning to COLOSSEUM. I had been a fan since 1972 and bought “The Daughter Of Time” and “Colosseum Live”. I finally got to see the band live in the ’90s and it was unforgettable. I had seen the documentary that accompanied the DVD and it whetted my appetite for more details. So I contacted Interview with JON HISEMAN and put it to him if he would collaborate with me on a book. He acquired a couple of my books and the project was soon on.
I met him in March 2006 and a few weeks later I returned from another visit with his vast archive. At this moment in time I am scanning and photocopying relevant material and I have started the interviews. There is no date for publication but it is likely to be autumn of 2007.
I have provisionally titled the book “The Time Machine”, after one of Jon’s finest moments on record. I will have regular updates on the book on my website:www.martynhanson.com“.
Now it’s our appetite’s that’s whetted, as Martyn’s already inteviewed some present and former band members and associates such as James Litherland, Tony Reeves, Dave Greenslade, Clem Clempson and Pete Brown. If only Dick Heckstall-Smith, an avid reader, was around when the book’s out…
STANDING IN THE SHADOWS
As if compensating the lack of the WHITESNAKE concert albums, David Coverdale is fulfilling his promise of releasing one, hot on the heels of “In The Still Of The Night” DVD a limited edition of which had a bonus CD attached to it. But that was recorded late in 2004 while the material comprising “Live … In The Shadow Of The Blues”, out in early November, comes from 2006’s tour. What’s more important, the 2CD set is rounded off with a few new studio tracks so the new records might very well be on the way next year. Much recommended to the fans is a limited version of the album, housed in digipack and augmented, among other surprises with a bonus track.
CD 1:1. Bad Boys |
CD 2:1. Burn – Stormbringer – Burn |
* – new studio recording
GHOSTS EX MACHINA
Look from the inner reaches is what DVD titled “Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out” that’s due out on September 25th. Directed by the band’s drummer Stewart Copeland who’s mined his personal Super 8 archives for unique footage, the film includes behind-the-scenes, never-before-seen footage featuring over 60 song performances from the trio. Copeland remixed some classic cuts especially for this release, so it’s refreshing not only from the visual but also from the aural aspect. Chartering THE POLICE history from their quasi-punk days of 1978 up to their 1984’s leave on the peak of the world domination, the movie’s chapters are:
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The First Two Years I Got This Movie Camera And It May Sound Strange… Europe Summer Festivals Next To You First Frenzy Chat to Camera During Show Rock Star Trashes Road Store Blond Life News Reels Zenyatta Bull Rings Arena Band in America Do Do Inna Snow Snow Life Becomes a Duran Duran Video Japanese Valentines Wretched In Montserrat World Conquest This Is What We Came For Us Festival With Real Cameras |
GET THAT FROM THE START
Later in the month the reformed original ASIA start their road trek, so when on October 20th, “Never In A Million Years”, a John Wetton & Geoffrey Downes ICON‘s first real concert album – “Acoustic TV Broadcast” was a studio live performance – will be released, the public must be ready to grab it and enjoy just before, on November 10th, the pair’s new effort, “Rubicon” is out. The concerts recordings, committed to tape in spring 2006, feature – alongside Wetton on bass and vocals and Downes on keyboards – John Mitchell on guitars and Steve Christey on drums, both previously having played with the singer.
There are mostly ASIA songs on offer, plus a couple of those from the first “Icon” album, though singled out should be “We Move As One” that Geoff and John wrote some ten years ago for ABBA’s Agnetha Faltkstog. Nice and, from what samples are available, quite rough.
1. Pane Bruno 2. The Heat Goes On 3. Only Time Will Tell 4. Voice Of America 5. I Lay Down 6. Days Like These 7. Bolero 8. Meet Me At Midnight 9. Never In A Million Years 10. We Move As One 11. Paradox / Let Me Go 12. Don’t Cry 13. Open Your Eyes 14. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes |
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THEY All CAME OUT TO MONTREUX
The “Live At Montreux” DVD series is growing at great rate, and September will see two more interesting titles out.
The first is by the legendary Slowhand. Eric Clapton played the Swiss resort in 1986 just before the release of his “August” album so there was the record’s co-producer Phil Collins playing drums with the guitarist on the set that features Eric’s hits and CREAM classics as well as some cuts then unknown to the public, such as “Behind The Mask” and “Miss You”. Not the best period for Clapton, but on-stage God has always been great.
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1. Crossroads 2. White Room 3. I Shot The Sheriff 4. I Wanna Make Love To You 5. Miss You 6. Same Old Blues 7. Tearing Us Apart 8. Holy Mother 9. Behind The Mask 10. Badge 11. Let it Rain 12. In The Air Tonight 13. Cocaine 14. Layla 15. Sunshine Of Your Love 16. Further On Up the Road |
The other DVD in the series features mighty CANNED HEAT and comes from as early as 1973. There was more blues to it then than when later on and, perhaps, never as much as when the HEAT invited Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown to sit in with the band after their opening salvo of “On The Road Again”. They jammed in high fashion, and here’s the proof:
1. On The Road Again 2. Please Mr Nixon (with C. Brown) 3. Worried Life Blues (with C. Brown) 4. Ooh Poo Pah Doo (with C. Brown) 5. Funky (with C. Brown) 6. Night Time Is The Right Time 7. Let’s Work Together 8. Rock And Roll Music 9. Lookin’ For My Rainbow 10. Montreux Boogie |
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KING OF THE DAY
On September 5th one of the best singers of all time, Freddie Mercury would have turned 60, and there’s a whole string of events scheduled to mark the great late master’s anniversary. Having left us 15 years ago, Fred has left a great legacy always ripe for re-discovery, and September 4th is the release date for a 2CD set “The Very Best of Freddie Mercury Solo” which spans his entire career from pre-QUEEN track “I Can Hear Music” cut under the Larry Lurex moniker right until the end, and features not only original album recordings, including those with Montserrat Caballe, but also – well, mostly – remixed and extended versions of Mercury’s haut pop songs. Of particular interest is “Love Making Love” demo: more of suchlike material would be very welcome.
As for the very day of FM’s birthday, it’ll see the “Freddie Mercury: Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs” 2DVD set hitting the shelves.
CD 1:1. In My Defence (2000 remix) |
CD 2:1. Love Kills (Sunshine People radio mix) |
WHITE AFROBEAT
Always eager to find the roots of the music he played, in 1971 Ginger Baker, having dissolved his AIRFORCE, headed for Africa to set up a recording studio in Nigeria’s capital, Lagos. It famously became an abode for WINGS when Paul McCartney decided to record “Band On The Run” away from home, and a place where Ginger had much fun with Fela Kuti and other local musicians.
“In Africa” DVD, out soon, is a film by Tony Palmer who shot CREAM’s “Farewell Concert” in 1968 and three years later followed Baker’s journey across the Sahara desert to his new place. The movie provides an intriguing insight into a volcanic redhead’s mind.
A BERRY SWEET
Darlings of media just once in their lives, when Rick Wakeman played with the band, THE STRAWBSnevertheless have always had a strong following who cherished the Dave Cousins-led collective’s unique blend of folk and progressive rock even when rock wasn’t in the melange at all. And it’s mostly for them, the faithful, that the forthcoming box set, “A Taste Of Strawbs” is for. Running from the group’s early days as STRAWBERRY HILL BOYS – that’s how they were called in 1964 – up to 2006’s recordings, it may serve as a soundtrack of the band’s history for uninitiated and as altarnative glance at THE STRAWBS singular trek for aficionados. The latter better be quick pre-ordering the set, as the first 2,000 buyers will receive a bonus disc of equally rare material. Oh, the track listing is tentative at the moment, but presumably it’ll look like this:
Disc 1:
1. The Grey Hawk (STRAWBERRY HILL BOYS live)
2. The Cruel Wars (Dave Cousins unreleased recording)
3. You Don’t Think About Me (STRAWBERRY HILL BOYS demo)
4. Not all The Flowers Grow (Dave Cousins demo)
5. You Keep Going Your Way (STRAWBERRY HILL BOYS demo)
6. Fhir A Bhata (Sandy Denny live)
7. Nothing Else Will Do (Sandy and THE STRAWBS)
8. Oh How She Changed (2005 remix)
9. Or Am I Dreaming (2005 remix)
10. All The Little Ladies (alt. mix with spoken word intros)
11. Ah Me, Ah My (alt. mix )
12. The Man Who Called Himself Jesus (alt. mix)
13. The Battle (live)
14. It’s Just Love (unreleased FIRE track)
15. Another Day (live)
16. Forever (“Dragonfly” out-take)
17. Where Am I / I’ll Show You Where To Sleep (1970, live)
18. Canondale (1971, live)
19. Sheep (1971, live)
20. RMW (1971, live instrumental)
Disc 2:
1. Tomorrow (1972, live)
2. New World (1972, live)
3. Here It Comes (1972, live)
4. See How They Run (1972, Daves Cousins and Lambert home demo)
5. Going Home (alt. version with Lambert vocal)
6. The Actor (alt. mix)
7. Part Of The Union (THE BROTHERS original version)
8. The Winter And The Summer (Lambert home demo)
9. Whichever Way The Wind Blows (unreleased with Cousins vocal)
10. Suite: Shine On Silver Sun (1973, ext. version with TEN YEARS AFTER)
11. Out In The Cold / Round And Round (Cousins acoustic demos)
12. The Writing On The Wall (Cousins acoustic demo)
13. And Wherefore
14. Ghosts Theme (church bells – field recording)
15. Lemon Pie (Cousins acoustic demo)
16. Cherie Je T’aime (French version of “Grace Darling”)
17. So Shall Our Love Die (Cousins acoustic demo)
18. Still Small Voice (Cousins acoustic demo)
19. How I Need You Now (live)
Disc 3:
1. The Merchant Adventurer (Cousins acoustic demo)
2. Blue Angel (“Deep Cuts” out-take)
3. Goodbye (alt. version)
4. Deadly Nightshade ( Cousins acoustic demo)
5. Sweet Voices (“Deadlines” out-take)
6. Midnight (“Deadlines” out-take)
7. Bring Out Your Dead (The Young Pretender) (Cousins acoustic demo)
8. Another Day Without You (demo)
9. Touch The Earth (Lambert and Cronk studio recordings)
10. Armada (1981, Juan Martin & STRAWBS studio recording)
11. A Glimpse Of Heaven (Cousins and Willoughby, live)
12. The Hangman And The Papist (Gastank)
13. Martin Luther King’s Dream (1983, live)
14. Heavy Disguise (1984 rehearsal)
15. That’s When The Crying Starts (1984, live)
16. Evergreen (Cousins home demo)
17. Song Of A Sad Little Girl (1988, Wakeman and Cousins live)
Disc 4:
1. Ringing Down The Years (1990, live)
2. Further Down The Road (Cousins acoustic demo)
3. Heartbreak Hill (1993, live)
4. File Of Facts (1993, Dave Cousins and Don Airey)
5. Hero And Heroine (with Ric Sanders)
6. The King (Wakeman and Cousins, “Hummingbird” out-take)
7. Alice’s Song (2003, live)
8. McLean Street / Who Knows Where The Time Goes (2004, live)
9. The Ten Commandments (Lambert & Willoughby)
10. We’ll Meet Again Sometime (2004, ACOUSTIC STRAWBS)
11. On A Night Like This (acoustic version)
12. Dragonfly (2005, live)
13. Heartbreaker (2006,. live, “Hero And Heroine” line-up)
14. River / Down By The Sea (2006, live)
15. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (2006, live)
16. The Shepherd’s Song (Dave Cousins and Juan Martin)
ALL TOGETHER NOW
“And Now Everybody To The Stage” may seem a title too long but it reflects the feel of togetherness that reigned on the night of May 22nd,when thusly titled PENDRAGON DVD was recorded in Katowice, Poland. Out on September 11th it will be available as a standard package and a DVD and 2CD limited edition. A nice document, the song set embraced all of the band’s discography. Look here:
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DVD:1. No Place For The Innocent |
CD 1:1. No Place For The Innocent |
CD 2:1. The Dance Of The Seven Veils |
But that’s not all at all! On October 31st the foursome head back to Katowice to play – and film for another DVD – a 21st anniversary concert of their debut album, "The Jewel, which will be preformed in full with former band members John Barnfield, Rik Carter and maybe a few others joining the current line-up.