In the last two weeks, a string of rock veterans has released new videos – in different styles but united by quality. Some of these gained publicity, others didn’t, so it seems only logical to corral them in one place.
The first up was Paul McCartney‘s “Appreciate” from the last year’s “New” album. Released shortly before Macca fell ill, the short movie finds him in a futuristic setting – although the song’s not as special, and the forthcoming “Early Days” clip should show the Beatle more human.
It gets more human with DEEP PURPLE‘s immortal “Smoke On The Water”: with no apparent reason to give visuals to the piece released back in 1972, it’s still great to see it.
But, of course, there’s a reason for LED ZEPPELIN‘s “Whole Lotta Love”: the rough mix of the track is to appear on the band’s second album’s box set, but is inferior to the final version, and the video is hardly riveting.
Much more arresting looks “One Minute” from Uriah Heep. Shot in a live environment, it marries the band’s patent balladry to a hard sway and, thus, bodes well for their “Outsider” album (details are here).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EylsjEqvNKQ
Also from the stage comes “The Way” by CALIFORNIA BREED, a new band in which Glenn Hughes join forces with Jason Bonham and young guitar-slinger Andrew Watt, whose eponymous album, out now, is brilliant. although it gets into a scream-fest direction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWHFRzcNpow
Cut from the same cloth, albeit slightly lighter, Bernie Marsden comes up with a trailer for his “Shine” album, scheduled for August and described here. Heavy guests aren’t on-screen, though.
And, sure, DOWN ‘n’ OUTZ‘s take on MOTT THE HOOPLE’s “Rock And Roll Queen” is as good as DEF LEPPARD’s Joe Elliott’s band, who’ve just put out “The Further Adventures Of”, could shape up – catchy and tasty but true to the original spirit.
Last for now, but not least, is a an elegantly mad and raw “The Unknown” from THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN whose “Zim Zam Zim” album – funded, as we wrote with the fans’ help – will be released on July 28th.
