GO EAST!
Surely, rock ‘n’ roll was born once upon a time in the West, but behind the Iron Curtain it lived as well. Uh, not so well – but it meant much more for many Easterners than it did to the Westerners. DME would like to draw everybody’s attention to an startup web site run by his old friend and dedicated to Eastern rock at easternrock.nm.ru. It’s growing still but it already gives a good insight into a deep well of music worth investigating.
HEAT OF THE ICON
While ASIA are busy working on the next album, the band leader, Geoff Downes, came up with a new album, “Bridge”, featuring the original recording of the title track and a live binaural selection recorded at London’s St. Cyprian’s Parish Church in April 2003.
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Part 1: The Bridge (studio) Part 2: The Bridge (live) Part 3: The Historic Medley (live): 1) Video Killed The Radio Star 2) Tempus Fugit 3) Man In A White Car 4) Only Time Will Tell 5) Bolero from Cutting It Fine 6) Aqua Part 1 7) Ready To Go Home 8) Free |
That’s not for everyone, of course, but what is bound to make the fans’ hearts beat faster is a DVD by Geoff Downes and John Wetton who played an acoustic selection from their “Icon album and classic ASIA material helped out by ELO’s own Hugh McDowell on cello. There’s no details yet, but with this news and a talk of “Icon II” the next year looks very promising.
WE BELIEVED WE’D CATCH THE RAINBOW
No matter how legendary the Ritchie Blackmore – Ronnie James Dio – Cozy Powell line-up of RAINBOW is the visual evidence of its existence is extremely scarce. For many, over the years the only footage of the classic band in full flying colors has been the concert filmed on October 20th, 1977 in Munich, Germany for a popular “Rockpalast” TV show. The VHS copies are worn out by now while pirate DVDs don’t represent all the greatness of the performance, so the official release brings a long-awaited relief.
The first to see the DVD, to be out in 2006, are the Japanese fans and then the rest of the world, with the European edition complemented with an extra packaging, interviews, promos and all kind of bonus material. Video and sound quality come remastered, of course. There’s surely a pot o’gold at the end of the rainbow!
| 1. Kill The King 2. Mistreated 3. 16th Century Greensleeves 4. Catch The Rainbow 5. Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll 6. Man On The Silver Mountain (incl. Blues and Stagestruck) 7. Still I’m Sad (incl. drum solo) 8. Do You Close Your Eyes (feat. guitar smashing) |
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There’s also rumors in circulation that a whole collection of RAINBOW promo videos will be out next year, yet the title “Final Cut” doesn’t crop up…
Meanwhile, RAINBOW alumnus Joe Lynn Turner and his guitar playing friend Akira Kajiyama, who played on Joe’s "Slam and "Holy Man albums and HTP’s debut, release a record called “Fire Without Flame” on December 7th – for the time being only in Japan. It’ll surely won’t take long to be out worldwide, as there’s a real fire in it.
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1. One Day Away 2. Fire Without Flame 3. Carnivals Of Souls 4. Heart Against Heart 5. End Of The Line 6. Forever Changed 7. Bad Feeling 8. Looking For Trouble 9. Down And Dirty 10. License To Kill 11. Slow Burn |
THE RIGHT STATE OF MIND
This man shifts units by millions and his hits collection is one of the most popular records in the world, but there’s been no anthology for Billy Joel until now. Now William hand-picked the most representative of his marvellous career tracks and shaped them into a 4 CDs and a DVD box set, “My Lives”. Not, it’s not another compilation of the well-known material, it’s rather a journey into the unknown, as there’s unreleased tracks, demos, live cuts, alternate takes, covers and much more in it. Billy’s early groups’ tapes alone make it all worthwhile, and a 64-page deluxe booklet only adds value to the set.
For technically advanced fans, there’s live recordings of “Zanzibar” and “I Got To Extremes” done in eight channel multi-track UmixIt format that allows the listener to create personalized mixes on a PC. For the less advanced, the DVD “Live From The River Of Dreams” shot in Frankfurt on June 18th, 1994 will bring even more pleasure.
Disc 1:
1. My Journey’s End (THE LOST SOULS, 1965)
2. Time And Time Again (THE LOST SOULS, 1965)
3. Every Step I Take (THE HASSLES, 1968)
4. You’ve Got Me Hummin’ (THE HASSLES, 1968)
5. Amplifier Fire (ATTILA, 1970)
6. Only A Man (demo, 1971)
7. She’s Got A Way (1971)
8. Oyster Bay (demo, 1973)
9. Piano Man (demo, 1973)
10. The Siegfried Line (demo), 1973
11. New Mexico (demo for “Worse Comes to Worst”, 1973)
12. Cross To Bear (demo, 1974)
13. Miami 2017 (demo, 1975)
14. These Rhinestone Days (demo for “I Loved These Days”, 1976)
15. Everybody Has A Dream (1977)
16. Only The Good Die Young (alt. version, 1977)
17. Until The Night (1978)
18. Zanzibar (unfaded, 1978)
19. It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me (1980)
Disc 2:
1. Captain Jack (live, 1981)
2. The End Of The World (demo for “Elvis Presley Blvd”, 1981)
3. The Prime Of Your Life (demo for “For Longest Time”, 1981)
4. She’s Right On Time (1982)
5. Elvis Presley Blvd. (B-side, 1982)
6. Nobody Knows But Me (1982)
7. An Innocent Man (1983)
8. Christie Lee (demo, 1983)
9. Easy Money (1983)
10. And So It Goes (demo, 1983)
11. I’ll Cry Instead (live B-Side, 1983)
12. Keeping the Faith (12″, 1984)
13. Modern Woman (1985)
14. Baby Grand (with Ray Charles, 1986)
15. Getting Closer (with Steve Winwood, alt. version, 1986)
16. House Of Blue Light (B-Side, 1989)
17. Money Or Love (demo, 1989)
18. The Times They Are A-Changin’ (live, 1987)
Disc 3:
1. The Downeaster “Alexa” (1989)
2. I Go To Extremes (live, 1990)
3. Shout (live, 1990)
4. All Shook Up (1992)
5. Heartbreak Hotel (1992)
6. When You Wish Upon A Star (1991)
7. In A Sentimental Mood (1992)
8. Motorcycle Song (demo for “All About Soul”, 1992)
9. You Picked A Real Bad Time (B-Side, 1992)
10. The River Of Dreams (alt. version, 1993)
11. A Hard Day’s Night (live)
12. Light As The Breeze (1997)
13. To Make You Feel My Love (1997)
14. Hey Girl (1997)
15. Why Should I Worry (from “Oliver & Company”, 1998)
16. Where Were You On Our Wedding Day (1999)
17. Highway 61 Revisited (demo, 1999)
Disc 4:
1. Movin’ Out (live, 2000)
2. You May Be Right (live, with Elton John, 1994)
3. Big Shot (live, 2001)
4. Don’t Worry Baby (live, tribute to Brian Wilson, 2001)
5. Goodnight Saigon (live, Vietnam Veterans, 1982)
6. Los Angelenos (1980)
7. New York State Of Mind (The 9/11 Telethon, 2001)
8. Opus 1. Soliloquy (2001)
9. Opus 8. Suite For Piano (2001)
12. Elegy: The Great Peconic (2001)
DVD – Live From The River Of Dreams:
1. No Man’s Land
2. Pressure
3. Ballad Of Billy The Kid
4. Leningrad
5. Allentown
6. My Life
7. I Go To Extremes
8. Shades Of Grey
9. The River Of Dreams
10. Goodnight Saigon
11. We Didn’t Start The Fire
12. A Hard Day’s Night
13. Big Shot
14. Piano Man
STRANGER TO HIMSELF
Richard Thompson might be the most underrated of all well-known world-wide guitar players. The man who revolutionized electric folk rock first with FAIRPORT CONVENTION, then performing with his wife, Linda, and later on, solo, the legacy of Thompson is immense, and here’s a humble attempt of gathering the bits and pieces to happen soon. “RT – The Life And Music Of Richard Thompson” is a 5CD box set of mostly rare recordings, with a bonus sixth disc available via write-in voucher in the first 5,000 copies, an exclusive compilation of Richard’s contributions to other Free Reed releases.
As usual with Free Bird, the packaging is marvellous and, again as usual, has a nice full-colour book – this time of 168 pages – on Richard Thompson’s life and career and music, together with extensive notes on every track and an exclusive interview with the man. More so, there in is a facsimile copy of Thompson’s 1952 Vincent Motorcycle catalogue – for those interested to know what Richard’s interests outside of music were when he was young. Indispensable – if only for the Britney Spears’ cover song!
CD1 – Walking The Long Miles Home (Muswell Hill to L.A):
1. Now That I Am Dead (1991)
2. Genesis Hall (live, 2004)
3. Josef Locke (2005)
4. Willy O’ Winsbury (live, 1993)
5. Don’t Sit On My Jimmy Shands (1994)
6. Nobody’s Wedding (live, 1990)
7. Madonna’s Wedding (live, 2002)
8. Walking The Long Miles Home – Richard & Danny Thompson (2001)
9. Withered And Died (live, 2002)
10. Beat The Retreat (live, 1991)
11. The Great Valerio – Richard & Linda Thompson (live, 1972)
12. Walking On A Wire – Richard & Linda Thompson (live, 1982)
13. Never Again – Richard & Linda Thompson (1975)
14. The End Of The Rainbow (live, 1985)
15. King Of Bohemia (live, 1992)
16. Killerman Gold Posse (1988)
17. Lotteryland – Richard & Danny Thompson (live, 1997)
18. Now Be Thankful – Richard & Linda Thompson (1994)
19. Shoot Out The Lights – RT BIG BAND (live, 1995)
20. Outside Of The Inside (2003)
CD 2 – Finding Better Words (The Essential):
1. I Feel So Good – RT BAND (live, 1991)
2. Push And Shove (1988)
3. Time To Ring Some Changes – Richard & Linda Thompson (live, 1981)
4. Cooksferry Queen (live, 2001)
5. Waltzing’s For Dreamers – Richard Thompson & Shawn Colvin (live, 1991)
6. I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight – Richard & Linda Thompson (live, 1979)
7. I Misunderstood – Richard & Danny Thompson (live, 1992)
8. Meet On The Ledge (live, 2003)
9. Down Where The Drunkards Roll (live, 2000)
10. Gethsemane (2003)
11. Tear-Stained Letter (live, 2002)
12. Wall Of Death – RT BAND (live, 1985)
13. 1952. Vincent Black Lightning (live, 1992)
14. From Galway To Graceland – FAIRPORT CONVENTION (live, 1996)
15. Crazy Man Michael (2005)
16. Dimming Of The Day – Richard & Linda Thompson (1981)
17. Beeswing (2003)
CD 3 – Shine In The Dark (Epic Live Workouts):
1. Valerie (1991)
2. Don’t Let A Thief Steal Into Your Heart (1994)
4. Ghosts In The Wind (1985)
5. Crash The Party – RT BAND (1991)
6. For Shame Of Doing Wrong – Richard & Linda Thompson (1979)
7. Calvary Cross – RT BAND (1986)
8. Sloth – RT BAND (1982)
9. Night Comes In – FAIRPORT CONVENTION (1991)
10. Drowned Dog, Black Night – RT BAND (1997)
11. Put it There, Pal – RT BAND (1986)
12. Morris Medley / Flying Saucers – Richard Thompson / John K & BAND (1986)
CD 4 – Songs Pour Down Like Silver (Covers & Sessions):
1. Substitute (live, 1992)
2. Tempted (live, 2003)
3. (The Story Of) Hamlet (live, 2000)
4. Oops, I Did It Again (live, 2002)
5. A Plane Pour Moi (live, 2003)
6. Why Don’t Women Like Me? (live, 1982)
7. Time Has Told Me – Richard Thompson / Raymond Kane (1981)
8. Shenandoah (live, 2001)
9. Danny Boy – RT BIG BAND (live, 1982)
10. Move It (live, 1984)
11. Willie & Hand Jive / Not Fade away (live, 1985)
12. Loch Lomond – RT BIG BAND (live, 1983)
13. Job Of Journeywork – (Ferrington Guitars Book, 1992)
14. Napoleon’s Dream – Richard & Linda Thompson (live, 1973)
15. Sally Rackett – Richard Thompson & Audience (live, 1987)
16. God Loves A Drunk – Norma Waterson (1996)
17. The Angels Took My Racehorse Away – Dave Burland (1994)
18. Poseidon – Judith Owen (2003)
19. Wall Of Death (live, 2002)
20. You’ll Never Walk Alone (live, 1991)
21. I Ain’t Marching Anymore (live, 2002)
22. The Who Medley (live, 1990)
CD 5 – Something Here Worth More Than Gold (Unreleased Rarities):
1. Albion Sunrise – Chard & Linda Thompson (RT demo, 1971)
2. How Many Times – Richard & Linda Thompson (demo, 1980)
3. Bad News Is All The Wind Can Carry (demo, 1971)
4. Mrs Rita – (live, 1990)
5. Shady Lies – Richard & Linda Thompson (1972)
6. Lucky In love – Richard & Linda Thompson (live, 1982)
7. Dragging The River – ALBION COUNTRY BAND (1972)
8. Alexander Graham Bell – Richard & Danny Thompson (live, 2003)
9. Someone Else’s Fancy (demo, 1971)
10. Modern Woman – Richard & Linda Thompson (live, 1981)
11. Woman Or A Man (demo, 1979)
12. My Daddy Is A Mummy – Richard & Danny Thompson (live, 2001)
13. You Got What You Wanted (live, 1971)
14. In Over Your Head (demo, 1984)
15. Dear Janet Jackson (live, 2004)
CD 6 – RT on FR:
1. Meet On The Ledge – FAIRPORT CONVENTION
2. When I Get To The Border – FAIRPORT CONVENTION
3. I Want To See The Bright Lights – Richard Thompson
4. We Sing Hallelujah – ALBION BAND
5. The Hangman’s Reel – FAIRPORT CONVENTION
6. Albion Sunrise – ALBION COUNTRY BAND
7. Sir Patrick Spense – FAIRPORT CONVENTION
8. New St. George – ALBION COUNTRY BAND
9. Sword Dance / Young Black Cow – Richard & Linda with FAIRPORTS
10. The Lady Is A Tramp – FAIRPORT CONVENTION
11. Farewell, Farewell – Martin Carthy
12. Meet On The Ledge – FAIRPORT CONVENTION
13. Gas Almost Works – RT BAND
14. Withered & Died Grace – FELLSIDE
15. Has He Got A Friend for Me? – Debra Cowan (exclusive recording)
16. End Of The Rainbow – Elvis Costello
17. Beeswing – John Clough (exclusive recording)
