TOO MANY CROOKS
In the wake of recent police seizure of THE BEATLES rehearsal tapes, another artefact surfaced to be auctioned at the Cooper-Owen Rock Legends auction on February 20th: “Too Many Cooks”, a song sung by Mick Jagger and produced by John Lennon in 1974, during the latter’s “Lost Weekend” in L.A. The title is rather known among the collectors and made it onto the several bootlegs, such as “Lost Lennon Tapes”, but this copy is said to have come from Jagger’s bandmate Ronnie Wood who had given it to a friend of his. How did the tape got into Wood’s hands – Ron joined THE ROLLING STONES as late as 1976 – is unknown. Still, even if the thing goes up for sale, released in the forseeable future won’t be.
WISHING TO AVOID AN UNPLEASANT SCENE
Revising the past is good for putting the record straight – but not as good for altering the classic records covers. The first time when a cigarette got airbrushed from the picture on a sleeve was with Bruce Springsteen’s “Tracks” collection, yet there was a famous shot on the new compilation, and it’s not the same with THE BEATLES’“Abbey Road” cover. It took at least six attempts for Iain Macmillan to capture the band cross the street outside EMI’s studios in St. John’s Wood, so it’s a little wonder Paul McCartney lit a cigarette, which some USA poster companies have removed from their prints. That was made without the permission of Apple Records, who owns the rights to the image and, although agreeing on the smoking-causes-harm subject, is rigthly angered with the said move.
ONE STEP CLOSER
January 22nd brought John Wetton‘s new album, "Rock Of Faith", to the Japanese fans who have the privilege to obtain two bonus tracks, “Cold Comfort” written by John and Billy Liesegang, whose album, “No Strings Attached “, featuring Wetton, was re-issued recently, and THE BEACH BOYS’ classic “God Only Knows”, recorded live in Mexico City. To mark the new release, the official John Wetton website underwent a major change.
With some live dates already slated for 2003, there’s major event to be held in 2004, the 2nd John Wetton Fan Convention, that will take place on July 3rd and 4th, in Pensylvania, and aside from live sets from John and his special guests and extracurriculum activities, will incorporate a master class for bass players, taught by Wetton himself.
To bide the time still, another Wetton concert album is to be out in February, called “Live In Argentina”. The set was recorded in 1996 and features Thomas Lang on drums and Martin Orford on keyboards.
CD 1:1. In The Dead Of Night |
CD 2:1. Drum Solo |
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BEFORE THEY SAID, “YES”
YES came into the life of many a listener in 1983, having released a hugely successful album “90125”, which featured a new guitar player, Trevor Rabin, in place of Steve Howe who went to ASIA when Rabin failed to register with John Wetton. Prior to joining YES, South African Rabin was working on his solo album that remained unreleased, as a good portion of the songs provided the basis for “90125”. Now there’s a unique chance to hear the stuff in its original form, with the release of Rabin’s“90124”. Surely a must have item.
| 1. One Track Mind 2. Hold On 3. It’s Enough 4. Changes 5. Love Ain’t Easy 6. Moving In 7. Who Were You With Last Night? 8. Baby I’m Easy 9. Would You Feel My Love? 10. Tonight’s Our Night 11. Owner of A Lonely Heart 12. I’m With You 13. Must Be Love 14. Don’t Give In |
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A NIGHT IN THE LIFE OF A BLUES SINGER
Following two successful sets by Phil Lynott, "Live In Sweden", and his band’s GRAND SLAM, "The Studio Sessions"“>, is the GRAND SLAM concert recording – or two.“Live 1984”, preceded by the “Whiskey In The Jar” single, comprises two CDs, an audio and a video ones and comes from the private archives of the band’s keyboard player Mark Stanway. A legendary performance in Phil’s native Ireland must be a brilliant addition to any collection.
CD 1:1. Nineteen |
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CD 2 – video:1. Yellow Pearl |
WIZARDS OF A THOUSAND KINGS
The second URIAH HEEP reissue programme continues with two more classic albums, 1971’s “Look At Yourself” and 1972’s “Demons And Wizards”, newly remastered, augmented with rarities and presented as deluxe collectors editions with 20-page booklets bearing liner notes from Ken Hensley. The tracklistings are familiar but the bonus material looks like this:
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Look At Yourself:– What’s Within My Heart |
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Demons And Wizards:– Why – extended ’72 version, previously unreleased |
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ACQUIRING THE TEST OF TIME
The GENTLE GIANT journeys may be long over yet the trail still lingers on, and the line of live albums becomes longer yet. Now, there are two more sets to find their way into the fans’ homes in February.
The first is “Artistically Cryme” recorded in September 1976 in Sweden on the “Interview” tour:
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CD 1:1. Opening / Intro |
CD 2:1. Excerpts From Octopus: |
The second album has a title of “The Missing Face” and comes from the Cleveland show of November 1977, when the band were promoting the “Missing Piece” LP.
| 1. Opening 2. Two Weeks In Spain 3. Free Hand 4. On Reflection 5. I’m Turning Around 6. Playing The Game 7. Memories Of Old Days 8. Betcha Thought We Couldn’t Do It 9. Funny Ways 10. The Face 11. For Nobody |
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