June 25, 2004

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON

While it’s still not decided on who’ll be pressing the BLACK SABBATH drummer stool at the forthcoming OzzFest, the keyboardist’s place seems to be already occupied – by a young fellow called Adam Wakeman. The lad has been recruited by Ozzy Osboune for the latter’s band but is likely to join Oz in his ‘other’ group.

If Adam’s family name sounds familiar, that’s because he’s quite related to Rick Wakeman, whose parts graced “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” and“Ozzmosis” and whose “Return To The Center Of The Earth” had Osbourne guesting. Adam is Rick’s second son and a partner in WAKEMAN & WAKEMAN ensemble, so the credentials are good enough for him to fit into SABBATH… once the band decides if they still have the future together.

GO EAST

It seems while the West sways in contemporary groove, the states of the former Eastern bloc roll to classic rock. At least, there are two British rock stalwarts currently favoring working there.

The first is Ken Hensley, these very days recording the “Anthology” album in Moscow, with Russian musicians. Not keen on raiding his vaults for any rarities, Hensley opted for cutting his old songs anew – including some URIAH HEEP gems, like “Easy Livin'”, “Sweet Freedom”, “July Morning” and “Weep In Silence”. When finished with this, Ken will delve into putting out a DVD of these sessions, his live performance with the President Orchestra and more.

The second Western aritst gone East is Hensley’s former bandmate, John Wetton. Just like Fish or PENDRAGON, Wetton always has a storming success in Poland. Some years ago he released a wonderful "Nomansland" live set recorded there, and now found it appropriate to do more. Having started with the “Amorata” DVD, John has just issued an acoustic concert album called “Amata”. Some may think it’s funny that the first letters of these two titles make “AA” – what with the veteran’s recent drinking problems – but this September will see another CD, “Agenda”, the electric live show. Think different, then, because John’s erstwhile group, ASIA’s new album is their first with a title not beginning with “A”… Yet Wetton’s studio one will be“The Eigth Ring”.

As for “Amata”, it looks like this:

1. Intro 2. Mondrago 3. Heat Of The Moment 4. Book Of Saturday 5. Smile Has Left Your Eyes 6. Hold Me Now 7. Emma 8. Battle Lines 9. Night Watch 10. You’re Not The Only One 11. I Believe In You

A LYNCH-PIN

The cover-mania rages on. Back in the old days it was young musicians who started out doing others’ material. Not now, when this method works mainly for the ‘name’ artists. The ranks of those take in former DOKKEN axe-grinder, George Lynch, whose new outing, “Furious George”, is brimful with classic tracks done in his own way. Let’s just hope Lynch’s young followers will pay attention and investigate where all the treasures come from. Here are the clues:

June 25, 2004