YOURS IS NO DISGRACE
Strange things happening! Internet is considered a tool for making people closer, a community. More specific thing with such a purpose is a web forum; unfortunately, destined to be a meeting place for like-minded ones, it may turn out an arena for freaks who, instead of keeping their hands jerking off, stick them to a PC keyboard in order to abuse intelligent folks.
That was the case with a message board of Glenn Hughes‘ official site. Off-topic and abusive remarks not on Funk Man’s music but his sexual preferencies (he’s heterosexual) etc finally led the moderators to close the board altogether; with all the activity thereon, editing didn’t make sense. Glenn’s own reaction is following:
“I do not have time for anyone in my life who are not loving and nurturing. I would like to apologise to my real fans, who have been truly marvellous, but it seems when an artist is doing well, there is always a wayward bunch of unintelligent people who make complete Jackasses out of themselves, by trying to bring them down. So, to all my real fans and friends, I will continue to bring and give to you the music that I have been chosen to do.”
And music keeps on cooking! A couple of concerts of the HUGHES-TURNER PROJECT Japanese tour were recorded for a future release. Some sources say, it could be August, a time when PURPLE graduates may hit European stages.
CARVED IN STONE
Another sad day: Mike Stone, one of the best rock producers died, aged only 51. Stone’s magic hands’ touch are on many an album he engineered and produced – by Keith Moon, JOURNEY and KISS to name but a few. It was him who worked on Lou Reed’s “Transformer”and AMERICA’s “Homecoming”, “Funny Lady” by Barbra Streisand and “Bongo Fury” by Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart. His creative peak Mike achieved in the ’80s, first with three first ASIA albums and then with WHITESNAKE’s magnificient “1987”. A great loss for music.
ASIA’s Geoff Downes said that the forthcoming “Anthologia: 20th Anniversary / Geffen Years Collection:1982-1990” containing three said albums and additional tracks, will be dedicated to Mike Stone’s memory.
SWEET DREAMS COME TRUE
Among other underestimated performers, Annie Lennox is a jewel bright. The more welcome is 2002 Billboard Century Award that British diva will receive this December in Las Vegas. The award is given every year to an artist who has not received the wider recognition of his or her ongoing work. Now it seems, sister is doin’ it not only for herself.
TAKEN FROM THE GEISHA PLACE
It was mentioned before but at last, it’s out: on May 22nd Japanese fans could get hold of the new live album from RENAISSANCE, “In The Land Of The Rising Sun”, recorded on March 16th, 2001 in Tokyo. On that date the band comprised three of five original members – vocalist Annie Haslam, guitarist Michael Dunford and drummer Terence Sullivan – as well as two keyboard players, Mickey Simmonds and Rave Tesar, and bassist David Keyes. Performance spread over two CDs, includes, alongside classic material, four songs of the group’s latest studio work, 2000’s "Tuscany", and three off Haslam’s solo albums. Beautiful, but the question is: why there’s no “Okichi-San”? A glaring omission. The question will go to the ensemble in an upcoming interview.
| 1. Carpet Of The Sun 2. Opening Out 3. Midas Man 4. Lady From Tuscany 5. Pearls Of Wisdom 6. Dear Landseer 7. Northern Lights 8. Moonlight Shadow 9. Precious One 10. Ananda |
1. Mother Russia 2. Trip To The Fair 3. One Thousand Roses 4. I Think Of You 5. Ashes Are Burning |
BEAST OF BURDEN, SHIFTING ALL
This year marks the 30th anniversary of one of the art-rock beasts, namely CAMEL, so the celebrative tour is due. No earlier though than a new album, titled “A Nod And A Wink”, will see the light of day in the summer. The recording is underway currently to result in 55 minutes of seven songs.
Even more appetizing is a perspective of the band doing an unplugged kind of album. Ten tracks are given to the fans to vote for – and you can pick a favourite from all the CAMEL songs. The record will be out in time for the tour to be sold at the concerts intitially.
THREE MOON – LIGHT SHADOW
Mike Oldfield isn’t a lazy artist – especially, when it comes to another version of his classic, “Tubular Bells”. Originally out in 1973, the album is to be re-recorded one more time and issued in 2003. But, before that, on June 3rd “Music VR”, “stunning visuals with equally breathtaking musical themes”, will hit the community. All this led Mike to sign a new three-album contract with Warner Music. The first of them is “Tr3s Lunas” which debutes alongside first episode of “Music VR” of the same title – the video will be included on the CD.
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1. Misty 2. No Mans Land 3. Return To The Origin 4. Landfall 5. Viper 6. Turtle Island 7. To Be Free 8. Fire Fly 9. Tr3s Lunas 10. Daydream 11. Thou Art In Heaven 12. Sirius 13. No Mans Land – Reprise |
CARL THE BOUNCER
“Working Live” is a title of the album soon to be released by a band called PALMER. The trio’s shepherd is none other than veteran drummerCarl Palmer, who’s touring now with guitarist Shaun Baxter and bassist Dave Marks. The ensemble plays progressive music, and the show called “An Evening with Carl Palmer” features many ELP numbers – “Fanfare For The Common Man”, “Toccata”, “Tank”, “Hoedown”, “The Barbarian”, “Enemy God Dances With The Black Spirits” and “Bullfrog” among them – which makes a new CD very tantalizing.
REPLAY OF THE WILD MUTATION
In 1972, a spaceship crash-landed which brought on Earth some crooked creatures. That account made a foundation for David Bowie’s“The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars”. Thirty years down the line, the 30th anniversary reissue of the album is ready to take off and pencilled for release on July 8th, expanded with bonus disc featuring some songs tied-in with the album.
| 1. Five Years 2. Soul Love 3. Moonage Daydream 4. Starman 5. It Ain’t Easy 6. Lady Stardust 7. Star 8. Hang On To Yourself 9. Ziggy Stardust 10. Suffragette City 11. Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide |
1. Moonage Daydream (Arnold Corns version) 2. Hang On To Yourself (Arnold Corns version) 3. Lady Stardust (demo) 4. Ziggy Stardust (demo) 5. John, I’m Only Dancing 6. Velvet Goldmine 7. Holy Holy 8. Port Of Amsterdam 9. The Supermen 10. Round And Round 11. Sweet Head (take 4) 12. Moonage Daydream (new mix) |
