Almost a quarter of a century after her “Powerless” saw the light of day, Elkie Brooks’ fans may have still harbor hope of the great chanteuse returning to the studio when “The Long Farewell Tour” allows her to step away from the stage, but one should assume that’s unlikely to happen. Still, Ms. Brooks doesn’t want her followers to feel abandoned, and November 22nd was the day when she issued what can be her last-ever offering: “Live & Acoustic” – an album with a telling title.
Although every Steve Hackett‘s concert includes an acoustic performance, it’s been a long while since the veteran issued an unplugged live document – the last time he did was when "Hungarian Horizons" saw the light of day back in 2003. But there will be a new one out on January 17th – titled “Live Magic At Trading Boundaries” and recorded in Fletching, England, on January 2023, at the venue Steve would return to a year later.
One may wonder how to pronounce Dzal Martin’s name – yet this wonderment is rooted in his name’s presence on many a prominent album. If lesser mortals would lay their claim to fame on an Eric Clapton piece where that name graces the title, “Diesel And Peaches” providing a clue to the pronunciation, Martin prefers to do so in the field of guitar-playing. After all, his performative prowess made Dzal an accompanist of choice for a lot of artists since the ’70s, when Dzal was a member of NO DICE, through the ’80s, when he starred in BOX OF FROGS, and beyond, to the present.
So much has been said over the last five decades about GENESIS‘ six studio album that there nothing seem to remain open to discussion: neither its unbridled ambition not its divisive nature. Apparently, the ensemble feel the same, which is why the 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition of “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway” which will see the light of day on March 28th – thus, rather typically for such reissues, missing the actual semicentennial mark – should offer no special treats for aficionados. Well, almost.
It’s been more than two decades since Loudon Wainwright III released a concert album – and 2003’s “So Damn Happy” was separated from “Career Moves” by ten years. This is why seeing the veteran ready to issue another platter preserved for posterity in front of an audience feels rather gratifying, especially given the fact that “Live In London” which, reprising but a single cut from a previous set, should hit the shelves on January 31st will become only fourth onstage record in his long career.
