BLUE ÖYSTER CULT Release A “Secret Treaties” Night

September 25, 2024

Three classic platters in three nights: that was the plan BLUE ÖYSTER CULT followed when they set a brief New York residency in September 2022 to mark the collective’s jubilee. The veterans approached their task sequentially, starting with “Blue Öyster Cult” from 1972, dedicating the next evening to “Tyranny And Mutation” from 1973, and leaving a fresh reading of 1974’s “Secret Treaties” for the last “Sony Hall” outing. All of these were recorded and filmed, with the first document issued in December 2023, the second in August of this year, and now “50th Anniversary Live – Third Night” is finally ready for release.

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EX NORWEGIAN Call Friends To Pay Homage To John Entwistle

September 25, 2024

One doesn’t have to be an astrologer to surmise we’ve been living in the year of The Ox, because 2024 saw not only the reissues of John Entwistle solo works but also the arrival of the second installment of the late legend’s rarities series. And this year’s not over yet: before it ends, one more album related to THE WHO bassist will see the light of day. Titled “Sing Wistle Tunes” and comprising 17 covers of John’s classics, the forthcoming release has been masterminded by Roger Houdaille, the leader of American indie heroes EX NORWEGIAN, who recorded their favorites Entwistle tracks in the company of their friends.

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Interview with Martyn Ford

September 24, 2024

When it comes to a rock or pop performance, most listeners think of singers and players and very rarely pay attention to another layer of a melodic piece – the layer that gives a song an extra dimension: an orchestra. The names of arrangers, conductors and instrumentalists remain unknown to many a fan, even though quite a few of these names repeat from record to record. One of those formidable “background” presences is Martyn Ford whose orchestra, and sometimes French horn, can be heard, often without a trace of credit, on hundreds of classic albums.

The likes of THE ROLLING STONES, WINGS and LED ZEPPELIN called Mr. Ford when they needed a touch a magic, and Martyn was always there to provide wonderful atmosphere to transport their track to a different place. And it was various places and headspaces the legendary baton-waver and composer gracefully agreed to discuss.

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Julie Tippetts And Kevin Figes Offer “Happy Apples”

September 24, 2024

There are only a few chanteuses who exist in a class of their own, and Julie Tippetts, née Driscoll, is one of those unique performers, from her stint with Brian Auger to the present day, with each new platter from this singer uncovering another aspect of her talent. And if some of the projects Julie’s been involved in seemed to carve a separate niche for her music, such as collaborations with Martin Archer, Ms Tippets always finds fresh ways to shine – and that’s what she does embarking on another endeavor, with another reeds and ivories player, Kevin Figes.

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NEW ENGLAND Join Hirsh Gardner On Solo Album Number Three

September 23, 2024

Solo career has never seemed to be one of Hirsh Gardner‘s priorities. The American drummer best known for his work with NEW ENGLAND, in which he emerged as a top-notch songwriter and singer, and WARRIOR, in which Vinnie Vincent shot to fame, might have spent a few decades in producer’s chair, manning the board for the likes of Willie Nile, yet this millennium saw the veteran return to the fray and deliver a couple of records under his own name. 2002’s “Wasteland For Broken Hearts” and “My Brain Needs A Holiday” from 2017 didn’t make too much of a splash, though, despite critical acclaim that only confirmed what everybody knew anyway: Hirsh has one hell of a talent – and Gardner obviously was not in a hurry to quickly follow his debut – but the venerated performer believes the fortune can be on his side now, seven years further down the line.

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