It’s a phenomenon that’s almost impossible to logically explain yet most of the GRATEFUL DEAD followers don’t care about logic when there are emotions involved – lysergically enhanced and otherwise – and it’s difficult to deny that there’s quite a few albums in this ensemble’s labyrinthine discography which can be interesting not only to Deadheads yet also to a wider audience, 1973’s “Wake Of The Flood” being one of those.
It wasn’t shocking yet it was extremely sad when Pete Brown one of the rock’s greatest poets passed away on May 19th, aged 82; and it was a consolation for his faithful followers to learn that the veteran, fight with cancer notwithstanding, had been recording what would be Pete’s last-ever album prior to his death – knowing he wouldn’t be able to properly finish the work. Brown oversaw the many guest contributions, though – some done in-person, other remotely – so now the platter titled “Shadow Club” is ready to be out.
There have been quite a few compilations of Manfred Mann‘s material – mostly with MANFRED MANN and MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND, not so much with CHAPTER III – released over the years, so one more of those could hardly deserve attention, yet the double-disc collection which will see the light of day out on September 29th on both CD and vinyl seems to appear rather special.
Even though the listeners could have been prepared to experience the whole power of Robin Trower‘s writing and playing after the guitarist’s more prominent creative presence on PROCOL HARUM’s "Broken Barricades" album, his 1973 solo debut “Twice Removed From Yesterday” still surprised a lot of fans. Nobody really expected such a heavy, yet exquisitely carved, slab of blues that Trower’s trio – Robin’s sidekicks there were former STONE THE CROWS bassist James Dewar and drummer Reg Isidore – delivered with blistering brilliance under the watchful eye of producer Matthew Fisher. Five decades on, a time came to celebrate this achievement, and the veteran is ready to release an anniversary reissue of his classic.
It seems that STRAY have always been there – and these stalwarts of heavy prog have been influencing the likes of IRON MAIDEN ever since 1966 – so it’s almost impossible to believe that the Del Bromham-led ensemble’s last studio offering was first out in 2008 and that in the fifteen years after "Valhalla" just one album, a concert document saw the light of day. Still, September 15th is the day when the veteran’s new record will finally be issued.
