JIVE BUNNY: BEHIND THE SMILE
Some of us used to cut the rug to the rock ‘n’ roll megamixes by enigmatic but jolly dude called Jive Bunny. The man behind the monicker, Terry Webster, appears to be much more serious artist than it may seem. He came across this site where the band he was in, THE WES MINSTER FIVE, is mentioned in both Interview with JON HISEMAN and Tony Reeves‘ interviews. And that’s what Terry has to say to the visitors:
“I used to be bass player and lead vocalist with WES MINSTER in 1964. I notice our line-up is never mentioned in the WES MINSTER’s history. I got the gig through drummer Jim Ellis; we were both in Jet Harris’s JETBLACKS before Tony Meehan. Clive Burrows was in the band on baritone [sax], and Paul Raymond on keys, who later joined Tony Jackson from SEARCHERS. We would do gigs across England for about 4 pounds each and recorded at Carnival records, and I sang and played on “Mickey’s Monkey” and “Sticks ‘n’ Stones” plus backing various Blue Beat artistes. We also became Tony Brook (me) and THE BREAKERS briefly on EMI Columbia with my own song “Meanie Genie” and B-side “Ooh Poo Pa Doo”. I used to live in a bedsit in the same block as Brian (Wes) in Fulham and he bought my Fender Jazz bass as I couldn’t afford HP and was leaving the band to play guitar and sing at the Kings Arms Old Kent Road with Zac Lawrence quartet.
Terry Webster – www.terrywebster.co.uk
RENAISSANCE FAIR
As it’s been stated before, there’d be no RENAISSANCE reunion but the possible collaboration between the former band members weren’t ruled out. So on September 20, Annie Haslam will be joined on Sellersville, PA’s stage not only by brilliant young musician Jann Klose, who’s recently released a great album, "Reverie">, but also by her old friend, the RENAISSANCE keyboard maestro, John Tout. Hopefully, the set will be recorded, though at this time there’s no word on it.
THOUGHTS OF THE ILL-FATED DAY
The day has almost come! On September 29th the eagerly-awaited “Fotheringay 2” album by – who else? – FOTHERINGAY is out. Restored and remastered by the band’s guitarist, Jerry Donahue – read his reports here – the second album from Sandy Denny’s band featuring also Pat Donaldson on bass, Gerry Conway on drums and Trevor Lucas on guitar and vocals was never finished, and most of the group joined FAIRPORT CONVENTION, but the recording sessions did take place, and here’s the result:
 |
1. John The Gun 2. Eppie Moray 3. Wild Mountain Thyme 4. Knights Of The Road 5. Late November 6. Restless 7. Gypsy Davey 8. I Don’t Believe You 9. Silver Threads And Golden Needles 10. Bold Jack Donahue 11. Two Weeks Last Summer |
VOX POPULI?
“Chinese Democracy” isn’t only the title of fourteen-years-in-the-making GUNS N’ ROSES album – it’s also an oxymoron. And now it’s a sinister figure of speech, as the last week a 27-year-old American blogger Kevin “Skwerl” Cogill was arrested by FBI – not called to court as he should have been – for sharing nine unreleased Axl Rose and Co’s tunes on his webspace. Skwerl has been released on bail now, but is he guilty? In fact, the fans must have turned their backs on the jerker singer who feeds them with false promises and has done nothing for a long long time. But the pitch is high so it’s not surprising that what leaks is circulating and being downloaded. But why there’s no prosecution for those who let the studio walls crack? In this case violation of the copyright laws is the mute point…
WHAT THESE BELLS ARE MADE OF
Did you ever think there’s a direct link between the Hell’s bells and the Christmas ones? If no, now it’s time to think, as on October 14th out will be “We Wish You A Metal Christmas And A Headbanging New Year” – and this is not your usual yuletide covers album in silver foil, as the musos on this one are hard rock elite. Just imagine Ronnie James Dio‘s pipes chiming “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” with Tony Iommi’s guitar doing the riff… if only they called Ian Anderson‘s flute to arms! One hell of a Xmas gift, ain’t it?
| 1. We Wish You A Merry Xmas – Jeff Scott Soto, Bruce Kulick, Bob Kulick, Chris Wyse, Ray Luzier 2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Alice Cooper, John 5, Billy Sheehan, Vinny Appice 3. Run Rudolph Run – Lemmy Kilmister, Billy F. Gibbons, Dave Grohl 4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Rudy Sarzo, Simon Wright 5. Little Drummer Boy – Doug Pinnick, George Lynch, Billy Sheehan, Simon Phillips 6. Santa Claus Is Back In Town – Ripper Owens, Steve Morse, Juan Garcia, Marco Mendoza, Vinny Appice 7. Silent Night – Chuck Billy, Scott Ian, Jon Donais, Chris Wyse, John Tempesta 8. Silver Bells – Geoff Tate, Carlos Cavazo, James Lomenzo, Ray Luzier 9. Deck The Halls – Oni Logan, Craig Goldy, Tony Franklin, John Tempesta 10. Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer – Stephen Pearcy, Tracii Guns, Bob Kulick, Billy Sheehan, Greg Bissonette 11. Rockin’ Around The Xmas Tree – Joe Lynn Turner, Bruce Kulick, Bob Kulick, Rudy Sarzo, Simon Wright 12. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – Tommy Shaw, Steve Lukather, Marco Mendoza, Kenny Aronoff |
|
THE ANGELS WINGS FLAPPING
Angel Air has announced the label’s release plan for October. Among the great-as-usual-artifacts, three are deserving the utmost attention.
NINE BELOW ZERO‘s “Both Sides Of” title refers to the CD/DVD package that is to be out on the verge of the band’s 30th anniversary. They’ve done much over the years, these guys linked to the late great Rory Gallagher, and 2009 will bring a new album. Meanwhile, there’s two live recordings: the audio one comes from the 2006 tour of Serbia, Slovakia, Macedonia and Croatia, while the visuals were captured in 2007 in England. That’s what Gerry McAvoy, Mark Feltham, Dennis Greaves and Brendan O’Neill have to offer:
DVD:
CD:1. 11 + 11 |
|
1. Duke 2. Be Careful 3. We Rock The House 4. You Don’t Love Me 5. Wipe Away Your Kiss 6. White Boys Lost In The Blues 7. Loaded Gun 8. Ballard Of Dombovar 9. Walking To Myself 10. Bring It On Home To Me 11. Wild Kicking Horses 12. Down By The River 13. On The Road Again 14. Soft Touch 15. Ridin’ On The L&N 16. Why Don’t You Try Me? 17. I Got My Mojo Working bonus features: – We Don’t Make Mistakes – soundcheck – Down By The River bonus tracks: – You Know It Ain’t Right – Stone Fox Chase |
Then, there’s FIRE. To a certain extent legendary English band who in 1970 came up with a psych / prog concept album “The Magic Shoemaker”. Now considered as a masterpiece, back then the success proved elusive and the group’s driving force, Dave Lambert joined STRAWBS and still plays with them, while FIRE broke up. But that record’s status has grown so that in the late 2007 the ensemble reunited to play their suite on the Surrey stage. The tapes, so to say, were rolling and the result is“The Magic Shoemaker Live”.
| 1. Overture (To A Shoemaker) 2. Children Of Imagination 3. Tell You A Story 4. Magic Shoes 5. Reasons For Everything 6. Treacle Toffee World 7. Only A Dream 8. Flies Like A Bird 9. It Wouldn’t Have Never Have Happened In My Day 10. War 11. Like To Help You If I Can 12. I Can See The Sky 13. Father’s Name Is Dad 14. It’s Just Love 15. Shoemaker 16. Happy Man Am I bonus track: 17. Mama (When Will I Understand?) |
|
Sir John Betjeman was one of the most loved modern English poets who inspired many a musician. One of these was Mike Read who set the classic’s verses to music and invited a stellar cast of singers to deliver the lines. Originally released in 1990, now “Sound Of Poetry” will be a rarity no more!
|
CD 1:1. Cliff Richard – November Night |
CD 2:1. Justin Hayward – Tregardock |
TIME TO SIT DOWN AND REST ON THE PORCH
As John Fogerty’s latest record, "Revival", shows, there’s no diminishing in the interest to the CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL‘s legacy. There’s been some re-issues of the band’s back catalogue, even boxed, but what is going to be out on October 6th will be the definitive release: all six albums with bonus tracks – some live, some rare, some previously unheard. And this is what the fans are to grab:
Creedence Clearwater Revival
– Call It Pretending (B-side)
– Before You Accuse Me (out-take)
– Ninety-Nine And A Half (live at The Fillmore)
– Suzie Q (live at The Fillmore)
Bayou Country
– Bootleg (alt. take)
– Born On The Bayou (live in London)
– Proud Mary (live in Stockholm)
– Crazy Otto (live at The Fillmore)
Green River
– Broken Spoke Shuffle (instrumental)
– Glory Be (instrumental)
– Bad Moon Rising (live in Berlin)
– Green River/Suzie Q (live in Stockholm)
– Lodi (live in Hamburg)
Willy And The Poor Boys
– Fortunate Son (live in Manchester)
– It Came Out Of The Sky (live in Berlin)
– Down On The Corner (jam with Booker T.)
Cosmo’s Factory
– Travelin’ Band (remake take)
– Up Around The Bend (live in Amsterdam)
– Born On The Bayou (jam with Booker T.)
Pendulum
– 45 Revolutions Per Minute (part 1)
– 45 Revolutions Per Minute (part 2)
– Hey Tonight (live in Hamburg)
AIN’T NO BAD DAY FOR THE BLUES
The color of the cover and the title of Gary Moore‘s new album, “Bad For You Baby”, out on September 22nd, leave no doubt this will be another one in his glory row of blues records. Featuring covers such as Muddy Waters’ “Walkin’ Thru the Park” and “Someday Baby”, there’s two guests, Otis and Cassie Taylor. More so, one track has the Irish guitarist playing harmonica. There’ll be a bonus cut on the Japanese and download version of the album, an acoustic version of Lightnin’ Hopkins’ “Picture On The Wall”, so choose your variant wisely.
|
1. Bad For You Baby 2. Down The Line 3. Umbrella Man 4. Holding On 5. Walkin’ Thru The Park 6. I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know 7. Mojo Boogie 8. Someday Baby 9. Did You Ever Feel Lonely? 10. Preacher Man 11. Trouble Ain’t Far Behind |
