September 2002
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WILCO |
WORLD STAGE |
JEFF LARSON |
WISHBONE ASH |
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VARIOUS ARTISTS Party At The Palace (BBC / Opusarte) On
June 3rd, 2002 England had a party celebrating their royal family and
especially Queen Elizabeth IIand what a party it was! The Queens
concert as produced and broadcast 6/3/02 by the BBC was recently released
on DVD worldwide with the USA release handled by Naxos Of America.
Sort of a live best-of concert featuring some of rocks biggest
superstar acts, several highlights of the expertly filmed three hour
rock show include Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton serving
up a potent version of the George Harrison White Album classic
While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Brian Wilson (and his
fine band) with Clapton delivering The Beach Boys favorite The
Warmth Of The Sun, Steve Winwood with his early Spencer
Davis Group mid '60s smash Gimme Some Lovin, Kinks
mentor Ray Davies performing a rousing Lola, and
Cliff Richard doing a pair of his late 50s hits Move
It and Living Dollall topped off by some fine
drumming from Genesis thumper Phil Collins, who also revives
his cover of You Cant Hurry Love. Also on hand performing
more big hits are Joe Cocker, Brian May, Ozzie Osbourne,
Rod Stewart, Tom Jones, Tony Bennett, Annie
Lennox, Elton John, and the list goes on and on. A rousing
show from start to the all star finale of All You Need Is Love
and Hey Jude, Party At The Palace is family entertainment
at its very best.
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WILCO Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Nonesuch) The ghost of Jack Nitzsche is alive and well and living in the grooves of the new Wilco CD. Uniting the spirits of Neil Youngs Harvest album (as produced by Nitzsche and Frank Zappa) and newer groups like Mercury Rev, Wilco makes far-out pop for experimentalists. Singer-guitarist Jeff Tweedy gets fine back-up and kindred assistance from his three bandmates while fellow windy city producer/guitarist Jim ORourke further seasons the mixture. Theres also a filmed documentary of the making of the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album entitled I Am Trying To Break Your Heart. www.wilcoworld.net
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VARIOUS ARTISTS This Is Where I Belong (Rykodisc) A
number of todays pop groups unite for This Is Where I Belong:
The Songs Of Ray Davies & The Kinks. Even though Ray Davies
composed these songs, it was the perfect rock beat of The Kinksfeaturing
the ace guitar work and backing vocals of Dave Daviesthat
first brought them to life. For decades these songs (and countless other
Kinks classics) have been the holy grail for pop fans. Produced by Jim
Pitt, the 12 track CD contains its share of inspiring covers
with the high points being the fine lead off version of Better
Things (from Give The People What They Want) by NYC-based
Fountains Of Wayne, a spirited version of Starstruck
(from Village Green Preservation Society) by folk-rocker (and
obvious Kinks fan), Steve Forbert and a sizzling take
of the all time 60s Kinks rocker Till The End Of The
Day from 90s pop-rockers Fastball. Ray even makes
a cameo, sharing the limelight with Damon Albarn, on the album
closer, Waterloo Sunset, recorded live in London in March
of 95. Complete with cool concept cover art and Rays liner
notes, This Is Where I Belong is time well spent for Kinks fans.
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WORLD
STAGE The Day America Cried (Transcension) Singer-songwriter
Jim Peterik was on the scene when Brian Wilson returned in the
late 90s, performing and helping write a track on Wilsons
classic CD Imagination. As a member of 60s rock legends
The Ides Of March, Peterik is also a pop legend in his own right.
The same rock-solid, hi-tech, glossy pop production and vibe that sparked
Wilsons Imagination CD is revived to an extent by
Peterik on the 2001 record with his group World Stage entitled
The Day America Cried - Songs Of Hope For A Unified Nation.
Released as a benefit for the victims in the aftermath of the 9/11
tragedy, the CD features Peterik on guitars, bass and vocals assisted
by various singers such as Lynyrd Skynyrds Johnny Van Zant,
Santana founder/vocalist Gregg Rolie and an array of other fine
musicians. Skillfully produced and recorded and filled with truly emotional
playing, the CD features fitting liner notes, tearjerker cover art and
an accapella Star Spangled Banner that would make Brian
Wilson smile. Peterik and company reunite live in Chicago for a 2002
concert CD on TMG entitled Rock America - Smash Hits Live,
finding Peterik and World Stage reviving key hits from his former
groups Ides Of March and Survivor. A number of vocalists appear and
blues guitarist Buddy Guy guests on a rocking version of the
Ides Of March 60s hit Vehicle. IOM also reunite here
for a 2002 studio take of Vehicle. Another new CD of related
interest is Ideology: Version II.o from Jim Peteriks
band The Ides Of March. Covering early group hits from 1966,
their 70s years and the bands 92 and 2000 reunion,
the retrospective would be of interest to fans of Chicago and is a good
introduction to Peteriks brass-driven rock visions.
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JEFF LARSON Fragile Sunrise (New Surf North) California-based pop artist Jeff Larson made quite a few people happy with his eclectic 2001 album Daytripsan album recorded with guitar hero John Blakeley. Larson returns to his classic singer-songwriter leanings on his 2002 solo effort Fragile Sunrise, which was simultaneously released in America, Europe and Japan. Regarding his latest solo album Larson adds, "I think this third one is where it came together production wise and with the overall song set. The songs fit as a whole better." The ten track FS CD features a number of striking Larson originals along with his stunning cover of the song Normanoriginally penned by Gerry Beckley from the group America. As the new album conveys, Larson is a masterful songwriter and he receives additional technical and studio support from guitarist / producer Hank Linderman. A fine guitarist and vocalist in his own right, Larson is in fine company with a number of supporting players including Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America, Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles and the multi-talented Jeff Foskett, guitarist in Brian Wilsons current band. Adorned with tasteful cover art and complete lyric sheet, Fragile Sunrise offers a consummate pop music experience. www.new-surf.com
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WISHBONE
ASH Bona Fide (Dead Ringer) One of the great 70s bands, Wishbone Ash are back with a fine new 2002 CD entitled Bona Fide. Certain to be a hit with longtime fans, the ten track album carries on the Wishbone rock legacy with the smoking guitar sound of original group founder Andy Powell. The classic dueling guitar sound of early Wishbone Ash continues with the addition of guitarist vocalist Ben Granfeltwho replaces original WA guitarist Ted Turnerand the tight rhythm section of Bob Skeat (bass) and Ray Weston (drums). With that fabled twin lead guitar sound in gear, the group brings a newly revitalized rock spirit to the table. Songs like the anthemic Enigma, the guitar heavy Ancient Remedy and the great guitar instrumental title track makes Bona Fide time well spent for the modern rock enthusiast. Also worth checking out is the 30th Anniversary reissue of the 1972 Wishbone Ash album Argus on MCA / Decca Records, which comes with an extensive CD booklet and three live bonus tracks. www.wishboneash.com
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