WIGWAM
on Love Records
|
MYRACLE BRAH
on Not Lame
|
STEVE HOLLEY
on Angel Air |
MAY
/ JUNE 2003 MUSIC & RECORD LABEL SPOTLIGHT
A&M
RECORDS -
An acquired taste for some, The Strawbs were also fertile breeding
grounds for some of Englands great symphonic rock keyboardists including
Rick Wakeman, Blue Weaver and John Hawken. At
their best The Strawbs offered an intriguing mix of lyrical British
folk and symphonic rock epics most accurately captured on the 1972
Strawbs classic, Grave New World (produced by Tony Visconti)
and their potent 74 album Hero And Heroine. Largely guided
by the imaginative rock leanings of founder and chief composer Dave
Cousins, The Strawbs were among the most prolific 70s groups
and when they cranked the volume all the way up, it was something
to behold. Chronicles has done another exemplary job on The
Best Of Strawbs - The Millennium Collection, picking ten of
their finest tracks during their rock heyday. Theres never been
quite anything as good since and this 50 minute compilation proves
it. www.universalchronicles.com
ANGEL AIR - Well known for his work with Beatles legend Paul
McCartney, singer-songwriter Steve Holley played drums with
Wings in the late 70s, most notably on their 79 album
Back To The Egg. Holley was also featured on Maccas famous
unreleased and subsequently bootlegged album, Cold Cuts. After
years of numerous sessions drumming with legends like Elton John,
Julian Lennon, Joe Cocker and Ian Hunter, Holley reemerges in 2003
with his first ever solo album entitled The Reluctant Dog,
recorded during 2002 in NYC and released on the U.K.-based Angel
Air label. Mix one part Wings and one part Badfinger, and you have
a rocking album filled thirteen, intelligent, catchy pop tracks. Assisted
by Keith Lentin (bass, guitars, keyboards) and a number of
other fine players including Denny Laine, Holley shines here
as a singer-songwriter. Songs like So Help Me God and
Out Of England are brilliantly cast in the classic McCartney
pop style, and anyone influenced by Wings is well advised to hear
The Reluctant Dog. www.steveholley.com
ARTISAN ENTERTAINMENT - The movie often associated with the
Paul McCartney-composed Badfinger classic Come
And Get It, The Magic Christian starred Beatles
drummer Ringo Starr and British comic genius Peter Sellers.
The moviewhile unjustly panned after it came out in 1969remains
a work of comic genius in the spirit of Monty Python and in fact the
Python edge is all over the movie thanks to the brilliant acting of
the hilarious John Cleese who co-stars along with Richard
Attenborough, Roman Polanski and Raquel Welch. Badfingers
great pop sounds are neatly placed in various scenes making the 101
minute Magic Christian one of the great movie classics from
the close of the 60s. Like the Beatles own prismatic,
tour-de-force Magical Mystery Tour, The Magic Christian is
a real trip in its own right and remains essential viewing for
Beatles fans. The 2003 full screen DVD reissue of The Magic Christian
on Artisan Entertainment features digitally remastered
2.0 Dolby stereo surround sound, interactive menus and scene index.
www.artisanent.com
BACKBEAT BOOKS - San Francisco-based Backbeat Books continues
to amaze with a series of 2002-2003 books covering a wealth of rock
legends. Written by U.K. journalist Nigel Williamson, 160 page
softcover edition of Journey Through The Past: The Stories Behind
The Classic Songs Of Neil Young takes a look at the history
of Neil Youngs prodigious back catalog with track-by-track album
history, discography information and a stunning array of color and
b&w photos. Covering his early days with Buffalo Springfield and
CSNY to a detailed analysis of his vast solo outputfrom his
1969 self-titled Neil Young to his 2002 album Are You Passionate?Journey
Through The Past is a fascinating, fun and quite easy to read
expose on one of rocks most illustrious legends. www.backbeatbooks.com
BEACHCOMBER MUSIC - U.K.-based guitarist Mat Dickson released
a wonderful CD in 2003 entitled The Keepers Log.
The album conjures imaginary instrumental music Matthew Fisher
might have written for Procol Harum around the time of A Salty
Dog, while other points of reference here would be some of Mike
Oldfield's more pastoral instrumental moments and Mark Knopflers
Scottish / Celtic music flavored soundtracks. Inspired by the Isles
of Tiree and Mull on the West coast of Scotland, Dickson has created
a unique mood inspiring set for fans of the genre and The Keepers
Log is a fine follow up to the Mats first Lighthouse
flavored album The Lighthouse Keeper, released in 99.
Extra points for the excellent cover art and overall first class digipak
design. www.beachcombermusic.com
BLUE LINE MUSIC - Anyone into vintage, 60s sounding jazz
guitar albums is strongly advised to check out the latest CD from
Florida-based guitarist Nate Najar, appropriately titled The
Cool Sounds Of Nate Najar. The eight track Cool
Sounds CD is perfect for repeat spins and it constantly reaps
new rewards. Najar is in fine company with fine rhythm section and
Sam Koppleman on vibraphone. Najar excels in this enjoyable
swinging jazz setting which features some fine originals along with
stellar covers of Henry Mancini (Dreamsville) and
his unique, but completely convincing rendition of Battle Hymn
Of The Republic. www.natenajar.com
CLASSIC ROCK PRODUCTIONS
- If watching great performances from the masters of 70s rock
is your thing, then you dont want to miss the wealth of great
DVD and CD packages from U.K.-based Classic Rock Productions.
One of the companys most intriguing 2002 titles is their Masters
From The Vault DVD featuring Dutch rock sensations Focus.
Featuring incredible live and soundstage performances dating back
to 1971including live concert footage from 1972 and 73
performances from the popular U.K. music show Old Grey Whistle TestCRPs
Focus DVD is the definitive video of the Dutch instrumental rock giants.
For guitar fans the DVD features eye-opening performances featuring
founding member/guitarist Jan Akkerman and theres even
footage from the short-lived mid 70s Focus lineup with guitarist
Philip Catherine. Theres also footage from the groups
recent reunion from 2002, although thats sadly without Akkerman.
Any way you cut it, the Focus Masters From The Vault is essential
viewing for fans of one of Europes great classical rock legends.
Available in the U.S. from Collectors Choice Music. www.collectorschoicemusic.com
/ www.classicrockproductions
COLUMBIA LEGACY - Commenting on the origins of the groups
name, Delaney Bramlett says jokingly in the liner notes, We
never knew who was going to show up and play. Back in 69
Delaney & Bonnie was a hot ticket indeed. Having caught
the ear of George Harrison and Dave Mason, the group
also pricked up the ears of Eric Clapton who put them as the
middle act on the Summer 69 Blind Faith tour. After recording
several key albums, D&B released D&B Together in
1972. It was sadly the last album the husband and wife team would
make together, but it was a good one. Kicking off with the D&B
rendition of the Dave Mason classic, Only You Know And I Know,
D&B Together features a number of cool roots-rock favorites
including the albums single Comin Home, co-written
by Clapton and featuring some blistering guitar work from Clapton
and the supple slide guitar work of Dave Mason. Theres tons
more great players on the album from that incredible era in music
history including Leon Russell and Duane Allman to name
a few. The 2003 Columbia Legacy reissue also adds in six bonus
tracks from various D&B solo projects from 72-73. Well worth
hearing if just for that classic Comin Home track,
the CD features liner notes from Greg Martin of the Kentucky
HeadHunters who puts the Delaney & Bonnie story into fitting perspective.
www.delaneybramlett.com
/ www.bonniebramlett.com
When
Cream broke up in 1968 there were three essential musical factions
in place. First was Blind Faith with Clapton and Ginger Baker presiding
with Steve Winwood. Second, the Jack Bruce / Pete Brown axis began
again, releasing some of their best songs ever with Jack 69
classic Songs For A Tailor. Third was Mountain featuring
Cream producer, the late, great Felix Pappalardi and Long Island
guitar icon Leslie West. Wests 1969 self-titled Leslie
West Mountain on Windfall Records is still considered the
first Mountain album by long time fans but, with drummer Corky
Laing joining for Climbing! (1970) and the third, and all
time classic Mountain album, Nantucket Sleighride they really
took their place among the great American bands of the 70s.
Columbia Legacy reissued both Climbing! and Nantucket
Sleighride in 2003 as expanded editions with each featuring a
bonus live track and excellent CD booklets. In the words of Leslie
West, Im very happy with these reissues. They show what
Mountain is all about, with drummer Corky Laing adding, I
am a messenger to tell you how Felix deserves to have this music put
under a microscope. Sonically speaking, I think these reissues honor
Felixs work as a producer and arranger. Legacy have done
right with these rock classics bolstering each with fine booklets.
Legacy have also released The Best Of Mountain, featuring
the bands quintessential tracks along with two tracks from the
very first Mountain classic from 1969. www.mountaintheband.com
DIG MUSIC - Described as San Fransiscos answer to The
Beatles, Moby Grape burst on the scene back in 1967 and their
self-titled debutdespite the enormous record company hypewas
quickly devoured by fans of legends like Jefferson Airplane and Quicksilver.
Despite the near legendary status of their first album and significant
follow ups like their early 70s classic, 20 Granite Creek
and the emerging cult status of the late, great Moby Grape co-founder
Skip Spence, the band disappeared into music history,
or so it seemed. Then in 1990, the original Moby Grapeminus
the full-fledged involvement of Spencereformed under the name
The Melvilles (their name changed due to legal restrictions!)
and released a ten track cassette on the Herman Records label.
Finally reissued on the California-based Dig Music label, Legendary
Grape combines music from the original 1990 Melvilles
cassette with a slew of bonus tracks. By the time this music was recorded
in 1990, Spence had further deteriorated and in fact passed away in
1999 but the album does kick off with his fascinating composition,
the sonic Grape-flavored All My Life, and in fact, the
entire album is blessed with great songs, fine harmonies and further
S.F.- style country-rock psychedelia from Jerry Miller, Don
Stevenson, Bob Mosley and Peter Lewis. Even if youve
never heard their classic self-titled 67 debut or their other
titles, the welcome reissue of Legendary Grape is
nevertheless an excellent representation of the innovative Moby Grape
sound. Fitting liner notes and prominent packaging adds quite a bit
to the over all experience. In addition to their classic Legendary
Grape reissue, Dig Music have also reissued CD titles from
California rock legends Stone Ground (The Last Dance)
and Cold Blood (Vintage Blood) www.digmusiccd.com
DGM - Described as a stunning double album of live performances
recorded during King Crimsons most elusive period,
Ladies Of The Road captures the Lizard-era
Crimson in fine fettle. The sound quality is way above average and
the double CD would instantly qualify as an excellent bootleg but
the eye-catching CD booklet puts it way over the top. King Crimson
achieved almost instant early fame with their classic first album
and following the untimely departure of co-founders Greg Lake and
Ian McDonald, guitarist and Crim mentor Robert Fripp had to
fight his way back to the top of the prog-rock heap. He more than
succeeded with the 1971 release of the brilliant Lizard. Featuring
Crimson classics like Pictures Of A City, Cirkus
and Groon, Ladies Of The Road captures the Lizard-era
lineup of Fripp, Boz Burrell, Mel Collins and Ian
Wallace on the road during their famous 1971-early 72 U.K./U.S.
tour whichat least for their 11/24/71 NYC showsaw them
on the bill with both Yes and Procol Harum. Disc two of the double
setthe humorously titled Schizoid Menfeatures
11 tracks worth of instrumental sax and guitar solos taken from various
performances of the early Crimson classic 21st Century Schizoid
Man. Summing up in his liner notes, Robert Fripp adds, the
jury is still out on this Crimson, based on insufficient evidence.
Here is more evidence, although we have tampered with it. Its
music history now and Ladies Of The Road helps to set the record
straight regarding the early days of one of the most original prog-rock
groups of the past 35 years. www.disciplineglobalmobile.com
EAGLE VISION
- In 2002, Eagle Vision released No One Here Gets Out Alive:
The Doors Tribute To Jim Morrison. Now in 2003, Eagle
Vision follows up with The Doors - Soundstage Performances.
A compilation of three different Doors performancesfrom
1967 in Toronto, from Denmark in 1968 and from a reunion of the surviving
members from a public television sound stage in 1979this is
clearly the pick to click documentary on the 60s rock greats.
Like so many of the great 60s rock legends the Doors were subject
to much scrutiny and as the movie so accurately points out, it was
especially Jim Morrison who, after being arrested on the trumped up
sex offense in Miami suffered immensely. Ah...the 60s! Fairly
recent interviews with all the surviving members including the groups
guitarist and main songwriter Robbie Krieger sheds true insight
into how the band worked. A fine mix of live video performances from
various settings, including some hilarious interview segments from
the '60s, mix really well with the more recent interviews making it
clearly of interest for all concerned.
A DVD retrospective recorded live in England on June 21st, 1980, Good
Timin - Live At Knebworth, England 1980 features one
of the last filmed live concerts from the original Beach Boys
prior to the death of founding member Dennis Wilson. There
may be more here than meets the eye but the DVD on Eaglevision features
maestro Brian Wilson who is sadly relegated here to the roll
of keyboardist and backup vocalist. Some of the reasons why The Beach
Boys failed to coalesce in the end are to be found on Good Timin.
It was producer great Don Was who said that had the Beach Boys
simply let Brian Wilson write and produce the new music he wanted
to, the group might have endured and even gone on to produce further
gems like Sunflower and Smile. Sad to say but, Good
Timin features one of the greatest rock bands of all time
on the verge of spiritual and musical collapse. That said, the DVD
is nevertheless well produced and the fitting liner notes by Mike
Grant makes it a period piece souvenir from the most celebrated
American rock band of the 20th Century. Eagle Records have
also released a 22 track CD version of the Good Timin DVD
and VHS. www.eaglevisionusa.com
FRAGMENTED VIEW MUSIC - Just like the prismatic cover art, the
latest CD from L.A.-based Steve KornickiForever
Journeyis filled with a colorful spectrum of instrumental
guitar sounds. A mixture of live performance guitar, smooth jazz and
Euro-flavored New Age topped off with the strong rhythmic beat of
World Music, the 72 minute Forever Journey can be almost described
as Pat Metheny jamming with Weather Report. A great sounding album
for instrumental guitar aficionados, the album features stellar performances
by Kornicki on electric and acoustic nylon guitars, fretless bass,
baritone guitar, flute and keyboards. Splashy and stimulating, the
CD is further fleshed out by fine percussion work from Steves
brother Kevin Kornicki. www.HowFarWouldYouGo.com/formusic
HUMAN NATURE RECORDS - America burst on the pop scene in
1972 with their self-titled debut album. Recorded in London and produced
by the late Ian Samwell, the America album spawned numerous
FM radio classics such as Horse With No Name and I
Need You. The debut recording by this young trio went on to
become one of the most enduring albums of the early 1970's winning
them a Grammy for best new artist in 1972. Soon after America fell
into the production graces of famed Beatles producer George Martin.
In 1977 the trio became a duo and has continued to record and tourcharting
again in the early 1980's with "You Can Do Magic". America's
latest, The Grand Cayman Concert, was recorded
in April 2002 on the Island of Grand Cayman. Released on their own
Human Nature Records, The Grand Cayman Concert features
the duo of Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell performing
all the vocal, guitar, and piano duties on this 16 track live CD.
Included here are all the hitsVentura Highway, Sister
Golden Hair, as well as rare performances of Windwave
and Another Try. Expertly recorded and produced by Hank
Linderman, The Grand Cayman Concert is a classy example
of Americas still timeless pop appeal. www.venturahighway.com
LIQUID MIND MUSIC - Liquid Mind is really the music of
New Age guru Chuck Wild who has a fabulously relaxing 2003
CD entitled Liquid Mind VI on his own Chuck
Wild Records. Wild makes lush pastoral and ultimately mind altering
hypnotic electronic music basically designed for playback during medical
treatments like reflexology and massage. Sort of an aural massage,
LM VI is a worthy follow up to earlier Wild classics like Ambience
Minimus and Slow World. Wild makes it well worth your time
to slow down. Excellent mastering by studio wiz Bernie Grundman.
www.liquidmindmusic.com
LOVE RECORDS - Released in 1969, the debut album from Finland's
rock greats Wigwam, Hard And Horny introduced
the talents of British singer-songwriter Jim Pembroke, who
ended up moving to Helsinki in the mid '60s. Transforming the entire
Finnish rock scene, Pembroke combined his uncanny songwriting with
Pekka Pohjolas Zappa / Oldfield inspired approach to
instrumental rock, and several albums later, Wigwam were eventually
picked up for a few albums (along with a pair of albums by Pohjola)
by British rock mogul Richard Branson and his Virgin Records label
in 1975although Branson dropped the ball on the Finnish rock
gods way too soon... Pembroke had good company in the early Wigwam
which featured the late, great drummer Ronnie Österberg,
keyboardist Jukka Gustavson, and bass great
Pekka Pohjola who joined on their second album from 1970, Tombstone
Valentine, produced by L.A. pop legend Kim Fowley.
Although Fowley only produced one Wigwam album, it was a good one.
Considered Wigwams most commercial album of the early 70s,
Tombstone Valentine is still worth hearing today. The groups
third album 1972s Fairyport was a sprawling prog-rock
masterpiece featuring classic vocal and instrumental tracks from Pembroke,
Pohjola and Gustavson. With Jukka (yooka) composing much of the albums
over the top poetic / political diatribes, the album sort of put the
band into three distinct musical camps that equally reveled in the
musical mayhem. All three of Wigwams first albumss were
recently reissued in Finland on the groups original label, Love
Records. Thankfully, for their 2003 Wigwam remasters Lovee has
spruced up the sound with 24 bit remastering, added the lyrics and
the nicely textured booklets are brilliant and overall they really
capture the diamond like quality of the groups image with excellent
band photos and more. www.lovemusic.fi
MESSENGER RECORDS - NYC-based Messenger put out the 2003 album
from Johnny Society, and while it might not be as pop inspired
as their 2002 album Clairvoyance, the groups fourth album
Life Behind The 21st Century Wall does get some fine
musical points across. Featuring guitarist/keyboardist and the groups
main singer Kenny Siegal, Gwen Snyder (bass) and Brian
Geltner (drums), Life moves along at a nice clip. Some
of Siegals gritty rockers would sound right at home of some
of those classic early 70s Band albums or even some of the Stones
late 70s / mid 80s stuff while his original tracks continue
to hone his pop sensibilities. www.messengerrecords.com
MULTIPHASE
RECORDS - Based in Northern California, guitarist Carl Weingarten
has been on the cutting edge of the avant-gard progressive rock world
since the early 80s. Recent Weingarten CDs on his Multiphase
Recordsincluding his 2002 masterpiece Escapesilence,
featuring bass great Michael Manringfurther established
his musical integrity. Multiphase recently reissued Carls 1988
ensemble recording Laughing At Paradise, which
was digitally remastered and reissued on CD for the first time. Musically,
the album is similar in spirit to some of David Bowies late
70s instrumental electronic musings and even some of the more
progressive stylings of Phillip Glass. Combining serpentine electric
guitar explorations with bold electronica and superbly crafted prog-rock
chamber music, the 13 track Laughing At Paradise has just about
something for anyone into modern progressive instrumental music. www.mphase.com
NOT LAME / RAINBOW QUARTZ - The roster of Not Lame reads like
a real windfall for pop fans. Among their 2002-03 CD releases is Bleeder
from singer-songwriter Andy Bopp and his trio Myracle
Brah. Anyone who speaks Swedish will know that Bra means good
in Swedish so its no wonder that Bopp is a well respected man
in Stockholm! His latest continues perfecting various pop aspects
originally mined by Lennon and the Fabs. That said, he often succeeds
on a variety of tracks that both rock and reflect. A well honed cover
of McCartneys Ram classic Too Many People
does indeed rock and Bopps version is delivered with cool intent
hinting about the Beatles breakup. Imagine a band with four
Andy Bopps! BoppBopp-skavoovy. www.notlame.com
RAINBOW QUARTZ - Rainbow Quartz keeps pop lights burning brightly
with a new CD from Outrageous Cherry entitled Supernatural
Equinox. Frontman Michael Smith sounds greatly
influenced by Loaded-era Velvet Underground and Brian Wilsons
more trippier moments mixed in with a little late 60s Byrds.
An orchestral, fuzzed-up, freaked out rock n roll juggernaut,
OC pumps out some fine retro-pop driven pop laced with a primeval
60s groove.
Barcelona, Spain is currently a hot place for 60s style pop
and Sidonie deliver a fine new platter with Let It Flow,
out in 2003 on Rainbow Quartz. Sort of picking up from
where raga-rock groups like Kula Shaker left off, Sidonie combines
swirling sitar sounds and tablas to their exotic pop tapestry.
The folks at Rainbow Quartz will stop at nothing to recreate that
vintage early 70s pop sound. Case in point is their self-titled
2003 CD from The Telepathic Butterflies. Citing The
Beatles, Kinks and XTC as big influences, the Telpathic ones are making
waves in their native Winnipeg, Canada and are ready to bring their
unique blend of jangle pop and psychedelic innocence to the international
stage. All this and more, topped off with their near-hit cover of
the 67 Donovan classic Epistle To Dippy.
www.telepathicbutterflies.com
/ www.rainbowquartz.com
RAVEN RECORDS - A few years back, Austrailias Raven Records
released their acclaimed Byrd Parts CD and now in
2003 they follow up with another treasure chest of Byrds and
Byrds-related rarities entitled Byrd Parts 2. Among
the 28 tracks on the 70+ minute CD include rare tracks recorded between
1964-80 featuring Byrds founders Gene Clark (solo and songs
covered by The Rose Garden) along with early tracks by David
Crosby (including music Crosby made as a member of Les Baxters
Balladeers.) Theres also a cover of Bob Dylans
Knockin On Heavens Door performed by Roger
McGuinn and Gene Clark at the Bottom Line in 77. Packed
with a slew of rarities from The Jet Set (aka The Byrds), Peter
Fonda, Johnny Rivers (both covering Gram Parsons),
Earl Scruggs Family, Flying Burrito Brothers, The
City Surfers, Judy Collins and more make Byrd Parts
2 essential for Byrdmaniax everywhere. A cool 12 page
CD booklet puts the Byrd Parts 2 story into fitting perspective.
Also up and out on Raven is Singin With Emmylou 2 (20
country recordings featuring the duet or backing voice of country
music great Emmylou Harris) and The Essential, Classic
Stewart 1964-1979 - Earth Rider from folk, country
and roots singer-songwriter John Stewart (with Lindsey Buckingham
and including Stewarts own version of his self composed Monkees
hit Daydream Believer). www.ravenrecords.com.au
ROIR - Since his early days in the late 70s downtown NYC
prog-metal group Massacre, Bill Laswell has been something
of a musical superstar. After leaving his work with guitar giant Fred
Frith, Laswell went on to work as a producer with greats like
Iggy Pop, Ginger Baker, Yoko Ono, Peter Gabriel and more. Laswell
recently released his latest CD in his ongoing Dub Chamber &
Sacred Systems series entitled Book Of Exit -
Dub Chamber 4. The downtown NYC-based ROIR label
is a musical haven for some gifted Dub and punk-rock artists and Laswells
experimental Dub releases fit right in here. With Laswell assuming
all the bass, guitar and keyboard chores, the album also features
some far-out, unobtrusive percussionists as well as Ethiopian female
singer Gigi. Hypnotic, trance inducing dub excursions, influenced
by reggae rhythms and trendy hip-hop vibes abound on Book Of Exit.
It just doesnt get more exotic and World-beat inspired than
Dub Chamber 4. Miss it at your own peril. www.roir-usa.com
SCH - Among the great Beatles tribute CDs of the past few
years, Its Only Love features 18 instrumental
solo guitar recording from Arkansas-based guitarist Sir Charles
Hammer. Commenting on his 2003 Beatles tribute CD, Sir Charles
adds, As I worked up these arrangements, I was constantly amazed
and delighted by the subtle intricacies of melody, harmonies, counter-melodies...unique
musical twists and turns which makes their music so wonderful.
An excellent guitarist with a number of CDs to his credit Sir Charles
does the right thing with the Fab Fours legacy reviving 16 Lennon-McCartney
classics along with two tracks by Beatles guitar great George
Harrison. Influenced by guitar greats like Steve Howe and Steve
Hackett, Hammers exquisite work on classical, acoustic and occasional
electric guitar is only surpassed by the long enduring fascination
each of these evergreen Beatles songs continues to radiate. www.sircharleshammer.com
SOLID ROCK PRODUCTIONS - Similar in tone and spirit to the recordings
of acoustic guitar giants such as Leo Kotke, Phil Keaggy and even
Steve Howe, N.J.-based guitarist Glenn Zervas released his
latest solo album late in 2002. Grace Notes is the kind
of album that you could leave on all day and not get tired of. For
fans of harmonious and reflective acoustic guitar albums, it doesnt
get any better than Grace Notes. Recorded at the guitarists
Key Of Z studio, the 14 track CD features a superbly executed combination
of acoustic finger style and flatpicking guitar techniques mixed in
with a restrained tint of electric guitar flavorings. An experienced
pastor of worship and prayer as well as the leader of the Christian
bands Promise and Living Water, Zervas uplifts the spirit with his
tasteful, yet ultimately rewarding guitar sounds. www.gzguitar.org
STONY PLAIN - Described by some as the most innovative white
blues guitarist since Stevie Ray Vaughan, Queens, N.Y. native Ronnie
Earl released his debut album for Stony Plain Records in
2003. The 11 track mostly instrumental I Feel Like Goin
On features Earls white hot guitar chops back
up by fine players like Dave Limina (keys), Jimmy Mouradian
(bass) and Lorne Entress (drums). Featuring ten instrumentals
and one vocal track, the CD should find a home with anyone who dug
Earls 80s and 90s albums on Black Top Records, Bullseye,
Verve and his recent albums on Telarc. Clocking in at 74 minutes,
I Feel Like Goin On sizzles with pure, intense smoking
instrumental blues and Earl has even called it his favorite studio
album since the late 80s. www.stonyplainrecords.com
SPEARHEAD ENTERTAINMENT - California-based electric guitarist
Rick Adams grew up on an early musical diet of greats like
Steve Winwood and based on his ability to play just about every instrument
he set his hands upon, Adams is right on the money on on solo CD debut
Midnight Rain. You might file Adams under the
instrumental rock / jazz rock umbrella, but his approach is very melodic
and atmospheric and his guitar work is dynamic in all the right places.
The eight track, self-produced Midnight Rain is a solid introduction
to a major talent who has the chops and musical direction to take
it to the next level. www.spearheadentertainment.com
TIGHTROPE - Brazil is a country rich with guitar tradition and
that includes several fine rock instrumental groups. One such group,
Tightrope released a cool 14 track rock CD entitled Surf
Music & CIA at the end of 2002. In addition to classic
instro chestnuts like Pipeline, Atlantis and
Shindig, the CD also features a rarely heard cover of
the early Beatles classic Cry For A Shadow, composed
by George Harrison & John Lennon. The band is very
tight and the CD features the rockin guitar sound of guitarist
Benny Silva. www.tightrope.hpg.com.br
UMG / MCA - Finding the long missing original master from Whos
Next by The Whos long time engineer / producer cohort
Jon Astley resulted in MCA releasing the double CD deluxe edition
Whos Next. Released in August 1971 Whos Next
was in retrospect the pivotal point in the groups musical
progression and since its release its often hailed as
the groups benchmark album release. As great as the final original
nine track Whos Next would become, the original concept
for the album was based on Pete Townshends extensive
Lifehouse project. As it turned out Lifehouse
was scaled back to the rock classic Whos Next and the
story behind it all is succinctly laid out in the liner notes by Townshend.
With the Whos Next story chronologically detailed in
the 30 page booklet, music from all the key sessionsincluding
the fabled March 1971 NYC sessions with Leslie West and Felix
Pappalardithat helped shape the course and direction of
the final product is featured on the 29 track double CD Deluxe
Edition Whos Next.
UMG / POLYDOR - Another rock legend receiving the royal treatment
from Universal Music Group is NYC downtown art-rock legends
Velvet Underground. The double CD Deluxe Edition of
The Velvet Underground & Nico features the bands
1966 / 67 debut in its stereo and first ever mono mix
complete with singles bonus tracks and tracks from the album debut
from their late, great singer Nico. Propelled by the burgeoning
genius of both Lou Reed and John Cale, the VU was too
good to last and despite growing acceptance, the group eventually
broke up at the dawn of the 70s. Released on Polydor,
the double disc is highlighted by that albums trendsetting Andy
Warhol album cover art and sets the record straight concerning
one of the most influential pre-punk rock and roll records. On a related
subject from Polydor is The Velvet Underground Bootleg Series,
Volume 1: The Quine Tapes. Recorded by long time Velvets
fan and rock legend Robert Quine, the 3 CD box set features
live performances from the band in 1969, just after John Cale left
the group. Featuring the Velvets band with Lou Reed,
Sterling Morrison, Maureen Tucker and Doug Yule,
the mini box captures the group in prime form just before their best
and final studio album 1970s Loaded. The Quine Tapes is
an interesting live compilation organized by a major fan who was simple
there to bootleg his favorite band. In the words of Quine, Listening
to this stuff all these years later, Im ultimately the same
fan I was in 1969. www.umusic.com
VIBRO-PHONIC RECORDINGS - Back in the 80s Kristi Callan
was the lead singer with group Wednesday Week who went on to
release a couple albums, including one produced by Don Dixon. Callans
vocal skills are also featured on recent albums by David Gray and
Kinks legend Dave Davies. In 2003 Kristi has released her debut
solo CDa five track L.A.-flavored pop outing entitled Feed
The Kitty. Released on the L.A.-based Vibrophonic label,
the CD e.p. marks an excellent new direction for Callan, who pays
tribute to her pop influences with a fine cover of the Arthur Lee
& Love classic Andmoreagain. www.kristicallan.com
498 PRODUCTIONS - Written and compiled by Beatles expert Bruce
Spizer, The Beatles On Apple Records takes
an in depth look at the wealth and variety of the music The Fab Four
released on their self-owned Apple Records. The Fabs released only
a handful of albums as The Beatles on Apple Records beginning with
their 68 classic The White Album, yet there was so much
more history involved that Spizers 300+ page Beatles On Apple
book is another real windfall for Beatles fans. Spizers latest
and greatest Beatles book proudly takes its place alongside
his other books The Beatles Story On Capitol Records
Part 1 & 2 as well as his other coffee table masterpiece
The Beatles On Vee-Jay. No one is more qualified
to delineate the Beatles history than Spizer and that fact comes
sharply into focus after quickly checking out The Beatles On Apple
Records. Filled with page after page of mind-boggling Beatles
trivia and hundreds of eye-popping color and b&w photos, this
is the kind of book that people, hundreds of years from now, will
look at and completely grasp the historical importance The Beatles
brought to 20th Century music history. Future books planned include
Spizers The Beatles Solo On Apple Records as
well as a new book documenting The Beatles first U.S. visit
in February, 1964. www.beatle.net
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