MWE3.COM
MUSIC NEWS & NOTES
APRIL
2012 RECORD LABEL SPOTLIGHT
POP
& ROCK
ANGEL AIR - Angel Air are best known for their key reissue CDs
yet with the 2012 CD release of Closure from
singer-songwriter Andy Collins, they deliver a modern
pop masterpiece. The ten track, 43 minute album provides ample proof
as to why Collins was such a vital component of the band The Storys.
Collins’ band mates in The Storys—Rob Thompson and
Alan Thomas—join him on the album, as do others including
guitarist Matt John and guitarist / drummer Tim Hamill.
It’s hard to say who Collins reminds you of—but you might
cite some of Pete Townshend’s more deep and insightful tracks.
Alan Thomas balances things out quite amazingly with his wide ranging
keyboard sounds including mellotron. Interestingly, Closure was
mastered by Pete Townshend producer / engineer Jon Astley.
Come to think of it, Andy does sound somewhat like Townshend’s
genius / protégé Billy Nicholls—he’s just
that cool. www.AngelAir.co.uk
BEST
DAY EVER RECORDS - Sure the cover art will stop any red blooded
man in his tracks but the music under the covers is equally red hot.
We’re talking about the latest CD from saucy, bluesy, cabaret
inspired singer-songwriter Larkin McLean. Released in 2011,
the eleven track If You’re A Wild Girl Say Aye is
getting kudos for its innovative approach to pop. The lead off title
track has Beatles inspired hooks while a good part of the CD turns
it over to a ribald, jazzy kind of sound that skirts around the perimeters
of Broadway style cabaret musical type fare. With her flashy good
looks and expressive vocal mannerisms, (don’t forget tracks with
titles like “Ding Dong Ding”, “Bachelorette”,
“Pasties & A G String” and “Skinny Dipping Party”)
I could see Larkin playing Ann Margaret’s part in the movie Bye
Bye Birdie or some other type of Broadway type fare so popular
back in the 1960’s. Larkin gets some solid support from her band
including producer / guitarist Kenny Lyon and session ace Gary
Mallaber (drums). Kicking off with a hit single of a title track,
If You’re A Wild Girl Say Aye is an arresting spin from
start to finish. www.LarkinMcLean.com
BIG WEB ENTERTAINMENT - One of the most prolific guitarists from
the U.K., Gordon Giltrap taps into a different music direction
with the 2012 CD release of Echoes Of Heaven. Containing
elements of the Christian religion while also looking at spirituality
as a universal experience, Echoes Of Heaven does indeed include
elements of Gospel and musical hymns. The 14 track CD features Giltrap’s
world renowned acoustic guitar work paired with fellow guitarist and
lyricist Reverend Martin Green and singer Carol Sampson.
The album is something of a departure for Giltrap, who comments, ‘For
many years now I have been of the opinion that many of my tunes would
make good songs or in some cases hymns.’ After recording nearly
25 instrumental albums of progressive guitar music, it’s interesting
to hear Giltrap stepping out into divergent, yet somehow familiar
musical terrain. www.Giltrap.co.uk
CONCORD / HEAR MUSIC / MPL - Back in 2006 I wrote
liner notes, and basically paid for the first ever CD release of a
fantastic, though vastly underrated instrumental guitar rock album
from Sandals founder / guitar hero John Blakeley. On John’s Tan
Mantis CD, he and fellow musician Ron Nagle recorded a superb
instrumental version of the Frank Loesser classic “Inch Worm”.
John’s version really impressed me as I hadn’t heard the
song before. So now 5 years later in 2011, I find Paul McCartney
doing a vocal version of “The Inch Worm”, which is track
13 on Macca’s first ever jazz classics covers album—the
14 track Kisses On The Bottom, released on the illustrious
Concord Music Group. It might not be as mind-blowing and spacy (special?)
as the Tan Mantis version, but Macca’s version of “The
Inch Worm” is way cool in its own right and may in fact be the
highlight of the KOTB album. Not quite as amazing or memorable
as Blakeley’s instrumental version, the song nevertheless fits
right in on Paul’s album of jazzy standards, which was tastefully
produced by Tommy LiPuma while also featuring the amazing band
leading piano chops of Diana Krall. Of course Paul is turning
70 in 2012 and he may be mellowing out a bit but don’t look back
now as he’s hard at work on his new rock album. Actually, Kisses
fits in perfectly on Concord, who also have the current rights
for all of Paul’s solo albums and don’t forget Concord is
reissuing CD titles of all the Frank Sinatra albums too. Arming himself
with the finest studio musicians of any era, including jazz guitar
great John Pizzarelli, John’s dad Bucky Pizzarelli
and guests like Eric Clapton, LiPuma’s production
and studio sound is first rate and the album clicks with just the
right amount of echo and microphone presence. Reminiscing about these
and other influential songs in his incisive Kisses On The Bottom
liner notes, Paul surprisingly also speaks fondly about John Lennon
a lot adding, ‘Those were the kind of songs we’d been
listening to and that attracted me to him. And I do think they did
have quite an influence on us melodically.’ www.PaulMcCartney.com
HIP-O
- With Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney carrying out
the final chapters of the Beatles, they both go on to great successes
as solo artists. Ringo’s 2012 CD is titled (what else?) 2012.
Kicking off with the “Glass Onion” kick drum sound on
“Anthem”, 2012 is filled with a killer range of classic
Ringo music . Produced by Ringo, the CD benefits thanks to key musical
contributions from heavyweight Beatles fans like Joe Walsh,
Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Van Dyke Parks, Dave Stewart,
Don Was and Edgar Winter. Also on hand are some stellar
Starr cohorts such as guitarist Steve Dudas, Bruce Sugar
(keyboards) and many more. Of course, Ringo’s song-writing,
vocals and Beatles inspired drumming are all as great as ever. Also
included in the CD of all new material is Ringo’s cover of the
Buddy Holly classic “Think It Over”. Ringo was without a
doubt the most influential drummer of the original ‘60s rock
era and there’s just no letting up on the good vibrations well
in play on 2012. www.RingoStarr.com
KOBALT MUSIC GROUP - What is it about Israel that keeps on pumping
out great singer-songwriters? Let’s face it—the Jews just
live and breathe music. It’s in their blood. Of course the inevitable
triangulation between London, NYC and L.A. has resulted in Lead
Balloon—the 2011 CD from Rosi Golan. Backed up
by a wide range of studio players, including the brilliant production
from Tony Berg, the CD echoes the spirits of Suzanne Vega,
Anna Domino and countless other great sultry female voices over the
past 30 years. An auspicious debut from a rising talent in rock land,
Rosi’s CD is well packaged and comes with an impressive booklet
of water colors, lyrics and lists of who’s who and what’s
what. www.RosiGolan.com
KW ENTERPRISES - Coming out of the jam band scene of the late
‘90s, singer-songwriter Keller Williams has recorded 17
albums since his 1994 Freek album, including working with String
Cheese Incident, Bela Fleck, Bob Weir and more. On his December 2011
album Bass, Keller features his rock-steady electric
bass work on an album that is fueled by bass-heavy groove rhythms
and live reggae-funk sound that tastefully blends in various aspects
of dub, funk and jazz. Backed by Jay Starling (keyboards) and
Mark D. (drums), Keller’s modern soul-funk songs combine
for a mix of dreamy, semi-psychedelic pop with the above mentioned
styles and also evokes classic rock groups such as Steely Dan at times.
www.KellerWilliams.net
SIGNATURE SOUNDS - Based up in the Boston area, Winterpills
has a pop masterpiece on their collective hands with the early
2012 CD release of All My Lovely Goners. There’s
plenty of pop smarts here, including an R.E.M. type effect in play
but it’s also almost pop baroque in places. Track 2, “Amazing
Sky” should be a hit single in a just world. Singer-songwriter
and guitarist Philip Price is joined by a fine band, including
Flora Reed (keyboards, vocals), Dennis Crommett (guitars),
Brian Akey (bass) and Dave Hower (drums). With the guitars
chiming away, and the sonic soundscapes offering much to marvel at,
the sound is really amazingly well recorded. Also for those who still
remember, the CD packaging and booklet is something to behold. After
releasing three full-length albums and a 2010 EP on Signature Sounds,
Winterpills truly come into their own with the often brilliant All
My Lovely Goners. www.winterpills.com
TRES ROSAS RECORDS - L.A. based singer-songwriter Ned Doheny
is a West Coast pop icon and he puts his experience to good use
on his 2011 CD, the ten tracks of The Darkness Beyond The Fire.
A beautiful production and 
featuring
excellent packaging, the CD captures all that is best about Ned’s
approach to song-writing. In the past, Ned has worked with legends
like Traffic founder Dave Mason and there’s a definite mid ‘70s
Mason like musical influence here. In fact, besides joining Dave and
Mama Cass during their brief stint together, Ned also was a friend
with Jackson Brown back in the day. Filled with breezy, L.A. style
singer-songwriter style pop, The Darkness Beyond The Fire is
the perfect showcase for Ned’s smooth pop groove. With Ned singing
on all the tracks and handling the guitars, several key players help
out and the CD booklet is excellent too. Check out the booklet’s
page one photo of Ned strumming guitar as a youngster with record
company legends Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun looking on in amazement at
this young kid with a guitar! www.NedDoheny.com
WALT DISNEY RECORDS - Is there any music Brian Wilson can’t
play? Brian’s other new album of 2011, In The Key Of Disney
puts the founder of The Beach Boys smack dab in the middle
of the Disney songbook, while covering songs from movies like Mary
Poppins and Snow White to Toy Story and others as
played by Wilson’s usually crack crew of studio aces and backing
vocalists. Although Brian claimed that a bit of writer’s block
inspired him to re-imagine these songs, clearly—as was the case
with his recent George Gershwin tribute—they melt like butter
on toast under the weight of Wilson’s proverbial genius touch
in the studio. Rev up the Woody and wax your boards and take a stroll
down to Wilson’s wonderland of Disney magic. www.BrianWilson.com
INSTRUMENTAL
BACKWATER RECORDS - For original hippies who were weaned on
Pink Floyd classics like Ummagumma and Obscured By Clouds,
the new album from The Future Kings Of England will come
like a sonic revelation. Having released several previous CD/LP releases
on the UK based Backwater label, TFKOE step out in style on their
2011 CD entitled Who Is This Who Is Coming? A
cryptic title for sure, but the music is equally beguiling. Mostly
instrumental, the superbly recorded and packaged CD is sometimes influenced
by Floyd, while other times they sound like Camel doing rock instrumentals.
Rock, space-rock, minimalist, soundtrack, TFKOE have it covered in
spades on their latest sonic masterpiece. Enhancing this four piece
band, there’s some great electric guitar work and much more.
Instrumental rock fans, Pink Floyd fans and others should give a listen.
www.BackWaterRecords.com
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON - A fantastic, sprawling, classic sounding
jazz masterpiece, The Continents is a double CD filled
with magical music from the chameleon of jazz himself—keyboard
legend Chick Corea. The album fulfills a dream of Chick’s
of 
cutting
an album combining orchestral musicians with jazz musicians. Recorded
in NYC, the first half of The Continents is just that—a
six track concerto for jazz quintet and chamber orchestra, with titles
named after each of the Earth’s continents, all of which (in
case you forgot) start with the letter A, except for Europe. The CD
set features Chick’s band—including Tim Garland (sax,
bass clarinet, flute) Hans Glawischnig (bass), Marcus Gilmore
(drums) and Steve Davis (trombone). Also featuring a hand
picked orchestra—including members of The Harlem Quartet and
others—conducted by Steven Mercurio, the orchestral jazz
symphony on disc one is offset by a second CD featuring Chick’s
improvised piano solos, along with several tracks from his jazz quintet
from the same sessions. Chick’s never been a man of many words
and now, like then, on this modern day masterpiece, he lets his music
do the talking for him. www.deutschegrammophon.com
DOUBLE
CROWN RECORDS - One of the leading instrumental rock record labels
in the world today, Double Crown Records has a great, late 2011 compilation
CD out entitled Brave New Surf. The 20 track
CD features some of the finest and most rockin’ of all the rising
surf-rock bands and Ventures style instro rock bands from all over
the world. The CD features in-depth track data along with informative
liner notes by Croatian born guitar hero Ivan Pongracic—who
has made inroads in the surf-rock world thanks to his amazing guitar
work with his group The Space Cossacks. Anyway, there’s a ton
of appealing instrumental rock sounds on Brave New Surf, including
a fab track from The Barbwires entitled “La Caja del Muerto”
that nearly steals the show. Also on hand is a cut from Pongracic’s
latest band The Madeira along with cuts from The Coffin
Daggers, Aqualads, The Bambi Molesters and much
more. If you have one essential surf-rock CD to pick up in early 2012,
make it Brave New Surf. Fans of Ivan Pongracic should also
take note of his latest CD release with The Madeira, entitled Tribal
Fires—released on Double Crown Records in 2012. www.BraveNewSurf.com
KRYPTON ENTERTAINMENT GROUP - Sometimes heavy metal music can
be so heavy. With distorted guitars pushing the needles to the red,
much hard rock or heavy metal is way too heavy for sensitive ears.
Case in point where heavy metal instrumental music is played and recorded
just right is Clark Colborn Again, the 2011 CD
from Illinois guitarist Clark Colborn. Hipped to rock writers
and mags by in the know prog and rock fans, Clark hits his stride
with his latest opus, which skillfully mixes a few vocal tracks into
a predominantly instrumental rock album. Clark gets compared to guitar
aces like Page, Vai and Van Halen, yet he maintains, ‘I want
my music to be fun to listen to, stimulating to play and to convey
a sense of energy to my audience.’ Perhaps the most unique thing
here is the recording sound, which is first rate, distortion free
and superbly mastered—especially for what ostensibly sounds like
a heavy metal album. Clark handles everything including vocals, with
all the instruments superbly handled by Clark and drummer Joel
Baer. www.ClarkPlaysGuitar.com
MAGNA CARTA - Situated at the top of the prog-rock world for the
past 15 years, Magna Carta has released amazing CD titles from the
biggest names in the progressive rock music world. Although it’s
not 1999 anymore, Magna Carta continues breaking new acts, case in
point being the 2012 CD release of Road Less Traveled
from the group known as Points North. Mixing progressive instrumental
rock with a solid dose of hard rock fusion, the CD features an excellent
musical interplay between group members Eric Barnett (guitars),
Damien Sisson (bass) and Kevin Aiello (drums). Produced
by guitarist Barnett, Points North may echo instro bands like Dixie
Dregs, Eric Johnson and even Rush, yet they do so with a unique musical
flair all their own. www.MagnaCarta.net
ORGANGUTWANG - What does every country in the world share as a
method to connect past borders and languages? Why the good old guitar
of course! The guitar is truly the international method for communication.
Every country in the world has 
their
own guitar heroes and virtuosos seeking fame and fortune outside their
nation’s borders. Case in point is the 2011 CD from Norway-based
guitar ace Steinar Karlsen. Steinar’s CD, Ulydium
is receiving great press from the guitar mags and web sites
over in Europe and for good reason. Combining a love of The Ventures,
Link Wray, a touch of The Shadows and much more, Steinar’s ten
track Ulydium CD rocks up a storm. Plus, being all instrumental,
you can really focus on the music and there’s even a hint of
Scandinavian folk-jazz music that permeates the surf-flavored rock
sounds. Steinar gets amazing support from his band mates Morton
Skage (bass) and Kåre Opheim, while a number of guest
artists add various sonic embellishments. The CD sound and the CD
packaging is also first rate, adding the finishing touches on an album
that will put a smile on the face of the serious instro rock fan.
www.SteinarKarlsen.no
PONDER DUST - A fascinating sounding CD of otherworldly proportions,
Journey Around The Sun: A Mayan Odyssey is a solid introduction
to the music of composers / producers Bill Wren and Frank
Ralls. Joined by a wide range of musicians, Frank and Bill have
put together an all instrumental album that—while fitting into
the modern New Age music category—should hold enormous appeal
among neoclassical and even progressive rock fans open to some new
kind of hypnotic, sonic soundtrack. Although ostensibly about the
ancient Mayan civilization and, perhaps more significantly about the
Mayan’s now famous 2012 prophesy, the all instrumental soundtrack
provides a lot of leeway in drawing your own conclusions. Sure, it’s
some heady type of concept album but that said, the music is beautifully
recorded and produced and there’s plenty of room for the listener’s
musical imagination to run wild. Complete with two bonus video tracks,
the 14 track CD packaging is first rate and sound is exquisite, featuring
strings, horns, all types of acoustic guitars, bass, synths and keyboards.
Programming and production by Frank Ralls assures that Journey
Around The Sun is a scenic and sonic trip you’ll want to
experience time and time again. www.JourneyAroundTheSun.com
SQCD - One of the brightest bands of the 21st century U.K. surf-rock
instrumental scene, Surfquake are making waves with their 2011
CD Surf And Destroy. Looking at the Surfquake
Facebook page you can see their M.O. right away—“They
came like a vicious avalanche from the sea...exploding from the surf,
on a wave of destruction”. Not bad, considering Surfquake’s
music is a convincing, modern day revival of the original American
West Coast guitar sound explored by The Ventures, Davie Allan and
Dick Dale and so many others. Despite coming from the land of Hank
Marvin, on Surf And Destroy, Surfquake is much more Ventures
than Shadows. Works for them and after a few good spins, the CD wins
you over. Guitarist Nelson Surfquake gets superb support from
his band. Mixing classic covers with new Surfquake originals, the
CD takes off into the sonic stratosphere. A welcome rock instro cover
of “The Munster’s Theme” from the great TV show seals
the deal on Surfquake’s sonic “go-go guitar” trip back
to the swinging sixties. www.SurfQuake.co.uk
VARÈSE
SARABANDE - Although he’s been keeping busy releasing soundtrack
albums as a noted film music producer, progressive music icon Trevor
Rabin returns to the rock world with the 2012 CD release of Jacaranda.
Released on the Varèse label, Jacaranda is actually
a fully formed jazz-rock fusion album of sorts featuring a mix of
progressive style YES inspired music magic. 
Featuring
Rabin’s patented guitar sound and production skills, the 12 track
Jacaranda also features key contributions from Jeff Beck group
members Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) and Tal Wilkenfeld (bass)
as well as Lou Molino III (drums) and Trevor’s son Ryan
Rabin. Although Rabin may have earned his stellar reputation as
guitarist and songwriter with YES during their early ‘80s to
mid ‘90s period, on Jacaranda Trevor’s symphonic
style electric guitar and piano / keyboard sound is purely instrumental
and sounds more like Al DiMeola with Chick Corea or even Mike Oldfield
in places, than say the catchy, pop-prog vibe of “Owner Of A
Lonely Heart.” In the spirit of fellow YES members Bill Bruford
and Steve Howe before him, Rabin’s 21st century foray into instrumental,
guitar-centric fusion makes for a most rewarding and ear-opening spin.
There’s even one vocal track here with singer Liz Constintine,
who is featured on a track here called “Rescue”, which is
inspired by the film The Guardian. With the 2012 CD release
of Jacaranda, YES fans who wondered when Rabin would return
to the rock (and jazz-rock) world need wonder no longer. www.varesesarabande.com
REISSUES & RETROSPECTIVES
ANGEL
AIR - Although Matthew Fisher will go down in musical history
as one of the founding members of U.K. progressive rock icons Procol
Harum, his career as producer, keyboardist and singer-songwriter is
equally intriguing. Looking back on his post-Procol Harum solo career,
his early solo albums and his production of the first Robin Trower
solo album, it’s worth noting that Fisher was also on The
Well’s On Fire, the latest (and to date the last) Procol
Harum studio album from 2003. One nearly forgotten album that Fisher
recorded in 1994, A Salty Dog Returns has finally come
out as a CD on Angel Air, Amazingly, the 16 track album is completely
instrumental and features Fisher playing everything while covering
a wide breadth of instrumental sounds—from Procol inspired rock
symphonic edges, to Fisher-esque instrumental covers of Bach played
prog-rock style, soundtrack type interludes and there’s even
a very cool, surf-inspired Shadows tribute track here called “A
Tribute To Hank”. Who knew Fisher was so adept on both guitars
and drums too? A musical pioneer and trendsetter back during the Summer
of Love, Fisher was quite instrumental in helping develop Procol Harum’s
orchestral rock side—the central fascination being his church-like
Hammond B3 organ sound. That side of Fisher, along with a whole lot
more can be found on the most welcome rediscovery / reissue of A
Salty Dog Returns. Fine, in depth liner notes by Henry Scott-Irvine
written in 2012, fills in the missing pieces behind Matthew Fisher’s
once, but no longer, long lost instrumental rock masterpiece.
www.AngelAir.co.uk
ANGEL AIR - Also up and out on Angel air in 2012 is an
amazing title called Hooked On Number Ones - 100 Non Stop Hits.
Featuring an all star cast, including original artists, and produced
in 1984 by Geoff Morrow, the 100 track CD features snippets
of songs everyone knows and loves and breaks it all down into four
medleys. On hand are much revered artists including members of The
Fortunes, Mungo Jerry, Marmalade, Lonnie Donegan,
Joe Brown, Helen Shapiro and more. As documented on
previously released Angel Air titles—including CDs from Ammo
and Butterscotch—Morrow’s work in the pop field is never
less than exemplary. Touching on a hundred different tracks, it’s
all a bit karaoke, but nevertheless, Hooked On Number Ones makes
for 65 minutes of nonstop listening fun. www.AngelAir.co.uk
CLEOPATRA RECORDS - Based out in Los Angeles, Cleopatra Records
have remained on the cutting edge of rock and progressive rock for
much of the past 20 years. Starting off with YES during their Keys
To Ascension period around 1995, Cleopatra has done a lot with
one time YES producer / guitarist Billy Sherwood and there’s
a new Sherwood produced tribute to Supertramp coming in 2012 on Cleopatra
so the alliance continues. Cleopatra also has a solid commitment to
rock history with a number of archival sets, including a deluxe 4
disc box set honoring California psychedelic legends Quicksilver
Messenger Service entitled Anthology Box 1966 - 1970.
Mostly out takes from Quicksilver’s historic first studio
album on Capitol and live tracks from the Fillmore East, these 3 CD
are augmented by a DVD featuring the great five piece band that recorded
their last few albums on Capitol including the hits “Fresh Air”
and “What About Me”, both featured with live videos on the
DVD. Although the DVD is b&w and in fair to good video and audio
quality, just seeing Dino Valente, Gary Duncan, John
Cippolina and David Freiberg on stage together is a pretty
revelatory experience—even in 2012. For an example how just how
far ahead of most bands Quicksilver was, check out disc one’s
two sweeping psych-rock instrumentals of “The Fool” and
“Cavalry”, which combine jam band thinking with a future-coming
space rock fusion of sound. www.CleoRecs.com
CLEOPATRA RECORDS - Cleopatra also honors rock legends Blues
Image with the 2011 double CD release of Anthology Box 1975
- 1979. Although Blues Image scored a major hit with
“Ride Captain Ride” in the spring of 1970, group founder
Mike Pinera went on to record several solo albums which form
the core of disc one on the first half. Disc two combines a pair of
albums recorded by Pinera’s post-Blues Image band Thee Image
in 1975. There’s even a demo version of “Ride Captain
Ride” closing out disc one. There’s plenty of great stuff
on Pinera’s ‘70s solo albums that backs up his legacy as
a fine singer-songwriter and guitarist. Packed inside the box are
the two CDs and an oversized poster / written history of Pinera’s
42+ year history in the music biz. www.CleoRecs.com
CLEOPATRA RECORDS - New for 2012 on Cleopatra’s Deadline
Records offshoot label is a double CD set of two late period albums
by Humble Pie entitled On To Victory (1980) and
Go For The Throat (1981). With the two albums adding
up to 19 tracks on the 74 minute disc one, the second CD here features
a live, eight track Humble Pie set from 1981. Kind of in the mold
of Humble Pie’s great Smokin’ album from 1972, the
double CD set features a fine performance from Humble Pie founders
Steve Marriott and drummer Jerry Shirley, who are joined
here by Bobby Tench (guitars) and Anthony “Sooty”
James (bass). The set features full credits and incisive liner
notes from Dave Thompson, while also blending in interview
clips with Jerry Shirley. www.CleoRecs.com
CHROME
DREAMS / SEXY INTELLECTUAL / MVD - Released in the
U.S. through MVD, Strange Fruit - The Beatles’
Apple Records clocks in just at under 3 hours and is so far,
the best DVD movie documentary about Apple Records. When The Beatles
started the concept of Apple back in 1967 they probably had little
idea of the paradigm shift in the music world their record label precipitated.
The whole indy music world was just a dream back in mid 1967, but
in the end, the artist driven Apple label was the best of them all.
The Strange Fruit DVD recaptures much of the excitement surrounding
the history of Apple, while focusing on the Beatles’ involvement
on a personal and business basis. The script for Strange Fruit
is superbly written and features great narration from the voice of
Thomas Arnold, as well as key contributions from Beatles experts
Chris Ingham, author Mark Paytress and Apple biographer
Stefan Granados. The DVD features key interviews from a number
of Apple artists, including Jackie Lomax and Joey Molland
of Badfinger as well as surviving Apple exec Tony Bramwell.
Most Apple fans know the story of Badfinger, but the DVD also offers
intriguing insights into how John Lennon brought in fresh music
from NYC based artists, including Yoko Ono, David Peel and
Elephant’s Memory. Strange Fruit is a must see
video of the four Beatles and their various artists signings to the
label—while recapturing the inside out of the ups and downs,
the last music from the Fab Four and finally, the end of The Beatles
and their utopian vision for the late great, and as this DVD so aptly
portrays, historically still significant Apple Records. wwwMVDb2b.com
MIG MUSIC / MVD - MVD teams up with Made In Germany
for a new batch of Live At Rockpalast DVD and CD releases,
including a 76 minute DVD title from blues rock guitar hero Roy
Buchanan filmed and recorded on February 24, 1985. Backed by a
solid band, Roy covers a range of blues and rock vocals and instrumentals
of classics like “Green Onions”, “Walk Don’t Run”,
“Peter Gunn” and even a pair of Hendrix covers of “Foxy
Lady” and “Hey Joe”. Also out on DVD and CD on MIG
/ MVD is Ian Hunter Live At Rockpalast Featuring Mick Ronson.
Ronson, David Bowie’s guitarist and Mott The Hoople hero
Ian Hunter made a formidable pair and this Live At Rockpalast
captures a fine performance from 1980. Also out on DVD and CD
is John Cale & Band Live At Rockpalast. Caught
live on October 14, 1984, Cale’s release is actually a 161 minute
double DVD set with one disc from 1984 and one other preserving a
solo Cale show from 1983. The double DVD set is complimented by a
simultaneously released companion double Lp set and a double CD set.
www.mvdb2b.com
RAVEN RECORDS - I am constantly amazed at the great CD reissues
on the Australia-based Raven Records label. Sure, there’s been
some rarities on Raven, but mostly their titles feature reissues of
classic American rock and country music. Such 
is
the Aussie devotion to U.S. music but clearly Raven has global domination
in mind and they get it right with a double disc compilation entitled
Instant Armadillo Blues - Best Of 1971-1975 from country
psychedelic band New Riders Of The Purple Sage. Signed by Columbia
Records back in 1971, the New Riders burst out of the Grateful Dead
hippie music scene while featuring a number of players who worked
with the Dead founder Jerry Garcia. Raven’s 42 track,
140 minute, double CD set features a helpful heaping, nine tracks
in fact, from the now historic 1971 NRPS debut, as well as
tracks from albums like Powerglide from 1972, Gypsy Cowboy
(also 1972), The Adventures Of Panama Red (1973), Home,
Home On The Road (1974, produced by Jerry Garcia), Brujo (also
1974) and Oh, What A Mighty Time (1975). A fine example of
Raven’s devotion to classic U.K. rock is their double CD set
from Traffic cofounder Jim Capaldi—pairing Short
Cut Draw Blood (1974) with The Contender (1978).
The double CD set is a fine overview of Capaldi’s solo work in
the aftermath of his Traffic heyday and features key contributions
from a number of musicians including Steve Winwood, Chris Wood, Paul
Kossoff, Chris Spedding and more. Raven’s Jim Capaldi double
CD set also includes a wealth of rare bonus tracks. The double CD
features 30 tracks and clocks in at 140 minutes. Like all Raven titles,
their Jim Capaldi reissue features a great booklet filled with detailed
liner notes and prominent artwork. www.RavenRecords.com.au
Attention Artists and Record Companies: Have your CD reviewed in MWE3.COM
Send to CD Reviews MWE3, P.O. Box 630249, Little Neck, N.Y. 11363-0249
e-mail: info@mwe3.com
