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JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Six)

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, guitarists, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on August 18, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Joe Walsh saw his eleventh studio album, Analog Man, released back on June 5th, 2012. Since then, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this album’s songs from top to bottom; so much so, that I’ve written five Fun & Random Thoughts posts regarding this entertaining work. Now, you are reading the sixth such post!

Lyrically, Analog Man is filled with Joe’s real life experiences and Fishbone is one fine example. Fishbone is a funny song, only the story behind this song is not that humorous at all; at least to me it isn’t. Regardless, Joe Walsh has a unique way of turning a scary personal story into something “funny” to reflect upon. Joe Walsh explained the story behind this song in the liner notes of Analog Man. Here’s the story behind Fishbone, as I’ve kept it in fewest words as possible:

Joe’s wife had a fishbone (unfortunately) get stuck in her throat, while at a dinner party in Monte Carlo. She had to fly home to Los Angeles to have the fishbone removed from her throat. That poor woman. That’s scary stuff! I couldn’t imagine having any kind of bone getting stuck in my throat! Based on the lyrics of Fishbone, Joe’s wife obviously had a trying experience and eventual positive outcome. Thank God for that.

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Fishbone can get nasty, fishbone ain’t your friend – Joe Walsh

Trust me, the lyrics to Fishbone are funny and still I wince while listening to them. I just feel so bad for Joe’s wife having to go through such a terrible ordeal with a fishbone getting stuck in her throat. If this song has taught me any lessons, it’s you can’t take life for granted. Nor can you take life too seriously; especially when an outcome to a frightening experience or event turns out well. I’m sure if the outcome to this story was (gasp) something worse, then Joe Walsh would never have written such a lyrically funny song about it. I would hope so, anyway.

Musically, Fishbone is classic Joe Walsh. Semi-funky and loaded with guitar licks that ooze out from every crevice is Fishbone. Throw in some electronic artfulness on vocals for a second or two and Fishbone is a hidden gem of a song on Analog Man.

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Since we’re on the topic of Fishbone, here is a (topically related) album I’ve been reminded of:

Yes, that’s Fishbone’s seventh studio album titled: Still Stuck In Your Throat. This cool album was initially released in Europe, back in 2006. The Alt/Rock, Funk Metal and Ska Punk band known as… Fishbone. Whoever said the Rock Music world wasn’t intertwined in some mystical way should have their head examined for malfunction. Metal be thy name.

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* If you’ve missed any or all of my Fun & Random Thoughts on Joe Walsh – Analog Man, don’t panic! Just click on those very cool links below to get all caught up! Whoa!

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part One)

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Two)

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Three)

JOE WALSH – “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Four)

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Five)

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* For more info on JOE WALSH, click on the link below!

http://joewalsh.com/

LONG LIVE JOE WALSH.

LONG LIVE FISHBONE (The Band).

Stone.

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New CD From Original Fleetwood Mac Guitarist Jeremy Spencer To Be Released Worldwide On August 28, 2012

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, guitarists, Music, rock albums, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 24, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

July 24, 2012 – San Francisco, CA – On April 21st, legendary guitarist Jeremy Spencer, an original member of Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and featured artist on Propelz, released a limited edition double vinyl album titled ‘Bend In The Road’ for International Record Store Day.

The release packs a “vintage vibe” by way of Jeremy’s handmade touch, fusing his artistry as a consummate slide guitarist, singer/songwriter, interpreter, and illustrator. His evocative watercolor graces the timeless gatefold cover, recalling enduring albums when records were the sum of their parts and made with consequence. Within is an equally crafted collection of songs coming from the deepest core of his heart. He sounds as authentically tasty and fiery as ever, displaying a far wider guitar palette, insight, and conviction that have continued to evolve since his long absence from the public eye. On August 28, 2012 Jeremy Spencer’s ‘Bend In The Road’ will be released on CD worldwide with a new package design.

In Fleetwood Mac, Jeremy shared the spotlight with reticent star-super nova Peter Green, embodying Elmore James riffs and vocals obsessively and uncannily. He possessed an equal fervor and absolute command of quintessential early Rock and Roll, personifying personal hero Buddy Holly and his ilk spot on. On ‘Bend In The Road,’ the Elmore and Buddy influences and impeccable Blues and Rock rendering remain intact and vibrant, while also present is a new collaborative nature. He selflessly trades guitar licks and support with Brett Lucas (the young Detroit guitarist and aficionado who co-produced the album and whose band augments the proceedings) in the way Green and Kirwan shared on the iconic “Albatross”, the torching “Like It This Way” and the introspective “World In Harmony”.

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On the album’s elegant “Merciful Sea”, producer Brett managed to persuade Jeremy to reveal his hereto unsung, intimate, and affecting piano playing for all to marvel. Throughout the full 32 tracks recorded at this time, one can hear an expansive range of influences from Django to Marty Robbins. Jeremy plays effortlessly while seamlessly incorporating these influences and making them his own, as natural and easy of a fit as that of his beloved ceramic slides.

This record is a career culmination of technique meeting soul that has a transcendent, “Layla-esque,” quality. With its escalating and emotive sequence of songs, which are spiritually driven and invested (recalling LPs of yore, but without sounding dated), the album instead sounds intoxicatingly assured, relaxed, and out of the blue resonant.

The Special Limited 2-LP Gatefold Edition released on Record Store Day, April 21st, 2012, contains 17 tracks, 4 of which are exclusive: Jambo, Strange Woman, The Sun is Shining, and Blind Lover (but without the song Homework, which only appears on the CD).

In 2006 Jeremy Spencer released his album ‘Precious Little’, which met with enthusiastic reviews and marked a new beginning for Jeremy after virtually disappearing from the music world for 33 years.

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Press surrounding ‘Bend In The Road’ includes:

“I had chills up my spine listening to it tonight, and when I heard ‘Aphrodite’ the first time a few days ago, I was literally right back into ‘Then Play On’ territory…couldn’t believe it…an instant classic right there.” Rick Frystak, Amoeba Records

“Inside is a collection of songs that come from Spencer’s love of the blues. It’s an intimate journey but one that will connect profoundly and repeatedly with listeners.” Clive Rawlings, Blues Matters

“An album I am sure will satisfy all good music lovers, from those who loved the original Fleetwood Mac, to the younger ones, who enjoy Pop Music, Blues, Rock, Classical Music, Soul… So, if you like good music, this album is perfect for you.” Vincent Zumel, La Hora del Blues

” ‘Bend In The Road’ flows with the ease of a master craftsman at the top of his game. His obvious skill and passion for what he does makes this disc impossible for me to remove from the player. It has simply mesmerized me.” Monte Adkinson, Suncoast Blues Society

‘Precious Little’ left Blues aficionados eager for more… and now, six years later, Jeremy Spencer has put together a masterpiece with his new release, ‘Bend in the Road’.

For more Information: http://jeremyspencer.com/

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(Source: Glass Onyon PR)

LONG LIVE JEREMY SPENCER.

Stone.

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KISS – DESTROYER { RESURRECTED } – Releases On August 21st, 2012!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 23, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

KISS – Destroyer – { Resurrected } from the super legendary KISS will be released on August 21st, 2012, through Universal Music Enterprises, (UMe). The iconic 1976 studio album, Destroyer, has been remixed from the original master tapes by Bob Ezrin, the albums original producer. { Resurrected } will also include rare photos, a new essay by Bob Ezrin and the originally intended album cover artwork (see above).

* Destroyer achieved certified gold status by the RIAA on April 22nd, 1976 and reached platinum status on November 11th, 1976. Destroyer was the first KISS album to go platinum.

* Sweet Pain (Original Guitar Solo) looks to be in place of the unlisted closing track Rock and Roll Party (heard on the original Destroyer album). I’m not sure if this is just a “rename” or an actual guitar solo this time around.

As any KISS fan would (hopefully) agree: has there ever been a better time to be a KISS fan or what? I suppose each decade since the 70’s has been a grand time to be a KISS fan; with each passing decade being a bounty of KISStory. On October 16th, 2012, the 20th studio album from KISS, Monster, will be released in North America! Add in KISS – The Tour with Mötley Crüe and it’s probably safe to say: 2012 is the year of KISS.

I will be buying this remixed edition of Destroyer { Resurrected } and it will serve me right! I am looking forward to buying the vinyl version and holding the album jacket, while the needle plays these classic KISS songs! Getting my hands and ears on this KISS album the old school way… is the right way for me.

Metal be thy name.

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KISS – DESTROYER { Resurrected } – Track Listing:

Detroit Rock City

King Of The Night Time World

God Of Thunder

Great Expectations

Flaming Youth

Sweet Pain

Shout It Out Loud

Beth

Do You Love Me?

Sweet Pain (Original Guitar Solo)

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* For more info on KISS, click here: KISS

LONG LIVE KISS.

Stone.

3 Comments »

THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE “Live At Berkeley” – Another Rock Music Treasure, From An Iconic Band And Historic Era Of Rock

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 16, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE – Released on July 10th, 2012, via Sony Legacy, Live At Berkeley is a Rock ‘N Roll gem to own. There’s never been a doubt in my Metal mind, that The Jimi Hendrix Experience were a trio of musicians that helped plant the seeds of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. I always ponder to myself, what would Jimi Hendrix think of today’s Heavy and Extreme Music? How would have Jimi’s guitar playing evolved if he had never passed away at such a young age of 27? I imagine I’m not alone with the wonder of it all. I bought this CD last week and I couldn’t be happier. Then again, if I scored a million dollar lottery ticket, I would be happier.

The production across the board on Live At Berkeley is sensational; the clarity of sound is undeniably first-rate. (The original location recordings were engineered by Abe Jacob). To have The Jimi Hendrix Experience captured live from this momentous evening of Rock history is Classic Rock personified. In my personal Metal opinion, there can never be enough live material of The Jimi Hendrix Experience; these Rock historic recordings recovered and released to the public are sonic journeys into a gilded past of music, in which I absorb like a sponge. There exists that select group of artists and bands that will always meet the demand for their (often times rare) unreleased studio and live music; The Jimi Hendrix Experience is a profound member of this select group.

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As with many live albums that have spanned the history of Rock Music, Live At Berkeley can also be considered a greatest hits. With such iconic Rock/Hard Rock songs such as Hey Joe, Purple Haze, Stone Free, Foxy Lady and Jimi’s adaptation of The Star Spangled Banner, Live At Berkeley showcases the songs that made both Jimi Hendrix and Heavy Rock escalate into the mainstream of popular music, during times of enormous social change. These are the songs that defined an era of Hard Rock, laying the field stone path for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal to follow.

Live At Berkeley was recorded on May 30th, 1970, (the 2nd show) at the Berkeley Community Theatre. On that storied night, Jimi Hendrix, along with Mitch Mitchell on drums and Billy Cox (from Band Of Gypsys fame) on bass, most likely never knew of their eventual pop-culture and Rock historical impact they would have on multiple generations of musicians and fans. The Jimi Hendrix Experience left a Rock ‘N Roll impact that can never be duplicated ever again.

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Stones Note: The also legendary Noel Redding will always be included when I reference The Jimi Hendrix Experience; being the original bassist for this band, Noel was no longer a member when this Berkeley concert was recorded.

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The Jimi Hendrix Experience has left me awestruck with their pioneering contributions and immeasurable influence to Rock and Heavy Music. With all of its glorious genres that have spiraled from the bulging and glowing core of Heavy Music, I can thank The Jimi Hendrix Experience (and other select pioneering artists and bands) for all being the incubus that kick-started it all. The very least I can do now, is write about legends the likes of The Jimi Hendrix Experience and celebrate the release of their live music from the past. The Jimi Hendrix Experience… never to be forgotten and never to be replaced. Metal be thy name.

LIVE AT BERKLEY – Track Listing:

Introduction

Pass It On (Straight Ahead)

Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)

Lover Man

Stone Free

Hey Joe

I Don’t Live Today

Machine Gun

Foxey Lady

Star Spangled Banner

Purple Haze

Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

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LONG LIVE THE LEGACY OF THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE.

Stone.

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JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Five)

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, guitarists, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 8, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Rock ‘N Roll Photography Of Analog Man

JOE WALSH – Okay, as I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Joe Walsh’s new studio album Analog Man, something very, very funny finally dawned on me! This album cover idea for Analog Man has been done before! Just because an album cover idea has been done before, it doesn’t necessarily mean it was done better. No way. Not in this case.

I give the Rockin’ nod to this Analog Man cover; both for its photographic excellence and for the way the photographer (Andrew Macpherson) captured the mood of Joe Walsh. It’s all about capturing that Rock mystique in Rock photography and Andrew did just that. Commendable!

Now… for that other album cover (from the past) with the same idea… uh, oh…

At one time, Torben Enevoldsen was photographed this same way for his album: Heavy Persuasion. Torben must have asked his neighbor to stop mowing the lawn to take this picture of him. Big difference between the Analog Man album cover and Heavy Persuasion. Whoa. Check it out for yourself below:

Thanks for visiting and reading Part Five of my fun & random thoughts on Analog Man. If you’ve missed out on Parts One thru Four, don’t panic! Just click on the four links below to read ’em! Metal be thy name.

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part One)

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Two)

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Three)

JOE WALSH – “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Four)

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* For more info on JOE WALSH, click on the link below!

http://joewalsh.com/

* For more info on photographer Andrew Macpherson, click on link below!

http://www.macfly.com

LONG LIVE JOE WALSH.

Stone.

4 Comments »

CINDERELLA “Long Cold Winter” – A Look Back To 1988 and A Multi-Platinum Selling Gem

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hair Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 7, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

CINDERELLA – Back in May of 1988, Philadelphia’s very own Cinderella released their sophomore album: Long Cold Winter. While the Hair/Glam Metal invasion was sprouting from The Golden State’s Sunset Strip, Cinderella was carving out their own niche within the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal communities; with Pennsylvania as their springboard to Heavy Rock stardom.

Even after I first listened to Cinderella’s 1986 debut album Night Songs, I knew this band’s only link to Hair Metal was their look and not their sound. Cinderella was far too bluesy from the get-go to be a bona-fide Hair Metal band, at least that’s what I thought back then and still do now. Anyone who wants to call Cinderella a Hair/Glam Metal band might as well label AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses that as well. Besides, Cinderella’s third studio album, 1990’s Heartbreak Station, only further solidified them as a blues-driven Heavy Rock band.

I first bought Long Cold Winter on vinyl from Strawberries Records & Tapes. As years, (gulp), decades have passed, that slab of cool vinyl is gone and since replaced by a CD, within my collection. From what I’ve researched, the RIAA has Long Cold Winter documented as selling 3 million + units. That’s Triple Platinum! (I know that sounded rather giddy of me).

Tom Keifer’s vocals were never stuff of fluff; that’s probably why I have always been a sucker for this album’s chart-topping ballad: Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone). The grainy vocals that Tom Keifer has been trademarked with is another reason why Cinderella stood out amongst the sea of Hair. Gypsy Road is a song that sticks inside my brain for days after I listen to it. Now that’s a song I can easily accuse of being Heavy Rock Blues.

I was attending a Community College back in 1988 and having the time of my life. Simply put, I was hell-raising for a Metal hobby. Party Central was my commuting terminal back then. Good times. I began hanging out with Scott Coverdale back around 1988 too and that only added to the “hell-bent for leather” attitude that I succumbed to. Good times. I’d swear Scott and I made our Guardian Angels work overtime for us, back then.

It was on August 4th, 1989; Scott Coverdale, my future wife and (late) sister went to see Cinderella together (for the first time) at the Springfield Civic Center. Winger and BulletBoys shared the stage with Cinderella that night too. Check out my ticket stub from that Metal memorable night, below:

I’ve been very fortunate to catch Cinderella live a couple more times since that Springfield show, with the 2010 M3 Rock Festival being the last time I’ve seen them perform. Yes, Scott Coverdale was by my side at that M3 Rock Festival… otherwise I had no damn ride home. We had a grand Metal time of times at that M3 Rock Festival too. Whoa, we did. No… thank you Klaus!

In a Metal walnut-shell, no red-blooded Rock, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Arena Rock, Glam/Hair Metal or 80’s Heavy Metal fan can go wrong by revisiting or being introduced to Long Cold Winter. A 1988 Multi-Platinum Gem from Cinderella. Metal be thy name.

CINDERELLA:

Tom Keifer – vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, National Steel and harmonica

Eric Brittingham – bass, twelve string bass and background vocals

Jeff LaBar – guitar

Fred Coury – drums

Additional Players:

Cozy Powell – drums

Denny Carmassi – drums

Kurt Shore – keyboards

Jay Levin – pedal steel guitar

Paulinho da Costa – percussion

John Webster – keyboards

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LONG COLD WINTER – Track Listing:

Bad Seamstress Blues / Fallin’ Apart At The Seams

Gypsy Road

Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)

The Last Mile

Second Wind

Long Cold Winter

If You Don’t Like It

Coming Home

Fire And Ice

Take Me Back

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* For more info on CINDERELLA, click on the link below!

http://cinderella.net

LONG LIVE CINDERELLA.

Stone.

8 Comments »

Wanna See My WINGS Button I Bought? It’s Really Cool…

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on July 1, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

WINGS – There it is at the top! Now that’s what I call a really cool Rock ‘N Roll button! Wings! I absolutely couldn’t resist buying this Wings button on a recent trip to a local antiques mall. No way was I walking out of that building without this button! The Rock ‘N Roll legacy of Wings is nothing short of amazing. The super legendary Paul McCartney and (late) Linda McCartney ties to this band is motivation enough, for my adding this button to my collection.

As the button reads: WINGS Over Wembley EMI October, 1977; tells me this button was more than likely sold at the WINGS concert in Wembley Stadium, London, England. There’s definitely no trouble in dating this button, with 1977 being printed within the title! As I hold this button, I wonder who bought it and did they have a Rockin’ incredible time at this Wings concert? Did this person ever wear or display this button?

I know I would have been overjoyed to have seen Wings in concert, back in their heyday. 1977 marked a year that was in-between two studio album releases for Wings: (1976) Wings At The Speed Of Sound and (1978) London Town. I researched around to make sure there wasn’t a WINGS Over Wembley album, released by EMI, back in 1977. The verdict is there never was such an album released during 1977, according to my research. If there ever was such an album of this 1977 concert, please let me know with a comment.

WINGS AT THE SPEED OF SOUND – (1976 – Capitol)

Wings – London Town (1978 – Capitol)

My favorite Wings song of all-time is With A Little Luck. This fabulous song is on London Town. It’s not easy having a favorite Wings song; there are so many classics within their catalog of seven studio albums.

There was a (Live) Wings Over America album that was released back in 1976. It was initially released as a triple album and included a poster of the band.

Wings Over America – (1976/Capitol)

Thank you for sticking around for my blabbing about this really cool and vintage Wings button. Alright, by now you’re asking: “Stone, what did you pay for this really cool and vintage WINGS Over Wembley button?” I shall reveal: $5 (U.S.). Not too shabby. Just this weekend, I also found this button being sold on ebay for $28 (U.S.). Not a bad Rock ‘N Roll find for $5! One last important note: this Wings button measures 2 1/8″ across.

Metal be thy name.

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LONG LIVE THE ROCK ‘N ROLL LEGACY OF WINGS.

Rest In Peace, Linda McCartney.

Rest In Peace, Jimmy McCulloch.

Stone.

12 Comments »

JOE WALSH – “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Four)

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, Music, rock albums, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on June 29, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Joe Walsh celebrates his Rock ‘N Roll ties to Little Richard, through a long lost recording…

JOE WALSH – As I continue onward with my blabbing about Analog Man, the new studio album from the legendary Joe Walsh, I am finding myself getting more immersed in Rock ‘N Roll history once again. There’s so much more to Analog Man than just it containing 12 new songs from Joe Walsh. An autobiographical story is being told here by Joe Walsh and one key legend of Rock ‘N Roll is mentioned by him in the liner notes: Little Richard.

To me, Little Richard is synonymous with pioneering Rock ‘N Roll; an iconic figure and true ambassador of Rock ‘N Roll, to this very day. The reverence that Joe Walsh has for Little Richard is both a grand thing to read and realize; as he states his past and present association with Little Richard, within the liner notes of Analog Man, with admirable sincerity that obviously comes straight from his heart.

Little Richard also appears musically on Analog Man; Rockin’ on the piano with the James Gang as they were recorded live playing: But I Try. This historical Rock ‘N Roll moment took place sometime around 1970, at Cleveland Recording, in Cleveland, Ohio. The James Gang had played a couple of shows in the Midwest with Little Richard, at about this time. As Rock ‘N Roll surprises do happen, Joe Walsh had found this rare recording in an “old box of tapes” which makes this story all the more exciting to me. I can only imagine how many unreleased, fun and Rock historical songs that Joe Walsh may have stored away still!

But I Try is a retrospective snapshot into the Rockin’ world of the James Gang having a good time with Little Richard. This is a live song that spills over with it’s sincerity, while radiating a sound from a Rock ‘N Roll era that will forever be treasured and never duplicated. The lineup heard on But I Try is: Joe Walsh (guitar), Jimmy Fox (drums) and Dale Peters (bass), with of course, Little Richard. This version of But I Try will live on forever, since being rescued from “an old box of tapes”, courtesy of the legendary Joe Walsh.

Little Richard – The Very Best Of… (2008 – Specialty Records)

Thanks for visiting and reading Part Four of my fun & random thoughts on Analog Man. If you’ve missed out on Parts One thru Three, don’t panic! Just click on the three links below to read ’em! Metal be thy name.

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part One)

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Two)

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Three)

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(Source: Analog Man liner notes)

* For more info on JOE WALSH, click on the link below!

http://joewalsh.com/

LONG LIVE JOE WALSH.

LONG LIVE LITTLE RICHARD.

Stone.

6 Comments »

BOB WELCH – Rest In Peace

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on June 28, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

I am late (sorry) in expressing my condolences to the family, friends and fans of the legendary Bob Welch. Back on June 7th, 2012, Bob Welch committed suicide. That is so extremely sad. Bob Welch was 66 years old. A former member of the also legendary Fleetwood Mac, Bob Welch also had a solo career that didn’t go unnoticed. My favorite album from Bob Welch is his solo debut album from 1977: French Kiss.

One of my most favorite Classic Rock songs from the entire 70’s decade is Ebony Eyes; a song which is featured on French Kiss. Even though Bob Welch wasn’t part of the chart-topping and Grammy winning years of Fleetwood Mac, he was/will always be an important figure in their musical formation and overall band history. Back on August 17th, 2009, I revisited French Kiss and blabbed away about it. Click the link below to read it, if you like:

Bob Welch – “French Kiss” 1977 Classic Rock album revisited

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Rest In Peace, Bob Welch.

1945 – 2012

Stone.

1 Comment »

JEFFERSON STARSHIP – Classic Rock Legends To Release Exclusive Live 4-CD Set ‘Tales From The Mothership’

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, Music, rock albums, rock concerts, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on June 27, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

The Paul Kantner Science Fiction Rock & Roll Motion Picture Show!

London, UK – “Roswell UFO Parade & Festival Hosts Jefferson Starship Sci-Fi Extravaganza” read the headlines for the annual July 3rd event that took place in Roswell, New Mexico in 2009. Jefferson Airplane founder Paul Kantner and his legendary band Jefferson Starship and special guests, which included original Grateful Dead keyboardist Tom Constanten, performed a one-of-a-kind sci-fi concert at Pearson Auditorium in Roswell in honor of the town’s famed annual parade. The group was also bestowed the honor of being the parade’s ‘Grand Martians’ that year and rode atop a special float especially built for them. The entire concert was filmed and recorded, and in addition to such iconic hits as “White Rabbit”, “Somebody To Love”, “Volunteers”, “Wooden Ships” recorded by its forebear Jefferson Airplane (the last two penned by Kantner), a special programme of science fiction themed compositions and select recordings were performed, some for the first time ever! Now, much to the excitement of Jefferson Starship fans across the globe UK’s Gonzo MultiMedia is releasing the entire concert in an extravagant 4-CD box set.

In 1971 the band’s first album (Paul Kantner’s first solo album actually), ‘Blows Against The Empire’ was also the first Rock music recording ever nominated for literary science fiction’s prestigious Hugo Award. In addition to Kantner, ‘Blows’ featured a ‘Who’s Who’ of Bay Area musicians including David Freiberg from Quicksilver Messenger Service. Freiberg and Kantner, later launched the ongoing Jefferson Starship, eventually writing the hit “Jane.” David rejoined the band full-time in 2005.

In 1991 the late great Rock impresario Bill Graham signed on to produce ‘Blows’ from a ‘scripted stage play concept’ co-written bu Paul Kantner and his (then) new manager Michael Gaiman, a lifelong fan. Sadly, Bill was killed in a helicopter crash and the idea was shelved until Sony Pictures pitched an ‘option’ for a ‘Blows’ motion picture in 1996. “That was a big year for sci-fi,” recalls Gaiman. Stemming from a shared interest in 1950s science fiction film and literature, Paul and Michael have worked together for nearly 25 years. In 2008 they co-produced (along with David Freiberg), ‘Jefferson’s Tree of Liberty,’ Jefferson Starship’s first studio recording in a decade. The album garnered stellar reviews worldwide. In 2009 Jefferson Starship headlined ‘The Heroes of Woodstock’, the authorized touring commemorative of the 1969 Woodstock Music & Arts Festival.

“On July 3rd, 2009, thanks to the Roswell UFO Festival Committee and Cool 94.9 Radio, we got to scratch that itch and assuage a long time desire to stage a mosh of Rock music and science fiction,” says Gaiman.

Along with Paul Kantner and David Frieberg, Jefferson Starship also features lead singer Cathy Richardson (who played Janis Joplin on Broadway in ‘Love, Janis’) and longtime band members Slick Aguilar, Chris Smith and Donny Baldwin. In addition to Grateful Dead’s Tom Constanten, special guests include Pete Sears (the band’s former bass & keyboard player on all their hits), Barry Sless (guitar & pedal steel with Phil Lesh & Friends), former lead vocalist Darby Gould and legendary folk artist Jack Taylor, one of Paul Kantner’s early musical influences.

Renegade Productions, the band’s frequent collaborator (‘Jefferson’s Tree of Liberty’ was the first album ever recorded in their new studio at the time) staged the production and provided custom sound, lighting and image projection. Karl Anderson of Global Recording Artists filmed the event dubbed ‘Tales From The Mothership,’ a joint production of The Roswell UFO Festival Committee and Jefferson Starship. “It’s not a documentary, not a ‘rockumentary’, not a ‘mockumentary’…it’s a ‘Spockumentary,” Gaiman quips.

Along with the entire concert from July 3, 2009, the 4-CD set also includes rehearsals from 6/27/2009 and the band’s soundcheck before the show.

For more information: http://jeffersonstarship.com

To order Jefferson Starship – ‘Tales From The Mothership’ 4-CD set: http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/search/product_details/15498/Jefferson_Starship-Tales_From_The_Mothership_-_Roswell_UFO_Festival_3_July_2009.html

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(Source: Glass Onyon PR)

LONG LIVE JEFFERSON STARSHIP.

Stone.

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JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Three)

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on June 23, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Jeff Lynne And ELO Fever… I Can’t Shake It Free. 

JOE WALSH – Admittedly, I had no clue Joe Walsh was releasing a new studio album until the day I walked into the CD aisle at my local Super Walmart. Sounds odd, huh? Not really that odd to me, for 90% of the press releases, PR people and bands I deal with are Metal affiliated; therefore the bulk of music news I take in on a daily basis is… Metal. Even when I surf the internet, I’m not going to stumble upon every album release from every genre that’s on the horizon. I’m not that cool.

It was a neat feeling though, finding Analog Man on its release day. If I could have, I would’ve skipped all the way to the check-out with my new Joe Walsh CD in-hand. Only thing is, the way things happen for Stone, I probably would have been gang tackled down to the ground by store security for acting like a weirdo. I bought Analog Man without hearing or sampling one song on it. The Rock ‘N Roll of Joe Walsh doesn’t need to be sampled by Stone to justify a purchase. No way, man.

Step in… Jeff Lynne:

When I returned to my car in the Super Walmart parking lot, I immediately took the plastic wrap off Analog Man and slapped that plastic disc into the CD player. As the title track began to play, I was reading the liner notes and scouring the track listing. It was simultaneous how this happened… I heard Jeff Lynne tones and felt Jeff Lynne vibes as Analog Man played. Within a hiccup, I noticed this sentence printed on the back cover of the CD digipak: “Produced By  Jeff Lynne And Joe Walsh”. I guess my ears and vibes were correct!

Any longtime visitor to Metal Odyssey knows by now, that I am a HUGE fan of Electric Light Orchestra. Always have been. Hell, I was an ELO fan before I was really introduced to Heavy Metal; with KISS being the only exception. Yes, it was (gulp) decades ago and not just two years ago. As years went by, I dove right into The Traveling Wilburys and couldn’t get enough of ’em. Did I have Jeff Lynne fever? Even the Jeff Lynne (co-produced) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Into The Great Wide Open, and George Harrison’s Cloud Nine both have that certain extra charm to my senses. Maybe it has always been ELO on my brain.

Throughout this entire Analog Man album, the musical imprint of Jeff Lynne is heard. Don’t get me wrong, Joe Walsh has his legendary Rockin’ imprint here too; this is a Joe Walsh album after all! Joe’s legendary vocals and signature guitar tones are clear-cut, dynamite and out-of-sight! (Whoa… that sounded kinda ’70’s didn’t it?). The ELO vibe and feel that is essentially Jeff Lynne comes sonically through on drums, percussions, guitars, bass, keyboards and backing vocals. Once again, this is still a bonafide Joe Walsh album of songs and not an ELO album. I’m only pointing out what I truly hear and absorb. Plus, I’m not complaining one micro bit.

After so many listens to Analog Man, I’ve come to the conclusion that Joe Walsh surely could have been a member of The Traveling Wilburys. Joe would have fit right in! Back in the day, I would have never connected the Rock ‘N Roll sound of Joe Walsh to Jeff Lynne’s (eventual) musical direction. Now that these two Rockin’ gentlemen have teamed up on Analog Man, I get it! As I reflect on the discography of Joe Walsh, the one song that keeps popping into my brain (that comes across with a healthy sliver of what Jeff Lynne creates) is All Of A Sudden from the 1991 album Ordinary Average Guy.

Joe Walsh – Ordinary Average Guy (1991 – Epic)

Thanks for visiting and reading Part Three of my fun & random thoughts on Analog Man. If you’ve missed out on Part One and/or Two, don’t panic! Just click on the two links below to read ’em! Metal be thy name.

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part One)

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Two)

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* For more info on JOE WALSH, click on the link below!

http://joewalsh.com/

LONG LIVE JOE WALSH.

LONG LIVE JEFF LYNNE.

Stone.

5 Comments »

BACHMAN & TURNER “Live At The Roseland Ballroom, NYC” – Classic Rock Never Sounded So Good!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, Music, rock albums, rock and roll, rock concerts, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on June 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

BACHMAN & TURNER – Live At The Roseland Ballroom, NYC was released on May 29th, 2012, via Eagle Rock Entertainment. Randy Bachman and C.F. Turner never sounded better and that’s my sincere opinion after listening to this double live CD. Each time I crank up these live Bachman & Turner songs, it makes me wish I was actually there that night this concert was recorded! As The Cars famously imbedded in my Rock ‘N Roll brain many years ago… Let The Good Times Roll.

Yes, Bachman & Turner are Rock ‘N Roll legends. Yes, they were the heart & soul of Bachman-Turner Overdrive. The real elation factor for me is they both have Rocked my head off in 2012 with a new live album! Classic Rock, Rock and Hard Rock fans should embrace the live performance they hear from Bachman & Turner, with slippery ease. Heavy Metal fans that get into the roots of Heavy Music will undoubtedly give their nod of approval to timeless classics as: Let It Ride, Takin’ Care Of Business, Not Fragile and Stayed Awake All Night. Timeless Hard Rock all, to my ears.

Since I was a young lad, the FM hits of Bachman-Turner Overdrive always reminded me of Summertime. (most of the RUSH catalog reminds me of Winter; only that’s another story). Maybe it’s the feel-good and loose vibes that spring-out from the BTO songs? Regardless of seasonal vibes, Bachman & Turner have recently entertained the livin’ hell out of me with this live concert recording; I don’t foresee my personal Rockin’ jubilation I’m receiving from it subsiding anytime soon.

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That’s What It Is, Moonlight Rider, Rollin’ Along and Slave To The Rhythm are songs from the 2010 self-titled Bachman & Turner studio album. I simply cannot get enough of these new Bachman & Turner songs, they all radiate that old-time Rock ‘N Roll feel, while coming across so grand with their lyrical simplicity. I guess that’s why this is called Classic Rock, after all.

American Woman, the co-penned Randy Bachman song and ultra Rock Classic by The Guess Who, is a thrill of an addition to take in from this live set! Just another timeless classic on this double live CD. If I’ve come across as being overly excited about Live At The Roseland Ballroom, NYC, then it’s probably due to these songs taking me on a Rockin’ care-free ride. Who could possibly refuse that nowadays? I’m not refusing it, that’s for damn certain. It’s all about the magic of Classic Rock… care-free vibrations while you Roll On Down The Highway. Metal be thy name.

BACHMAN & TURNER:

Randy Bachman – guitars & vocals

C.F. Turner – bass & vocals

Marc Lafrance – drums, percussion & vocals

Brent Howard Knudsen – guitars & vocals

Mick Dalla-Vee – guitars & vocals

Paul Shaffer – special guest

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Live At The Roseland Ballroom , NYC – Track Listing:

DISC ONE:

Let It Ride

Rock Is My Life

Not Fragile

Hey You

Hold Back The Water

Waiting Game

Moonlight Rider

Lookin’ Out For #1

Stayed Awake All Night

American Woman

DISC TWO:

Four Wheel Drive

Slave To The Rhythm

Blue Collar

That’s What It Is

Sledgehammer

Rollin’ Along

You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet

Shakin’ All Over

Roll On Down The Highway

Takin’ Care Of Business

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* Check out the trailer for The Campaign below! BTO’s Takin’ Care Of Business is on the soundtrack! Whoa.

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* For more info on BACHMAN & TURNER, click on the link below!

http://www.bachmanandturner.com

LONG LIVE BACHMAN & TURNER.

LONG LIVE PAUL SHAFFER.

LONG LIVE CLASSIC ROCK.

Stone.

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SLASH Featuring Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators “Apocalyptic Love” – #1 For My Rock ‘N Roll Soul

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on June 15, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

SLASH – As of June 15th, 2012, my choice for #1 Hard Rock album of the year is Apocalyptic Love. I don’t see that #1 ranking changing either, unless there is a Rock ‘N Roll miracle and some other Hard Rock album knocks me on my ass while I’m begging for Rockin’ mercy. Just isn’t gonna happen. Am I too easy? No. I listen to many, many average albums that I don’t even bother to write about. Apocalyptic Love is different from any other Hard Rock album I’ve digested in 2012; when I feel it, man, it’s like an adrenaline rush that I want to experience again and again.

It’s always going to be a personal thing when it comes to music or any art. I’ve seen the worst looking art at the Modern Museum Of Art that has been crowned timeless and priceless! Then I’ve seen art that I would buy if I was a billionaire. The 13 songs on Apocalyptic Love are so immensely intense with everything I want from a Hard Rock album. You don’t have to be a billionaire to buy into the RNFN’R that Slash, Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators play. This album is Hard Rock for the here and now… and future Rock generations too.

Slash and Myles Kennedy aren’t just a remarkable duo as performers; they are remarkable songwriters as well. Just where will these two men of Hard Rock place on the all-time list of historic Rock ‘N Roll duos in the year 2050? I place them high right now in 2012. It’s not easy to write 13 songs with guitar parts that are all so unique either. No redundancy or short-changing the fans can be heard by my ears on Apocalyptic Love. No shortcuts… period.

With songs like Halo, We Will Roam, Anastasia, No More Heroes and Bad Rain, this album becomes a classic for me… and I haven’t even mentioned the other 8 songs. Yes, Apocalyptic Love is such a moving listen for me that it brings F’n tears to my eyes and ostrich bumps on my arms and face, while lifting me up at times when I’m down. Maybe someone out there knows what I’m talking about, maybe not. I don’t really give a shit. This is about what the album has done for me and my Rock ‘N Roll soul.

Anytime I listen to Myles Kennedy sing, I shake my head and wish Slash met up with him pre-1987 and the other whining singer he once played with became a milk truck delivery driver. I can’t possibly be alone with that feeling and if I am, again, I don’t give a shit. Slash tapped into some kind of mystical Rock ‘N Roll stuff during these post Guns ‘N Roses years and he’s caught Rock ‘N Roll lightning in an F’n bottle. No way will I disregard the magic of Myles Kennedy, however. I’ve never heard such a Hard Rock album such as this. Each song is an F’n hit single; back in the day when the American media actually embraced Hard Rock and Heavy Metal that is.

Picture this: you take the best of what psyches-you-out about old school Hard Rock and couple that with what elevates your soul from Hard Rock today; that combination for me equates to Apocalyptic Love. Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal albums will come and go, only this is an album that isn’t going away for me. I’ll keep this Apocalyptic Love CD within my arms reach for a very, very, very long time. Metal be thy name.

* Apocalyptic Love was released on May 22nd, 2012, via DIK HAYD Records.

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The Band:

Slash – guitar

Myles Kennedy – vocals & guitar

Brent Fitz – drums, percussion, electric piano,

Todd Kerns – bass & vocals

APOCALYPTIC LOVE – Track Listing:

Apocalyptic Love

One Last Thrill

Standing In The Sun

You’re A Lie

No More Heroes

Halo

We Will Roam

Anastasia

Not For Me

Bad Rain

Hard & Fast

Far And Away

Shots Fired

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* For more info on SLASH click on the links below!

http://slashonline.com

http://myspace.com/slash

LONG LIVE SLASH.

LONG LIVE MYLES KENNEDY.

LONG LIVE THE CONSPIRATORS.

Stone.

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JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part One)

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Guitar, guitarists, Hard Rock, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on June 8, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

JOE WALSH – Yesterday I bought the new Joe Walsh CD, Analog Man (the CD/DVD Limited Deluxe Edition) and I’m quite chipper about it. This is the first solo album from Joe Walsh in two decades; I have found both the music and lyrics to be incredibly inspiring. I find it remarkably amazing, how one new album such as Analog Man can trigger so many thoughts about music and life! I’ve always felt that music can connect the dots and profoundly act as a universal language within our fast-paced world.

The Rock ‘N Roll thoughts have been pouring from my brain, since my picking up Analog Man and delving into its music, lyrics and bountiful liner notes. Therefore, I will be writing about my thoughts on Analog Man, from the lyrical content to my memories of hearing Joe Walsh on the radio as an innocent young lad in the seventies. My writings will be posted in parts, all being inspired from Analog Man.

This is a Joe Walsh – Analog Man custom sport metallic watch! Whoa. Do I own one? Nope.

Here Is Part One:

I’ve always been lured by the vocals, musicianship and songwriting of Joe Walsh. What’s “always” Stone? Well, it all started a long time ago, in a childhood far, far, away. I used to hear the song Walk Away from James Gang being played on the radio back in the 70’s and fell in love with it quite easily. I couldn’t get the lyrics or guitar out of my head! Did I actually know who Joe Walsh was back then? Of course I didn’t.

Onto the Eagles. I would hear Hotel California, Life In The Fast Lane and New Kid In Town on none other than… the radio. Onto the solo career of Joe Walsh and the radio airwaves consistently played Life’s Been Good. I was in 7th grade during 1978 and thought this song was damn good! All these songs I’ve mentioned remind me of going camping with my family back in those late 70’s. (Whoa). It’s due to the widespread campers playing their radios really loud all the time… it would be “battle of the Woolworth’s, Montgomery Ward (or Sears) cheap radios”. This was before the big (and expensive) “boom boxes” became popular.

Joe Walsh – But Seriously, Folks… (1978 – Asylum)

During 1976, 1977 and 1978, I still had no clue that Joe Walsh was a key figure involved in these (eventual) iconic songs. However, that all changed in 1979. Read on for more excitement…

When the Eagles released The Long Run, I was psyched-out by Heartache Tonight. Every kid in my class was psyched-out by this song back then. 1979 was a huge year for me; kissing a girl (or two) for the first time, getting chicken pox, missing my eighth grade graduation from Parochial school due to the chicken pox, going to the Dom Perno’s University Of Connecticut Summer Basketball Camp and receiving The Long Run (on vinyl) as a christmas present from my parents. Phew.

Uh… before I actually received The Long Run as a Christmas gift, well, um… I honestly thought Heartache Tonight was titled and sung as: Party Tonight. Red Forman, the father character from That 70’s Show would have said to me: “Stone, you’re a dumb ass.” As messed up as it sounds, my school friends and I would sing at the top of our lungs, during recess: “There’s gonna be a party tonight! A party tonight I know!” Back in ’79, we were all a bunch of dumb asses in that Parochial school playground.

I remember the album jacket  for The Long Run was a gatefold. I would stare at each member of The Eagles, as each song from this album played on my turntable. It got to the point where I actually thought each band member was staring back at me. (Whoa). My favorite song from The Long Run then and now? In The City. Guess what? After holding and staring at that gatefold album jacket of The Long Run and listening to In The City about 999 times on my $25 turntable and before the New Year of 1980 was ushered in, I finally knew who Joe Walsh really was. Metal be thy name!

In The City appears on The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for the 1979 film: The Warriors. I remember (finally) seeing this movie on HBO during the early 80’s. It’s a (violent) cult classic. I’ve never owned this soundtrack; I probably will buy it eventually, one day.

My Joe Walsh – Analog Man thoughts will continue… stay tuned!

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* Joe Walsh – Analog Man was released on June 5th, 2012, via Fantasy.

* For more info on JOE WALSH, click on the link below!

http://joewalsh.com/

LONG LIVE JOE WALSH.

Stone.

8 Comments »

URIAH HEEP “Live In Armenia” – Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on April 27, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

URIAH HEEP – Playing live on hired equipment, with technical problems to overcome, didn’t prevent Rock/Hard Rock legends URIAH HEEP from putting on an amazing live show; before thousands of enthusiastic fans in Armenia. This concert proved to be the first time URIAH HEEP played in Armenia… 40 years in the making! Just my hearing the excited fans in the background, singing along to these ultra classic URIAH HEEP songs, gives me the chills.

I get these Rock ‘N Roll chills for the simple fact; that URIAH HEEP is still around and playing their songs for the world! Guitarist and founding member Mick Box has kept his URIAH HEEP brand of smokin’ hot Hard Rock proudly upright; regardless of lineup changes over the decades. Live In Armenia is a celebration of URIAH HEEP Rock ‘N Roll and exemplifies just how timeless the sounds and songs of URIAH HEEP truly are.

I can’t get over how fine this live recording sounds. Both band and Bernie Shaw’s vocals sound excellent to my ears and I couldn’t say it any better than that. Easy Livin’, Sunrise and Angels Walk With You are my top three songs, however, as with so many Classic Rock bands, picking favorite songs is not a perfect science for me. I love listening to the guitar of Mick Box, the vocals of Bernie Shaw and the keyboards of Phil Lanzon. I love it all, man.Whoa, I do.

Longtime URIAH HEEP fans, Classic Rock/Rock/Hard Rock fans and any fan of damn righteous Rock ‘N Roll should own Live In Armenia. Metal be thy name, they should. This double CD was released on Frontiers Records, back on September 23rd, 2011. Live In Armenia was originally released with a companion DVD of this Concert as well.

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URIAH HEEP:

Bernie Shaw – vocals

Mick Box – guitar

Phil Lanzon – keyboards

Trevor Bolder – bass guitar

Russell Gilbrook – drums

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Live In Armenia – Track Listing:

CD ONE:

Wake The Sleeper

Overload

Tears Of The World

Stealin

Book Of Lies

Gypsy

Look At Yourself

What Kind Of God

Angels Walk With You

CD TWO:

Shadow

July Morning

Easy Livin

Sunrise

Sympathy

Lady In Black

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* Live In Armenia was produced by Mike Paxman.

* For more info on URIAH HEEP, click on the links below:

URIAH HEEP – THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE

FRONTIERS RECORDS

LONG LIVE URIAH HEEP.

Stone.

4 Comments »

ZZ TOP – ‘A Tribute From Friends’ Cover Song Album: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, cover songs, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on March 9, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

ZZ TOP – Legends. Rock ‘N Roll Hall Of Famers. Mammoth Influence on all genres of Rock. Now then, when a cover song album of ZZ Top songs is released, these “covers” better be damn good. I can’t stand it when a band or musician just messes around with a Rock classic and “thinks” their famous name alone will give them a pass. Not here folks. I will present to you: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly when it comes to these ZZ Top cover songs I’ve been listening to on: A Tribute From Friends. Plus, I won’t be swayed by the fact that these are “friends” of ZZ TOP. Sometimes “friends” can ruin a classic song without even trying.

Let’s get right to it, shall we?

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THE BAD:

The opening track is Sharp Dressed Man performed by The M.O.B. Who’s The M.O.B.? Mick Fleetwood, Steven Tyler and John McVie. At first, I found this song fun. Then, it irritated the living hell out of me. All I kept picturing was The M.O.B. performing this song at a senior citizen Summer picnic or some Sunday afternoon church fair, with all in attendance going crazy for it. When a cover song sounds “old” and trudging… that’s what happens to my imagination.

Somehow Wolfmother had Cheap Sunglasses thrown in their lap to cover. Not good. I dig the first two studio albums from Wolfmother, only I don’t grasp this cover of Cheap Sunglasses. Annoying. I’ll have to admit, this is the first time I’ve ever been not keen to Andrew Stockdale’s vocals. Another problem is, this cover song sounds way too much like… Wolfmother. A disinterested Wolfmother at that.

THE UGLY:

So sorry that a Rockaholic and Metalhead like myself had NO clue who Wyclef Jean is until now. Rough Boy sounds so over-covered here entirely. Come on now, a Hip Hop / R&B artist covering a ZZ Top song? That is not an entirely bad idea, as long as this song is on an album of covers from ALL artists of Wyclef Jean’s genre.

This song unfortunately doesn’t fit in with the “Rock” flow for me, on this album. To my ears, Rough Boy was as “commercial” as it could get for ZZ TOP back in 1986 and this cover only magnifies it’s “Pop” personality to an embarrassing level. If Wyclef Jean is a friend of ZZ Top’s, then ZZ TOP should have remembered: “friends don’t let friends cover their songs”.

THE GOOD: 

Nickelback. Yes, Nickelback. This love ’em or hate ’em Hard Rockin’ band knocked it out of the Classic Rock park with their cover of Legs. This song does sound like Nickelback, yet they did not stray from the non-stop Rockin’ groove that this song originally was all about. Nickelback just gave it more heaviness.

Daughtry. Yes, Daughtry. This guy sings Waitin’ For The Bus / Jesus Left Chicago as if he really digs and feels the song thoroughly. I make NO apologies, Chris Daughtry sings this ZZ TOP classic straight from the heart. Hell, that’s how it comes across to me anyways. Plus, Daughtry didn’t screw around with this songs tempo or try to “reinvent the F’n wheel” with it.

Mastodon. These guys gave Just Got Paid their signature stamp of progressiveness without even trying. Turning Just Got Paid into a relevant Hard Rock song that smokes was obviously… the mission of Mastodon.

Filter covers Gimme All Your Lovin‘ with a grand Alternative meets Industrial sound that is admirable. It’s Filter. The legendary Billy F Gibbons lends his vocals and electric guitar to La Grange. Cool. The remaining tracks are fine listens, just watch out for the bad and the ugly. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

* ZZ TOP – A Tribute From Friends was released back on October 11th, 2011, via Show Dog / Universal.

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A Tribute From Friends – Track Listing:

Sharp Dressed Man – The M.O.B. (Steven Tyler, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie)

Gimme All Your Lovin’ – Filter

Tush – Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

Legs – Nickelback

Cheap Sunglasses – Wolfmother

Got Me Under Pressure – Duff McKagan’s Loaded

Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers – Coheed & Cambria

Just Got Paid – Mastodon

Rough Boy – Wyclef Jean

Waitin’ For The Bus / Jesus Just Left Chicago – Daughtry

La Grange – Jamey Johnson

LONG LIVE ZZ TOP.

LONG LIVE “GOOD” ZZ TOP COVER SONGS.

Stone.

1 Comment »

YES – This Day In Rock Music History, February 19th, 1971

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, Music, progressive rock, progressive rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on February 19, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

YES – Back on February 19th, 1971, the third studio album from Yes was released in the UK on Atlantic Records. Conveniently titled The Yes Album, it boasts three songs that catapulted Yes into the stratosphere of Rock and Progressive Rock notoriety. Yours Is No Disgrace, Starship Trooper and I’ve Seen All Good People became eventual permanent listening fixtures on FM radio. These are easily the three songs from Yes that triggered me to become a fan of their music, so many years ago.

The Yes Album is without question, my favorite album from the Yes catalog. The Yes Album I regard as a 100% Progressive Rock and Rock classic, from a seriously legendary band that helped pioneer Progressive Rock. Yes belongs nominated and inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame… what an obvious scandal that this iconic band has not been given membership from that confusing “establishment” as of yet.

The Yes Album was released in the United States one month after its UK release. This was the first Yes album that featured the (eventual) legendary guitarist: Steve Howe. For me, I find it so amazing, that The Yes Album was released over 40 years ago and it still sounds so fresh and brilliant to this day. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve escaped stress while listening to The Yes Album. As fine of an introduction to Progressive Rock as you’ll hear, The Yes Album stands alone. Simply timeless to my ears is The Yes Album.

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YES (as they appeared on The Yes Album):

Jon Anderson – lead vocals

Steve Howe – guitars, vocals & vihuela

Chris Squire – bass & vocals

Tony Kaye – organ, piano & moog

Bill Bruford – drums

* For more info on YES, click on the links below:

http://yesworld.com

FRONTIERS RECORDS

LONG LIVE YES.

Stone.

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COPPERHEAD – Southern Rock Band: 5 Cool Reasons To Buy Their Debut S/T Album From 1992

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, Music, rock music, rock music news, southern hard rock, southern rock, southern rock albums with tags , , , , , , on January 5, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

COPPERHEAD – It was sometime during the Spring of 2011 when I came across the Southern Rock band Copperhead, while perusing the internet for all things Rock ‘N Roll. After sampling a few songs from the 1992 S/T debut album from Copperhead, I eagerly purchased it off of iTunes. This is the one and only studio album that Copperhead ever released too. Going back to 1992, I only remember Copperhead by band name only.

I guess that’s what makes being a lover of Rock ‘N Metal so damn fun, I’m always catching onto a new band from yesteryear! I steered best Metal buddy, Scott Coverdale, to this Copperhead album and he is as huge a believer in this band’s Southern Rock sound as I am. Copperhead may no longer be an active band, still they are a band well worth remembering and checking out. If Copperhead has reunited in any way, shape or form, please leave a comment!

Below are five cool reasons why you should buy this Copperhead S/T debut album. I’ve also included two fun facts about the album.

Reason #1: If you are a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, Marshall Tucker Band, etc., then you shall have no problem at all diving ears first into Copperhead.

Reason #2: This Copperhead album in my most honest opinion… ROCKS from start to finish.

Reason #3: Neil Carswell (vocalist, guitarist & founding member) has that classic Southern Rock voice that’s just as contagious as his band’s music.

Reason #4: Copperhead could jam! From driving guitars to the keyboards, Copperhead just let it all loose on this album. In my opinion, this band kept it real with Southern fried and blue-collar enthusiasm through their songs.

Reason #5: This is straight-up Southern Rock here folks and nothing is watered down. So, crank up some Copperhead, grab your six-pack then kick back, while those good times and Southern Rock vibes take control.

Oh… by the way, my favorite song on this Copperhead album is: Highway. Whoa and Metal be thy name.

Two Fun Facts About This Copperhead Album:

Fun Fact #1: The song Long Way From Home became the title song for the motion picture: Harley Davidson And The Marlboro Man. Mickey Rourke and Don Johnson starred in this movie too.

Fun Fact #2: The song Busted was included on the 1992 movie soundtrack: Dr. Giggles.

This is the cover for the Dr. Giggles movie soundtrack CD. Dr. Giggles is a Slasher film, can you tell?

COPPERHEAD – Track Listing:

Busted

Whiskey

The Scar

Brown’s Gold

Where Will I Be?

Keepin’ On

Highway

Hard Livin’

Lazy Days

Not My Tear

Born Loser

Long Way From Home

* Copperhead is available on iTunes, via Eastwinds Records. I’ve also seen it for sale on Amazon.

* Live & Lost (released in 2002), is a compilation of Copperhead studio and live tracks. It is also available on iTunes, via Eastwinds Records.

* For more info on NEIL CARSWELL and COPPERHEAD, click on the link below:

COPPERHEAD – Official Website

COPPERHEAD ROCKS.

Stone.

7 Comments »

SWEET – Giving To Fans, On Their Website: FREE Live Album ‘100% Live 2010’ Starting January 1st!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, glam rock, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, heavy metal news, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on December 29, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Sweet will be giving away a Free Live album on their website (www.thesweet.com) starting the 1st of January for one week only. The album is called: 100% Live 2010

The recording is 100% LIVE, no studio trickery or over dubs, just a stereo mix from the FOH mixing desk plus a stereo audience microphone. There are 11 tracks from the 2010 show, plus 2 exclusive bonus tracks.

(Source: Sweet Press)

SWEET:

Andy Scott – guitar & vocals

Pete Lincoln – lead vocals & bass

Tony O’Hora – guitar, keyboards & vocals

Bruce Bisland – drums & vocals

LONG LIVE SWEET.

Stone.

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Metal Odyssey’s Top Ten Rock Albums Of 2011

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, Music, rock albums, rock and roll, rock bands, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on December 25, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Top Ten Rock Albums Of 2011 – This Top Ten Rock Album list comprises various genres, the likes of: Blues, Alternative, Rockabilly, Acoustic, New Wave, some shades of Hard Rock and of course, Rock itself. Isn’t Rock a grand blanket term for such incredible music diversity? I love Rock. Without Rock, there wouldn’t have been Heavy Metal.

If you are counting, there are actually thirteen Rock albums in this Top Ten list. Admittedly, compiling a “Top Ten” of anything is grueling for me, therefore the two “ties” below are as honest as I could ever possibly be, without pulling what hair I have left off of my head. Furthermore, I couldn’t resist adding Jeff Beck – Rock ‘n’ Roll Party/Honoring Les Paul as an “Honorable Mention”. It’s a good times, roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll listen, one that I’ve enjoyed time and again.

I chose the following Rock albums due to how memorable, fun and interesting they came across to my senses. The quality of Rock contained in these following albums, I simply revere. There are some elite musicians and bands on this list for certain. They all have proven to me just how diverse Rock ‘N Roll really is, with their respective albums. These are the Rock albums that I gravitated to and became inspired by most often during 2011. I highly recommend you check ’em out, if you haven’t already.

METAL ODYSSEY’S  TOP TEN ROCK ALBUMS OF 2011

Honorable Mention

JEFF BECK – Rock ‘n’ Roll Party Honoring Les Paul

(ATCO)

#10

AFTERLIFE PARADE – REBIRTH

(WATERMAIN)

#9

DARYL HALL – LAUGHING DOWN CRYING

(Verve Forecast)

#8

TESLA – Twisted Wires & The Acoustic Sessions…

(Tesla Electric Company Recordings, Inc.)

#7

CHRIS CORNELL – SONGBOOK

(Universal Music)

#6

GREGG ALLMAN – LOW COUNTRY BLUES

(ROUNDER)

#5 (Tie)

SOCIAL DISTORTION – Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes

(Epitaph)

#5 (Tie)

FOO FIGHTERS – WASTING LIGHT

(RCA)

#4

LOS LONELY BOYS – ROCKPANGO

(Playing In Traffic Records / LonelyTone Records)

#3 (Tie)

THE CARS – MOVE LIKE THIS

(Hear Music / Concord Music Group)

#3 (Tie)

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS – I’M WITH YOU

(Warner Bros.)

#2

JOE BONAMASSA – DUST BOWL

(J&R Adventures)

#1

THE TREWS – HOPE & RUIN

(Bumstead Productions Ltd.)

Hope & Ruin took me by surprise in 2011. THE TREWS captured a Rockin’ vibe that made my mood soar anytime I listened to this album. Melodic songs that glisten lyrically and musically, Hope & Ruin can easily become someone’s Rockin’ companion. THE TREWS are that Rock band you need to know about. This band defies the illogical American Rock mainstream press, proving that exquisite and blue-collar Rock music does exist in places other than Billboard or Rolling Stone magazine.

When I listen to Hope & Ruin, I’m not hearing a Rock band that is out to prove themselves. I’m instead hearing a Rock band that created a complete album of songs, which I imagine is straight from their Rock ‘N Roll hearts.

* To read my review on Hope & Ruin, (posted on August 5th, 2011), click on the large header link below:

THE TREWS – “HOPE & RUIN”: A Rock Album of Solid and Memorable Songs

Thank you to all the Rock bands & musicians above! Happy Holidays & Happy New Year To All!

LONG LIVE ROCK.

Stone.

* For more cool “2011 Best Of Lists” of Rock, Hard Rock and Metal, click on the links below and visit these fantastic blogs/websites!

All Metal Resource — http://allmetalresource.com/

Bring Back Glam — http://bringbackglam.squarespace.com/

The Crash Pad of Ray Van Horn, Jr. – http://www.rayvanhornjr2.blogspot.com/

Hair Metal Mansion — http://hairbangersradio.ning.com/

Hard Rock Nights — http://hardrocknights.com

Heavy Metal Addiction — http://heavymetaladdiction.com/

Heavy Metal Time Machine — http://metalmark.blogspot.com/

Imagine Echoes — http://www.imagineechoes.com/

Layla’s Classic Rock — http://laylasclassicrock.blogspot.com/

Metal Excess — http://metalexcess.com/

The Ripple Effect — http://www.ripplemusic.blogspot.com/

Stone.

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