13 – If you’re looking to experience a kick-ass evening of 100% New American Blue Collar Heavy In Your Face Rock… then seeing 13 live at L.A.’s world famous Whiskey A Go Go on January 28th is your Rockin’ ticket! All the details you need are right above… Metal be thy name.
* For more info on 13, click on the links below:
http://www.reverbnation.com/13rocks
LONG LIVE 13.
Stone.
DEF LEPPARD press release from Def Leppard.com: “Def Leppard, Great Britain’s premier Arena Rock band, have announced the release of their first ever live album, “MIRRORBALL”, out this Summer. The live album was recorded across the world over the course of many of the band’s sold-out dates. “Mirrorball” will feature all of the classic songs that have made Def Leppard one of the most respected and beloved Power Rock bands in the world. The release captures the group’s legendary concert experience at it’s thunderous best, bringing together live versions of classic Leppard hits such as “Pour Some Sugar On Me”, “Rock Of Ages”, “Foolin'”, “Hysteria”, “Photograph” and an incredible rendition of “Bringin’ On The Heartbreak”.
With Their creative juices at full flow, the band has also added three new studio tracks: “Undefeated”, “It’s All About Believin'” and “Kings Of The World”, that are undeniably Def Leppard. “Mirrorball” follows the bands 2008 studio release, “SONGS FROM THE SPARKLE LOUNGE”, which debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200, marking the group’s highest chart position since 1992’s “ADRENALIZE”.
In addition to the album, Chronicle Books will be releasing “DEF LEPPARD: THE DEFINITIVE VISUAL HISTORY”, featuring photos of the band by legendary Rock photographer Ross Halfin. His fully authorized visual history of the band follows them from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal to their massive “PYROMANIA” and “HYSTERIA” albums to the sustained power of their records and tours today. The book will be available this June”.
* For more info on DEF LEPPARD, just click here: DEF LEPPARD
LONG LIVE DEF LEPPARD.
Stone.
LYNYRD SKYNYRD – If I’m ever to be proven guilty for something, then my guilt is for the loyalty I have for the bands that I’ve listened to my whole life. Lynyrd Skynyrd is one such band, their Southern Rock/Hard Rock has moved and entertained me through good times and bad. I’m sure many of you out there know what I’m talking about. Therefore, whenever I see a CD for sale that I don’t own, with that classic Lynyrd Skynyrd logo on it… I’m buying.
From the offbeat compilations to the live Extended Versions, I can’t resist picking up some good ol’ Skynyrd. Regardless if I already own the songs on these compilations, Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of those bands that secured my allegiance a long time ago, therefore building a collection of their vinyl and CD’s is fun. Hey, I just recently saw on television a woman who collects finger and toe nails. She then makes little “creatures of art” with them. Yes I did see that. Therefore, collecting the CD offbeats and compilations of Lynyrd Skynyrd is not a bad deal.
All along, the patriotic lyrics and vibes that shine through the songs of Lynyrd Skynyrd is an attribute that I find very special. Being born and living my entire life in America has obviously made me proud to be an American and to love my country. Still, the patriotic nature of this band with their undying love for America should serve as a symbol for anyone out there to love their respective country as well. It’s like that old saying: there’s no place like home.
With regards to lineup changes over the decades that have reshaped Lynyrd Skynyrd’s makeup, past tragedy and death are facts of life and are unavoidably sad. Changes in this Lynyrd Skynyrd family has never compromised their original sound or character. This is an American Band that has prospered on the dedication to their music, acting on what they believe in and forging ahead despite what tragic roadblocks may have stood in their way. This characteristic of Lynyrd Skynyrd alone has made them an inspiration to me… and to countless others that are know as: SKYNYRD NATION.
* SKYNYRD NATION was released on RoadRunner Records/Loud & Proud Records, on January 11, 2011.
Tracks 1 thru 5 are from the 2009 album: God & Guns
01 – Still Unbroken
02 – Skynyrd Nation
03 – Simple Life
04 – That Ain’t My America
05 – Southern Ways
Tracks 6 thru 10 are from the 2010 album: Live From Freedom Hall
* Recorded live at Freedom Hall, Louisville, KY, June 15, 2007
06 – Travelin’ Man (live)
07 – Workin’ (live)
08 – Red White & Blue (live)
09 – Sweet Home Alabama (live)
10 – Free Bird (live)
Gary Rossington – lead guitar
Billy Powell – keyboards
Johnny Van Zant – vocals
Rickey Medlocke – lead guitar
Mark “Sparky” Matejka – guitar
Ean Evans – bass
Michael Cartellone – drums
HONKETTES:
Dale Krantz Rossington – back-up vocals
Carol Chase – back-up vocals
Back on October 2nd, 2009, I posted the review for God & Guns. You can read it by clicking on the cool header link below:
LONG LIVE THE SKYNYRD NATION.
LONG LIVE LYNYRD SKYNYRD.
Rest In Peace, Billy Powell.
Rest In Peace, Ean Evans.
Stone.
DIO – The late, ultra great and infinitely legendary Ronnie James Dio will be celebrated once again, on DIO – At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987. This double live CD, power packed with 25 songs, will be released on November 9th, 2010. This extremely cool DIO double CD will be released on Niji Entertainment Group.
By looking at the track listing, (see below), there is an excellent mix of DIO, Rainbow and Black Sabbath songs on this double live CD! I can no longer pick my favorite band that Ronnie James Dio had fronted… I love each one to the fullest. Each band that Ronnie sang for had their unique style, sound and character… that can never be duplicated. Yes, this DIO release I will be purchasing without a hiccup of uncertainty. Metal be thy name.
* 1983 = DIO – Holy Diver Tour and 1987 = DIO – Dream Evil Tour.
Front Cover:
Back Cover:
Track Listing For DIO – At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987:Disc 1 (1983):
Stand Up And Shout
Straight Through The Heart
Children Of The Sea
Rainbow In The Dark
Holy Diver
Drum Solo
Stargazer
Guitar Solo
Heaven And Hell
Man On The Silver Mountain
Starstruck
Man On The Silver Mountain (Reprise)
Disc 2 (1987):
Dream Evil
Neon Knights
Naked In The Rain
Rock And Roll Children
Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll
The Last In Line
Children Of The Sea
Holy Diver
Heaven And Hell
Man On The Silver Mountain
All The Fools Sailed Away
The Last In Line (Reprise)
Rainbow In The Dark
Stone.
SCORPIONS – There are those certain bands that just seem to feel like they are a part of your family. You know that type of band… for some, it’s The Beatles. For others, The Rolling Stones or maybe Elvis. Actually, I have a semi-long list of bands that feel like family to me… and the Beatles and the Scorpions are on it. The Scorpions are a Heavy Metal Band that I grew up with, followed and purchased their album’s either on cassette, vinyl or CD. One can easily take for granted that a band or particular musician shall live forever and continue to make music and tour. Such is not the case though. (Ronnie James Dio passing away is a reality check that I have learned from). With the Scorpions embarking on their three year farewell tour, the M3 Rock Festival, on June 19th, 2010, in Columbia, Maryland, is one of those many dates this ultra legendary band will be performing live.
As I mentioned in my previous post, (Cinderella), I will be at this M3 Rock Festival, accompanied By Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale. Rob Rockitt from Hard Rock Hideout and Ryo Vie from The Rock and Roll Guru will be attending this event as well and I look forward to catching up with both of them. With the Scorpions headlining, (of course), it will be a day of incredible Metal anticipation for me. I feel very fortunate to be able to witness not just Heavy Metal history once the Scorpions hit the stage that night… it will be Rock Music history too.
Fellow Metalheads know, it isn’t easy to find the mainstream handing out praise or awards to legitimate/credible Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Bands. No sir, not since I can remember. The Scorpions are above any mainstream silly awards or plastic trophies. I truly hope the Scorpions know, that it is their loyal fans, crossing generations, that are the true reward for them… not some silly gold plated phonograph, on a cheap aluminum base, that’s handed out by the corporate Grammy’s.
No corporate minded Rock and Roll Hall of Fame could even grasp, what the Scorpions mean to their fans. Nor could this plastic and turtle neck wearing (bored) board of directors, at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, understand what it means to have a band such as the Scorpions, affect one’s life in such a positive and inspiring way like they have for me. The Scorpions never entered any damned popularity contest, nor did they ever record a Pop single for some watered and dumbed down, corporate Disney soundtrack. Thus, that clownish establishment in Cleveland, Ohio is obviously not interested in enshrining the Scorpions… why should they when there are (gulp) bands like ABBA out there who are more “Rock” worthy? Chuckle, chuckle. Ahem. What the Scorpions have done, spanning decades, is create a sound and style of music that is unique unto them and throughout the Rock world and not to be duplicated by any other band in the slightest. Call it what you like… in the end, it’s Scorpions music. Hard, Heavy, melodic, emotional, influential and memorable.
The Scorpions never sold out or compromised… not to my Metal ears, over the years. And NO, the Scorpions never pranced around Hollywood, rubbing elbows with elitists, lobbying day and night that they are the greatest thing to electrify Metal Music, to gain artificial passage or acceptance into a Hall of Shame. A #1 album? Who gives a rats butt about #1 albums. A wise man once told me… it’s lonely at the top. Consistency and quality, with undeniable integrity in their albums, is what the Scorpions have represented and still do. What this incredible band has done for Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal is realistically, immeasurable. Yes, I am a Scorpions fan… Metal be thy name.
* You can catch up on more Scorpions info by clicking the link below:
* You can find out more about the M3 Rock Festival 2010 by clicking the link below:
* If you have been cool enough to read thus far, you can check out my album review for the new Scorpions album – Sting In The Tail. Just click on the gigantic header below:
LONG LIVE SCORPIONS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!
Stone.
For some reason or another, tonight I had the image of Toy Caldwell in my mind, playing guitar and singing his heart out with “Heard It In A Love Song”“. I just could not seem to shake loose this image or song from my mind, therefore I decided to write about it here. I was very fortunate enough to see Toy Caldwell, live onstage, standing merely feet away from me. Toy Caldwell was touring at the time as a solo act… it did not matter, for Toy Caldwell was The Marshall Tucker Band, in my opinion. The year was 1993, the venue was Andy’s Tavern, Toy Caldwell was jamming out song after song, just months, (if that), before his untimely passing away. Toy Caldwell was vintage that evening, his voice and guitar playing at that moment were bigger than life. I remember staring up at this large man, thinking to myself, this guy is a Southern Rock Legend and he is here… at Andy’s Tavern in good old Terryville, Connecticut.
Man, what a great time everyone had at this show, all of us sandwiched together, with beer soaked work boots and the smell of all things foul in the air. That is what made Andy’s Tavern so darn cool, it was a place where you could catch a famous national/world renowned band in an intimate, blue collar setting, without a sliver of anything upscale. This was a place where you checked in your troubles at the door, walked in, drank beer and had a good time. That’s it. For Toy Caldwell to travel to Terryville, Connecticut and jam out for an evening with a bunch of local fans at such a small venue like Andy’s Tavern, well, that sums up what type of person he was. Forget about stardom getting to Toy Caldwell’s head, he had Southern Rock in his soul to share with everyone that evening. Toy Caldwell is that vocalist, that guitarist and song writer, that you talk about and say… they just don’t make them like that anymore.
What made that evening extra special was the fact, (based on my recollection and interpretation), that Toy Caldwell gave off every hint that he wanted to be there that night and was enjoying himself as much as the fans were. Toy Caldwell’s voice and guitar exemplified just how comfortable he was with all of us at Andy’s Tavern that night. As I look back on it now, Toy was truly in his own backyard at Andy’s Tavern. My wife to be was with me that evening, I had won tickets to this show from a local radio station. We both look back on that great night of Southern Rock, courtesy of Toy Caldwell and his band, our memories only grow more fonder.
Cheap Trick is without question, in my top ten of all time favorite bands. That includes all genres of Rock, Hard Rock and Metal too. This is the one band I so desperately need to see live. I honestly cannot believe I never saw Cheap Trick in concert… after all these years. I feel semi-embarrassed in admitting this. Then again, I would have to be a full time concert goer to actually see every band I dig, there are that many… I am confidently certain I am not alone with that thought. Therefore, what makes for the consolation prize instead of seeing Cheap Trick live, is listening to their double CD “Silver”. (Released June 29, 2004). This double live, Cheap Trick bounty of hits commemorates their 25 plus years as a Rock & Roll original. (Yes, “at Budokan” is a legendary live album from Cheap Trick… I have covered that milestone of an album in an earlier post). “Silver” covers a vast array of Cheap Trick hits, from their deep catalog of albums. This live concert captures Cheap Trick in their Rockin’ spontaneous glory… no over dubbing that I can detect.
The legendary Slash (of Gun’s N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver fame, of course), is a guest star guitarist for the tune “You’re All Talk”. Slash is so recognizable with his guitar sound, it is a Rockin’ treat to hear him jam with Cheap Trick. Robin Zander announces after the song ends, that Slash broke a guitar string while playing the first few notes… you will hear bits and pieces of Robin Zander talking to the concert crowd throughout “Silver”. This is what makes a live album really come to life, when the lead singer has the charisma and charm to acknowledge his surroundings, just as Robin Zander does here. Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins is a guest star guitarist on the tune “Just Got Back”… you can definitely hear the style of Billy Corgan come through on this Rocker of a song. That is two really cool guest guitarists to appear on “Silver”, it is like an added bonus for Hard Rock fans.
Cheap Trick does an unreal cover of the late/great John Lennon classic – “I’m Losin’ You”. Cheap Trick brings this song to Rock & Roll life, Robin Zander’s vocals were tailor made for this Lennon hit. The Beatles “Day Tripper” is yet another Rock & Roll classic that is covered with true Rock reverence by Cheap Trick, in my opinion, a flawless cover. “The Flame”, “Dream Police”, “Surrender”, “Stop This Game”, “That 70’s Song” and “Voices” are all here on “Silver”… never sounding better, a vintage cornucopia of Rock from Cheap Trick. A total of 31 songs are to be enjoyed here on “Silver”, 31 live, Cheap Trick classics! Bun E. Carlos on drums, Robin Zander on lead vocals, Rick Nielsen on guitars and Tom Petersson on bass are at the top of their Rock game during this live concert. I know that Cheap Trick is on tour again this Summer of 2009, from June 23rd through September 6th… with Def Leppard and Poison. (That is a really cool triple bill). Now, I have seen Def Leppard and Poison live in concert over the years… I just need to see Cheap Trick!!!
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
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