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SKAM – Release New Single ‘Do It Again’ And Announce Remastered Album ‘Intravenous’

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on February 27, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Do It Again is a previously unreleased track by UK rock band SKAM and is officially out now through X-Ray Records/Golden Robot Records.

Originally recorded during the sessions for Intravenous in 2021, the song is a love letter to the UK rock scene and the music that inspired the boys to pick up their instruments. Firmly inspired by the classic rock sound, the track uses this as a template while still having the stadium chorus and power riffs that fans have come to expect from the Leicester rockers. 

Due to release March 3, Intravenous is the culmination of SKAM’s 2-part anthology, making up their 4th full length release. The album consists of both earlier released EPs –Intra and Venous, and has been re-mastered by Ade Emsley, known for his work mastering for Iron Maiden and other great bands.

Watch the music video for ‘Do It Again’ HERE

Stream/buy ‘Do It Again’ HERE

The album is inspired by modern day struggles and each song focuses on a negative human trait but sends the message that in any situation, there is always hope. Having honed their craft, the lads have gone back to basics and put together a collection of hard-hitting tracks. 

“Lyrically, the songs follow the same theme of human conditions and experiences. We have really tried to push the envelope of the SKAM sound on this one and there is something there for fans both old and new. You will hear hard hitting bangers typical of the sound SKAM are famous for, but also some curve balls in the form of a power ballad and a 90s style grunge track!” – Steve Hill (vocalist/guitarist)

The track listing will run in ‘album order’ as the band believes it should run when put together, and the release will include the previously unreleased track ‘Do It Again’

Pre-order/add/save Intravenous HERE

ABOUT SKAM: Formed in 2011, SKAM are a hard rock power trio band from the middle of England. They have a reputation for delivering no nonsense, gutsy, classic sounding British rock music. Over the last 9 years, the band have worked tirelessly to build a solid following in the UK. Now, they are considered to be at the forefront of the ‘New Wave of Classic Rock’ movement that is currently sweeping the nation.

To date, SKAM have independently released 3 albums, It’s Come to This (2011), Peacemaker (2014) and The Amazing Memoirs of Geoffrey Goddard (2017). With these releases, they established themselves as a live force to be reckoned with. The band have hit the road with The Answer, Airbourne, Skindred, The Quireboys, and GUN, to name just a few formidable live acts.

Their single ‘Take it Or Leave it’ was voted as ‘track of the week’ by Classic Rock Magazine and has since been included on Earache Records’ ‘New Wave of Rock N Roll’ compilation vinyl. Their recent EP Intra hit the UK Rock Chart at # 6!

SKAM don’t write songs to a formula, but as rock fans trying to capture what they would want to hear.

Source: Golden Robot Records

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Wanna See My MISFITS Crimson Ghost Wall Clock? It’s Very Cool…

Posted in Hard Rock, Music, music news, news, punk, Punk rock, world news with tags , , , , on September 22, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

misfits-clock-mo33-ilmfso7733-2016

That’s it above, my MISFITS Crimson Ghost wall clock! Whoa! Not too shabby, huh? I received this very cool MISFITS wall clock as a Christmas present from my family, several years ago. It’s battery operated, made of glass and keeps accurate time too. Dig it.

Since the MISFITS are in the news lately with their two huge reunion concerts, I decided what better time than now to share this with my fellow Metal Odyssey brethren. Thanks for looking and Metal Be Thy Name.

___________________________

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE MISFITS.

Stone.

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On This Day In METAL History – December 5th… From LITTLE RICHARD To SCORPIONS

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , on December 5, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Little Richard - Good Golly Miss Molly - promo 45rpm cover pic - 2015 - #MOLR33MN

On December 5th, 1932 – Rock ‘N Roll icon Little Richard was born in Macon, Georgia. Long live Little Richard!

Goo Goo Dolls - John Rzeznik - November - 2015 - 3MO33NSF

On December 5th, 1965 – John Rzeznik was born in Buffalo, New York. John is the lead singer, guitarist and producer for the very famous: Goo Goo Dolls. Above photo credit: Goo Goo Dolls Facebook.

Badfinger - No Matter What - promo single - 45rpm cover sleeve - #1970BF

On December 5th, 1970 – Badfinger peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with their memorable hit: No Matter What. This was their second top ten single in the United States.

Scorpions - Savage Amusement World Tour - program promo pic - 1988 - #MO333NSF9969

On December 5th, 1988 – The legendary SCORPIONS performed at Stadionsporthalle in Hanover, Germany. This was their Savage Amusement Tour. SCORPIONS FOREVER!

Scorpions - Crazy World Tour Live - promo DVD cover pic - #MO33SMNSF

On December 5th, 1991 – The incredible SCORPIONS performed at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. This was a concert on the their Crazy World Tour. Whoa!

______________________________

Stone - November - 2015 - #MO133 - Metal Odyssey

LONG LIVE SCORPIONS.

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

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Some Metal and Rock ‘N Roll Thoughts – Sunday, May 20th, 2012

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on May 20, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

As this weekend embarks on its second half, the yearning for 36 hour days never seems to wane for me. I always feel like I’m catching up on stuff; from yard work, paperwork and paying bills to new Metal album releases. I’m forever guilty of ignoring that golden rule: Don’t sweat the little things. Still, at the beginning and end of every 24 hour day, I am still grateful to be alive!

To anyone who has been kind enough to take the moment from their busy day and visit Metal Odyssey, here are a few Metal and Rock ‘N Roll thoughts that I want to share:

SAXON – This tuesday (May 22nd), in North America, the 2 CD/1 DVD set titled Heavy Metal Thunder – Live – Eagles Over Wacken gets released. I’ll be putting this Saxon release on my Metal want list, there’s no doubt. The price isn’t cheap, then again, there are 2 CD’s and a DVD involved here. Who knows, maybe I’ll find this cool Saxon set sometime in 2017… at an open-air flea market… for 3 dollars.

BLACK SABBATH – As the family feud continues to unfold in the Black Sabbath camp, the latest news is so immature that it’s beyond shocking. Apparently, as its been reported everywhere: vintage and/or recent band photos of Black Sabbath have been placed on the official Black Sabbath website… with Bill Ward cropped out of them! Metal be thy name!

* UPDATE – I guess it’s now being reported, as of mid-day on May 20th, that Bill Ward requested to have his image cropped out of any Black Sabbath group photos, which are shown on the Black Sabbath official website. Whatever. Who cares at this point. This is why I usually don’t write about any band’s soap opera moments. From here on in, I won’t cover any more related news regarding this Black Sabbath story. That’s it. I’m a fan who is fed up. Life is too damn short for me to worry about this nonsense.

Maybe Black Sabbath should just change their band name altogether now? Without Bill Ward, it’s no longer the original Black Sabbath. To assist the Black Sabbath camp in moving forward, here are several sincere and free band name suggestions from Stone:

1. – The Ozzy Trio

2. – Sharon Calls The Shots

3. – Sharon Knows Best

4. – The Osbourne Way

5. – Ozzy & His Band

6. – No Contract For You!

7. – Bill Who?

________________________________

Is it just me or are the following two album covers kinda similar? Same artist? I don’t know. Same idea? Looks like it. Both layouts are basically identical too. Weird how this sometimes happens. I’ll also add that the Running Wild album cover has a chunk of Voivod influence with the artwork.

Honestly, I’m not that impressed with either of the album cover art below. This is what I used to see being done in my high school graphic arts class… back in 1983. I used to sit through many critiques in art class while in college, so believe me, I know how proud artists can be about their work. I was always proud of my art, regardless the degree of difficulty. However, these two album covers below were not that difficult to create.

Death By Stereo – Black Sheep Of The American Dream

Running Wild – Shadowmaker

________________________________

Okay! That’s it! My Metal and Rock ‘N Roll Thoughts for Sunday, May 20th, have come to a close. I really hope you’ve enjoyed your visit to Metal Odyssey and will come again… and again. Leave a comment! The more comments that are made, the less likelihood that my boss will crop me out of his photographs! Make the most of your day today and watch out for parking lot speed bumps.

___________________________________________

METAL BE THY NAME.

LONG LIVE METAL & ROCK ‘N ROLL.

Stone.

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DISASTROID – Bay Area Band To Check Out; Cause They Flat-Out ROCK!

Posted in grunge, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on May 9, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

DISASTROID – Recently, Studio SQ shared an independent band with me and their called: DISASTROID. Whoa. Very, very cool name for a band of any Rock genre. To make the situation even better, the music of DISASTROID is very, very cool too. Very cool. Damn cool. Cool as hell. In other Metal words, Stone digs the two songs I’ve been listening to from DISASTROID.

DISASTROID are from The Bay Area (California) and can easily be tagged as Stoner and Hard Rock Rock meets Grunge. However, there are many musical influences happening within the sound from this band; Even a hint of Punk vibe seem to weave its way about in both songs: Low and Money and Guilt. At the end of the day, it’s Rock ‘N Roll, it’s heavy and damn fun to hear.

I really appreciate the “free spirit” style that DISASTROID exhibits musically. This band plays loose while still coming across as a tight unit. Both songs are obviously produced quite well, while still maintaining a fun “garage-style” atmosphere; which seems to be missing too often in the world of Rock today. The vocals of Enver Koneya remind me of the super legendary Chris Cornell. Regardless, Enver still comes across as original to my ears.

Fans of Queens of the Stone Age to fans of Army Of Anyone, with all other fans in-between and on the side, should get a Rockin’ kick from the memorable Rock ‘N Roll DISASTROID has created.

Below the live group shot, there are 2 links for 2 songs; which will give you a taste for what the Heavy Rock ‘N Roll of  DISASTROID sounds like. Don’t hesitate! Click them cool links, listen to some DISASTROID and leave a comment about what you’ve heard! Your Metal voice counts, here at Metal Odyssey!

“Low” – http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14759375/Virb/artists/Disastroid/Low.mp3

“Money and Guilt” – http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14759375/Virb/artists/Disastroid/MoneyAndGuilt.mp3

DISASTROID – Official Press Release:

DISASTROID – From time to time one stumbles on a record that simply kicks ass. Disastroid’s upcoming LP “Money and Guilt” is no exception. This rock epic takes the listener on a ride through a minefield of tempo changes, metric modulation, and other surprises that turn your guts. By and large it employs the best that rock has to offer while showcasing refined musicianship and purpose.

Huge guitar tone, heavy riffs, driving rhythms, and melodic vocals are the salient components of Disastroid’s music. While their sound can be reminiscent to some of the heroes of 90’s rock (Melvins, Rollins Band, Jesus Lizard, Soundgarden, etc.), the band has a hard time labeling their work. As frontman Enver Koneya points out “We have no real formula… we just make music that pleases ourselves. It just so happens that others like the sound as well.”

Enver assembled Disastroid in San Francisco from spare parts he found on Craigslist. After recording an EP on his own, Travis Williams jumped on board taking over the bass chair. Travis has had great influence on the direction of the group and over the past three years he and Enver have prolifically written and recorded three albums, most recently with Braden McGaw on drums.

Since their inception Disatroid has been busy. In addition to recording the group has been gaining fans steadily as they perform along the west coast. They’ve also managed to amass a devoted following in their home base of San Francisco, a city which tends to be oriented toward the clinically critical and the cynically hipster.

They were recently featured in Thrasher Magazine and have accumulated tons of local and national attention. On Disastroid’s horizon is a tour to the Pacific Northwest to support their release of “Money and Guilt”.

______________________________________________________

(Source: Studio SQ)

* For more info & tour dates for DISASTROID, click on the link below!

http://disastroid-music.blogspot.com/

LONG LIVE DISASTROID.

Stone.

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Davy Jones – Rest In Peace

Posted in classic rock, pop culture, pop music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on February 29, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

The Monkees – from back to front: Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Davy Jones.

DAVY JONES – It’s been widely reported, from numerous reputable sources, that Davy Jones has passed away today. Davy Jones was 66 years old. As is being reported, Davy Jones succumbed to a massive heart attack, in Indiantown, Florida.

Davy Jones was catapulted into stardom as a vocalist, tambourine player and television actor for The Monkees. This Pop Rock sensation of a band formed back in 1966, went on to sell multi-millions of records, while having their likeness on everything from bubble gum cards to lunch boxes.

I remember watching The Monkees television show (re-runs especially) when I was a young lad. It was a favorite of mine to watch with my sister. Those songs The Monkees played on their television show grabbed my attention at such a young age… and Davy Jones with his mannerisms and comments made me laugh too. There wasn’t a Disney Channel nor Nickelodeon back in those late 60’s or seventies, instead, we had television shows like The Monkees.

Different times decades ago, compared to today. Davy Jones entertained me on that old black and white television set my family shared. I was exposed to those fun songs from The Monkees before I ever knew about Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Yes, I grew up watching and listening to Davy Jones and The Monkees. There’s no lying about that on my part.

__________________________________________________________

(Source: USA TODAY.com)

(Photo: The Monkees/self-titled, Colgems Records & RCA Records – 1966)

Rest In Peace, Davy Jones.

December 30, 1945 – February 29, 2012

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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Jingle All The Way (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – A Christmas CD Recommendation

Posted in christmas, christmas rock albums, christmas songs, holidays, movie soundtracks, movies, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on December 19, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Jingle All The Way – Last Friday I patrolled the CD aisles at my local Super Walmart and found: Jingle All The Way (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). I bought it for a very decent price of $5 (U.S.). Super Walmart seems to have hundreds of very cool CD’s for sale at the $5 price point. There may even be more than hundreds, there’s that many at this particular location.

I never knew this soundtrack existed. Heck, I’m not a Christmas motion picture soundtrack expert! I am an expert at eating Lay’s potato chips lately though and that has to stop. Um, yeah. The front cover to this CD shows the two stars of Jingle All The Way: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad. Both the movie and CD was released back in November of 1996.

This CD was released on TVT Soundtrax. This movie, (in case you haven’t seen it), is an action-comedy, released by 20th Century Fox. I’ve always enjoyed catching this movie when it airs on one of the 150,777 cable networks out there. I’ve always appreciated the funny side of “The Governator” too. The dude just makes me laugh when he does comedy. Sinbad is a comedy legend, hands down.

The Brian Seitzer Orchestra is featured with 4 songs. The Brian Seitzer Orchestra is very cool in Stone’s world, by the way. Brian Seitzer should be inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame too, only we all know how that “institution” goes. Um, yeah. My favorite all-time Christmas song is featured on Jingle All The Way as well: Chuck Berry – Run Rudolph Run. Chuck Berry is an ultra Rock ‘N Roll icon. ‘Nuff said.

The ever popular Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms and The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year by Johnny Mathis are among the 12 songs. If I had to count the number of times I’ve heard this Johnny Mathis Christmas classic, while I’ve been shopping during the holiday season, my guesstimate would be: 1,650,444 times. Give or take about 55,000. I still kinda dig the song too. Metal be thy name.

If you dig Christmas movie soundtracks, love Christmas songs or need to have every CD that features Sinbad on its front cover, then Jingle All The Way is a semi-mandatory recommendation from Stone.

Alright. Since some of you are already asking, here is the complete track list for Jingle All The Way:

Jingle Bells – The Brian Seitzer Orchestra

So They Say It’s Christmas – Lou Rawls with The Brian Seitzer Orchestra

Sleigh Ride – Darlene Love with The Brian Seitzer Orchestra

Run Rudolph Run – Chuck Berry

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year – Johnny Mathis

Merry Christmas Baby – Charles Brown

Back Door Santa – Clarence Carter

The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole

Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms

* Father and Son – David Newman

* Finale – David Newman

** Deep In The Heart Of Xmas – Darlene Love with The Brian Seitzer Orchestra

* Original Motion Picture Score Composed and Produced by David Newman

** Bonus Track

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year.

Stone.

1 Comment »

X Announces “Xmas Rock N Roll Revival”! Joins Pearl Jam On South American Tour This November

Posted in metal odyssey, Punk rock, punk rock bands, punk rock music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on September 14, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

(Photo Credit: Frank Gargani)

FALL U.S. LOS ANGELES TOUR CELEBRATES 31ST ANNIVERSARY OF CLASSIC ALBUM LOS ANGELES

Will Also Screen the Rock-umentary X: The Unheard Music At Select U.S. Shows

(Los Angeles, CA – September 13, 2011) – The perennial L.A. punk-rockers, X, announce plans for their annual holiday run of shows this December. Billed as the “Xmas Rock n Roll Revival” the original four X band members will be joined by the gospel duo, Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss, and Rock N Roll rebels, The Black Tibetans, for the December 9 start of the tour in Phoenix AZ, winding up in San Francisco on New Year’s Eve.

As previously announced, X will join Pearl Jam as special guests on their South American tour this November, visiting various parts of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica and Mexico City for the first time.  Just prior to the South American tour, X will take to the road in September for a series of dates across the U.S. on a special Los Angeles Tour.  Starting off in Philadelphia at Riot Fest East on September 24th, the band will rock their way to New Orleans for VooDoo Fest on October 29th, before heading to South America.

This year X celebrates the 31st Anniversary of the legendary album, Los Angeles, one that not only defined their career, but an entire musical genre as well. The band will also be celebrating the 26th Anniversary of the rock-umentary, X: The Unheard Music. Throughout the September/October dates only, the film, recently included in the prestigious Sundance Film Institute Independent film archives, will run in its entirety on screen before the band hits the stage to perform, track by track, the Los Angeles album.

X band members continue to keep busy in the off-time.  John Doe’s new album Keeper, his first solo album since the 2007 acclaimed A Year in the Wilderness, was released August 30 on Yep Roc Records. Meanwhile, Exene released her latest solo album, The Excitement of Maybe, this past spring and has guested on a number of albums. Exene has also performed many solo shows, made live guest appearances and has been featured in art exhibits. While DJ continues to play with the Syncopators and his other band, The Stripminers (featuring Brett Anderson of the Donna’s and Paul Stinson of The Radishes among others), Billy Zoom continues work at his custom amp shop and studio.

The L.A. punk scene in the late 70s saw its share of greatness, but few acts as talented as the now world-class, live, rock & roll band X. Their 2008 “13-31” Tour across the U.S. was really something special, celebrating the band’s 31st anniversary. 2009 shaped up to be just as amazing for the veteran rockers, with appearances at SXSW and Coachella Festivals, along with their own “X – TRL” Tour, where fans were able to help select each night’s set list.  2010 saw Ray Manzarek of The Doors fame and producer of the band’s first four records join them on stage in San Francisco for two very special performances of the Album Los Angeles.

The original line-up of X is: John Doe, Exene, Billy Zoom, and D.J. Bonebrake.

(Source: MAD Ink, PR)

LONG LIVE X.

Stone.

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Clarence Clemons – Rest In Peace

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock and roll news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on June 19, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Clarence Clemons – It’s a sad feeling in the world of Rock and Roll for the legendary saxophonist Clarence Clemons has passed away on Saturday, June 18th, 2011, at the age of 69. Clarence suffered a stroke on Sunday, June 12th. Forever loved for his saxophone talents with The E Street Band and Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Clarence released several successful solo albums as well. Clarence Clemons also played saxophone for Gary U.S. Bonds and Ringo Starr And His All-Star Band. Clarence was also an accomplished vocalist and percussionist.

Metal Odyssey extends condolences to the family, friends, bandmates and fans of Clarence Clemons.

* Top album cover photo: Clarence Clemons And The Red Bank Robbers – Rescue (1983 – Tristar).

Rest In Peace, Clarence Clemons.

1942 – 2011

Stone.

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Rock And Roll Plus Food = One Big Unnecessary List

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, lists, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 7, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Rock And Roll Plus Food – When I sift through my music collection or go online to look at what’s around for tunes, I always get the biggest kick out of bands, albums and songs that are named after food. Sometimes I’ll find a musician that has a food name too, as you’ll see below. In essence, this is really one unnecessary list I’ve compiled here. Regardless, there are times in life when I feel the need to accomplish unnecessary tasks. Feel free to comment any other songs, albums, bands or musicians that have food names… if you feel it is as unnecessary as I do.

The Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers (1971)

Okay, so the Rock Classic Brown Sugar is on this vintage Stones album. I realize brown sugar is not an exact food, however, you can still digest it and it is an ingredient. Isn’t this what the song is really about anyways? Eating brown sugar from Aunt Mabels pantry?

Bee Gee’s – Cucumber Castle (1970)

Whoa! I’ve never been to Cucumber Castle before! Do they serve cucumbers there? Is this castle shaped like a gigantic cucumber? Is there a “pickled cucumber castle” as well?

limp bizkit – chocolate starfish and the hot dog flavored water (2000)

Um… I’ll pass on the chocolate starfish. I’ll especially pass on the hot dog flavored water. Sounds much too gassy.

David Hamburger – plays blues, ballads & a pop song (2008)

David Hamburger. Could there be, by process of elimination, a person out there with the last name of “hot dog”? Plus, could you imagine, if a Hamburger married a hot dog! Man, what would the children look like?

Vanilla Fudge – out through the in door (2007)

Vanilla Fudge ROCKS. Why? Cause the legendary Carmine Appice plays drums and sings for Vanilla Fudge… that’s why. Anyhow, vanilla fudge is something we can eat and listen to at the same time. Metal be thy name.

Zac Brown Band – The Foundation (2008)

On this particular Zac Brown album, apparently there is some “chicken fever” going on. Two songs have “chicken” in their respective title. They are: Chicken Fried and Sic ‘Em On A Chicken.

David Lee Roth – Skyscraper (1988)

Skyscraper is a very good David Lee Roth album, in case you never gave it a listen. I remember partying to this album like there was no tomorrow. Okay, the food song on Skyscraper is: Hot Dog and a Shake. Just think about it for a Metal second… it can’t possibly be that easy to write a song about a hot dog and a shake. Regardless, David Lee Roth and Steve Vai were able to.

Soul Asylum – Clam Dip & Other Delights EP (1989)

Um, I’ll eat the Clam Dip only I’ll pass over on the “other delights” thank you.

Jimmy Buffet – Son of a Son of a Sailor (1978)

C’mon. If you’ve never sang along to Cheeseburger in Paradise while two sheets to the wind, you’re either lying or destined to do so.

Van Halen – Van Halen (1978)

Vintage Van Halen here. This album started it all for this beyond legendary band. The food song heard on Van Halen’s debut is: Ice Cream Man. I always felt is was so cool, that Van Halen acknowledged a hardworking Summertime dude… like the ice cream man.

* That concludes this One Big Unnecessary List on Rock And Roll Plus Food. Thank you for stopping by and please come back again.

LONG LIVE FOOD.

LONG LIVE ROCK.

LONG LIVE HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL.

Stone.

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Phil Campbell of Motörhead – Happy Birthday From Metal Odyssey!

Posted in celebrity birthdays, classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock and roll birthdays, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 7, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

(Overnight Sensation/1996 – L to R: Phil, Lemmy & Mikkey)

PHIL CAMPBELL – Happy Birthday Phil Campbell! On May 7th, 2011, legendary guitarist Phil Campbell turns a stellar 50! Since 1984, Phil Campbell has been the guitarist for the world’s greatest, fastest and most persevering Rock ‘n’ Roll band known as: Motörhead. Thank you Phil for all the enormous Rock ‘n’ Roll you’ve created!

Phil was hired by Motörhead founder and ultra-legendary Lemmy Kilmister back in 1984. Former Motörhead guitarist Würzel was also hired at the same time. With the trio of Lemmy (bass & vocals), Mikkey Dee (drums) and Phil, Motörhead continue to be the lean, mean, Rock ‘n’ Roll machine in 2011 with NO end in sight!

Phil Campbell Rock ‘n’ Roll Facts:

* Phil Campbell formed the Heavy Metal band Persian Risk back in 1979, in Cardiff, Wales.

* Phil Campbell first appeared on the Motörhead compilation album No Remorse, which was released back in 1984 on Bronze Records. The songs on No Remorse (vinyl/LP version) which Phil Campbell played guitar on: Killed By Death, Snaggletooth, Steal Your Face and Locomotive.  Phil Campbell played guitar for two versions of Under The Knife, found on the No Remorse double CD as bonus tracks.

* Phil Campbell has played guitar on 14 Motörhead studio albums, the first being Orgasmatron from 1986 and the most recent being The Wörld Is Yours released in December of 2010.

* For more info on Motörhead, click here: Motörhead

Long Live Phil Campbell.

Long Live Motörhead.

Stone.

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VOLBEAT UPDATE! Plus Info On Ticket Giveaways and More VOLBEAT!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, rockabilly with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on March 25, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Danish rockers Volbeat kicked off their first U.S. headlining tour Thursday night, March 23rd at Irving Plaza in NYC… with a BANG! The sold out crowd sang every word, while Volbeat rocked out with their signature blend of Hard Rock meets Metal meets Rockabilly. I think Metallica’s James Hatfield put it best, calling it “Some kind of Elvis Metal.”

Volbeat has clearly invaded the U.S. Metal scene. Don’t have tickets for your city? Be on the lookout: for each U.S. tour date, Volbeat will be posting a status update on their Facebook page where fans can enter to win tickets to that night’s show. While fans are on Volbeat’s Facebook page, they can also access the “Poll” tab to pick which song from Beyond Hell/ Above Heaven they want played that night.

Volbeat’s latest album, Beyond Hell/ Above Heaven debuted at #1 across Europe, reached #1 on CMJ’s Loud Rock chart, debuted in the top 10 on the iTunes Rock chart and was #5 on Revolver Magazine’s best albums of 2010 list.

Volbeat will also be performing at Revolver’s Golden God Awards, where they are nominated for Album of the Year.

Check out the video for “Fallen” here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBaVlDIMKCU&feature=channel_video_title

http://www.vevo.com/watch/volbeat/fallen/DKNE11099901

Check out Volbeat on:

Facebook

Twitter

Beyond Hell / Above Heaven is available on iTunes | Amazon

LONG LIVE VOLBEAT.

Stone.

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Misfits Records Updates Fiends On Safety and Welfare of Balzac and Their Families In Japan

Posted in horror punk, horror punk rock bands, japan, metal odyssey, Music, Punk rock, punk rock bands, punk rock music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on March 16, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

NEWS FROM JAPAN – “Misfits Records would like to update fiends everywhere regarding the safety and welfare of the members of Balzac and their families, in the wake of the terrible events unfolding in Japan. We’re happy to report that thankfully, the entire band, Hirosuke, Atsushi, Akio and Takayuki as well as their families and friends, are safe and unharmed. Balzac extends great thanks to everyone who is thinking of them”.

A message from Hirosuke:

“This time, in the East, especially in the Tohoku area, it has become a massive disaster. Tokyo has also become quite chaotic. When something like this affects Tokyo, it has great effect on all of Japan. At the moment, the Fukushima Nuclear Reactor has become a very large worry. Even though we are living in the West of the country, many of us are also affected by the disaster. It will take time to overcome everything that has happened, but all Japanese citizens are working hard and cooperating to reconstruct Japan.”

(Source: Official Misfits Records Newsletter, March 16, 2011)

* For more info on BALZAC, click the link below:

BALZAC – myspace music

* Metal Odyssey reminds those who want to help out our great friends in Japan, to click on the link below for assistance:

http://www.google.com/intl/en/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html

LONG LIVE THE MISFITS.

LONG LIVE BALZAC.

LONG LIVE JAPAN.

Stone.

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Metal Odyssey Celebrates Two Year Anniversary!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on March 1, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

METAL ODYSSEY – Back on March 1st, 2009, I started this Metal Odyssey – Heavy Metal Music Blog. As days, weeks and months passed by, I realized that Classic Rock, Punk Rock, Rock, Hard Rock and even Folk Rock were being consumed by my ears all of my life as well. It’s the Rock classics of yesteryear that made me the Metalhead I am today anyways! With so many Rock genres crossing my Metal path, I began to write album reviews and commentary about them. So, a union of Rock ‘n’ Roll sort of happened within a two year period on Metal Odyssey. My first love is Metal, yet I’m a bona fide Rockaholic. If it Rocks, I’m listening and blabbing… regardless of genre.

* I chose to show the album cover for Slayer’s Show No Mercy at the top of this post for one simple reason: this album represents my coming of Metal age as a young lad… when the bands I began to follow were no longer available at my Caldor department store!

Without making a huge list of names, I want to say THANK YOU:

* To all the visitors and subscribers to Metal Odyssey. Without you Rockin’ guys and gals, there would be no reason to even have this blog! Really. Sure, I enjoy writing about music… only it is extremely more enjoyable knowing that my “stuff” is actually being read by others who either agree or disagree with me. I thank all the visitors and fellow Metalheads for their comments!

* To all the bands and musicians who I’ve interviewed and/or became friends with during the past two years. It’s Rockin’ guys and gals like you, who’ve inspired me to listen better and write all the more about Metal and Rock ‘n’ Roll.

* To all my peer Rock, Hard Rock and Metal bloggers out there. Many I have become Metal buddies with and I can’t describe just how cool that makes me feel! Rob Rockitt at HARD ROCK HIDEOUT, Kinger at Demolish Fanzine – 1980’s Heavy Metal Revival and Metal Mark at Heavy Metal Time Machine… thank you for listening to my whining and helping me out as often as you do. Gee Metal whiz you guys ROCK.

* To all the incredibly cool PR guys and gals who have been instrumental in helping Metal Odyssey have the Metal muscle to deliver the Metal goods! Metal be thy name.

* A special thank you to my wife and Scott Coverdale for their support! Coverdale’s Metal research is a splendid thing and he is embarking on being a contributing writer for Metal Odyssey too!

* Anyone that I forgot to thank… THANK YOU!

* To read the very first post I ever wrote for Metal Odyssey, just click that big header link below. When I read it now I get embarrassed.

HEAVY METAL & HARD ROCK RULES.

LONG LIVE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL.

LONG LIVE METAL.

The word “splendid” was used in this post.

Stone.

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Motörhead “Icon” Compilation CD – Made My Metal Day!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, life, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on February 23, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Motörhead – This is how my Metal story went: You see, I was feeling rather chipper due to my receiving a “clean bill O’ health” from my doctor on Tuesday, February 22nd. Therefore, when Stone feels good about being healthy, well, that’s cause for celebration. What did I do you query? I drove to my nearby Target “Greatland” store and parked my car. There is something about going to Target that makes me feel like things are cool in Stone’s land. It’s called living on the edge. (chuckle). I can’t understand it, I just go with it. Upon sitting there in this Target parking lot, I wondered what the hell was I suppose to be buying anyways? I guess I’d find something I figured to myself.

Once I was in the store, I walked over to the household cleaning supplies aisle and grabbed a couple packages of those all-purpose cleaning wipes. Then I grabbed a jumbo package of those anti-bacterial handi-wipes too… with kids and a cat, they really do come in handi, um, I mean handy. Well, by now you are probably wondering what the hell handi-wipes, all-purpose cleaning wipes and Target has to do with this Motörhead Icon compilation CD huh? As anyone who listens to Hard Rock or Metal Music knows, the CD selection at Target simply stinks like camel feces on a humid day. However… there are those rare moments… when a cool CD can be found at Target. This Tuesday trip to Target was just that moment.

While browsing the CD’s, from the corner of my eye, I saw that vintage Motörhead logo and Snaggletooth. The CD that jumped out at me was actually a black and white cover of the 1977 debut/self-titled Motörhead album. As it turned out, this Motörhead CD is a compilation or greatest hits (take your pick) of this incredibly legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll band. Apparently, Sanctuary Records has released an assortment of Classic Rock and Heavy Metal bands through their Icon series of compilations last year and Motörhead is one of them. I’ve seen Icon compilations of Styx, KISS and Rush recently for sale on the retail level, only this was the first time I found Motörhead!

Yes, I own every song that is on this Motörhead compilation already, so have I wasted my money? Simply put… nope. I just could not resist the urge to buy this CD today. It’s F’n Motörhead. The vintage CD artwork and back cover photo of Lemmy, “Fast” Eddie Clarke and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor were motivating factors for me to make the purchase, plus being a Motörhead fan and Metal music hoarder does help. This is about having 12 Motörhead classics on one CD, with eye candy artwork, that I can grab when I’m on the move… I can slap this CD into my car stereo and have instant Motörhead gratification!

On a personal Metal level, I’m psyched that I made it through a doctor’s appointment and psyched that I bought this Motörhead CD on the same day. I guess there was a legitimate purchase for me to get on this Target trip afterall… and it was Motörhead. Metal be thy name.

Sure, there a dozens, perhaps hundreds of Motörhead compilations out there. I’m sure it was no easy task, choosing the best songs from this Rock historical band’s vast catalog, to be on this CD. My favorite song on this Icon compilation is Killed By Death. If it were up to me, I’d have chosen One Track Mind (from Motörhead’s 1983 album – Another Perfect Day) to be on this compilation as well. The track listing is shown on this Motörhead CD cover photo, at the top of this post. The type may be too tiny or fuzzed out to read, so here is the track listing below to help out us elder Metalheads:

Iron Fist

(We Are) The Roadcrew

Ace Of Spades

Louie Louie

Eat The Rich

Motörhead (Live)

Bomber

Rock ‘N’ Roll

Damage Case

Dead Men Tell No Tales

Killed By Death

Overkill

Long Live Motörhead.

Stone.

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RAINBOW “Power” – Dedicated To My Dad and Cousin Mike

Posted in classic rock, family, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , on February 17, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Right now, the best way I can speak about how I feel is through the music I love. Recently, my Dad has had his setbacks with his health. My cousin Mike has had a serious health setback as well in recent days. I love them both and dedicate Rainbow’s incredible song Power to both of them. Regardless of what faith you may hold in your heart, regardless if you believe or don’t believe in God, please cheer these two amazing dudes on for Stone. They can both use some Power right about now.

LONG LIVE MY DAD.

LONG LIVE MY COUSIN MIKE.

Stone.

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Some Music Suggestions For a Hard Rockin’ and Headbangin’ Valentines Day!

Posted in classic rock, Hair Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, holidays, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 14, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

What would Valentines Day be without some KISS – Lick It Up?

Happy Valentines Day to all! Even if you despise Valentines Day, Metal Odyssey is still wishing you a terrific day. To make your Valentines Day all the more enjoyable, here are some helpful music listening suggestions that kinda goes with the Valentines Day flow… I think you’ll see and hear what I mean! Enjoy these suggestions… and if you don’t like ’em, just don’t seek ’em out and listen to ’em. It’s that easy!

Just the name alone is good enough with Ann and Nancy Wilson’s band! I LOVE Heart. As a bonus, their 1978 studio album Magazine has a 100% pure Classic Rock song titled: Heartless. Oh, by the way, Heart should be inducted into that, um, Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. Did I say I LOVE Heart?

Hey, it’s KISS again! C’mon, just their name alone is associated with that four letter word we know as… love. This 1977 album is titled Love Gun for Metal sakes too! Just listen to these Klassic KISS songs on Love Gun and you might be falling in love all over again while your banging thy head: Love Gun, I Stole Your Love, Got Love For Sale and Then She Kissed Me. I’ll let all your minds wander with Plaster Caster.

A Classic Rock album that bumps and thumps and never loses that Texas groovin’ boogie beat! ZZ Top released Eliminator back in 1983 and it has never lost it’s Rock ‘n’ Roll luster with Stone. You might not want to give your Valentine any TV Dinners, just become a Sharp Dressed Man and take your gal out somewhere nice. At the end of the night ask her: Gimme All Your Lovin.

Lita Ford has made some lovin’ filled songs throughout her legendary Heavy Metal career. Her 1988 self-titled and third studio album boasts some songs that are sure to spark some Valentines Day thoughts… no matter how melancholy or gray they may be. Kiss Me Deadly, Can’t Catch Me, Falling In and Out of Love and Fatal Passion are all on this Lita album.

To say this 1990 debut and self-titled album from Steelheart is love infested is a Metal understatement. Just take a Metal listen to these songs on this album and you might get all soft inside while you try to bang thy head: Love Ain’t Easy, Can’t Stop Me Lovin’ You, I’ll Never Let You Go and Everybody Loves Eileen. Gee Metal whiz… I’m getting all soft inside while I write these songs down. I really like this band and album too.

Yes, Rainbow. This band for all intents and Metal purposes ROCKED my world then… and they ROCK my world now. The Very Best Of Rainbow was released back in 1997 and has one of many classics they created – Jealous Lover. Joe Lynn Turner is the vocalist on Jealous Lover. I swear I can listen to this song 100 times in a row and still want to listen to it 100 times more. Did I say Ritchie Blackmore rules?

Bullet For My Valentine. This band is HUGE in Stone’s Metal world. Scream Aim Fire is the second studio album from this Welsh Metal Band and it is worth owning if you like your Metal laced with melodic heaviness. This is an album of SONGS… and one of these fabulous songs is: Hearts Burst Into Fire. Whoa, this song is very, very, incredibly memorable to my Metal mind. I always tell myself that I sing this song really cool. No, I won’t sing it for you.

This list would be useless without the late and ultra-legendary Ronnie James Dio being on it. Holy Diver was released back in 1983, being the debut DIO album too. I have come to the Metal conclusion that Holy Diver is one of the greatest Heavy Metal albums of all time… and one of the greatest albums in Rock history. Straight Through The Heart is my Valentine pick off of this album. ‘Nuff said.

Oh yes… Rod Stewart. Rock Legend. This was Rod Stewart when he ROCKED! Admittedly, Rod the Mod’s easy listening stuff isn’t the end of the world to my ears. I would pay to see Rod Stewart sing from his Great American Songbook live in 2011. However, I’ll take the Hard Rockin’ Rod Stewart over his present day crooning any day of the week.

Back in 1978 I would try all day long to pull in Do Ya Think I’m Sexy on the radio. I would do that. What was wrong with me you query? Absolutely nothing… I really dug this song and still do. Another “love” song on this Blondes Have More Fun album is – Ain’t Love A Bitch. Throw in the fact that the legendary Carmine Appice plays drums on this album and it’s a Classic Rock keeper.

Oops… it’s KISS again! Rock And Roll Over is the fifth studio album from KISS, released during the U.S. Bicentennial Year of 1976. What more can be said about a KISS Klassic such as this? Calling Dr. Love, I Want You, Take Me, Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em and Makin’ Love are all here. Um, I’ll let your mind wander once more with Ladies Room.

LONG LIVE VALENTINES DAY.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY, NILLA.

Stone.

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Metal Odyssey’s Rock Music Book Pick: “A Brief History Of Album Covers”

Posted in album covers, book reviews, classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, punk rock music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, rock music reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on January 18, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ALBUM COVERS – I recently discovered and bought a book that is about one of my favorite Rock ‘N’ Roll topics, that being album covers. A Brief History Of Album Covers set me back just $5 (U.S. funds). The store where I bought this cool book sells nothing higher than $5, hence the store name: Five Below. Now, this is not a used book store, nor a thrift store, all the variety of merchandise is sold as “new” at Five Below. There are a few of these Five Below stores in my area of Eastern Pennsylvania. Finding a book that interests me seems to be the norm, each time I visit a Five Below.

A Brief History Of Album Covers is an entertaining and insightful book to read. Author Jason Draper covers nearly 200 classic album covers, all in chronological order. From the debut and self-titled Elvis Presley album from 1956, to the (best of) Oasis album from 2006 – Stop The Clocks. From the Fifties to the “Noughties” as Jason Draper refers to the Millennium decade, he chooses album covers that are “the most iconic, unusual or representative” of each respective decade. It’s interesting and simply fun to see the album covers which Jason Draper has chosen for this book.

Each album cover has a brief write-up, with an anecdotal approach that works just well with me. Every album that is revisited has it’s respective cover pictured, in full color, along with it’s record label, release dates and songwriters. I find this book to be extremely helpful with it’s details that it offers. A Brief History Of Album Covers could have easily been a mammoth sized coffee table book, however, in this instance, the “less is more” school of thought comes together very attractively. This book has a soft cover and is 384 pages long. The oddball measurements (approximately) for this book are: 6 and 5/8″ x 6 and 1/4″.

There are not an abundance of Heavy Metal album covers found in Jason Draper’s research here and I quite honestly can live with it. Not everyone will submit the same list or book of what they consider to be the standout album covers that span 60 years. Iron Maiden’s third studio album from 1982, The Number Of The Beast is included, along with Van Halen’s 1984 and Led Zeppelin’s ultra-legendary sixth studio album – Physical Graffiti.

(Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti)

The diversity is seen here in A Brief History Of Album Covers that lends itself as a tribute to many Rock Music genres, only not all of them. From Frank Sinatra to Lynyrd Skynyrd with Pink Floyd and the Sex Pistols in-between, Jason Draper has accomplished a tidy celebration of album cover art. Sure, if it were my book on a history of album covers I would include representations from Black, Death and Thrash Metal without blinking a Metal eye. As I mentioned earlier though, not everyone will share the same opinion on an absolute list of decade defining album covers.

Even with the lack of Extreme Metal being represented within A Brief History Of Album Covers, I still strongly endorse this book and applaud Jason Draper for revisiting such a tremendous catalog of album covers. His interpretations of the album cover art he compiled, has made me look at these covers with an “open mind” once again. I also commend Jason Draper for paying homage to what is now quickly becoming an obsolete experience for younger generations of music fans, of being able to view and enjoy the album cover art that so often represents the respective music of the album and it’s creators. The LP does live on though, thanks to Jason Draper’s brief journey with all of these cool covers.

There are many interesting facts found in A Brief History Of Album Covers, both historic and artistic. One fact that I was reminded of, (due to my blatantly forgetting about), is the design similarity between Elvis Presley’s 1956 debut album and London Calling by The Clash, which was released back in 1979. Jason Draper refers to The Clash cover as “parodying” the Elvis Presley debut, only I beg to differ. My interpretation is The Clash are paying tribute to a true pioneer of Rock ‘N’ Roll, regardless if the initial intent was to be that of parody or not. Both the Elvis Presley debut album and London Calling are serious representations of their respective Rock genres, therefore the tag of “parody” realistically does not apply. Take a look for yourself below:

Elvis Presley (debut/self titled) – RCA Victor – 1956

The Clash (London Calling) – CBS Records (UK), Epic Records (U.S.)

* Jason Draper is the Reviews Editor for Record Collector Magazine, the United Kingdom’s longest running monthly music magazine, with distribution in the UK and worldwide. Jason Draper is described as a “true collector” on the inside back cover panel of this book… I would tend to agree he surely is, without knowing him.

* The foreword for A Brief History Of Album Covers was written by Paul Du Noyer. As the founder of Mojo (music magazine based in the United Kingdom), Paul Du Noyer has also edited many Rock Music reference books and is an author himself.

* A Brief History Of Album Covers was first published in 2008, by Flame Tree Publishing, based in the United Kingdom.

LONG LIVE ALBUM COVERS.

LONG LIVE THE POWER OF MUSIC.

Stone.

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Gerry Rafferty – Rest In Peace… His Music Lives On

Posted in classic rock, guitarists, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 5, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

GERRY RAFFERTY – On January 4, 2011, Rock Music Legend Gerry Rafferty passed away from liver disease. A mulit-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, Gerry Rafferty was only 63 years old. Metal Odyssey gives condolences to the family, friends and fans of Gerry Rafferty.

I honestly can say Gerry Rafferty was one of the reasons why AM Radio really did Rock for me, back in those late 70’s. The Rock I heard from Gerry Rafferty back in 1978, while going on so many long family day trips, were songs with soothing vocal harmony, a kick-it-up-a-notch sax and melodic guitar. Of course, the two “popular” songs that immediately play out in my mind, are: Baker Street and Right Down The Line from his 1978 studio album – City To City. I remember staring at the City To City album cover so long ago, staring at Gerry Rafferty holding the guitar neck with his left hand, wearing those shades… that was cool stuff for my eyes back then, it still is.

It’s not that difficult in mentioning Gerry Rafferty’s two biggest hits as being most memorable for me, especially when these are two songs that were imbedded in my mind and ears as a young lad. Of course there is much more to this legend’s music catalog. Gerry Rafferty had a soothing characteristic to his vocals, while still coming across as very cool. I never found it difficult either, in my adult life, to crank up to the maximum, Right Down The Line, each and every time it came on my car radio. That song just touches off something in me… and makes me feel extremely good. I would hopefully suppose that is exactly what Gerry Rafferty intended to do with his music, make people feel good… and he succeeded with me.

Rest in peace, Gerry Rafferty.

LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF GERRY RAFFERTY.

Stone.

 

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