The Doors guitar legend Robby Krieger will be playing select US dates beginning in April! A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (with The Doors), Krieger wrote or co-wrote many of the Doors' songs, including the hits “Light My Fire”, “Love Me Two Times”, “Touch Me”, and “Love Her Madly”. After the Doors disbanded, Krieger continued his performing and recording career with other musicians including former Doors band mates John Densmore and Ray Manzarek. Robby is listed by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest guitarists of all time!
Tour dates:
April 7, 2017 - Pasadena, CA - The Rose
April 8, 2017 - Ojai, CA - Ojai Libbey Bowl
April 16, 2017 - New York, NY - City Winery New York
April 19, 2017 - Shirley, MA - Bull Run
April 21, 2017 - Greensburg, PA - Palace Theatre
April 22, 2017 - Newton, NJ - Newton Theatre
April 23, 2017 - Ardmore, PA - Ardmore Music Hall
May 5, 2017 - Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe Live
May 6, 2017 - Detroit, MI - The Filmore Detroit
May 7, 2017 - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
May 27, 2017 - Simi Valley, CA - Rancho Santa Susana Community
Robert Alan Krieger, born January 8, 1946, in Los Angeles, is a musical performer and The Doors guitarist. He attended UCLA. “The first music I heard that I liked was Peter and the Wolf. I accidentally sat and broke the record (I was about seven). Then I listened to rock ‘n’ roll – I listened to the radio a lot – Fats Domino, Elvis, The Platters.
“There was lots of classical music in my house. My father liked march music. There was a piano at home. I studied trumpet at ten, but nothing came of it. Then I started playing blues on the piano? no lessons though. When I was fifteen, I started playing guitar. I used my friend’s guitar. I didn’t get my own until I was sixteen. It was a Mexican flamenco guitar. I took flamenco lessons for a few months. I switched around from folk to flamenco to blues to rock ‘n’ roll.
“Records got me into the blues. Some of the newer rock ‘n’ roll, such as the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. If it hadn’t been for Butterfield going electric, I probably wouldn’t have gone rock ‘n’ roll.
I didn’t plan on rock ‘n’ roll. I wanted to learn jazz; I got to know some people doing rock ‘n’ roll with jazz, and I thought I could make money playing music. In rock ‘n’ roll you can realize anything that you can in jazz or anything. There’s no limitation other than the beat. You have more freedom than you do in anything except jazz.
“In The Doors we have both musicians and poets, and both know of each other’s art, so we can effect a synthesis. In the case of Tim Buckley or Dylan you have one man’s ideas. Most groups today aren’t groups. In a true group all the members create the arrangements among themselves.”
Los Angeles, CA - In 1970, Tampa-based rockers Blues Image took audiences on the trip of a lifetime with their smash hit single “Ride Captain Ride” - a song that continues to embed itself in pop culture consciousness, showing up as recently as 2004 in the hilarious Will Ferrell comedy Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy. Vocalist/guitarist Mike Pinera founded Blues Image in the late ‘60s and quickly turned the band into a powerhouse collective with a reputation for stunning musicianship and, of course, exquisite songwriting. Pinera left the group briefly to front the mighty Iron Butterfly, but he’s kept the Blues Image fire burning bright for over 5 decades! Now, a remarkable new collection, Timeless, that honors the songs of the past as well as brand new material will be released on CD this March 31 courtesy of Purple Pyramid Records.
Timeless showcases both Pinera’s past accomplishments with fantastic new renditions of “Ride Captain Ride” and Iron Butterfly’s “In A Gadda Da Vida” as well as his present skills as a songwriter on such tunes as “Love Is The Answer,” “Pay My Dues” and more! With guest appearances by blues rock legend Pat Travers and Journey’s Jonathan Cain, Timeless is sure to be a hit among fans of Blues Image and classic 70s rock!
Track List:
1. Ride Captain Ride
2. In A Gadda Da Vida
3. Fantasy Of Love
4. Come Back
5. Love Is The Answer
6. Touch My Heart
7. Pay My Dues
8. In The Garden Of Eden
9. Leaving My Troubles Behind
10. Butterfly Bleu
11. Isla
12. Something To Say
Celebrates incredible performances by Led Zeppelin, Queen, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Genesis, Heart, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, The Who, Yes!
London - Concert culture in Los Angeles, the City of Angels, in the 1970s had all the lush opulence of theater, the virtuosic chops of a classical performance, and the edge-of-your-seat excitement of rock n’ roll. First-time author, and lifelong music fanatic, Douglas Harr’s Rockin’ The City Of Angels: Celebrating the Great Rock Shows of the 1970s In Concert, On Record and On Film brings to life all the classic majesty in real time. This collection of over 500 stunning images is carefully culled from the premiere practitioners of fine art photography, covering a refreshingly broad cross section of 1970s iconic artists.
“The 1970s were a time when rock bands made expansive concept records with sweeping themes,” recalls author Douglas Harr. “Rock albums back then promised ‘theater of the mind,’ and their creators were inspired to mount elaborate stage shows that brought these dreams to life. I caught many of these concerts in Los Angeles. They were almost religion to me and masses of fellow concert-goers.”
RTCOA celebrates more than thirty incredible performances, including key tours by bands such as Led Zeppelin, Queen, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Genesis, Heart, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, The Who and Yes. These myth-making moments are presented here by a hand-picked collection of brilliant images by the best photojournalists of that time, including Richard E. Aaron, Jorgen Angel, Fin Costello, Armando Gallo, Neal Preston, Jim Summaria, Lisa Tanner and Neil Zlowzower among many others. “I spent 2 years in basements, agencies, and sometimes bands' homes, combing through hundreds of slides to find the best concert photos from that time, now so long ago,” Harr shares. In addition, RTCOA includes written commentary reflecting on these legendary concerts with reviews of the best concert video documents filmed during the era.
This 396-page book is thoughtfully divided into three sections. “Rock Gods & Entertainers” features bands like The Who, Stones, Zep, Tull, Bowie, Queen, and AC/DC. “Shamans, Storytellers, and Mellow Rockers” explores the concerts of Genesis, Yes, Cat Stevens, Eagles, Heart, Supertramp, Kansas, and more. Lastly, “Virtuosos & Classic Rockers” brings to life performances by ELP, King Crimson, ELO, Dixie Dregs, Kate Bush and many of their peers. This is the perfect gift for those who were there—or wish they were there—for that magical time.
Harr is a staff writer for Gonzo Weekly magazine, part of the Gonzo Multimedia label in England. In addition, he has contributed articles and photographs to Expose Magazine and Something Else Reviews in the U.S. His writings and photos are also captured in his weekly blog at diegospadeproductions.com. He is an aficionado of progressive and classic rock music from the early 1970’s and a frequent concert patron who has attended more than 400 shows during his lifetime. He was classically trained on the piano for seven years before transitioning to college and full-time “music patron” status. Besides music publications, Harr’s written work is also featured in technology books, including CIO Perspectives and Data Insights: New Ways to Visualize and Make Sense of Data, and in his blog on music and technology Alternative IT. All this has been a part of a 30-plus year career as a technology executive and patron of the rock ‘n’ roll arts.
This coffee-table book is nearly the size of an LP album cover, 396 pages, over 500 images, written by Douglas Harr, designed by Tilman Reitzle. Foreword by Armando Gallo.
Customers pre-ordering before December 20 will receive a signed commemorative postcard which can be used as a gift, just in time for the season.
Celebrates incredible performances by Led Zeppelin, Queen, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Genesis, Heart, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, The Who, Yes!
London - Concert culture in Los Angeles, the City of Angels, in the 1970s had all the lush opulence of theater, the virtuosic chops of a classical performance, and the edge-of-your-seat excitement of rock n’ roll. First-time author, and lifelong music fanatic, Douglas Harr’s Rockin’ The City Of Angels: Celebrating the Great Rock Shows of the 1970s In Concert, On Record and On Film brings to life all the classic majesty in real time. This collection of over 500 stunning images is carefully culled from the premiere practitioners of fine art photography, covering a refreshingly broad cross section of 1970s iconic artists.
“The 1970s were a time when rock bands made expansive concept records with sweeping themes,” recalls author Douglas Harr. “Rock albums back then promised ‘theater of the mind,’ and their creators were inspired to mount elaborate stage shows that brought these dreams to life. I caught many of these concerts in Los Angeles. They were almost religion to me and masses of fellow concert-goers.”
RTCOA celebrates more than thirty incredible performances, including key tours by bands such as Led Zeppelin, Queen, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Genesis, Heart, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, The Who and Yes. These myth-making moments are presented here by a hand-picked collection of brilliant images by the best photojournalists of that time, including Richard E. Aaron, Jorgen Angel, Fin Costello, Armando Gallo, Neal Preston, Jim Summaria, Lisa Tanner and Neil Zlowzower among many others. “I spent 2 years in basements, agencies, and sometimes bands' homes, combing through hundreds of slides to find the best concert photos from that time, now so long ago,” Harr shares. In addition, RTCOA includes written commentary reflecting on these legendary concerts with reviews of the best concert video documents filmed during the era.
This 396-page book is thoughtfully divided into three sections. “Rock Gods & Entertainers” features bands like The Who, Stones, Zep, Tull, Bowie, Queen, and AC/DC. “Shamans, Storytellers, and Mellow Rockers” explores the concerts of Genesis, Yes, Cat Stevens, Eagles, Heart, Supertramp, Kansas, and more. Lastly, “Virtuosos & Classic Rockers” brings to life performances by ELP, King Crimson, ELO, Dixie Dregs, Kate Bush and many of their peers. This is the perfect gift for those who were there—or wish they were there—for that magical time.
Harr is a staff writer for Gonzo Weekly magazine, part of the Gonzo Multimedia label in England. In addition, he has contributed articles and photographs to Expose Magazine and Something Else Reviews in the U.S. His writings and photos are also captured in his weekly blog at diegospadeproductions.com. He is an aficionado of progressive and classic rock music from the early 1970’s and a frequent concert patron who has attended more than 400 shows during his lifetime. He was classically trained on the piano for seven years before transitioning to college and full-time “music patron” status. Besides music publications, Harr’s written work is also featured in technology books, including CIO Perspectives and Data Insights: New Ways to Visualize and Make Sense of Data, and in his blog on music and technology Alternative IT. All this has been a part of a 30-plus year career as a technology executive and patron of the rock ‘n’ roll arts.
This coffee-table book is nearly the size of an LP album cover, 396 pages, over 500 images, written by Douglas Harr, designed by Tilman Reitzle. Foreword by Armando Gallo.
Customers pre-ordering before December 20 will receive a signed commemorative postcard which can be used as a gift, just in time for the season.
Featuring rare and previously unreleased recordings and film!
London, UK - The career of the British rock great and Mott the Hoople icon Ian Hunter is celebrated with this 30-disc Anthology box set, Stranded in Reality, containing a swathe of rare and previously unreleased recordings and film. Compiled and curated by Ian and recognised Hunter-Mott biographer Campbell Devine, the project is the ultimate celebration of the artist’s hugely influential and sparkling solo work. Covering the years 1975 to 2015, Stranded in Reality comprises 17 original albums on 19 CDs, 9 “new” discs of intriguing rare and unreleased tracks plus 2DVDs.
All of Ian’s classic solo albums are contained in the box set including expanded Anniversary Editions of Ian Hunter, All-American Alien Boy, You’re Never Alone with a Schizophrenic and Welcome to the Club, plus special unique bonus track discs of Short Back n’ Sides, All of The Good Ones Are Taken, The Artful Dodger, Strings Attached, Shrunken Heads and When I’m President.
The new albums are titled Tilting the Mirror (Rarities 2CD), If You Wait Long Enough for Anything, You Can Get it on Sale (Live 1979-81 2CD), Bag of Tricks (Live Volumes 1, 2 and 3), Acoustic Shadowsand Experiments. The box presents many unheard and “lost” songs from Ian’s archive including ‘San Diego Freeway’, ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ and ‘Salvation’ as well as rarely performed live versions of ‘Wild East’, ‘While You Were Looking At Me’, ‘The Outsider’ and a 2008 acoustic concert.
A visual 2 disc set, It Never Happened, features promo, live and archive material, and most of the footage has not been issued commercially on DVD until now. The project includes a complete 1979 Hunter Ronson concert from London’s Hammersmith Odeon and a TV film from the same tour, live in Toronto. Collectively, the albums and DVD’s offer music fans a rock ‘n’ roll jackpot of over 400 tracks!
Lavishly presented in an LP-size deluxe box with custom Escher-style cover, the collection also contains an 88-page hardback book with comprehensive essay, rare memorabilia and Ian Hunter “Track by Track” for every song, a stunning facsimile Shades newspaper featuring classic historic press features, an Alien Boy lithograph personally signed by Ian and original and brand new album artwork in replica card sleeves. Stranded in Reality is a strictly limited edition of 2,500 units for sale to worldwide customers through www.propermusic.com
Featuring rare and previously unreleased recordings and film!
London, UK - The career of the British rock great and Mott the Hoople icon Ian Hunter is celebrated with this 30-disc Anthology box set, Stranded in Reality, containing a swathe of rare and previously unreleased recordings and film. Compiled and curated by Ian and recognised Hunter-Mott biographer Campbell Devine, the project is the ultimate celebration of the artist’s hugely influential and sparkling solo work. Covering the years 1975 to 2015, Stranded in Reality comprises 17 original albums on 19 CDs, 9 “new” discs of intriguing rare and unreleased tracks plus 2DVDs.
All of Ian’s classic solo albums are contained in the box set including expanded Anniversary Editions of Ian Hunter, All-American Alien Boy, You’re Never Alone with a Schizophrenic and Welcome to the Club, plus special unique bonus track discs of Short Back n’ Sides, All of The Good Ones Are Taken, The Artful Dodger, Strings Attached, Shrunken Heads and When I’m President.
The new albums are titled Tilting the Mirror (Rarities 2CD), If You Wait Long Enough for Anything, You Can Get it on Sale (Live 1979-81 2CD), Bag of Tricks (Live Volumes 1, 2 and 3), Acoustic Shadowsand Experiments. The box presents many unheard and “lost” songs from Ian’s archive including ‘San Diego Freeway’, ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ and ‘Salvation’ as well as rarely performed live versions of ‘Wild East’, ‘While You Were Looking At Me’, ‘The Outsider’ and a 2008 acoustic concert.
A visual 2 disc set, It Never Happened, features promo, live and archive material, and most of the footage has not been issued commercially on DVD until now. The project includes a complete 1979 Hunter Ronson concert from London’s Hammersmith Odeon and a TV film from the same tour, live in Toronto. Collectively, the albums and DVD’s offer music fans a rock ‘n’ roll jackpot of over 400 tracks!
Lavishly presented in an LP-size deluxe box with custom Escher-style cover, the collection also contains an 88-page hardback book with comprehensive essay, rare memorabilia and Ian Hunter “Track by Track” for every song, a stunning facsimile Shades newspaper featuring classic historic press features, an Alien Boy lithograph personally signed by Ian and original and brand new album artwork in replica card sleeves. Stranded in Reality is a strictly limited edition of 2,500 units for sale to worldwide customers through www.propermusic.com
Heart, Joan Jett and Cheap Trick at The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)
September 8, 2016
A recent evening at SPAC featured three Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductees on the stage. For this music lover it was a first seeing all three bands.
It was a humid and rainy evening that certainly made enjoying the show on the lawn more difficult. We felt fortunate to be under cover. We had good seats and I was grateful for that.
First up was Cheap Trick. Things started with an electrifying energy coming from the capacity audience as the band started with an appropriate “Hello There.” As it turned out the mix for this band was subpar and the music sounded distorted and it made hearing and understanding the vocals of Robin Zander difficult. It wasn’t until Tom Peterson stepped out and started his version of The Velvet Underground cover “I'm Waiting for the Man” with a little bit of Lou Reed’s “Heroin” sandwiched in between when things took a turn for the better.
Zander was on again and off again for most of the night in the vocal department as well. I have always enjoyed the music of Cheap Trick but they really need to get their sound mix together to present a quality show. With some tweaking of that mix they could go from a grade C to a B in a heartbeat.
I knew once Joan Jett got on stage the energy there was going to change and I was not disappointed. It reached another level once she arrived. She kicked it off with “Bad Reputation” and all I could think of was the punk rock of the 70s like The Ramones and how she got her start with the all-female band The Runaways.
Joan sounded fantastic…as good as she always has. She still has that high energy swagger and hint of toughness in her presentation and the crowd absolutely adored her. I thought she was an exciting and charismatic performer that has obviously kept her edge after all these years. It is great to see music icons like herself still touring and presenting music in an original and quality manner. She rocks it’s as simple as that!
As Joan and her band made their way through the set the energy level and excitement level just kept rising. The sound mix was perfect, you could hear her singing as clear as day and the music was spot on all night.
I was surprised that they did not save “I Love Rock & Roll” as their closer but it still made the crowd go wild once they started in with the classic rocker. My favorites of the evening were “I Love Rock & Roll,” “I Hate Myself or Loving You” and “Cherry Bomb.” The sweet memories of youth come rushing back to you with the help of great music, it works every time.
This was a killer performance by Joan and her band and I would love to see her again.
Set List:
Bad Reputation
Cherry Bomb (The Runaways cover)
Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah) (Gary Glitter cover)
TMI
You Drive Me Wild (The Runaways cover)
Light of Day (Bruce Springsteen cover)
Soulmates to Strangers
Love Is Pain
Fake Friends
Any Weather
I Love Rock & Roll
Crimson & Clover (Tommy James & the Shondells cover)
Now for the headliner, Heart. This is a band I have had interest in seeing since their inception in the 70s but never did. Finally, I got my chance to watch the legendary Wilson sisters Ann and Nancy, do their thing in a live setting.
When Ann came out on stage I noticed how great she looked. She was full of energy and excitement and that translated to the crowd instantly. Nancy has always looked the same with her long blonde hair brushing over her shoulders and her guitar in hand ready to rock.
Long time guitarist Craig Bartock was present as well and he was excellent all night long.
I thought the opening track was an interesting choice. The Romeo’s Daughter cover “Wild Child” kicked it all into high gear and it hit the bullseye, bringing everyone to their feet and setting the tone. The track reminded me of those crazy 70s I grew up in and some of things the Wilson’s experienced during that time as well. Read their biography if you are interested, it’s fascinating.
I am not only a longtime admirer of Heart but I respect Ann and Nancy for what they have accomplished on and off the stage throughout their lives. They serve as an example and inspiration to countless people across the globe.
Ann’s voice has held up amazingly over the years and she really has not taken a step back. After listening to all the new music they have recorded over the last few years and then seeing her belt out each song on stage reconfirmed that conviction. In a word, she is an amazing and electric performer that has total command of her vocals and the stage.
The musicianship was beyond reproach and it showed why they are drawing large crowds everywhere they go.
Every band has their own niche and style but Heart is special. All of these bands have been at it for over four decades. Heart sounds like they have their foot all the way to the floor when they perform. I happen to appreciate their strength and wherewithal to continue to present superb performances in and out of the studios.
“Crazy on You” was phenomenal and “Alone” was proof positive that Ann still has what it takes to grab a performance and grasp the attention of an audience. She was so powerful; I was getting chills all the way through the performance.
I think what surprised some members of the audience was the encore of the Led Zeppelin covers. I knew that they would kill it and they did. They have always acknowledged their influences and then given a positive response to that by performing certain songs superbly. I was listening to people talk on the way out of the venue and some were saying how amazed they were with their rendition of “Stairway To Heaven.” It was great to hear that people realized what a special night they witnessed. I am sure they solidified their fan base and added some younger generation folks to their followers after last night.
I would highly recommend attending this show before the tour ends, I promise you will not regret it.
Heart,
Joan Jett and Cheap Trick at The
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)
September
8, 2016
A recent evening at SPAC featured three Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall
of Fame inductees on the stage. For this music lover it was a first seeing all
three bands.
It was a humid and rainy evening that certainly made
enjoying the show on the lawn more difficult. We felt fortunate to be under
cover. We had good seats and I was grateful for that.
First
up was Cheap Trick. Things started with an electrifying energy coming from the
capacity audience as the band started with an appropriate “Hello There.” As it
turned out the mix for this band was subpar and the music sounded distorted and
it made hearing and understanding the vocals of Robin Zander difficult. It
wasn’t until Tom Peterson stepped out and started his version of The Velvet
Underground cover “I'm Waiting for the Man” with a little bit of Lou Reed’s
“Heroin” sandwiched in between when things took a turn for the better.
Zander was on again and off again for most of the night in
the vocal department as well. I have always enjoyed the music of Cheap Trick
but they really need to get their sound mix together to present a quality show.
With some tweaking of that mix they could go from a grade C to a B in a
heartbeat.
I
knew once Joan Jett got on stage the energy there was going to change and I was
not disappointed. It reached another level once she arrived. She kicked it off
with “Bad Reputation” and all I could think of was the punk rock of the 70s
like The Ramones and how she got her start with the all-female band The
Runaways.
Joan sounded fantastic…as good as she always has. She still
has that high energy swagger and hint of toughness in her presentation and the
crowd absolutely adored her. I thought she was an exciting and charismatic
performer that has obviously kept her edge after all these years. It is great
to see music icons like herself still touring and presenting music in an
original and quality manner. She rocks it’s as simple as that!
As Joan and her band made their way through the set the
energy level and excitement level just kept rising. The sound mix was perfect,
you could hear her singing as clear as day and the music was spot on all night.
I was surprised that they did not save “I Love Rock &
Roll” as their closer but it still made the crowd go wild once they started in
with the classic rocker. My favorites of the evening were “I Love Rock &
Roll,” “I Hate Myself or Loving You” and “Cherry Bomb.” The sweet memories of
youth come rushing back to you with the help of great music, it works every
time.
This was a killer performance by Joan and her band and I
would love to see her again.
Set
List:
Bad Reputation
Cherry Bomb (The
Runaways cover)
Do You Wanna
Touch Me (Oh Yeah) (Gary Glitter cover)
TMI
You Drive Me Wild
(The Runaways cover)
Light of Day
(Bruce Springsteen cover)
Soulmates to
Strangers
Love Is Pain
Fake Friends
Any Weather
I Love Rock &
Roll
Crimson &
Clover (Tommy James & the Shondells cover)
Now for the headliner, Heart. This is a band I have had
interest in seeing since their inception in the 70s but never did. Finally, I
got my chance to watch the legendary Wilson sisters Ann and Nancy, do their
thing in a live setting.
When Ann came out on stage I noticed how great she looked.
She was full of energy and excitement and that translated to the crowd
instantly. Nancy has always looked the same with her long blonde hair brushing
over her shoulders and her guitar in hand ready to rock.
Long time guitarist Craig Bartock was present as well and
he was excellent all night long.
I thought the opening track was an interesting choice. The
Romeo’s Daughter cover “Wild Child” kicked it all into high gear and it hit the
bullseye, bringing everyone to their feet and setting the tone. The track
reminded me of those crazy 70s I grew up in and some of things the Wilson’s
experienced during that time as well. Read their biography if you are
interested, it’s fascinating.
I am not only a longtime admirer of Heart but I respect Ann
and Nancy for what they have accomplished on and off the stage throughout their
lives. They serve as an example and inspiration to countless people across the
globe.
Ann’s voice has held up amazingly over the years and she
really has not taken a step back. After listening to all the new music they
have recorded over the last few years and then seeing her belt out each song on
stage reconfirmed that conviction. In a word, she is an amazing and electric
performer that has total command of her vocals and the stage.
The musicianship was beyond reproach and it showed why they
are drawing large crowds everywhere they go.
Every band has their own niche and style but Heart is
special. All of these bands have been at it for over four decades. Heart sounds
like they have their foot all the way to the floor when they perform. I happen
to appreciate their strength and wherewithal to continue to present superb
performances in and out of the studios.
“Crazy on You” was phenomenal and “Alone” was proof
positive that Ann still has what it takes to grab a performance and grasp the
attention of an audience. She was so powerful; I was getting chills all the way
through the performance.
I think what surprised some members of the audience was the
encore of the Led Zeppelin covers. I knew that they would kill it and they did.
They have always acknowledged their influences and then given a positive
response to that by performing certain songs superbly. I was listening to
people talk on the way out of the venue and some were saying how amazed they
were with their rendition of “Stairway To Heaven.” It was great to hear that
people realized what a special night they witnessed. I am sure they solidified
their fan base and added some younger generation folks to their followers after
last night.
I would highly recommend attending this show before the
tour ends, I promise you will not regret it.
Release Date: August 12, 2016 Label: Rounder Records Website
One of
the most beloved performers in music is Ann Wilson, renowned for her legendary
work as the vocalist with Heart and her highly acclaimed solo work. Yes, Ms.
Wilson is rock royalty.
The Ann Wilson thing is one of her projects and now she has
released #2 of her covers of classic
rock songs and originals.
Having old friend and Heart guitarist Craig Bartock along
for the ride gives the singer an immediate comfort zone. Wilson finds plenty of
familiarity with her choice of tracks and we cannot forget she was part of band
in the 70s onward that contributed some of their own slices of classic rock
like “Magic Man” and “Barracuda” to name just a few.
The two originals are “Fighten Fer Life” and “Anguish,” which
she collaborated with Bartock on.
The opener is the Hendrix all time classic “Manic
Depression.” This is a song covered by numerous artists and emulated throughout
the history of recorded music. Ann does a terrific job with the song and as to
be expected she totally owns it and the instrumentation is exceptional per
usual.
“Don t
Give Up” was featured track on our Rate The Tracks site. The Peter
Gabriel and Kate Bush track still rings true to this day and the talented Wilson
covers both parts like the accomplished pro she is. The timbre of the song is
mellow and thoughtful as the vocalist accentuates every word to make sure it
hits home. Her voice is still poignant after all these years. She is one of
those performers that has not lost a step and that is a tribute to her
dedication to the craft.
People tend to have higher expectations for established
stars like Ann Wilson and without fail she never disappoints.
The curtain closer is the original “Anguish.” The track
starts off with twangy slide guitar made for the blues then Wilson’s voice
joins in with as much vitality and color as the guitar musters. She still hits
those high notes with ease. Even though I love “Manic Depression” and the way
it was presented this one is so killer you wish it would just keep going.
Everything is here for the folks that appreciate Ann
Wilson, Heart and any of her solo projects. What can I say the lady is one of
the best ever and with music like this it’s hard to argue that she still isn’t
on top. #2 is great EP.
Pink Fireball are a four-piece rock group from Paris, reviving classic rock whilst introducing several of their own idiosyncratic twists.
Their previous single ‘Turn Around’ was a chugging rock anthem that incorporated trumpets accompanied by a fun rollercoaster-themed music video. Now the band are back with this new guitar-driven single ‘Cool Rider Crunch’. It features some big vocals, breaking into a mean guitar solo for the second half of the track.
The music video is equally exciting and sees the band riding a 1965 Ford Mustang. The video also features appearances from Moulin Rouge dancer Chloe Alexandra Atherton and models Aline Tran and Petula Goldfever.
Described as a “cracking band” and praised for their “excellent production values” by music blog Progrockmusictalk, UK-based alt-rockers Orca have proven to be on top of their game. As pioneers and creators of the mysterious domain of ‘space metal’, the five-piece is steadily stepping up to the music industry’s spotlight.
Their fascination with space and discovering the unknown has always been part of their own musical exploration. By fusing melodic experimentation with hard hitting metal riffs, their new single ‘Aquarium’ (taken from the album ‘Universe’) is a muscular track, effervescing with a forthright and speeding energy. As a follow up to the similarly metal infused guitar styles and contemplative vocals of their first single ‘Amber’, this tune is a sensational marvel of progressive rock.
Listen here:
The song came about when singer Chris started exploring the emotions drawn from the cryptic and riddle-like rhythmic arrangement of a demo recording. ‘Aquarium’ is ultimately about desire, beauty, identity, sensuality, and connecting with the power of nature. The video for the single was shot in a real aquarium which the band describes as a “wonderful” and “entrancing” experience. The album is called ‘Universe’ as it was written while the band were travelling separately around the world, with each band member looking out to a different part of the night sky for inspiration.
With influences ranging from Deftones to Tool the band has mastered the techniques of DIY and created a magnificent set of songs with little to no help from other producers. Their music touches upon the deeper questions in life. Orca describes their sound as being about “submission to the awe and power of the world, and the realization and self-actualization levels of awareness and consciousness.” Part of their musical diversity stems from the fact that Orca consists of a colourful mixture of different nationalities. Bassist Matt McGuinness is Irish, guitarist David Vezzoli from Italy, other guitarist Ben Murray-Smith from England but born in Brazil, drummer Kacper "Drum Kid" Stachowiak
from Poland and singer Chris Edwards is British Armenian. Orca’s sound reflects this diversity and has been celebrated by radio stations such as KSCR in Los Angeles and Aaron Phillip’s Amazing Radio Rock Show here in the UK. Musically, they have also come from a variety of backgrounds ranging from psychedelic rock and jazz to heavy metal and synth-pop.
The band has evolved from bassist Matt and guitarist Dave’s previous project called Martian Time Slip which focused more on a traditional darker kind of metal. After the break up of Martian Time Slip the two collaborators embarked upon new endeavours, forming Orca and searching for the perfect vocalist for the band. Chris approached the band with a style that was both unique and enigmatic. They were struck by his powerful voice and his ability to enrich the melodies with passion much like the late Jeff Buckley. Ben joined shortly afterwards while continuing to write songs for famous Vlogger Casey Neistat. The newest addition to the group is drummer Kacper who has had success with his symphonic power metal band Pathfinder.
The single ‘Aquarium’ is out on 4th March from the album Universe out April 1st
