Monday, September 27, 2010

Rock News for Tuesday 28th September, 2010

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN RETURNS WITH KILLER NEW 'RELENTLESS' ALBUM, RECENTLY SELECTED AS ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S "TOP TEN GREATEST ELECTRIC GUITAR PLAYERS OF ALL TIME

"Shred guitar" and "neo classical metal" are two phrases that have been commonplace in the world of heavy metal for decades by this point, but both can be attributed to the unmistakable work by Yngwie Malmsteen.

Ever since the early 1980's, Yngwie has been pushing the limits of guitar, and influencing countless other players in the process.
And he continues to impress to this day, as evidenced by his forthcoming album, 'Relentless,' the highly anticipated follow-up to 2008's critically acclaimed 'Perpetual Flame' (Yngwie's first album for Rising Force Records).

The album is the second to feature ex-Judas Priest and Iced Earth singer Tim "Ripper" Owens, and features over 60 minutes of incredibly complex, kick ass arrangements.

"This title truly is the right one for this album," explains Yngwie. "I mean, after all these years, some kind of force is driving me to create something that totally surpasses everything I've done before. I tried to capture the raw energy of a live performance, yet push myself to the most demanding level of playing and composing to harness that elusive magic that can't just be switched on. All the way out, caution to the wind, but disciplined performances was what I went for. Maybe I did it too, check it out!"

Confirmed song titles for 'Relentless' include "Relentless," "Look At You Now," "Shot Across the Bow," "Adagio B Minor Variation," "Caged Animal," "Critical Mass," "Into Valhalla," "Enemy Within," and "Caprici Di Inferno."

Bursting onto the scene with such classic releases as 1984's 'Rising Force,' 1985's 'Marching Out,' and 1986's 'Trilogy,' Yngwie instantly made a name for himself, by recreating the spirit of celebrated composer/musician Niccolò Paganini, but within the realm of heavy metal guitar.

Soon, countless other guitarists were copying Yngwie's style...but there is simply only one Yngwie.
Yngwie's career continued to thrive throughout the world, including such additional triumphs as his totally classical work for orchestra and solo electric guitar, 'Concerto Suite,' which proved once and for all that his classical credentials were genuine.

Yngwie continues to receive accolades worldwide, such as recently being selected as one Time Magazine's "Top Ten Greatest Electric Guitar Players" (amongst the stellar company of Les Paul, Jimmy Page, and Jimi Hendrix).

A respected musician among both his peers and his fans, Yngwie continues to play and compose at a level of mastery that many career musicians only dream of.
'Relentless' is a must-have, which will appeal to all Yngwie fans and rock music fans alike.
Prepare yourself for a 'Relentless' classical metal attack!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
www.myspace.com/yngwiemalmsteen

Frontiers records to release Nelson - Lightning Strikes Twice


.On September 29th 1991 NELSON reached the height of the US Single charts with their evergreen hit “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love And Affection”. Their music has stood the test of time and now 20 years later Matthew and Gunnar Nelson explore fresh creative territory in the present with their new album, “Lightning Strikes Twice”.

Magical melodic songwriting and soaring sibling harmonies continue to ensure that this dynamic duo is still a vital part of the music scene’s future. The new album goes straight back to the absolute brilliance of NELSON’s first album, hence the title and an amazing set of songs that are going to restore the faith in NELSON.

“After the Rain” was the debut multi-platinum album by NELSON in the early 1990s. They zoomed to number one with their hit song, "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection,” which made history landing America’s iconic Nelson family (bandleader Ozzie Nelson, rock legend Rick Nelson, and twins Matthew and Gunnar) into the Guinness Book of World Records as the ONLY family in Entertainment with 3 successive generations of #1 hitmakers.

NELSON’s “After the Rain” record and tour became a phenomenon just prior to the rise of grunge. The last major success of the good time rock’n’roll era, NELSON has had (1) Number One, (4) Top Ten, and (5) Top 40 Billboard Hot 100 hit singles, plus (5) #1 MTV videos and has sold over 6.5 million albums worldwide!

Nelson has always been synonymous with entertainment in America. Matthew and Gunnar follow Ozzie Nelson’s vision of embracing connecting with people and audiences through all forms of media. They have been doing television-hosting work for VH1 and E! Gunnar is also a standout reality TV star with VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club”. Plus, Gunnar co-hosted LIFETIME Radio’s nationally syndicated morning show.

A&E channel’s Nelson Family “Biography” episode is still one of the top-rated ‘Biography’ installments. Matthew and Gunnar embraced this fascination by creating a touring show to celebrate the TV Nelsons and the amazing career of their legendary father, Ricky, for whom LIFE magazine coined the phrase “Teen idol”. They share video clips and tell stories about their Hollywood family and perform their Pop’s music live to audiences in RICKY NELSON REMEMBERED while separately touring as NELSON.

NELSON has been headlining at major rock festivals around the globe celebrating the 20th anniversary of “After the Rain”. Touring in China, the U.K. and of course the U.S. where they have also toured extensively with Peter Frampton and Styx. In October 2010 the band will head to the UK to headline day 2 of the Firefest festival appearing with label mates Jimi Jamison, Lynch Mob, Strangeways, Pretty Maids amongst others. A world tour at the beginning of 2011 will follow.

"’Lightning Strikes Twice’ has allowed us creatively, artistically and musically to resolve some unfinished business," Gunnar says. "We’ve had a blast going into the studio writing and performing some of our best songs. Plus, being back on the road with NELSON is living the dream all over again. New fans are discovering our music and original fans have shown incredible support all over the world. It ROCKS!”

Matthew adds, “Who could believe we would be doing a NELSON sequel to ‘After the Rain” twenty years later? Gunnar and I feel it’s our best work to date and should live up to its name ‘Lightning Strikes Twice’. We believe NELSON fans will agree with that forecast and hope they feel it’s been worth the long wait.”

NELSON
Gunnar Nelson: Lead Vocals, Guitars
Matthew Nelson: Lead Vocals, Bass
With
Gary Corbett: piano, keyboards
Brian Burwell: drums
David Morgan: piano, background vocals
Steve Lukather: guest guitar on “To Get Back To You”
www.frontiers.it/home/
http://thenelsonbrothers.com/

Status Quo 'Live at the BBC,' Collectors discs on the way!
 
OK, here comes the press release for this Status Quo set, but sorry folks, there's no way I'm going to list all the different versions of this release and specific track listings, wow! This is something else!
 
The unique relationship with those two great British institutions, Status Quo and the BBC is celebrated on "Status Quo Live At The BBC" which is issued by UMC on 24 October 2010. The release will be available on a range of formats: 2CD 'best of' collection / DVD / 4CD box set and a limited edition collectors' 8 disc complete set [see site for full tracklisting]. Status Quo's unbelievable career has largely been built upon their unassailable reputation as one of the world's greatest live acts and it is that prowess and power that underlies this collection.

This release is collated from all of the BBC owned Quo recordings that still exist in the archive and charts the inexorable rise of the band: from the first steps made as The Spectres, the brief incarnation as Traffic Jam and then the glory days as the mighty Status Quo. The BBC gave the band a platform and support at crucial stages in their career and thus "Status Quo Live At The BBC" should be seen essentially as an alternate Greatest Hits, a musical growing up in public.

Francis Rossi said, "We've done so much with the BBC over the years that a release such as this truly charts the history and evolution of the band. It's wonderful that these recordings have been collected and presented this way."
Rick Parfitt added, "The relationship with the BBC has not always been a smooth one but a release like this shows how important they are in supporting and celebrating music in this country."
John Coghlan commented, "There's no doubt that the Beeb played a big part in getting Status Quo off the ground, and I'm just as excited by this anthology as the fans will be. It's about time it came out."

This incredible archive represents the last great unreleased set of recordings in the Quo catalogue. The collection has been brought together by trawling the BBC archives, but also by inviting contributions from fans. The BBC had a habit of wiping tapes after they were broadcast which has meant that some of the Corporation's output has been lost for ever. However thanks to fans recording broadcasts at home a couple of gems have been reclaimed here for this set.

Sessions for shows hosted by the likes of David Symonds, Dave Lee Travis, Steve Wright, Ken Bruce and more are included here, as are live performances such as the legendary and much-bootlegged Paris Theatre set from 1973, and shows in Wembley, Birmingham and Brighton. Classic performances and, of course, classic tracks: this collection brings together everything of real significance from the psychedelic styling of 'Pictures Of Matchstick Men' to the true Rock thumpers of the 70s to the tracks that made the band a household name, 'Rockin All Over The World', 'Caroline', 'In The Army Now', the list goes on.

Fully supported and endorsed by the band - the current line up but also the original incarnation of Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Alan Lancaster and John Coghlan - "Status Quo Live At The BBC" is a triumphant collection of the defining moments of a truly seminal British rock act, as witnessed, broadcast and archived by the voice of the nation, the BBC. A set to be treasured.
 
Go here for the official press release at the bands website and the complete track listings. You will be blown away!
 
Rock of Ages Broadway rockin' musical hitting the road!
 
Yes, the show that's been playing in New York on Broadway for quite some time now, is about to go on tour!
The show, 'Rock of Ages' had boasted an impressive show, that from time to time pulled in many different rock stars, to perform their songs that are featured in the rock musical.
Last night (Monday), REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin joined the line up to sing 'I Can't Fight This Feeling.'
 
Long time 'Rock of Ages' guitarist Joel Hoekstra deserves a medal if you ask me, as the guy keeps jetting to and from Night Ranger gigs - Who he's also a member of. - to perform on a regular basis, back on Broadway!
Here's the blurb from the musical to shed a little more light on the production.
 
'Tony Award® nominee and American Idol finalist, Constatine Maroulis reprises his acclaimed performance as Drew in the First National Tour of the five-time Tony-Award®  nominated smash-hit musical ROCK OF AGES. In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA’s most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80s. It’s five time 2009 Tony Award® nominee ROCK OF AGES, an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of JOURNEY, NIGHT RANGER, STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON, PAT BENATAR, TWISTED SISTER, POISON, ASIA, WHITESNAKE and many more. Don’t miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on!
Here's the production's website too:
Finally, you can also check out Spin magazine's article on the show right here:


No comments:

Post a Comment