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Friday, October 7, 2011

Josh Lewis – ‘Jumpin’ In’ album review

Josh Lewis – ‘Jumpin’ In’ album review
Released through: Ten 42 Records Released date: Available now



Josh Lewis is a name that chances are, most people won’t know or be familiar with, but he was actually one of the original guitar players in the band Warrant. Since then he’s had a pretty much low key musical career, to tell the truth.

He gained media attention last year through VH1’s ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp,’ in one of the three finalist bands.
From what I can gather this album 'Jumpin' In' is that it was actually released last year, but has received a fresh re-launch, after the end of this last series of 'Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp' as some folks may have noticed by the TV commercials in the show breaks.

The album features Josh Lewis on guitars, lead and backing vocals and keyboards, drums from Max Mazursky and on bass is David Jenkins.
My understanding is also – I received a digital copy of the album with not too many details … - that Josh Lewis produced the album and that it was mixed by Brian Kehew (The Who, Dave Davies – Kinks, Hole), which part of me questions, but what do I know?

Josh Lewis certainly has a voice that stands out to you, with hints of – To me - Marc Bolan , Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, John Lennon and even slightly Peter Frampton to a degree.
I had a notion that the album might want to sound quite rocky, but I really don’t hear that here too much. It does have variety about it though.

Not really sure how anyone can pigeonhole Josh with his musical direction. He’s really mixed this album up in terms of any kind of direction or what kind of audience he’s hoping to grab?

There’s certainly an element of Americana about his sound, with some of that borderline folksy sound that both Bob Dylan and Tom Petty have dabbled with and then there’s moments that are a little old school Aerosmith and even perhaps a hint of Led Zeppelin too, to a certain degree.

It seems my copy of the album has a different running order than the album that seems to be available out there, but with promo’s you just never can tell!

Opening track on my version is ‘Been Knocked Down,’ is a track right out of the John Mellencamp sounding Americana songbook if you ask me, when you hear it you’ll know just what I mean. The mix is kind of odd too and I don’t know if this was intentional or not, but the drums, seem to have been mic’d up a little off, unless like I say this was intentional, but when drummer Max Mazursky plays around to the floor tom, it’s louder than the rest of the drums?

‘Don’t Let Your Lovin’ Go Bad’ is next and it’s an acoustic ballad number that reminds me a lot of say Tom Petty, laid back stuff.

With next track ‘Fade’ it’s more of a poppy kind of number, with plenty of guitar effects and a couple of spots with a great little bass run. Interesting number.


OK, change of sound again for ‘Her Own Lagoon,’ kind of rockabilly meets The Beatles with a hippy attitude, then there’s an element that reminds me of Aerosmith a little. It’s certainly something different.

‘Lay Down Your Guns’ is another more laid back style number, ballad like in an almost Bob Dylan style. Not really my bag at all.

The track ‘Many Times Been Up,’ is certainly more up tempo and has a mind try and rock a little like Aerosmith with his distinct vocal, that as I say is pretty unique but certainly nods towards the aforementioned artists.

‘She Taught Me To Love’ is up next and here come the acoustics again and it’s a pretty good ballad although the ‘yeah, yeah, yeah,’ bit in the middle .., didn’t sound quite right but the track is not too bad overall.
Vocally it’s that almost Dylan like sound.

There’s a kind of Beatles sound to ‘Startin’ All Over Again,’ with a rocked up edge to it. I actually really like this one, nice guitar part too.

‘What Parts About Love (Don’t you Understand)’ is perhaps a slower more pop oriented track, with again perhaps a nod to Aerosmith and that's the end of the album.

In summary, it’s kind of lacking something about it, direction? With the production, it’s a pretty raw, basic sound and maybe that’s because Josh wanted that rootsy vibe to the album, not sure on that.
Credit where credit due though, Josh did a lot for himself here, so pat on the back to the guy for that.
It will be interesting to see what he does next.

Rating: 2.75 out of 5



Thursday, October 6, 2011

Late News Update for Wednesday 5th October, 2011

Scorpions 'Comeblack' album tracklisting revealed

You know, how genuine can this be, if it's not from the Scorpions website, it's not from their Facebook or even their MySpace ..., but it's on Finland fans Facebook pages ...?
So I'm guessing there has to be a leak within the groups organisation, somewhere ...
No smoke without fire, right?
There is a French Scorpions website, that seems to have most of the details on when the album will be available and the artwork.

Anyway, I'm just wanting to share with you what I have found, so here we go!



'Comeblack' album Tracklisting (According to Scorpions fan forum):

1.Rhythm Of Love
2. No One Like You
3. The Zoo
4. Rock You Like A Hurricane
5. Blackout
6. Still Loving You
7. Wind Of Change.
Covers:

8. Tainted Love (Soft Cell),
9. Children Of The Revolution (T. Rex)
10. Across The Universe (The Beatles)
11. Tin Soldier (Small Faces)
12. All Day And All Of The Night (The Kinks)
13. Ruby Tuesday (The Rolling Stones).

Info from:
 Album available (In France anyway ...) on November 4th, 2011:

French Scorpions Fansite:

So there you go!
The band's official sites are:



Saxon are on the road again ..., in North America!

Yes, British rocking metal band Saxon are hard on the tour trail in support of their latest album, 'A Call To Arms,' just released here in the US last week on the 27th September.


Reports so far are that fans are loving the set list and they've got a great mix of their back catalogue, so by all accounts, miss this tour at your loss!
Check this out:
  • Encore:

    1.  
  • Encore 2:

    Here's the message that frontman Biff Byford posted at the band's website:

    Hi, Hope you are all well.

    Just done ten interviews in five hours with American press ( the first of many) looks like they all like the new album which comes out 27th Sep. First time we've toured there on an album release for some time looking forward to a great tour of USA and South America.

    As we now have a web shop maybe we could start a thread on which retro shirt design you would like to buy, for me I think the first album with the warrior would be good. The two most voted for will stand a good chance of going into production.

    As you know we are doing a second tour of Europe and the UK. This would have been a unheard of three years ago, so lets get to it see you on tour.

    Never surrender
    Keep the faith

    Biff

    By the way would you like us to do the same as we did in Japan and play the whole of Denim and Leather on the tour. (yes or no would be ok)

    Also, here's a special video that the band has put out to coincide with the tour, sounds good to me!

    Official band website:



     David Lee Roth opens up to VHND.com

    Well, this was posted recently over at the fan run Van Halen site, www.VHND.com (Van Halen News Desk, if you hadn't figured it out!), telling things from David Lee Roth side of things.
    There are NO specific Roth statements, just VHND's interpretation of what he has apparently told them, here's that update.

    First, VHND can confirm that the Facebook and twitter pages for David Lee Roth that popped up last week are 100% official. Roth’s twitter post was simply “Get Ready for…”

    Since Roth has chosen to set up his social networking pages during this “calm before the storm”, we’ve decided to address some lingering rumors regarding his status in the band since rejoining Van Halen. Because of the fact that Roth hasn’t publicly spoken since the Van Halen tour ended three years ago, some fans have speculated that he might be under some sort of “gag order” that’s in place until the entire band agrees that it’s time talk. (After all, he’s David Lee Roth! And Diamond Dave loves the press, right?!)

    The truth is, there is no such rule and that Dave has stayed silent by his own volition. This fits with his patterns in the past as well. Roth does not do widespread publicity if there is nothing yet to promote. People forget that even during Van Halen’s early years, Roth would escape to secluded jungles in South America or Papua New Guinea, or go hike some high peaks in the Himalayas for weeks at a time when there were breaks in Van Halen action. He likes to completely disappear from the public eye just as much as he loves the spotlight.

    Also, David is an FULL member in the band Van Halen, and has been since he rejoined in 2006 for the 2007-2008 tour. As with all band partnerships, issues that affect the band are voted on…and in certain situations a single vote can veto. We just want to clarify that Dave has an equal vote – just as significant as Edward’s, Alex’s and Wolfgang’s.

    Another recent rumor that we want to address stated that Eddie Van Halen was unsatisfied with some of Roth’s vocals on the upcoming album, and that supposedly Eddie forced Dave to rerecord some of them. There was never any truth to this rumor. In reality, the vocals were completed several months ago and Eddie, along with everyone else, was very satisfied with them. Also, being equal partners, it’s wrong to assume that under any circumstances Eddie Van Halen could “order” anyone in the band to do anything. This is a band with four equal members. They collaborate and they agree or disagree. As we said, Eddie was not unhappy with the vocals once completed, and even if he was he could not order Roth back to the studio.

    We have heard from three insiders who have heard some or all of the album, and they all report that the vocals sound great. We hear that the band has been getting along just fine and that planning for next year’s album and tour is running smoothly.
    It’s the calm before the storm, everyone!

    So what next, will Eddie speak up or will we finally get an official VH press release that tells us WHEN the new album IS coming out and what it will be called!
    Story source: http://www.vhnd.com/




    Chickenfoot reveal '3' Roadtest tour dates




    Fans of Chickenfoot, don't go getting too excited, the band has only revealed five, yes, FIVE live shows, to go hand in hand with the release of the band's second album, '3.'
    Confused? It seems to be the case that it's what they want to do to us all out here!

    The band that features Red Rocker Sammy Hagar (Lead vocals and guitar), Joe Satriani (Guitars), Michael Anthony (Bass and Vocals), Chad Smith (Drums - On the album) and Kenny Aronoff (Drums - on live dates), have been plugging the new album with TV appearances, radio interviews and TV commercials / adverts.

    The five 'exclusive' dates are as follows:

    ROAD TEST SHOWS 2011

    Tues. Nov. 1st - Warfield Theatre, San Francisco, CA
    Wed. Nov. 2nd - The Avalon / Bardot Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA
    Fri. Nov. 4th - The Pageant, St. Louis, MO
    Sat. Nov. 5th - Metro / Smart Bar, Chicago, IL
    Tues. Nov. 8th - Webster Hall, New York, NY

    Official band website:
    Yngwie Malmsteen's North American tour kicks off in October.



    (New York, NY) - It's been a long wait for American and Canadian fans ...but come this October guitar legend Yngwie Malmsteen will make his triumphant return to North American stages with a Fall headlining tour. In support of Malmsteen's latest release 'RELENTLESS.'
    The trek will kick off on Thursday, October 13th at New York City's Irving Plaza. 
    Please see below for the itinerary, more dates will be announced shortly:

    OCTOBER

    13th, New York, NY Irving Plaza
    14th, Albany, NY Northern Lights
    15th, Silver Spring, MD Fillmore
    18th, Montreal, QC Club Soda
    19th, Toronto, ON Phoenix
    21st, Chicago, IL House Of Blues
    23rd, Denver, CO Bluebird Theatre
    26th, San Francisco, CA Fillmore
    28th, Anaheim, CA House Of Blues
    29th, Los Angeles, CA Club Nokia

    NOVEMBER

    1st, Houston, TX House Of Blues
    2nd, Dallas, TX House Of Blues
    4th, Orlando, FL House of Blues
    5th, Florida, Ft. Lauderdale, Revolution

    Released late last year, Yngwie Malmsteen's aptly-named latest album 'RELENTLESS', contains more than 60 minutes of new material and showcases the guitar great at his best with the signature virtuosity and mind-blowing technical speed for which he has come to be known. 
    The album also features striking vocals from Tim "Ripper" Owens (Judas Priest, Iced Earth), who first collaborated with Malmsteen on 2008's critically-acclaimed 'PERPETUAL FLAME' (Malmsteen's first album for the Rising Force Records label). 
    'RELENTLESS' has received rave reviews from both critics and fans alike.

    Official website:



    Marco Mendoza lines up low key home gig, this Friday



    Marco Mendoza, the man behind the bass where you'll have previously seen him live with Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Ted Nugent and Soul SirkUS, is playing a low key home town gig this Friday night.
    Be prepared or warned, that most of his solo gigs are not typically as hard rocking as his history reflects. They are more jazz fusion, with bits and pieces thrown in!
    Indeed check out the man's own solo work and you'll see exactly what I mean. 

    Here's the show details:

    The Marco Mendoza Trio feat. Jeff Kollman
    Date: Friday October 7, 2011 - 8:00PM
    Tickets: $20.00

    Alvas Showroom
    1417 W 8th Street
    San Pedro, CA 90732
    1-800-403-3447

    Official Marco Mendoza website:

    Tuesday, October 4, 2011

    Late Brief News Update for Tuesday October 4th, 2011

    New music from The Scorpions ...
    Well, new recordings of old material anyway!

    All over the web right now, word is spreading on news of newly recorded material from German rockers, The Scorpions who just last year started their farewell tour.
    This posted by the bands webmaster, through the bands forum:

    "French fans like me got the news from The Scorpions touring agent in our country. It should be made official next week :


    SCORPIONS upcoming new album is titled 'Comeblack' (Please note the intended pun).
    The album should be released on November 7th.

    What we don't know is if the (Whole) album is a cover album. What we know is that the French version of the album will contain a re-recorded version of 'Still Loving You,' featuring a duet with Amandine Bourgeois (2009 Pop Idol Winner)."
    Sorry for the small image, it's all that's available right now:


    There's also French tour dates lined up, go here for further details:

    The band's official website is here:



    MULTI PLATINUM ARTISTS WHITESNAKE TO RELEASE 
    "BOX O' SNAKES: THE SUNBURST YEARS 1978-1982"


    Whitesnake's Super Deluxe Collection from EMI
    9 AUDIO DISC + DVD AND 7 INCH VINYL BOX SET INCLUDING A 90-PAGE BOOK

    On November 7th, EMI will release a super deluxe box set of Whitesnake's Sunburst Years. Collecting together all studio and live albums, two previously unreleased BBC concerts, a limited 7 inch DVD and a 90-page book with new interviews and previously unseen photos and rare memorabilia, all overseen by David Coverdale.
    Following the split of Deep Purple, after three years as their lead singer David Coverdale released two solo albums: Whitesnake (1977) and Northwinds (1978), both sowing the seeds for what would eventually become Whitesnake.

    Whitesnake originally formed in March 1978 to promote the release of Northwinds, but eventually releasing the 4-track 7inch Snakebite EP in June of that year, followed by the full-length debut Trouble before the end of 1978.
    Jon Lord and Ian Paice, both founder members of Deep Purple, would augment the line-up, helping steer the band close to the top of the charts in 1981 (only kept off the top spot Adam & The Ants, album Kings Of The Wild Frontier).
    By the end of 1982 with the release of Saints & Sinners, the band had released five studio albums, two live albums and an EP. These earlier, bluesier recordings the band made before signing to Geffen (for Slide It In (1984) and the 8 million-selling 1987, including the US no.1 Here I Go Again), were from a band certainly big enough to sell out Hammersmith Odeon four nights in a row, or headline 1983's Donington Monsters Of Rock festival, though a very different beast to the world conquering 1987 version of the band.

    'BOX O'SNAKES: THE SUNBURST YEARS 1978-1982' is an 11-disc set including the original 1982 version of Here I Go Again - featuring nine audio CDs, a DVD and a 7 inch white vinyl replica of the Snakebite EP, the very first release from Whitesnake, remastered versions of the five studio albums and two live albums Whitesnake released from 1978-1982, plus two previously unreleased live albums recorded for the BBC at the 1979 and 1980 Reading Festivals. The DVD features 10 promo videos, four rare BBC TV performances and a previously unreleased US live show filmed in 1980. The release is housed in a lift-off-lid box and also contains a 90-page hardback book featuring an introduction from Classic Rock magazine's Geoff Barton, plus a new 10,000 word interview with David Coverdale and Bernie Marsden, with many unpublished photos and rare memorabilia from Marsden's personal collection, as well as a large colour poster.

    There's further details through the band's website, including full tracklisting:



    Joe Bonamassa announces March 2012 UK Arena Tour

    Award-winning blues rock star, guitar hero and singer-songwriter Joe Bonamassa and his ace touring band will undertake a major UK arena tour in March 2012. Tickets go on sale Friday October 7th at 10am from the 24 Hour Box Office: 0844 249 1000, or book online - www.thegigcartel.com
    Planet Rock will be running an exclusive 48-hour ticket pre-sale from Wednesday October 5th at 9am. Visit www.planetrock.com for further information about the pre-sale.
    Fresh off a successful European tour with Black Country Communion, and rave reviews of BCC's "2" album, Joe's forthcoming UK solo tour will see him perform material from his current studio album "Dust Bowl" plus songs from his vast catalogue of albums including “A New Day Yesterday”, “The Ballad of John Henry”, “Sloe Gin” and "Black Rock."


    Joe's band features Carmine Rojas (bass), Rick Melick (keyboards) and Tal Bergman (drums).
    Joe will also preview songs from his new studio album due for release in late May 2012.
    Read the official online announcement:
    http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/joebonamassa/arenatour.htm



     To receive a free download of the single 'Dust Bowl' from Joe’s most recent album go to the following link:
    http://bitly.com/joeukproct 

     I for one, will be looking forward to Joe's next album!
    Here's a review of 'Dust Bowl:'
    http://chambersofrock.blogspot.com/2011/05/joe-bonamassa-dust-bowl-album-review.html
    BCC '2' review here too:
    http://chambersofrock.blogspot.com/2011/07/black-country-communion-2-album-review.html


    PROPHET REVEAL NEW ARWORK FOR RECYCLED REISSUE



    PROPHET’S third classic album Recycled will be reissued by Z Records on October 24th.
    The long deleted album has been remastered and serviced with all new artwork and
    can be pre ordered at www.zrecords.net


    PROPHET have also been added to the Z Rock 2012 festival in England on May 5th.
    Tickets are currently available at the Z store at a special discounted rate for a short
    period so check it out.
    http://www.zrecords.net/

    Sunday, October 2, 2011

    Brief News update for Sunday 2nd October, 2011

    Hi folks, busy days so sorry about the lack of updates lately, sometimes wish this site was all I had to do, at least for one week, I could get so much done!
    Anyway, enough of my gripes, here's some updates. Cheers, Al

    John Sykes and Mike Portnoy have teamed up ...


    OK, this is old news to many perhaps and somehow I missed it when this originally did the rounds.
    Yes, John Sykes (Tygers of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Blue Murder) and Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) have teamed up to form a new Supergroup - of sorts. - with an as yet un-named bassist and it's an un-named band too!

    My money is on Marco Mendoza ... It's just a feeling I have, as since Lizzy have no new product coming out anytime soon - Please prove me wrong guys?! - and he's already done his solo album not so long ago and plays solo live shows as and when, I think this could be his next project.
    Marco and John, I believe really clicked in Lizzy and Marco also played on the second Blue Murder album, 'Nothin' but Trouble.'
    I guess we'll see in due course though.

    What's strange is this announcement came, during the recording of both guys appearance on the latest series of 'That Metal Show' on VH1 Classic, that took place July 25th that is due to be broadcast next Saturday night 8th October, 2011 at 11pm EST.

    Initial information on this has been posted at Eddie Trunk's site here:

    Also, John Sykes plugged this very briefly on his site (That is rarely updated):

    Sleazeroxx.com got this info from Mike Portnoy:
    "Yes, this is what I've been working on here in LA for the last week or so (as well as a few days at the end of May)" said the drummer, "John and I have been working with a bass player as well (no, not Dug Pinnick (Kings X)) and the announcement of who it is will be made at a later point... let's just say it is a completely ridiculous modern-day power trio!!!"
    "We've demo-ed 12 songs so far and will begin recording the album in the Fall" continued the drummer, "Eddie (Trunk) did NOT spill any beans on me ... the plan all along was to announce this on THAT METAL SHOW and make no mistake about it, this announcement was THEIR exclusive to announce regardless of whoever is now reporting it. For the record, this is a new "real BAND" for me, and Adrenaline Mob is also a new "real BAND" for me. I will divide my time as best as I can between the two (hey, if Corey Taylor and Jim Root, Mike Patton, Joe Satriani and Chad Smith, Zakk Wylde all can do it, so can I!) and I am equally excited by both... as they are both amazing new bands, but VERY different worlds musically... so there's really no clash creatively. Timing wise, Adrenaline Mob is happening NOW... and my band with Sykes wont be released (until) later next year... so they'll be able to co-exist just fine!"
    Source:
    No official site for the project yet, so my best advice to you is follow Mike Portnoy here:



    Marco Mendoza is selling his Bass guitar used Thin Lizzy / Soul SirkUS



    Star and classy bassist Marco Mendoza (Blue Murder, John Sykes, Thin Lizzy, Ted Nugent, Soul SirkUS, Whitesnake) is selling his Bass guitar that he used in Thin Lizzy and Soul Sirkus and he's put it up for sale on eBay.

    This bass was actually used and can be heard on the Thin Lizzy's - 'Live - One Night Only' CD.

    One Night Only: Live 1999


    Official Marco site:



    UK rockers Glyder share update ...

    How about this update from Irish rockers Glyder ...

    Hi Everyone,
    Things are heating up now for the release of the fourth Glyder album "Backroads to Byzantium" We have been busy and there is lots of news to report,


    ON NATIONAL TV...
    See Glyder on Televison, a short documentary on the band on Nationwide RTE1
    on October 10th after the 6 O' Clock news.
    If you are outside Ireland you can see it here on the 11th October http://www.rte.ie/player/

    NEW VIDEO....
    We Shot a video for the track "Fade to Dust" from the new album, it has become
    something of a minor YouTube hit with 2000 views in 48hrs. Please share it, email it
    and help us spread the word, it all helps!!

    ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB....
    The main Glyder website has been updated www.glydermusic.com and come along and interact with us on social networks,
    Visit us on Facebook : www.facebook.com/glydermusic
    Follow on Twitter : www.twitter.com/glydermusic
    Join the mailing list on www.reverbnation.com/glyder and get a free download
    of "Something she knows"


    UPCOMING GIGS.....
    19th Nov. ALBUM LAUNCH The Diamond Rock club, Ballymena, Northern Ireland

    7th Oct Opening for Y&T, Spring and Airbrake, Belfast
    8th Oct Opening for Y&T, The Village, Dublin


    RELEASE DATES.....
    The album comes out on 7th October in Germany, 11th October in UK and Ireland
    and mainland Europe, 25th October in the USA. Please purchase a copy in your
    www.amazon.de, www.amazon.es or from iTunes or what ever digital store you use.


    ON THE ROAD AGAIN......
    The reviews have been grea so far and we promise you wont be disappointed so please buy a
    copy and support the band, the more we sell the sooner we get the band back out on the road...
    keep rockin and feel free to send us any feedback good or bad!!
    Cheers
    Glyder
    Official site: