Friday, August 17, 2012

Brief News Update for Friday August 17th, 2012



Hi folks,
Well it seems Stuart Smith's departing The Sweet caused quite a stir and my post on Wednesday has been generating a few more hits at the site ...!
We need more stories like that! Ha ha!

No, seriously, it's a shame it has to come to that, but I do seriously understand Stuart's position.
Good luck Stuart!

I really wanted to add more here today, but put simply ran out of time.
Life right now is simply too busy ...

Anyway, enough on that, on with the news!
Cheers,
Al




BE PREPARED TO GET RE-MACHINED
 
A TRIBUTE TO DEEP PURPLE’S MACHINE HEAD LANDS SEPTEMBER 25
 


New York, NY (August 16, 2012)—Eagle Records is delighted to announce the release of Re-Machined – A Tribute To Deep Purple’s Machine Head album on September 25 .

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the release of this landmark album and in recognition of the influence of the band, and of Machine Head in particular. Some of rock music’s biggest names have each contributed a version of their favorite track on the album to create Re-Machined – A Tribute To Deep Purple’s Machine Head.

Re-Machined features specially recorded tracks from Jimmy Barnes and Joe Bonamassa, Black Label Society, Chickenfoot, former Deep Purple Mk III member Glenn Hughes with Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Iron Maiden, the “supergroup” Kings Of Chaos (featuring Joe Elliott, Steve Stevens, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum), Metallica, Carlos Santana and Jacoby Shaddix and Steve Vai.
There are two wildly differing versions of the album’s most famous track “Smoke On The Water”, one from guitar hero Carlos Santana with vocals by Jacoby Shaddix and one from alternative rockers Flaming Lips, and Metallica have contributed their own special take on “When A Blind Man Cries”, a track recorded at the “Machine Head” sessions but originally released as the B-side to “Never Before”.
Iron Maiden’s “Space Truckin’” cover was actually recorded back in 2006. Lead singer Bruce Dickinson explains, “Initially we didn’t think we’d be able to contribute anything due to our touring commitments. Then we remembered ‘Space Truckin’ which we’d recorded as a single B-side during our A Matter Of Life And Death album session, but never used. However now, thanks to Kevin Shirley’s remixing skills, we’re able to include it on Re-Machined”
Initially released as a limited edition Classic Rock “fanpack” on September 3, this is a truly unique release that will appeal to rock fans everywhere.


TRACK LISTING:

1) Smoke On The Water – Carlos Santana & Jacoby Shaddix 
2) Highway Star – Chickenfoot  
3) Maybe I’m A Leo – Glenn Hughes & Chad Smith 
4) Pictures Of Home – Black Label Society 
5) Never Before – Kings Of Chaos (Joe Elliott, Steve Stevens, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum) 
6) Smoke On The Water – The Flaming Lips         
7) Lazy – Jimmy Barnes with Joe Bonamassa 
8) Space Truckin’ – Iron Maiden     
9) When A Blind Man Cries – Metallica
10) Highway Star – Glenn Hughes / Steve Vai / Chad Smith


Weblinks:


Rock News Briefs:


Elton John's bassist found dead



Various news outlets have announced that bassist / saxophonist Robert 'Bob' Birch has been found dead, from a single gunshot wound.
The speculation is that it is suicide, but this is not yet confirmed.

He was a part of Elton John's live band during the 90's and has apparently been touring with Elton for over 20 years.

As I say numerous stories are out there, but here's just one:

RIP Bob, sad to lose yet another recognised musician.




Geoff Tate starts making his comeback

Yes, Queensryche's former frontman is wasting no time at all moving forward.
He has just recorded an episode of Eddie Trunk's 'That Metal Show' on VH1 Classic, where he he spoken up of his side of things regarding the recent break up of the band.

Watch for Geoff on VH1's THAT METAL SHOW on August 18th and August 25th and also on AXS TV for the Vegas Rocks magazine awards live on on satellite on Dish Network Channel 13 at 8pm PST on August 26th

He's also due to be the opening act on Alice Cooper's winter tour in November.
 He posted  last night the following message on Facebook:


QUEENSRŸCHE STARRING GEOFF TATE THE ORIGINAL VOICE


This fall, Geoff Tate Electric Band will be releasing his new solo metal album on Inside Out Music, which features such label mates as King’s X, Fates Warning, Pain of Salvation and Dream Theater’s frontman James LaBrie, and many others! 

Geoff Tate solo tour dates with Alice Cooper beginning in November.
***Watch for the announcement of the upcoming 2013 Queensryche Anniversary Tour featuring an All-Star lineup, starring Geoff Tate, the longtime creative and driving force behind the band, whose vocals can be heard on every Queensryche song ever released!***

Website:




Sweet and Heaven and Earth drummer Richie Onori to release solo album and then another side project to follow


Richie Onori photo courtesy of www.RichieOnori.com


Yes, Richie Onori who currently drums with US version of The Sweet for the past four years and has been recording the latest album with the Heaven and Earth project - Not to mention having played on all the previous recordings ... - is about to release his own solo works.

Now here's the thing, do not go expecting the latest solo release featuring drummer Richie Onori (The Sweet, Heaven and Earth) to rock in the same manner as say The Sweet or the band he formed with guitarist Stuart Smith, Heaven and Earth.

'The Days of Innocence,' is an album that sounds to me, to be perhaps inspired by former heroes of old and it is, as he described to me, 'an eclectic album,' which it really is.


It's to be released through his own label, Onori Records.
The album features Dickie Sims (Eric Clapton) on Hammond organ, Joe Retta (Sweet / Heaven and Earth) - vocal on Track 1, Chuck Wright (House of Lords, Heaven and Earth, Quiet Riot) - Bass - Track 8, Teddy Andreadis (Guns and Roses) - Keyboards -  Track 8, Mitch Perry - Guitar - Tracks 8 and 14, Jeff Daniels - Piano - Track 3 and many more guest artists.

I really wouldn't call it a rock album as such, a little Van Morrison like, little 50's / 60's twang too and a little (John) Mellencamp possibly, but not a million miles away from what Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw were doing with Shaw / Blades.

Richie does handle the lead vocals, Guitar, Drums (Of course!), percussion and harmonica and co-production duties.
The whole album was produced by David Jenkins, who co-wrote a few of the album's track with Richie.

Then there's a second album in the works that's perhaps a little more rocky called, 'American Fighters' and you can hear a track from that called 'Hey You' here:

To keep up with Richie's activities and learn more, go to:

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