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Sunday, December 19, 2010

Rock News Update for Sunday 19th December, 2010

Hi folks, once again apologies for lack of updates, been very busy including doing another interview which I hope doesn't take six months to get posted!
The interview was with Marco Mendoza who was buzzed about the forthcoming Thin Lizzy tour starting in January, very pleased with the early reviews he's getting on his latest solo album 'Casa Mendoza' and over the moon about a new album he has just been wrapping up with Journey's Neal Schon and Deen Castronova!

Anyway, hope everyone's weekend has so far been a good one, probably busy getting all your last minute bits and pieces before the holiday.
Well, hopefully the following gives you a little pleasant distraction from all that, at least briefly! LOL! Enjoy!
Cheers, Al

Rock Stars Unite for New Year's Eve Cancer Benefit Concert

In Benefit For Bassist PHIL KENNEMORE Of Y&T
NEW YEAR'S EVE @ THE AVALON in SANTA CLARA, CA
GEOFF TATE, DON DOKKEN, CHUCK BILLY, JIMMY DEGRASSO, RON KEEL AND MANY MORE!

HOLLYWOOD, CA (December 16, 2010) – A parade of Rockstars are coming together to support beloved bassist, Phil Kennemore, founding member of Northern California's legendary rockers Y&T.
Kennemore was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer while on tour this last summer. Having recorded and toured the world relentlessly since 1974, Kennemore has dedicated his life to making millions of people happy with his music. Now, he needs your help.

Due to the overwhelming medical bills, Y&T's lead singer and best mate Dave Meniketti, started the "Phil Kennemore Fund" to help Phil with his bills. This New Year's concert is the ultimate fund-raiser for a friend who has made such a positive impact on the music scene.

This concert is an allstar line up of many of Kennemore’s friends from bands such as Queensryche, Dokken, RATT, Black Sabbath, DIO, Alice Cooper, Testament and Y&T all donating their time to perform on New Year's Eve.
This is a must-see concert and is going to rock!

The lineup for the all star extravaganza is as follows:
· Geoff Tate (Queensryche)
· Don Dokken (Dokken)
· Bobby Blotzer (RATT)
· Vinny Appice (DIO, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell)
· Sean McNabb (Dokken, Montrose)
· Loren Gold (Roger Daltrey)
· Chuck Billy (Testament)
· Paul Bostaph (Testament, Slayer)
· Jimmy DeGrasso (Alice Cooper)
· Joey Alves
· Leonard Haze
· Ron Keel
· Greg Kihn
· ...and more (see http://www.yandtrocks.com/ for updates)

The show will take place at the Avalon (777 Lawrence Expressway. Santa Clara, CA), a 1000+ capacity venue which Y&T has performed at several times on New Year's Eve over the past five years.
The club, like the performers, has generously volunteered to donate 100% of the ticket proceeds directly to Phil.

The doors open at 8:00PM. Tickets are $75. For further information, call the Avalon at 408.241.0777 or visit http://www.yandtrocks.com/ 

Folks! If you can support this event or simply donate through, the Y&T site to help Phil settle out some of his costs, you'll be doing a great thing. Meantime, please keep the man in your thoughts and prayers.

REO Speedwagon makes available live album ... From this weekend's gig!

This posted this weekend over at the REO Speedwagon site, not one, but two albums are being made available!
Yes, one brand new live album, recorded this very weekend in Milwaukee, WI and then another one that a rockin' Christmas release.
Don't know how many are into the Christmas one, who knows, maybe some of you are, but the live one sounds very promising as a two disc set.
Anyway, enough of my words, read on as this message is direct from the band's website! 

We have some exciting news for REO Speedwagon fans!
The band is partnering with Abbey Road Live, and will be offering a very limited edition run of live recordings from the Riverside Theatre performance tonight in Milwaukee, WI.


These are high quality double disc DigiPaks, fully mixed and mastered for that classic live and exciting REO sound, that will be shipped home to you within two weeks of the show! Most importantly, these are individually numbered units, and only 2000 will ever be made! For those going to the show, this is a true memento of your evening that you will cherish forever. For those who are not going, you get an exclusive product that only a few people will ever have.

This is the first time REO Speedwagon has ever worked with Abbey Road Live and these are sure to be instant collectors items.

Get in early and make sure you have a low number! Reserve yours now online by going to: www.abbeyroadliveus.com/detail.cfm?artistid=46

And ..., that Christmas album!

REO Speedwagon - Not So Silent Night
(Sony Legacy)


In a more rockin’ vein is REO’s thoroughly enjoyable Christmas effort. First released last year, it has been reissued with three bonus tracks (a fun “Sleigh Ride,” acoustic based original ballad “I Believe in Santa Claus,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”; downloaded versions add “We Three Kings”). Sometimes reminiscent of Trans-Siberian Orchestra (though far more interesting and minus the over-the-top aspects), a rock gospel flavored “Children Go Where I Send Thee,” doo wop-oriented “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “White Snows of Winter,” a countryish “Blue Christmas” (with bassist Bruce Hall on lead vocals) and “Deck the Halls,” where frontman Kevin Cronin’s kids get into the mix, are among the songs assembled here.
Available throught the bands website here:

Keep up with all things REO at:


Judie Tzuke Christmas Newsletter

Hello, all you Christmas spirited people out there,
If you're anything like me you'll be in a frenzy trying to get everything ready for Christmas day; hopefully unlike me, you are succeeding. ; )

So while I have a minute, I just wanted to thank you all for coming to see us on tour.
We all had a fantastic time and couldn't have done it without you…

We are finishing off a live recording of both mine and Bailey's sets and will make them available as soon as possible (details will be on http://www.tzuke.com/).

Next year, I am looking at doing either more of the "Moon on a Mirrorball" tour, as we didn't get to quite a few places we usually would, or possibly an acoustic tour with me, Graham Kearns and David Saw.
It's all a bit up in the air but plans are definitely afoot to do something!! I'm also excited about finishing my new album; and hoping that it will be ready for Summer 2011…

Wishing you all a fantastic Christmas and New year and keeping everything crossed for a healthy happy and loving 2011,

May the force be with us,
Jude, Bailey, Matthew, Tallula, Jamie, Paul and all at Big Moon xxxxx

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Everyone,

Firstly, as Judie mentioned in her note; live recordings of the recent and hugely appreciated 'Moon on a Mirrorball tour' are going to be available on the website over the next few weeks (Bailey's this week and Judie's as soon as possible).
If you were one of the lucky ones who watched the shows, then you will know what a pleasure you're in for, as the band are really special and Judie showed once again what a special talent she is.
The a cappella version of 'For You' featuring Judie, Bailey and Tallua Tzuke is a special treat.

We are keeping our prices low for Christmas (details below *) and we've also added merchandise from the tour including some excellent, 'Faith don't let me down' Sweatshirts and T-shirts.

Also available is Bailey Tzuke's beautiful 'Laid Bare EP' which is only available via the Tzuke shop.
www.tzuke.com/shopcart/baileytzuke.php

Recently Judie (and Bailey) have become patrons for Childline Rocks and she has been looking for a way to contribute to the charity.
Over the last 14 years Judie has been happy to sign CD's for people, she is happy to continue doing so but requests that people contribute to the NSPCC if they request that the CDs are signed (link is on the payment page).
I hope you all have a wonder filled holiday season,
All the best,

Jamie (The Fan Club)

Europe UK Tour set for February 2011

If you didn't catch the band Europe, the last time they played the UK, then you won't want to miss them this time!
'Last Look At Eden' was such an excellent release and the band are hitting the UK roads again in the New Year, to play a select nine shows in February.

Those dates are:
FEBRUARY 2011
17 FEB. 11 // GLASGOW O2 ABC / UK
18 FEB. 11 // BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY / UK
19 FEB. 11 // LONDON O2 SHEPERDS BUSH EMPIRE / UK
21 FEB. 11 // OXFORD 02 ACADEMY / UK
22 FEB. 11 // BOURNEMOUTH O2 ACADEMY / UK
23 FEB. 11 // BRISTOL O2 ACADEMY / UK
25 FEB. 11 // MANCHESTER ACADEMY 2 / UK
26 FEB. 11 // LEEDS O2 ACADEMY / UK
27 FEB. 11 // NEWCASTLE O2 ACADEMY / UK

Keep up with the band at:

Frontiers is happy to share their Christmas gift, two new videos!

JOHN WAITE
The new Videoclip
“Shadows of Love”

And ....

ISSAThe Official Trailer!
 
 
Official Site: http://www.frontiers.it/
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Thursday, December 16, 2010

Styx – Regeneration Vol 1 album review
Released through: Band's own label. / Styx website. Release date: Available now 


So here we have a ‘mini’ album or 'EP' from one the best melodic rock bands from the 70’s, yes indeed Styx are still going strong in 2010 and not showing signs of letting up in 2011!
This band is like an endless touring machine, certainly in North America anyway and they'll be kicking off a bunch of new US dates in January and February 2011, before heading to Europe in the Summer with both Journey and Foreigner, with dates starting there in June. 

This album, 'Regeneration Volume 1' was originally penned as ‘available at gigs only release,’ but it seems now if you go to the bands site, you certainly can pick it up there too.
It basically consists of six re-recorded Styx classics and one new song.

The band today is made up of two true classic Styx members in James ‘JY’ Young (Guitars/Vocals) and Tommy Shaw (Guitars/Vocals), joined by long time members in Lawrence Gowan (Keyboards / Vocals) and Todd Sucherman (Drums) and most recent addition - in 2003 - Ricky Phillips (Ex-Babys, Bad English).

Opening with ‘Grand Illusion’ now sung by Lawrence Gowan and clearly with the pace picked up a little from the original Dennis DeYoung sung classic, the band still sound as strong as ever.

Next is ‘Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man),’ as presented by the ever youthful looking Tommy Shaw and as ‘Grand Illusion’ before it, it certainly freshens up these older songs and Gowan has the keyboards coming through as powerful as ever.

'JY' takes the lead vocals on ‘Lorelei’ next on the track listing, so it’s clear the band is pushing each members vocal attributes and why not?! I seriously don’t think this song has ever sounded so good!

Tommy Shaw takes the lead vocals again for ‘Sing For The Day’ and it’s again very well done as anyone who’s seen this actual line up over the past five years can attest to already.
Next is ‘Crystal Ball’ which captures a part of Styx’ earlier almost prog rock moments and is an excellent piece of classic Styx history.

My thoughts at this time are more on the lines of the fact that if they were going to re-record songs, they should’ve at least includes at least one Styx rocker, like say ‘Renegade,’ ‘Blue Collar Man’ or even ‘Rockin’ the Paradise,’ but no such luck!
These tracks are perhaps all a little too smooth (Safe?), but I can’t knock them as they all still sound great!

I guess you do get ‘Come Sail Away’ next with Lawrence Gowan taking the helm here, which is good in terms of a rocker and he’s closeness at times to Dennis DeYoung works well. I still personally think one of the rockier tracks I mentioned in place of say ‘Sing For The Day,’ would’ve worked better or if they’d just added another one of those tracks. It’s just my take on things …

Final track here is the new song, ‘Difference in the World,’ which is a good new Styx song, don’t get me wrong, but as a stand alone example of perhaps the bands direction for new material, could’ve done with a little more ‘supporting cast’ in maybe one or two more new songs. From that standpoint, as a long time Styx fan I’m a little disappointed.

Overall these tracks, it has a very clean and crisp production mix, so you’re getting a quality product of that there is no question!
The only thing is, how many Styx fans will feel the value in paying the cash for a re-recorded mini ‘Best of’ release, when they’ve already got all of these already in some form or another?

With only one new song added here, ‘Difference in the World,’ – that was in fact originally offered to fans for free through the bands website – you have to wonder ….

Rating:
For music / sound quality: 4.5 out of 5

For validity today: 3.5 out 5 - As these are pretty straightforward re-recordings of just six classic Styx tracks with just one new song, why not more?
Official Band website: www.styxworld.com/
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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Brief Update for Wednesday 15th December, 2010

Are you ready for Whitesnake, LIVE in 2011?!

Yes, I can't believe it either!
You saw it here first - Unless you saw it at their site! - but with no official press release anywhere, in just doing a little snooping around a few sites, I found this on Whitesnake's home page, a link to 2011 tour dates!

So it seems after David Coverdale's somewhat embarrassing moments on tour with Judas Priest and at Download, where sadly the poor guy was losing his voice, after various treatments, the man must be ready to Rock and Roll!
The latest Whitesnake line up features the following suspects:
David Coverdale - Vocals
Doug Aldrich - Guitars
Reb Beach - Guitars
Michael Devin - Bass
Brian Tichy - Drums
and keyboard player to be announced!

Whitesnake Tour Schedule 2011
Dates will be added as they become available

June 2011
02 June 2011 - Moscow, Russia
Megasport Arena

04 June 2011 - St. Petersburg, Russia
Icearena

13 June 2011 - Newcastle, UK
City Hall

14 June 2011 - Glasgow, UK
Clyde Auditorium

16 June 2011 - Wolverhampton, UK
Civic

17 June 2011 - Manchester, UK
Apollo

19 June 2011 - Bournemouth, UK
BIC

20 June 2011 - London, UK
Hammersmith Apollo

22 June 2011 - Milano, Italy
Gods of Metal

25 June 2011 - Dessel, Belgium
Graspop
Graspop Metal Meeting

28 June 2011 - Prague, Czech Rep.
Saska Arena

29 June 2011 - Vienna, Austria
Stadthalle

For more details, go to:
Joe Perry to Perform at 99.5 KLOS/Mark and Brian Christmas Show


Citadel Broadcasting Company’s 95.5 KLOS and Mark and Brian to host the Mark and Brian Christmas Show on Thursday, December 16th at 6:00 pm (PST) at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE.

Mark and Brian Christmas Show will feature Billy Idol, the Mark and Brian All-star Band with Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Peter Frampton, Paul Rodgers (Bad Company), Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Jason Bonham, John Waite, Marc Bonilla and other world-class players. Plus comedian Ron White will give us a good laugh and the Margo Rey Band will kick off the show, and Billy Idol will close.

While the show is nearly sold-out, some tickets remain from $49 to $69 on http://www.markandbrian.com/. Portions of the proceeds benefit the Eisner Pediatric and Family Medical Center.

Founded in 1920, Eisner Pediatric and Family Medical Center is a quality-focused, non-profit community health center dedicated to improving the physical, social and emotional well-being of people in the communities we serve, regardless of income.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, Alice Cooper in, but not Bon Jovi?

Pollstar is claiming through a leak posted in the New York Times ... - Phew! - that among others, at long last Alice Cooper will get recognized as a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, but Bon Jovi, highly touted to get their spot will not!
Alice Cooper apparently will join Neil Diamond (Cough!), Dr John and Tom Waits as top names to be inducted if the New York Times is accurate.

The induction ceremony will not happen until March 2011, but from the nominees already listed, the actual inductees are due to be named today, Wednesday 15th December.
The New York Times story can be read here:
Pollstar have their storry right here:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: http://rockhall.com/
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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Rock News Update for Tuesday 14th December, 2010

DOUBLE-LP VINYL VERSION OF 'DIO AT DONINGTON UK: LIVE 1983 AND 1987' TO BE ISSUED BY NIJI ENTERTAINMENT GROUP!


The recently-released double-disc Dio CD, 'Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 and 1987,' is about to get a glorious vinyl makeover. On February 15, 2011, the album will be issued as a double vinyl set with deluxe gatefold packaging, and on 180 gram vinyl - the first-ever Dio album to be released in this high quality vinyl format. The album was mixed and mastered under the supervision of Dio's longtime engineer, Wyn Davis, and comes hot on the heels of the CD version's success (debuting at #98 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart - Dio's strongest chart debut in the "Soundscan era").

The first disc of 'Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 and 1987' was recorded at the first-ever UK performance by Dio's solo group, while on tour supporting their classic debut, 'Holy Diver.' And the set-list does a superb job reflecting Dio's debut (featuring such classics as "Rainbow in the Dark," "Stand Up And Shout," etc.), as well as classics from both Rainbow and Black Sabbath ("Man on the Silver Mountain," "Heaven and Hell," etc.) - resulting in a thorough retrospective of Dio's career, from Rainbow to Black Sabbath to solo hits. The second disc of 'Dio at Donington UK: Live 1983 and 1987' features guitarist Craig Goldy's debut - recorded in 1987, in support of the 'Dream Evil' album, and contains further highlights from Dio's career.

Between Facebook, Myspace and Twitter, the Dio social media followers now number over one million. Also recently opened for business is the Official Dio Webstore, which gives fans worldwide the opportunity to purchase t-shirts, limited edition items, and CD's/DVD's that fans have been requesting.
2011 is shaping up to be a busy shopping year for Dio collectors, so stay tuned!

For more information, please go to:

Extra Dio related news update

Craig Goldy (Ex-Dio, Giuffria, Rough Cutt, Budgie) was recently speaking with the UK's 'Classic Rock magazine' and in an interview with them, he shared that there was a new Dio track that was almost completed, before Ronnie (James Dio) passed away and that Wendy Dio plans to release it as part of a reissued 'Magica' release, that will also feature additional bonus tracks.
For all the details on this go to:

Continuing on the Craig Goldy theme, he also told 'Classic Rock magazine' that he is starting a new band, that will capture that missing 'rock star' type image of yesteryear that we all knew so well.
Read a little more on that here:

I recall Craig Goldy saying this to Eddie Trunk on his radio show when I was driving home from work, probably about a month ago.
Promising stuff we hope!
Craig Goldy's MySpace page is here: 


RIP Woolly Wolstenholme of Barclay James Harvest

(Photo courtesy of www.woollywolstenholme.co.uk/)

After having had to withdraw from John Lees Barclay James Harvest's touring plans back in November, due to 'nervous exhaustion,' it is with great sadness that I hear Woolly Wolstenholme has passed away, through taking his own life after suffering from mental health deterioration. Very sad indeed.
.
I think Barclay James Harvest were always a much underrated band, one that I think a lot of AOR / Melodic rock fans could've appreciated more of the band from releases such as 'Ring of Changes,' 'Victims of Circumstance,' 'Face to Face' and many more.
I know Woolly Wolstenholme was not always involved in the BJH line up, but he was there for a great deal of the bands history and at the start.
It's sadder still that the man ended up taking his own life.
This has been posted at the band's website today:

 It is with great sadness that John Lees' Barclay James Harvest announces the passing of Woolly Wolstenholme. In recent weeks Woolly's mental health had taken a turn for the worse and sadly he took his own life on Monday 13th December 2010. As you can imagine, John, Craig, Jez and Kevin and everyone associated with the band are stunned that a shining light of Barclay James Harvest is no longer with us. In this difficult time our thoughts are with Woolly's partner, Sue. We would ask all of Woolly's fans to remember his incredible contribution to popular music and his unique presence on stage.

Bon Jovi take biggest touring act title, so say Billboard

Billboards annual touring chart claims that for the second time in three years, Bon Jovi are the highest grossing live act!
Billboard says:

'In an ongoing global trek promoted by AEG Live that saw the band play stadiums and arenas, Bon Jovi reported Boxscore grosses for the period of Nov. 20, 2009, through Nov. 28, 2010, of $146,507,388 and attendance of 1,591,154 to 69 sellouts. When Bon Jovi was tops for the year in 2008 with its Lost Highway tour, the trek finished with a gross of $210 million, the 10th-biggest of all time.'
Quite something, eh?!
Full details on the Bon Jovi story and the Top touring chart at:
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Monday, December 13, 2010

Update for Monday 13th December, 2010

Hey folks, well, seems I'm on a run of bad luck right now, can't believe it ...!
Our PC here, crashed while the kids were on it - Probably my first mistake! - major pain, tried System Restore, wouldn't do it .... Eventually got the Recovery to work, which restores the machine back to received in factory setting condition, meaning that you'll lose everything ...
I thought, well, thankfully I backed the machine up with the external hard drive ...
I thought wrong, well, kind of anyway ... The unit is playing up, works when it wants to and not always and what I was sure it backed up ..., well, it didn't!
We've lost a mass of family pictures, gig pictures that I took this past year and a bunch more. :(
It's also been murder trying to reinstall everything again, as when bought this PC, well, it's been a few years, so there's many updates to reinstall again and this has been a painful, ongoing process since Saturday morning and I'm still a long way off.
Sorry folks ... I'm sure you were looking forward to better news than just this.

Meantime, while I go through so much recovery of info and so forth, let me guide you to some of the competition ... I know, what am I thinking right?
Well, they seem in a better supported position than me right now to keep you up to date!
For the latest rock news, check out:

http://www.melodicrock.com/ - Courtesy of Mr Andrew McNiece!
Also check out www.classicrockmagazine.com/ certainly a few interesting stories there this weekend including Emerson Lake and Palmer, Girlschool and news that Joe Perry will be playing with Paul Rodgers, it looks like in his band, since Joe Elliott's Down 'n' Outz are opening for him?

For interesting pieces from time to time, check out my 'old boss' Dave White's section on About.com, by going here: http://classicrock.about.com/
I wrote for that site for just over four years, so that says a lot for the man, Dave's certainly a passionate guy about music too!

There's also Jeb Wright's http://classicrockrevisited.com/ who I also briefly wrote for and he's pretty well hooked up with VH1 as it seems Dave Basner from VH1 is the man behind most of the news stories there these days.
Jeb also has a whole host of supporting cast writing reviews for him, so some interesting stuff there too ...

Don't worry, I'm not calling it quits, I love doing this too much and have made some great friends along the way too, it's just with the time of year, recent day job demands and now the PC dumping on me ..., well all is not right in the world right now.
I will return, may it may be a couple of days unless I get some really good stuff.
Meantime here's just a couple of Press releases I received at the weekend.
Cheers folks and thanks for your continued support and understanding, Al. 

JACKYL TO PERFORM ON truTV’s FULL THROTTLE SALOON!
JACKYL COLLABORATE WITH DMC ON NEW SINGLE!


What a kick ass year 2010 has turned out to be for rockers Jackyl! Jesse Dupree (Vocals), Jeff Worley (Guitar), Roman Glick (Bass) & Chris Worley (Drums) celebrated the release of the new Jackyl CD, ‘When Moonshine and Dynamite Collide’ by personally calling everyone that pre-ordered to thank them for their support. “We never expected just how cool that was going to be” Jackyl Lead Vocalist Jesse James Dupree quoted. As their first single ‘She’s Not A Drug’ shot up the active rock charts, Jackyl continued to tour from coast to coast.

Dupree also serves as executive producer of the truTV hit series FULL THROTTLE SALOON, which looks at the behind-the-scenes mayhem at Michael Ballard’s legendary biker watering hole in Sturgis, South Dakota.

This year Jackyl does it bigger than ever and to celebrate their new album, “When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide” as well as the Sturgis Rally’s 70th Anniversary, Jesse James Dupree plans to get shot out of a cannon in the heat of the Jackyl performance. This night proves to be the wildest in Full Throttle history. Tune in Wednesday, Dec. 22nd and 29th to catch all of the action including Jackyl’s special guest, Rock ‘n' Roll Hall of Famer DMC.

The Full Throttle Saloon airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. (EST) on truTV.
Full Throttle Saloon is #3 ranked show in the primetime hour and is the #2 show for males 18-49.

Jackyl are ending 2010 with a bang by collaborating with R&R Hall of Fame legend DMC from Run DMC by releasing the single ‘Just Like A Negro’.

DMC will be performing the extremely powerful song with Jackyl on stage during their late fall and winter tour. “Darryl is an inspiration and it’s an honor to sing and share the stage with him, especially having such a impacting message in our song, Just Like A Negro” says Dupree of DMC. The single is available for purchase at http://www.jackyl.com/, and comes with a limited edition Jackyl featuring DMC poster, or download at ITUNES. Check out the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TMO9A7uccw

For more information, please visit:


MR. BIG New Release "What If…"
February 8th, 2011 on Frontiers Records U.S.A.

I know, like I haven't already plugged this release already ... Here's another press release on the forthcoming new album, although this does focus more on it's US release.
HOLLYWOOD, CA (December 9, 2010) MR. BIG is back to announce their highly anticipated new studio album entitled « What If… » on February 8, 2011 on Frontiers Records.

"What If…" is MR. BIG’s first all original album since the reunion of the four original members, Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey back in early 2009. Sixteen years after the release of "Hey Man," the new recording is set to bring back MR. BIG on the height of the current Hard Rock scene.

Guitarist Paul Gilbert said: “This is the first MR. BIG album I have been a part of, since fourteen years and it was done in a snap. It was fun and we had really a good time in making this one”. Continues Billy Sheehan “It’s so great to be back with Paul, Eric and Pat too. We wrote this record like we did in the old days for the first 2 records. Jamming together in the same room to write songs”. Pat Torpey adds “Some of the recording process is different now from what we were used to in the old times. But I think this record really managed to capture the performances of the band, not of the individual musicians”.

Eric Martin concludes: “I like to compare this to the first album, when we just got to know each other in a reharsal studio and cut it in 8 or 9 days. This is like chapter 2. We had so many years, so many records and so many things behind us. Now this feels like a beautiful brand new chapter starting for all of us”.

"What If…" was produced by Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Rush, Iron Maiden) and the release will be followed by a World Tour which will kick off in South America in March and will hit Europe in early summer.

Formed in 1988, Mr. Big forged its place in hard rock history by combining trademark "shredding" musicianship with awesome vocal harmonies. The original line-up – vocalist Eric Martin, guitarist Paul Gilbert, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Pat Torpey. Mr. Big produced numerous hit songs that ranged across a wide array of rock genres – be it ballads, heavy metal, or blues rock.

Their hits included "To Be With You" (Billboard Hot 100 number one single in 15 countries for weeks, in 1991, propelling the band the band to huge international success and record sales in the multi-millions), "Wild World", Green-Tinted sixties Mind", "Just Take My Heart", and a host of heavy metal songs that were played mostly during their live performances: "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy", "Addicted to that Rush", "Colorado Bulldog", and "Take Cover".

“What If…” will be released in a special edition CD + DVD in digipak, regular CD, vinyl and digital download and in a limited edition luxury box including the CD, DVD, LP and exclusive memorabilia.

“What If…” tracklisting includes: Undertow; American Beauty; Stranger In My Life; Nobody Takes the Blame; Still Ain’t Enough for Me; Once Upon a Time; As Far As I Can See; All The Way Up; I Won’t Get In My Way; Around The World; I Get The Feeling; Unforgiven (exclusive bonus track for Europe / North America – not on vinyl edition).

The DVD will include the videoclips of “Undertow” and “All the Way Up” plus a documentary “Making of” the album including interviews and exclusive behind the scenes features of the four members.
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Saturday, December 11, 2010

E.L.O. Live - The Early Years DVD review

Electric Light Orchestra Live - The Early Years DVD review
Released through: Eagle Vision (Eagle Rock). Release date: Available now.


I personally think that the release of this DVD set, ‘Electric Light Orchestra – Live – The Early Years’ is great when I think of how much crap mates of mine back home used to give me for liking ‘that pop band ELO,' during the 70’s and 80’s.

This really shows anyone that only ever thought of the Electric Light Orchestra for their pop hit singles such as 'Mr. Blue Sky,' 'The Diary of Horace Wimp' and even sad stuff like ‘Shine a Little Love’ as being it.

Without doubt this shows where ELO originated as a contemporary progressive rock band without a shadow of a doubt and those poppy years were a million miles away.
It can’t be forgotten though that although Roy Wood did not remain with ELO for long, it was his and Jeff Lynne’s joint dream to create the Electric Light Orchestra, along with drummer Bev Bevan, merging rock with classical sounds, in a new way, when the three of them called time on their previous band The Move.
Roy Wood then left to form his own somewhat whacky Wizzard band.

Starting with a performance at Brunel University in 1973, of just four tracks, the band opens with 'King of the Universe' from their at the time new album, ‘On the Third Day.’
The thing about live performances back in the early seventies was that there was none of the gadgetry that bands or artists have available today to make live shows so much more than they really are.

This was seriously a rough and ready performance, yet there’s no question that even back in those days, Jeff Lynne was totally the perfectionist and the band seriously must have rehearsed this stuff to death before these performances. Let’s face it, the Electric Light Orchestra was seriously a new concept of rock merging with orchestral abilities.
'Ma-Ma-Ma Belle' is next up and was the hit single at the time and as basic as this was back in the day, simply the addition of a violin and cellists to a rock band, was something else it really was.

The band then provides their interpretation of Grieg’s ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’ which OK, starts to get a little repetitive but it was certainly a well recognized tune to take and transform into the bands own piece of music.
It also includes violinist Mik Kaminski giving us an excellent solo performance midway through. Great stuff!

You know with as much initiative put forward by Jeff Lynne to come up with the idea of rock meets orchestra to be taken seriously, with next and final track from this performance, a song that Jerry Lee Lewis probably made the most famous, ‘Great Balls of Fire’ shows a light hearted yet, genuine love of true rock and roll music from the man.

The line up on from the 1973 Brunel show, is the same as for the next installment from 1974, Live at Rockpalast, consisting of: Jeff Lynne – Guitar / Vocals, Bev Bevan – Drums, Richard Tandy – Keyboards, Mike De Albuquerque – Bass / Vocals, Mik Kaminski – Violin, Hugh McDowell – Cello and the late Mike Edwards also on Cello.

1974’s performance from Rockpalast, opens with the excellent contemporary rock instrumental ‘Daybreaker’ from the ‘On the Third Day’ release and starts the set well, but the audience seem totally subdued?
It’s almost as if they recorded say their sound-check as the song is greeted with nothing but silence!

The hit single ‘Showdown’ is next and sounds good although I see and hear now why bassist Mike De Albuquerque didn’t last too much longer with the band. I must say his backing vocals come across a little rough for what Jeff Lynne was trying to present with ELO. Again, the audience response here is next to non-existent.

Mik Kaminski gets to showcase his piece, ‘Orange Blossom Special’ which although starting sounding a little rough perhaps, soon warms up with the band backing him in a hoedown type performance, great fun!
A stronger version – than the Brunel one – of 'Ma-Ma-Ma Belle' is next and you can sense the band is moving forward.

What’s particularly great to see, is the way that the classically trained Hugh McDowell, Mik Kaminski and Mike Edwards get into rocking around the stage with their cellos and violin and don’t just sit there. I love it!
Shame that Jeff Lynne chose to drop that during the 80’s, as I always thought that surely that was what ELO was all about.

As on the Brunel live material, ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’ follows 'Ma-Ma-Ma Belle' next in the set, with it’s eerie intro from Richard Tandy on keys, before the whole band dives in.
‘Great Balls of Fire’ again closes the set and there is slight applause evident …, but you almost wonder if it was simply down to the way the whole band was miked up with their performance that maybe didn’t catch the crowd?

For me, the real treat of this set was the truly excellent set the band plays on the third installment on this set, ‘Fusion – 1976,’ in support of the then current album ‘Face the Music.’ This line up also including a couple of changes in the more upfront performance and clearly a stronger vocal, by late bassist / vocalist with the band, Kelly Groucutt which allowed Jeff Lynne to let Groucutt take the lead vocals on a number of songs and also new cellist Melvyn Gale who was a much better shall we say ‘foil’ for Hugh McDowell as they both seemed to get more into the stage movement.
This performance was recorded in London’s New Victoria Theatre with a very welcoming crowd indeed.

This was a much more cohesive and strong band line up that went on the record the now classic ELO albums, after ‘Face the Music’ in ‘A New World Record’ and the huge seller ‘Out of the Blue,’ which although it contained the perhaps somewhat cheesy ‘Mr. Blue Sky’ also contained some killer songs and musical masterpieces.

Anyway, I’m getting off track here, the live performance here starts with the band kicking in with the excellent ‘Poker’ with lead vocals shared jointed with both Lynne and Groucutt and the band in top form!

‘Nightrider’ another excellent track is next and boy! What I’d give to see these songs performed by Jeff Lynne and as many of his old ELO band mates together again today! The song has such a strong vocal presentation and backed by a band that is completely in sync is just great.
Time to go back to a previous hit next in ‘Showdown’ which put simply sounds as good as it gets here!

Then ‘Eldorado Overture’ / ‘Can’t Get it Out of My Head,’ initially next shows the pure blend of classical and rock at it’s peak and then a sure sign of how Jeff Lynne was to start writing big hit singles in ‘Can’t Get it Out of My Head.’

It’s still a sound though that doesn’t say ‘sellout’ as perhaps his later material tended to say, not to say that it was ever really bad, which perhaps a few tracks off ‘Discovery,’ but again, that was all to come later. I’m enjoying this performance of the Electric Light Orchestra in their prime.

‘Poor Boy (The Greenwood)’ Jeff Lynne’s nod towards Robin Hood perhaps, a great song from the ‘Eldorado’ album, closely followed by my favorite track on that release, ‘Illusions in ‘G’ Major’ which rocks like a good ‘un!
To perhaps their best known pop ballad, introduced here by Bev Bevan, from that period next in ‘Strange Magic’ which was a classic in it’s own right, again showing the mans ability to write great songs in so many different styles, which of course started to draw comparisons and even claims of plagiarism of the way John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote in as the Beatles. I say if the guy had the talent to write in such a successful and well written way, good luck to him! How many of ELO’s songs really sounded like the Beatles? It really wasn’t that many.

Another song that did well in being brought up to date, even just from 1972 - where the whole orchestral sound then, was perhaps not so finely tuned / tweaked was given a new lease of life, when performed later live, here in 1976, was ‘10538 Overture’ even benefiting from the pace being picked up a little. No bad thing at all!

Next up is the excellent ‘Do Ya,’ a song Jeff Lynne first played in The Move and then it appeared on the album that followed this performance, ‘A New World Record.’ Great stuff!

Then it’s ‘Evil Woman,’ which is as classic an ELO song as you can get, before the band close the performance with ‘Ma-Ma-Ma Belle’ with the complete audience clapping as they kick it in.

A great set closer to be sure and as mentioned before Hugh McDowell on the cello, really starts getting the band into partying on stage on this extended version of the song and all of them appear to be loving it!
There’s also the bonus interview feature from the 1974 Rockpalast show.
It’s actually quite amusing in places, although very short.

Overall, this DVD is a mix in terms of quality, when you think of how slick Jeff Lynne got ELO to be, through albums that followed such as ‘Out of the Blue,’ ‘Time,’ ‘Secret Messages,’ ‘Balance of Power’ and the underrated ‘Zoom.’

I think ‘Discovery’ has some merits of it's own and I recognize that Jeff Lynne, the power behind and all that is ELO has wanted to experiment along the way and was trying to keep the band current. Sadly in the eyes of many people, most of the ELO audience, not to mention the media in general and any rock fans that might’ve previously given ELO a chance, took it as an opportunity to knock the band more. Shame …

This DVD shows where ELO got past their beginnings and were really starting to make things happen, even if not too slick with the Brunel performance here, the Fusion show certainly shows a great deal of the magic that put simply, WAS the Electric Light Orchestra.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Official site: www.elo.biz/
Official Fan site - More up to date: www.ftmusic.com/




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Friday, December 10, 2010

Rock News for Friday 10th December, 2010

HURTSMILE: The latest from Gary Cherone
and his band of “brothers” to release their debut album


HOLLYWOOD, CA (December 9, 2011) - Frontiers Records is excited to announce the release of HURTSMILE self-titled debut album on January 21, 2011 in Europe and February 8, 2011 in the US.

HURTSMILE is a new band featuring singer Gary Cherone (Extreme, Van Halen) who has teamed up with his brother Mark (Cherone) to write his most succinct record to date. The self-titled, HURTSMILE is a raw sonic sucker punch in the face! From the opening buzz saw riff of “Just War Theory” to the epic finale of ”Slave” and “Beyond The Garden/Kicking Against the Goads”, Gary continues to push and poke you in the ear with his lyrically provocative themes.

“Hurtsmile was a long time coming… I always wanted to write a record with my brother,” says Gary. "I'm a big fan of Mark’s song writing and his snarling guitar riffs." The timing was right as Extreme was in-between their touring and record cycle, leaving Gary the freedom. They recruited Joe Pessia (bass) an alumnus of Nuno Bettencourt’s Dramagods as well as the guitar player for Tantric. Joe also engineered, and co-produced the record with Gary. To round off the lineup they enlisted heavy hitter Dana Spellman on drums “It’s an east coast-Boston thing,” states Gary. “Mark, my brother, was in a band with Nuno’s brother… Joe was in Nuno’s band and Dana was a friend, and student of Mike Mangini (former Extreme drummer) … we like to keep it in the family.”

The lineup is not the only thing familiar with the band. In true Cherone fashion, the record is chock full of swaggering guitar, soaring vocals and the trademark Cherone eclecticism on tracks such as “Jesus Would You Meet Me”, the reggae-tinged “Just War Reprise” and the Dylanesq “The Murder of Daniel Faulkner (4699)”.
“Hurtsmile was about returning to my roots, writing a record in my basement, a straight up rock ‘n’ roll record… but it turned out to be more diverse and ambitious than I expected.”

Gary is no stranger to taking on intense topics, and Hurtsmile is no exception. The first half of the record is a group of more loosely knit songs such as the cynically inquisitive "Just War Theory", the limit's of free speech "Tolerance Song (edit)" and the disturbingly mesmerizing “Kaffur (Infidel)”, inspired by the beheading of Daniel Pearl.

The 2nd half of the record is more conceptually cohesive; an introspective look at the nature of man and the condition of the human heart. “Stillborn" introduced earlier, and "Set Me Free" both touch on mans inclination toward darkness, culminating with an epic journey from sin to salvation… "Slave" to "Beyond the Garden/Kicking Against the Goads".

For the most part both themes are represented as 2 sides of a record. A concept familiar to Extreme fans but make no mistake, whether reading between the lines or just moved by the visceral power of the music, this is a completely different type of record. Gary adds, "All the boys in the band have brought something new to the table, and you'll never know what hit you!"

“Hurtsmile” tracklisting includes:
Just War Theory; Stillborn; Love Thy Neighbor; Kaffur (Infidel); Painter Paint; Tolerance Song (Edit); Set Me Free; Jesus Would You Meet Me; Slave; Beyond The Garden / Kicking Against The Goads; Just War Reprise; The Murder Of Daniel Faulkner (4699).

The songs “Just War Theory” and “Love Thy Neighbor” can exclusively be listened in full in streaming on the Frontiers Web radio. Tune in at: www.frontiers.it/webradio


Hurtsmile is:
Gary Cherone – Vocals
Mark Cherone - Guitars
Joe Pessia - Bass, Mandolin
Dana Spellman – Drums, Percussion
Produced by Gary Cherone, Joe Pessia
www.myspace.com/hurtsmile - I think it's been a while since the band updated their MySpace (Before they signed a deal with Frontiers, by the looks of things!

Meantime, check out some soundbytes at

 
Mr. Big - What If... (Super Luxury Edition)


Yes, the album is not even out yet and there's a special, really special edition of the forthcoming 'What If ...' album from Mr. Big.

The BOX includes:
CD + DVD + LP + Poster (size 63x63cm), Lithograph of cover art (numbered, size 31.5x31.5cm), sticker logo art (size 12x12cm)

Tracklisting: Undertow; American Beauty; Stranger In My Life; Nobody Left to Blame; Still Ain’t Enough for Me; Once Upon a Time; As Far As I Can See; All The Way Up; I Won’t Get In My Way; Around The World; I Get The Feeling; Unforgiven (exclusive bonus track, not on vinyl edition).

DVD contents (NTSC Region free): Undertow (videoclip); All the Way Up (videoclip); The Making of the Record (documentary)

Mr. Big are back with their first Studio album in 14 years by the original members. The new album entitled “What If...”was produced by Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Rush, Iron Maiden). The album is set to be release in early 2011 on Frontiers Records and will be followed by a World Tour beginning in South America in March.
“What If...” is the follow up to 2009's highly successful, “Back To Budokan” CD/DVD which marked the bands triumphant return to Japan with a sold out show at legendary Budokan!

Formed in 1988, Mr. Big forged its place in hard rock history by combining trademark "shredding" musicianship with awesome vocal harmonies. The original line-up – vocalist Eric Martin, guitarist Paul Gilbert, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Pat Torpey. Mr. Big produced numerous hit songs that ranged across a wide array of rock genres – be it ballads, heavy metal, or blues rock.

Their hits included "To Be With You" (Billboard Hot 100 number one single in 15 countries for weeks, in 1991, propelling the band the band to huge international success and record sales in the multi-millions), "Wild World", Green-Tinted sixties Mind", "Just Take My Heart", and a host of Heavy Metal songs that were played mostly during their live performances: "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy", "Addicted to that Rush", "Colorado Bulldog", and "Take Cover".

Each of the members of Mr. Big is also a reputable virtuoso in the music industry. Billy Sheehan has won dozens of “Best Bass Player” awards in numerous magazines, including an unprecedented 14 years in a row from Player Magazine, Japan’s number-one music magazine. Paul Gilbert is recognized as one of the top guitarists of this generation. Aside from the tons of albums he released since his departure from Mr. Big, he frequently holds clinics and designs guitars for Ibanez.

Pat Torpey has been conducting clinics for Tama drums and has been releasing instructional albums as well.

MR BIG
Eric Martin – lead vocals
Paul Gilbert – guitar and vocals
Billy Sheehan – bass guitar and vocals
Pat Torpey – drums and vocals
Produced by Kevin Shirley

Don't forget to check out Frontiers online Radio, right here:
 

Introducing Kindred Saint!


OK, who are Kindred Saint say you, well here's the thing, they are a band made up of three family members, a father and two sons. Dennis Pawlak (Armor) - Lead / Backing vocals, Lead / Rhythm guitar and Bass, Jason Pawlak (Singer / Songwriter JACE - http://www.jacemusic.com/ - Has also written songs for Farcry and Goodbye Thrill) - and Trevor Pawlak - Lead / Rhythm Guitars and Backing vocals.

The music they play, is heavily influenced by 70's and 80's acts that have clearly influenced them, but more than that, they do sound great! They've written good songs and that's why I thought I'd bring them to your attention! 
Enough from me, here's their Biog!

Kindred Saint
Kindred Saint’s self titled debut is a collection of tunes penned by band founder Dennis Pawlak; joined by Trevor and Jason. Featuring dual lead vocals and stacked harmonies with driving rhythms that deliver more guitars than an ear can handle. The writing and production are influenced by the hard rock of the 70's and early 80's: Kiss, Night Ranger, Zeppelin, Grand Funk, Sammy Hagar, etc. From the layered harmonies of "Am I The One", and guitar saturated "Shotgun", through the hard driving "Be There Tonight", to the finale of "I'll Be Back, Someday (maybe)", Kindred Saint is solid hard rock.
Soundbytes of every track can be heard here: www.kindredsaint.com/music.htm

DREAM POLICE FEATURING CHEAP TRICK - SPECIAL GIGS


DREAM POLICE FEATURING CHEAP TRICK
Premieres at Milwaukee’s Northern Lights Theater at Potawatomi Bingo Casino
on January 20th with Select Dates Through February 26th.

New Event featuring The Rhythmic Noise Philharmonic Orchestra and Mind Choir in 4D in Collaboration with Butch Allen, Bello Nock and Jim Yukich.

More than thirty years after the release of the internationally acclaimed album Dream Police, Cheap Trick is staging a multi-date show featuring songs from the platinum record. The Rhythmic Noise Philharmonic Orchestra and Mind Choir will perform alongside these and other hits from Cheap Trick’s extensive catalog. The run kicks off January 20th, 2011 and includes 12 dates through February 26th.

For Dream Police, the band teamed up with sought after production designer Butch Allen (Paul McCartney, Metallica, No Doubt) and comic daredevil/producer Bello Nock. World-class video and film director and longtime Cheap Trick collaborator Jim Yukich also contributed.

“Dream Police was the first record where we felt the songs were well-suited for orchestration; that was a very expansive time for us musically,” says bassist Tom Petersson.

“Since then, we’ve been fortunate to work with several world-class orchestras – live and in the studio,” adds lead vocalist Robin Zander, “... and after 36 years together, our band is thrilled to have an opportunity to present our songs – both new and old – with an orchestra and a unique state-of-the-art production.”

The shows take place at Milwaukee’s recently renovated Northern Lights Theater at Potawatomi Bingo Casino, less than two hours away from Chicago. Retaining its intimate, up-close-and-personal atmosphere, the 500-seat theater ensures that there is not a bad seat in the house. The newly transformed, rich and modern space draws diverse internationally known musical and comedy acts with Dream Police being the premiere theatrical event in the venue.

Cheap Trick formed in the city of Rockford, IL in 1974. The multi-platinum band has sold over 20 million albums and had numerous hits including “Surrender,” “I Want You to Want Me” and “The Flame.”

TICKET INFORMATION:
Show Dates: Jan 20, 21, 28, 29 & Feb 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 & 26
Tickets go on sale Friday, December 10th.
Prices: $85, $75, and $65
Theater Box Office: (414) 847-7922
Ticketmaster: (800) 745-3000 - http://www.ticketmaster.com/
Official band website: www.cheaptrick.com/

Steve Lukather Holiday message

Steve Lukather has just posted a message to all his fans and friends out there:

"I want to send massive thanks to you all out there for the amazing year we have had with the new Record "Alls Well That Ends Well"' and the success of the tour. I am nothing without you guys and I am humbled by the love and support you have shown. I am coming back starting in NYC in January and will be ALL over the world thru all of 2011 and dates will be posted and many surprises as well. I will keep you posted!

I wish you and all your families the best Holiday season ever and may 2011 find peace, love, health and prosperity for all.

See ya on the road.
Oxox, Luke,
December 2010
 
Keep up with Luke at http://www.stevelukather.net/ and as more dates are added - Hopefully Toto in the US too! - you should be able to find them here:
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