Search This Blog

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Jack Blades – Rock ‘n’ Roll Ride album review


Jack Blades – Rock ‘n’ Roll Ride album review
Released on: Frontiers records. Release date: Available now

With input from Night Ranger band mates Brad Gillis, Kelly Keagy, Joel Hoekstra and Eric Levy, as well as a special guest appearance by Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander, it's clear Night Ranger fans everywhere will be picking up this new one from Jack Blades. Former Night Ranger keys man Christian Matthew Cullen is also present here too, as is Jack’s son Colin Blades.
Drums throughout are shared between Kelly Keagy and Brian Tichy, isn’t that something?!

Last year’s 'Somewhere in California' was an excellent new Night Ranger album, that got praise worldwide from so many reviewers and fans alike, to bring the classic Night Ranger sound right up to date song wise. With this new one from Jack, he's certainly captured all elements from Night Ranger, Shaw / Blades and of course Damn Yankees.

It's a very strong album which I'm so happy to state, as Jack's last self titled solo release from 2004 didn't really grab me, as much as I would’ve liked.
I've loved the Shaw / Blades stuff, as different as it is from any of his other work and of course, I thought Damn Yankees were fantastic but too short lived, but that said, Night Ranger is such a strong live band and studio - IMO - that I'm happy they are still around! 
Opening with the very strong ‘Back in the Game,’ the Night Ranger front man has got my interest without any question!
It’s a steady catchy pop rocker that sets up the album nicely from the get go.
The AC/DC like - even down to the almost Bon Scott like vocal - ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Ride’ then gets into Night Ranger like territory too, excellent stuff! 
No question on the hook driven ‘Born For This,’ it’s sheer class! As catchy as Bon Jovi or Bryan Adams’ best work, it’s a complete winner in this reviewer books!

‘Hardest Word To Say,’ is an excellent modern power ballad, keeping it very contemporary indeed. Not unlike say something 3 Doors Down or Goo Goo Dolls might come up with. The great songs just keep coming. Brilliant!

With ‘Anything For You’ Jack pulls in Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander to share the chorus vocal and this track is really not unlike the Shaw / Blades material. Very poppy and I’m guessing Tommy Shaw wasn’t available and Robin was! ;-)

A nod to Damn Yankees as well as the current Night Ranger sound – ala ‘Somewhere In California.’ - with ‘Love Life,’ really enjoy this one … Well, OK, I love them all so far. Great album Jack and it’s only six songs in!

The Shaw / Blades sound is certainly the direction of ‘West Hollywood,’ it has a kind of different rock twist from the Night Ranger material, but it still fits in well here. Rocking, but yet rootsy in places …
‘Say You Will’ is Night Ranger through and through, with both Joel Hoekstra and Brad Gillis throwing in their excellent guitar solo work. It’s …, well, it’s like everything else here, class!
The laid back ‘Don’t Give Up’ is a nice touch, easy going pop rocker. Really tasty guitar solo here, very nice indeed!
 
‘Rise and Shine’ starts as an easy going number, then pretty much laid back though the first verse that then picks up and kicks into a real groove with the chorus, then it just picks up a little more as the song progresses step by step.
Almost an AC/DC kind of riff, once it get into it. Good one!

Closing number ‘Hey Now,’ is a laid back starter and almost has a kind of rootsy feel to it, a little Faces, even (Rolling)Stones like feel  about it at times too and then it rocks out as it gets into the final third, before easing back again in the last quarter.
 Jack, you should every right to feel good about this album, it’s a winner, no question!
OK, now we’ve had an excellent Night Ranger last year and now this one is out, let’s have a Damn Yankees reunion, but just for a year or so … I’d miss Night Ranger too much!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Official site:

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Slight News Update for Thursday May 3rd, 2012

Hi folks, well, this update comes to you from my hotel room on the west side of the state of Michigan, on a business trip with the day job ... Phew! It got warm yesterday!
We hit something like 82°F today here in the town / city by the name of Three Rivers and it was still seriously warm and muggy last night.
Today I hear is supposed to be warmer still ... Summer here at last, I think!

Well, enough of my blabber about that though and on with the news 'stuff!'
Cheers, Al



Black Sabbath Announce an Intimate Homecoming Show.

Well, as many of you already know, Black Sabbath had last year announced that they were reuniting, Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward were set to play a series of live dates around the world and record a new studio album, the first with this line up in over thirty years!
All looked pretty promising, but then the first shock was announced that Tony Iommi was suffering from lymphoma and ungoing various cancer treatments ..., so the tour was cancelled but plans for the new album continued, in between Tony's chemotherapy and other treatments.
Tony's treatments continue ...

Two shows had been scheduled to go ahead though, whatever happened ..., so it seems, one at the UK's annual Download Festival and the other in the US, that being the Lollapalooza show:

Then Bill Ward said he had withdrawn from the reunion, due to the financial side of things not being right for him and he stated if things were put right, then he'd happily rejoin.
To date, this is still unresolved and so therefore, who will be drumming for Sabbath, remains to be seen ...? Sadly money as we all know, remains the root of all evil, certainly in this case.
I like many believe that being as this would have been the original Sabbath line up, why is the money not split an even four ways ...?


Anyway the Black Sabbath camp has just recently annouced that there will be a warm up gig in the UK prior to the Download appearance and here's the details on that.




In preparation for their hugely anticipated headline performance at this year’s Download Festival, Black Sabbath have announced an intimate homecoming show at the O2 Academy in Birmingham on Saturday, 19th May. The show will be the band’s first in Birmingham for thirteen years. A donation to Help for Heroes will be made from the proceeds of the show - ticket details below.

Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler return to their hometown for this exclusive show following November’s momentous announcement that the band are currently working on their first studio album in thirty three years with seven-time Grammy winning producer Rick Rubin.
It will be their ninth studio album together and their first since 1978’s Never Say Die!

Black Sabbath is one of the most influential rock bands of all time. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, “The success of their first two albums ‘Black Sabbath’ and ‘Paranoid’ marked a paradigm shift in the world of rock. Not until Black Sabbath upended the music scene did the term ‘heavy metal’ enter the popular vocabulary to describe the denser, more thunderous offshoot of rock over which they presided.”
Following the release of their self-titled debut album in 1970, “The Original” Black Sabbath have gone on to release eight acclaimed studio albums and sell over seventy million albums worldwide. In 2005 the band were inducted into the U.K Music Hall of Fame by Angus Young of AC/DC.
This was followed by their induction in 2006 into the U.S Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed on them by Metallica’s James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich.

Black Sabbath will headline the legendary Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago this August before returning to the studio to finish recording their long-awaited studio album.

Tickets will go on sale for thier homecoming show in Birmingham this Friday at 9:00 am. Tickets will be available HERE.
http://www.livenation.co.uk/artist/black-sabbath-tickets

Official website:



Stan Bush to play rare live gig ...



 US AOR rocker Stan Bush, the man behind some great albums in 'Stan Bush,' 'Stan Bush and Barrage,' 'Every Beat Of My Heart,' 'Call To Action,' as well as 'Language of the Heart,' 'Shine,' 'In This Life' and his last classy release 'Dream the Dream' has shared news of a one off acoustic performance.

Stan is also the man behind 'The Touch' the excellent song from the original Transformers animated movie.
The well known House of Lords track 'Love Don't Lie' was also written by Stan, from his 'Stan Bush and Barrage' album.

Stan has been invited to open the show for the 'Rock and Roll Express tour,' featuring
Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent this coming Sunday, May 6th at the Greek Theater in L.A.  Stan has told me he will be doing a 20 minute solo acoustic performance to open the
evening.
 Sounds good to me, wish I could be there!

Stan's website can be found here:






THIN LIZZY ADD DATES TO NOV / DEC UK TOUR


The current line up of Thin Lizzy have added three shows to the already announced UK dates later this year.
The new dates are in Southend, Exeter and Bristol with tickets having just gone on sale Friday April 27th.

Full UK Winter schedule as follows:

November 29th – Bournemouth, England – o2 Academy
November 30th – Southend, England – Cliff’s Pavilion
December 1st – Exeter, England – University Great Hall
December 3rd – Norwich, England – UEA LCR
December 4th – Bristol, England – Colston Hall
December 5th – Middlesborough, England - Empire
December 7th – Liverpool, England – o2 Academy
December 8th – Edinburgh, Scotland – HMV Picture House
December 9th – Nottingham, England – Rock City

ALL EUROPEAN DATES - LOCATIONS - VENUE

05/03/2012 Stuttgart, Germany PORSCHE-ARENA
05/04/2012 Nurenmburg, Germany Arena Nurnberger
05/05/2012 Linz, Austria Tips Arena Linz *
05/07/2012 Krakow, Poland Club Studio *
05/08/2012 Pardubice, Czech Republic CEZ ARENA
05/09/2012 Bratislava, Slovakia Incheba Expo Arena
05/12/2012 Fribourg, Switzerland Forum *
05/13/2012 Saarbrucken, Germany Garage *


05/15/2012 Leamington Spa The Assembly
05/16/2012 Guildford, England G Live
05/17/2012 Ireland – Dublin 02 Arena *
05/19/2012 Nottingham Capital FM Arena *
05/20/2012 Liverpool Echo Arena *
05/23/2012 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena *
05/25/2012 Glasgow SECC *
05/26/2012 Birmingham LG Arena *
05/29/2012 Manchester MEN Arena *
05/31/2012 London 02 Arena *
06/01/2012 London 02 Arena *


06/23/2012 Dessel, Belgium Graspop Festival
07/05/2012 Sundsvalls, Sweden Gatu Festival *
07/06/2012 Skaanevik, Norway Skaanevik Festival *
07/07/2012 Lakselv, Norway MIDNATTSROCKEN FESTIVAL
07/12/2012 Vizovice, Czech Republic MASTERS OF ROCK
07/13/2012 Messegelande, Balingen BANG YOUR HEAD Festival
07/14/2012 Svedala, Sweden Sommarrock Festival
07/18/2012 Uppsala, Sweden Flutstret Outdoor *
07/20/2012 Tromso, Norway BUKTA-TROMSO Festival
07/21/2012 Lappeenranta, Finland Saimma Open Air Festival
07/22/2012 Oberhausen, Germany Devilside Festival
07/24/2012 Brondby, Denmark Brondby Stadium
08/10/2012 Slupsk (Dolina Charlotty Resort), Poland Legends of Rock Festival


08/17/2012 Carlisle, England Sands Centre *
08/18/2012 Belfast N. Ireland Belsonic Festival in Custom House Square *

11/29/2012 Bournmouth, England O2 Academy *
11/30/2012 Southend, England Cliff’s Pavilion *
12/01/2012 Exeter, England University Great Hall *
12/03/2012 Norwich, England UEA LCR *
12/04/2012 Bristol, England Colston Hall *
12/05/2012 Middlesborough, England Empire *
12/07/2012 Liverpool, England O2 Academy *
12/08/2012 Edinburgh, Scotland HMV Picture House *
12/09/2012 Nottingham, England Rock City *

* Check venue website or local ticket agent



Neal Schon says, 'A Steve Perry reunion with Journey would be farewell to the band ...'

Guitarist, Neal Schon has spoken out officially when pushed about any possible Journey reunion with the bands best known frontman Steve Perry, but insists it would not only be Perry fronting the band ...

He has said that the only way Steve Perry could return would be as part of their farewell tour.
And apparently that would only be with current singer Arnel Pineda remaining part of the band, if that were to happen.

Schon, speaking at the premiere of band documentary Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey, told the Huffington Post:
“I don’t think there’s any way not to have Arnel at this point. Who can say never? You can never say it’s never going to happen.

“But if that situation ever came up, I think it would be the both of them. And I think it would be at the point where it’s a farewell tour, and we’re done. That’s the only appropriate way to go about it.”

Pineda says he’s open to the possibility: “I hope I can sing with him, you know, side by side – if he would welcome that. That would be awesome. The hardcore fans would love it.”

UK Classic Rock magazine has posted this on the story:


Tuesday, May 1, 2012

News Update for Tuesday May 1st, 2012

Hi folks,
Sorry about the lack of activity, busy weekend indeed, away on Sunday from most things at a family funeral, got back late Sunday, knackered! Er, that's equal to feeling wiped out for any non-Brit's reading this! :)
Anyway, trying to catch up - As ever! - it's a thankless task I guess, but I keep trying to bring you all something worth reading ... Comments from you all, seem to have gone quiet again.
Occasional comments I get from overseas, that sadly online translators don't help with much, so sorry to my overseas readers who have not seen their posts / comments posted ... Please try English!
It just makes it a lot easier for me to work with, thank you.
I have quite limited time to run this site, so your understanding is appreciated.
OK, on with what I have for you for now ... Cheers, Al




Time for Rock Legend's Cruise II to get lined up on the horizon

KANSAS 
JOINS
 FOREIGNER,
 PAUL RODGERS,
 CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED,
 AND OTHERS FOR
ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE II
JANUARY 2013 


FOUR-DAY EXCURSION ALSO ADDS
 ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION AND
 MELVIN SEALS & JGB
 TO LINE-UP

  MONIES RAISED FROM THE TRIP
 TO BENEFIT
 THE NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION


The line-up for the second annual ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE II continues to grow with the additions of Kansas, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Melvin Seals & JGB, along with Citizens Band Radio, and The Blue Lords.  These acts join a bill that is led by rock legends including Foreigner, Paul Rodgers, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Bachman & Turner and 38 Special, among others.


The weekend-long musical journey will feature a music festival environment with three easily accessible performance venues on the ship:  The Deck, The Platinum Theater and Studio B/Ice Rink.  Throughout the trip, each band will perform two or three shows at the three venues to ensure that attendees will have multiple opporunites to see each of the bands.


Passage on the January 2013 ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE II can be booked for as low as $649 (+taxes, gratuities and port fees) when booking multiple attendees in a room.  State rooms range from traditional interior cabins to luxurious ocean view suites with balconies.  Each passage booked includes an automatic donation to the Native American Heritage Association.


Beyond the performances throughout the ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE II weekend, artists will collaborate musically, schedule meet-and-greets and relax alongside fans throughout the four-day excursion.  The ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE II departs Fort Lauderdale, FL Thursday, January 10 and docks Saturday, January 12 in Labadee, Haiti before returning to Fort Lauderdale Monday, January 14.


The line-up as of (April 30) is as follows: FOREIGNER, PAUL RODGERS, CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED, KANSAS, BACHMAN & TURNER, 38 SPECIAL, THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND, BLUE OYSTER CULT, FOGHAT, MOLLY HATCHET, KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS, ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION, PAT TRAVERS BAND, MELVIN SEALS & JGB, THE ARTIMUS PYLE BAND, BLACK OAK ARKANSAS, ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD, DEVON ALLMAN’S HONEYTRIBE, SWAMPDAWAMP, WHISKEY MYERS, CITIZENS BAND RADIO and THE BLUE LORDS.


Other traditional ship board activities include:  On-board surfing (thanks to its FlowRider wave generator), a boxing ring, a full-sized volleyball/basketball court, cantilevered whirlpools and variety of gourmet restaurants.  In addition, while docked at the private secured Labadee resort–situated on the north coast of Hispaniola which averages a high of 84.9 degrees in January–passengers can enjoy Kayaking, Snorkeling, Parasailing and Wave Runners at the resort’s stunning beaches, surrounded by beautiful mountain slopes and exotic foliage. The Liberty of the Seas from Royal Caribbean is one of the biggest, fastest and most luxurious passenger vessels in service today; it is served by a crew of 1300 on 18 decks.


The Native American Heritage Association has been working on reservations in South Dakota for more than 18 years and is a 4-star charity with www.charitynavigator.org for seven consecutive years.  Native American Heritage Association tractor trailers are on the road daily with supplies to the various far flung communities and 94% of the organizations total revenue goes towards program services which provide basic life necessities, including fuel assistance and medical transportation to 90,000 people.  Many of these residents face an 80% rate of unemployment; 70% don’t have transportation and many of those who do, don’t have the means to purchase gas. These Lakota Sioux live in abandoned school buses, shacks or government housing with no insulation, some live without indoor plumbing, in homes with dirt floors, no beds or furniture. 
More information can be found at:  http://www.naha-inc.org/.

 To book passage on ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE II, go to www.rocklegendscruise.com or call 888-666-1499 with any questions.





SAXON “HEAVY METAL THUNDER - LIVE - EAGLES OVER WACKEN”
RELEASE DATE : USA: Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012



Some things just go together…heavy metal and thunder…denim and leather …Saxon and Wacken.
They‘ve been old friends for many years now, their harmony collecting an army of thousands upon thousands who view Saxon live as a pilgrimage to the heart of metal music. And when that pilgrimage takes you, repeatedly, to the largest heavy metal festival in the world, Wacken Open Air in Germany, the results will always be electric. "When we first played Wacken, it was a small festival with a small stage in a small field, driven by nothing more than raw enthusiasm, which appealed very much to us!" says Biff Byford, Saxon's venerable frontman, "it started as fans putting on a festival for fans, and now it‘s fair to say that it is to Heavy Metal what the Donington Festival used to be. That was the iconic heavy metal festival of the 80's, and Wacken is the iconic heavy metal festival of now."
Now you can feel that electricity for yourselves thanks to Saxon - Heavy Metal Thunder - Live - Eagles Over Wacken the no-fat-no-bullshit-100%-pure CD/DVD featuring DVD highlights from Saxon's Wacken shows in 2004, 2007 and 2009 comprising THIRTY songs, plus a live CD from Glasgow in 2011. Each set captures the Barnsley-bred British heavy metal legends delivering classic after classic, from "Denim & Leather" to "Metalhead" to "Heavy Metal Thunder" to "Princess Of The Night" to "Crusader" in front of 75,000+ loyal, ravenous fans, who have come to expect (and receive) the levels of performance Saxon have been delivering for 32 years. "And when the eagle comes down at Wacken, when it opens up over the audience, it is always an electric moment for those there," says Biff emphatically of the famous Saxon eagle, a ton or so of steel and lights, rescued from a storage space in the British home counties where it had lain dormant gathering rust. In many ways, the eagle's rebirth and Wacken's ascent are partners on the journey, as it was Wacken's organizers who offered to restore the mighty metal bird so as it could become a live centerpiece of both Wacken and Saxon's history.

And when it comes to heavy metal, Saxon's history is, indeed, rich.

Rightly seen as one of the premier vanguards of Heavy Metal alongside the likes of Iron Maiden, Saxon were a major influence behind platinum-coated stars such as Metallica and Megadeth. Formed as Son of A Bitch in 1976 (and becoming Saxon in 1978) they enjoyed tremendous commercial success in the UK during the ‘80s, with 8 UK top 40 albums, and have sold over 13 millions albums worldwide, while albums such as Wheels Of Steel, Strong Arm Of The Law, Denim & Leather and The Power & The Glory have become legendary staples of any self-respecting metal fan’s collection. But it has always arguably been on stage where Saxon have excelled the most. There‘s no hiding once you hit the boards, and whether playing to 20000 people in Buenos Aires or 2000 people in Bolton, Byford, Carter, Glockler, Quinn and Scarratt source the same high-voltage energy reserves and deliver the same high-octane, blood and sweat-soaked show that makes Saxon a perennial touring favorite. "We‘ve consistently tried to write, and perform songs which both us and our audience enjoy," says Biff, "and we‘ve worked very hard to maintain that link with our audience, because if you don‘t have that connection it can be very dangerous. We need them, and we need to be ready to deliver for them at every show, that‘s the challenge and it‘s one we gratefully accept and enjoy. If the audience are prepared to get crazy, then it‘s always going to be a strong show, and Wacken always delivers us a fantastic connection. You cannot fake that electricity, everyone wants that‚ charged atmosphere and it is absolutely priceless…"


If you‘ve never had the chance to experience Saxon, start here and start now! If you‘ve had the chance and yearned to capture the energy, the moment and the memory of it all, then put your hands together for Saxon “Heavy Metal Thunder - Live - Eagles Over Wacken” and be grateful to know that despite everything going on in our increasingly confused world, your escapist musical prayers have been answered.

"Heavy Metal Thunder - Live - Eagles Over Wacken" is available in a variety of formats, including the 'Golden Ticket' D2C/Direct To Consumer Box. Strictly limited, this exclusive package contains the "Best Of Wacken" DVD, plus the full and complete Saxon W:O:A performances from 2004/2007/2009 each on a separate DVD, plus a Saxon flag. The real surprise is that 10 'Golden Tickets' are randomly included in the box sets, which will allow the lucky winners to visit any Saxon concert in any city around the world (excluding festival appearances). 'Silver Tickets' giving access to special online content are for the remaining boxes so there are no losers - only winners.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
WWW.SAXON747.COM



DIO'S FINAL STUDIO ALBUM, 'MASTER OF THE MOON,' TO GET PICTURE DISC MAKEOVER!



Ronnie James Dio's stellar musical career was matched by very few, and what turned out to be the last-ever studio album released by his solo band, Dio, will be issued as a picture disc on June 5th. 'Master of the Moon' will be released via the Niji Entertainment Group, and is the first time the album has been issued as a picture disc in the U.S.

Featuring the stellar line-up of Ronnie James Dio – vocals, Craig Goldy – guitar/keyboards, Jeff Pilson – bass, Scott Warren – keyboards, and Simon Wright – drums, 'Master of the Moon' features such Dio classics as "One More for the Road" and the title track. Also included is "The Eyes," which the late singer once noted was one of his all-time favorite tracks recorded by the Dio band.

The tenth Dio studio album overall, 'Master of the Moon' was the perfect way to close the solo career of one of hard rock/heavy metal's all-time great vocalists. Featuring artwork by horror/science fiction artist Marc Sasso, this striking picture disc is a must-have for Dio collectors. And soon, fans will get the opportunity to rediscover and experience this classic album like they never have before!

'MASTER OF THE MOON' TRACKLIST:

"One More for the Road" – 3:18
"Master of the Moon" – 4:19
"The End of the World" – 4:39
"Shivers" – 4:15
"The Man Who Would Be King" – 4:58
"The Eyes" – 6:27
"Living the Lie" – 4:25
"I Am" – 5:00
"Death by Love" – 4:21
"In Dreams" – 4:26

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:

www.ronniejamesdio.com
www.facebook.com/OfficialRonnieJamesDio
www.facebook.com/nijientertainmentgroup


TRACER announce UK September tour and mini album


 Straight off the back of their first triumphant UK headline tour in April, Australian power rock trio TRACER return for their second UK headline tour, kicking off at the Wolverhampton Slade Rooms on Wednesday 26 September.  View TRACER’s official UK tour announcement on YouTube here.:

A 48-hour ticket pre-sale will kick off on Planet Rock - http://www.planetrock.com/ - on Wednesday 2nd May, followed by a 24-hour ticket pre-sale with ents24 - http://www.ents24.com/web/ - on Thursday 3rd May.
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 4th May from the 24 hour box office: 0844 478 0898, Gig Cartel. - http://www.thegigcartel.com/ 

To coincide with the September tour, Cool Green Recordings will release TRACER’S mid-priced mini album “LA?” in the UK on 27 August (the mini album was originally released in Australia in 2009).

Read the official press release here:
http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/tracer/sept-tour.htm

 
TRACER – UK September Tour Dates:

Wednesday 26 September        Wolverhampton Slade Rooms
Thursday 27 September           Manchester Academy
Friday 28 September                Newcastle Cluny
Saturday 29 September            Glasgow ABC
Sunday 30 September              Leeds Cockpit
Wednesday 3 October              Nottingham Rescue Rooms
Thursday 4 October                  Bath Komedia
Friday 5 October                      Gloucester Guildhall
Saturday 6 October                  Poole Mr Kyps
Sunday 7 October                    Brighton The Haunt

Tracer - Official Website
www.tracer-band.com



Friday, April 27, 2012

Brief News Update for Friday April 27th, 2012


Hi folks,
Well, it's only really a pretty brief update from me today, dominated by the Italian label, Frontiers Records with news of a Europe only release for Richard Marx and new news on the old 70's band Player, playing again!

Laura Wilde, IMHO has a great future ahead, she's so full of energy and talent, she should go far!
Enjoy your weekend folks, hope to catch up with a review or two very soon and yes ..., those interviews I've done are on the way, but sadly, it's all down to me having to find some time, to play them back and type them up ... Takes forever! Voice recognition software ... What a waste of time ... and money! 
:(

New reviews coming for Jack Blades, Jeff Scott Soto, Hydrogyn, Rush and Europe, soon!
They all sound great, really! :)
Cheers,
Al

RICHARD MARX TO RELEASE NEW CD EXCLUSIVELY IN EUROPE:
'INSIDE MY HEAD' RELEASED ON FRONTIERS IN JUNE


Frontiers Records is honoured to welcome Richard Marx to the label for the exclusive release of “Inside My Head” - a 2 CD album set featuring rare and new material along with new recordings of his greatest hits - on June 1st in Europe. The first single “Wouldn't Let Me Love You” will be released digitally on May 1st and can be exclusively streamed in full on the Frontiers Records webradio www.frontiers.it/webradio.
A video clip is in the works.



A gifted singer and consummate songwriter Richard Marx has left a powerful mark on the music industry over the past 20 years. With 30 million records sold, 3 Grammy Awards nominations, a Grammy Award for “Song of the Year” and an American Music Award nomination for favourite male singer Marx, who has written fourteen #1 songs and had thirteen US #1 songs on the Billboard charts, has remained a fixture on pop and adult contemporary radio for years.


Marx was the first male solo artist in history to have his first 7 singles reach the top 5 on Billboard’s singles chart, including the 1 hits “Hold On to the Nights,” “Satisfied” and the worldwide classic “Right Here Waiting.” This feat remains unchallenged. He has also emerged as a first rate producer working with some of the biggest names in the music business including *NSYNC, Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, Kenny Rogers, Sarah Brightman, Lara Fabian, Sister Hazel and The Tubes among others. More recently, he has written and produced records for Daughtry, Leann Rimes, Emerson Drive, Natalie Cole, Keith Urban, Kenny Loggins, Michael Bolton and actor Hugh Jackman.
The first CD of the “Inside My Head” set is a new studio record. It features two bonus tracks as well as collaborations with some of the most talent singer songwriters in the business including Chris Daughtry (Had Enough” and “On The Inside”), Chad Kroeger of Nickelback (who also co-wrote “On The Inside”), Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon (who played and co-wrote “Always on Your Mind”), Jason Wade of Lifehouse (who co-wrote “Had Enough”, also released by his band on “Smoke and Mirrors”), Fee Waybill of The Tubes (“Come Running”), Dann Huff (co-producer and guitarist on “Loved”) and many others.

Marx said: “I'm excited to be putting out a new release in Europe. My fans there have been incredibly loyal and I hope they like this new music and I hope to be back over touring there soon.”
The second, bonus CD contains amazing new versions of 12 of Marx’s greatest hits, including “Right Here Waiting”, “Angelia”, “Don’t Mean Nothing” and “Keep Coming Back”.



Marx added: “I wanted to have new recordings of my classic tracks because, while they were all fun to revisit and sing and play again, in a few cases I felt they needed some updating. After playing these songs live for so many years I wanted to incorporate some of the ways the songs have evolved but still retain what people seemed to like about them to begin with.”

“Inside My Head” will be released in a lavish digipak edition and will include the following songs:
CD 1: Had Enough; Wouldn't Let Me Love You; Like Heaven; On The Inside; Through My Veins; Always On Your Mind; Loved; Come Running; All Over Me; Scars; Done To Me; Over My Head; Part of Me. CD 2: Don't Mean Nothing; Should've Known Better; Endless Summer Nights; Keep Coming Back; Take This Heart; Hold On To The Nights; Angelia; Hazard; Too Late To Say Goodbye; Satisfied; Right Here Waiting; When You Loved Me.

Official weblinks:





AUSTRALIAN POWERHOUSE LAURA WILDE IS CRASHING TED NUGENT’S NORTH AMERICAN TOUR – JUNE 2012 
Laura Wilde by Daniel Siboni

~Debut Album Sold My Soul Out Now~
 It’s Time To Get Wilde, America!

New York, NY (April 26, 2012)—The ferocious debut—Sold My Soul—from Laura Wilde, the 22-year old hard rock import from Down Under (Melbourne, to be exact) was enough to land her on the upcoming Ted Nugent tour. Wilde is exactly that. She’s a hard-charging take-no-prisoners balls-to-the-wall rocker who wrote it all, sang it all, played lead guitar, bass guitar and drums on this, her gritty, powerful debut. Totally fearless, citing such influences as Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Joan Jett, and Dave Grohl, Wilde intends to knock out crowds on her leg of the upcoming tour.

"It's truly an honor to be invited to tour the USA and I feel so privileged to be selected by such an established rocker, exclaims Wilde. “I promise to crank it up to 11 and shake the foundations before Ted brings the house down.”
Playing her signature Flying V electric guitar (created specifically for her), Wilde writes the kind of songs that dig down deep into the essence of what makes rock’n’roll so timeless. Her music is bred of the pure mono-maniacal aesthetic that fueled all the greats from Chuck Berry on. "I am really proud to finally present my debut album Sold My Soul. It is mostly an expression of the thoughts and feelings I experienced in my late teens. This album is almost an emotional journal touching on my dreams, wishes, lost loves and the adventure of growing up. It is an introduction to the body of work that I am really excited to share with my fans over time, a taste of things to come."
On stage, Wilde boils with raw, passionate energy, with all the fire and brimstone of an artist who has truly sold her soul to the music. "If you have the spirit of rock'n'roll pumping through your veins,” she says, “resistance is futile. You have no choice but to succumb to its power. It makes you crazy, it gives you the courage to do things you would never dream of doing. Rock'n'roll is heaven and hell combined, but it's what I love and I'll fight for it to the end."

Laura Wilde, at 16, was playing bass professionally. Her bottomless capacity for guitar knowledge manifested itself at 17 during a well-timed job at an instrument store. She suffered through one year of college to please her parents (“I found the environment to be too suppressive and conservative,” she says). At 18, her amazing chops landed her in recording studios as both a bassist and a guitarist for a plethora of major names. Her looks certainly didn’t hurt as she wound up as a fixture on television (Australia’s Got Talent, as a presenter and part of the house band).
Still, all she wanted to do was rock.

Now, with the release of Sold My Soul, a video of the title-track single, and a series of dates with Ted Nugent, America will get to see what Australia already knows. Laura Wilde is the real deal. She will rock your socks off.

Click here to view her new music video “Sold My Soul”:


Laura Wilde Tour Dates

*April 26    San Juan Capistrano, CA      The Coach House

*May 4      Phoenix, AZ      The Celebrity Theatre

May 26     Hollywood, CA     Rock For Animals / Hard Rock Cafe

*June 10    Fayetteville, AR        Arkansas Music Pavilion

*June 12     Peoria, IL           Peoria Civic Center Theatre

*June 14   Mankato, MN    Vetter Stone Amphitheatre

*June 15      Medina, MN     Medina Entertainment Center

*June 16      Tama, IA           Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel

August 16         Hollywood, CA      Whisky A Go Go
(with Great White, Faster Pussycat, Bullet Boys, Pretty Boy Floyd)

*WITH TED NUGENT

Laura Wilde official weblinks:







PLAYER to come back with a new EP and album release on Frontiers

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the signing of PLAYER to the label for the release of a yet untitled new album.

Cover photo credit Devin DeVasquez Moss

Best remembered for "Baby Come Back," a song which topped the US single charts in 1978, Player original lineup included Peter Beckett (guitarist, lead vocalist), J.C. Crowley (guitarist, vocalist), Ronn Moss (bassist, vocalist) and John Friesen (drummer). After extensively playing the club scene in Southern California, Player began to develop a very distinctive edgy, yet very melodic rock style, and was signed by Robert Stigwood to his legendary RSO Records, home to The BeeGees, Eric Clapton, “Saturday Night Fever”, and “Grease”.

 
Among several notable accolades, Player was named Billboard's Best New Singles Artist of 1978. Eric Clapton became so impressed with Player that he invited them to be the special guest on his 1978 North American tour. They also performed with Heart, Boz Scaggs, Kenny Loggins and Gino Vannelli to name a few.

 
Player went on to release four albums during their active touring years until 1982. Moss left in 1981 to pursue an acting career, and has starred for the past 25 years on the daytime soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful”. JC Crowley pursued a career in country Music, while Beckett continued writing for other artists and movie soundtracks. He also did an eight year stint with Little River Band starting in 1990, while releasing an acclaimed solo cd 'Beckett' in 1991.

Beckett got back together with Ronn Moss in 1995, and recorded Player's fifth album, “Lost in Reality” and toured the United States. Since then, Peter has produced, written and played on two solo CDs for Ronn Moss and composed music for “The Bold And The Beautiful”. Player restarted working on new songs and touring together in 2010. The new lineup features again original members Peter Beckett and Ronn Moss together with Rob Math (guitars), Johnny English (keyboards) and Craig Pilo (drums).

 
“Player has not released a cd for over 10 yrs. It's great to actually be creating in the studio for the band once again, as opposed to our many other projects”, says Peter Beckett. “The new album will feature Player's three part harmony very prominently and include the usual blend of rock and big melodies”.

 
Ronn Moss adds: “It’s been quite a while since our last record release. Feels great to finally be making new music. I’d say the “stuff of life” has played an integral part of influencing all non-musical activities the last several years. Personal endeavours, other work related ventures, and just being downright lazy, have all played a part in why we haven’t done this sooner than now. But in “now’s” defense, sometimes one has to wait until “now” happens before you can actually be there.”

 
As a special appetizer to the new release, and in connection with a promotional trip in Italy where Peter and Ronn will appear on several major radio and TV shows in the first week of May, Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the worldwide digital release only of a 3-songs EP entitled “My Addiction” on April 30th.

The EP will also include, along with the title track, “Too Many Reasons” and a new recording of “Baby Come Back” and sets the pace for the new album’s release which is planned for the second half of 2012.

 
“My Addiction - as well as “Too Many Reasons” - came from co-writing sessions between Beckett and Steve Plunkett (Autograph). “I have written tons of songs with "Plunk" over the last 20 years and will continue to do so. We sifted through our joint efforts to see what would fit Player” tells Peter. "Addiction" seemed to be a great choice. This song title was actually stolen from one of our other songs.
The other song was actually about addiction. This one is a love song and a lot easier to listen to.

 
You can order / preorder “My Addiction” now on iTunes following this link: http://itunes.apple.com/it/preorder/addiction-single/id519148672

 
“My Addiction” sample can be listened following this link:

 
The EP can also be purchased via Amazon worldwide, eMusic and all other digital retailers all over the world. The song “My Addiction” can be streamed in full on the Frontiers Records webradio: www.frontiers.it/webradio


Weblinks:

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Rock News Update for Thursday April 26th, 2012

Hi folks,
Hope the week is going well so far for you all?
Sorry about the lack of new reviews up on the site, but every day this week, I've been hearing a little news update on this and that and so on, so I've just wanted to keep you up to date.

I will say this too this week, just shouting out for an old mate, Andrew McNiece @ www.melodicrock.com  is struggling a little financially, as he run his site time, it's his bread and butter, so he's put a request out there to fans of his site, to help out all they can with donations.
It's a great site, so if as a rock fan, if you feel you can give something, I'm certain it will be appreciated by Andrew. Also has many things reduced in his online store over there and a bunch of stuff out on eBay. Again, to check it out go to www.melodicrock.com
Good luck with everything Andrew!

Got a call from Stuart Smith (Heaven and Earth) yesterday, just to touch base and he was saying that the new Heaven and Earth album is on target (provisionally!) for an end of July release.
Good luck there Stuart, I for one am greatly looking forward to hearing the new one!

Well, on with the update folks, cheers, Al



Status Quo - Bula Quo! It's official!

Fans of British 12 bar rockers, Status Quo, will recall I recently posted a piece questioning what is going on in the Quo camp, with talk of a documentary and a movie going on.
I thought the documentary was a realistic, possibility that could be something great to look forward to.
The movie ..., really didn't know what to think ..., but now it seems it's a go and here's the details!

Status Quo are delighted to announce that they are shooting their first ever feature film over several weeks in Fiji from April this year.

A 90-minute action movie, featuring the band as themselves and also starring Jon Lovitz [‘Saturday Night Live’, ‘The Wedding Singer’], Craig Fairbrass [best known for ‘Eastenders’] and Laura Aikman [star of the forthcoming ‘Keith Lemon: The Movie’], this project sees the band moving from gold discs to the silver screen.

Also boasting 12 songs, “Bula Quo!” takes its name from the islanders’ traditional Fijian greeting, and also references the title of the band’s best-selling album “Hello!”

The film is to be directed by award-winning Stuart St. Paul, who has worked on projects ranging from Duran Duran’s seminal ‘Wild Boys’ video, to massive franchises like ‘Aliens’, ‘Batman’ and three ‘Bond’ movies. Having first met the band when asked by ITV to look after their visit on Coronation Street [he also worked on Emmerdale] St. Paul wrote the script specifically with the band in mind. The film’s Producer is Tim Major, who has worked on ‘The Scar Crow’, ‘Not Alone’ and ‘Kill Keith’ and is also a very successful Film and TV actor in his own right. The film is aimed for international theatrical release in 2013.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo commented, “The one thing Quo fans know is to expect the unexpected. Of course, Rick (Parfitt) and I have already acted in Coronation Street, one of the biggest TV shows on the planet, so this should be no trouble at all! According to management…” Rick Parfitt adds, “Once I found out that we weren’t going to be shooting anywhere cold, I was all for it. This is an amazing chance for us to do something new and we’re all really excited.”

The first production from the newly incepted Status Quo Films [Fiji] Ltd, this movie project has been supported by the Fiji Audio Visual Commission [FAVC]. Stuart St. Paul said: “We have been made to feel so welcome by everyone. Fiji isn’t just a paradise because of its location; it is also because of the wonderful islanders who cannot do enough for us. The production team is grateful for the support from the Fiji Government and Tourism Fiji without which none of this would be possible.”
Bula Quo - Internet Movie database:

Official Status Quo site:



Some brief updates ...

Michael Schenker Temple of Rock + Lovedrive Reunion tour update

Having not that long ago, seen Michael Schenker live for the first time in years, I can tell you that the upcoming UK tour should be something special to catch, even if it is a different line up!
The man is playing very well indeed, no question, so don't miss out!

Here's a post over at the man's website:

 Hi Everyone!
It's "Temple Of Rock and Lovedrive Reunion" time!
I am very much looking forward to performing songs from my "Lovedrive" album with the Scorpions with original Scorpions members Herman Rarebell and Francis Buchholz on this upcoming European Tour as well as playing many of my classics from the past with UFO and MSG and new stuff from the "Temple Of Rock" album with the great Doogie White on vocals.

It's going to be a blast.
Armed and Readyyyyyy!See you out there Before the Devil Knows You're Dead.
Best,
Michael

Just saw him on TV last night - As I missed Saturday night's 'That Metal Show' show ... - on a repeat on VH1 Classic, that featured Iron Maiden's Adrian Smith as the studio guest and Michael was the episode's guest musician on the show.
Very cool to see and wow! Michael gave host Eddie Trunk, a Dean Flying V guitar.
Very decent thing to do Michael, I must say that Eddie has been an avid Schenker fan for years, has been continually praising Michael's abilities over here in the States, on both the TV show and his weekly radio show and rightly so!

Official website:


 The Def Leppard, Poison and Lita Ford tour, rolls on with added dates!

Yes people, it seems that Def Leppard are proud to announce the adddition of some new US tour dates alongside Poison and Lita Ford, for this summer's hot tour!

The new dates added are:
August 11th - Charlotte, NC (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
August 14th - Pittsburgh, PA (First Niagara Pavilion)
August 28th - Des Moines,  IA (Wells Fargo Arena
September 4th - Austin, TX (Cedar Park Center)

Apparently there's a bunch of rumours flying around on Def Leppard, some saying they will not record any more albums, some saying the next will be their last, but then apparently, drummer Rick Allen recently did an interview on a US radio station, saying that he's been laying down some early drums tracks for the next album, playing to Phil Collen's early guitar parts ... Interesting ...

Phil Collen has likewise done a new radio interview, with California's 93.7 KCLB check it out here:

http://soundcloud.com/conklinradio/def-leppard-interview

Official band website:
http://www.defleppard.com




STRYPER – LEGENDARY CHRISTIAN ROCKERS ON TOUR

The Yellow & Black Attack is Back World-Wide For Select Intimate Shows

HOLLYWOOD, CA (April 25, 2012) –The Yellow and Black Attack is back - STRYPER is about to embark in a string of select dates world- wide starting May 10th at Tailgaters in Bolingbrook, IL just outside of Chicago.


STRYPER is one of the few bands from a decadent era that features “All Original Members”.
They continue to tour the world and produce Billboard-charting albums. Brothers Michael Sweet and Robert Sweet, along with Oz Fox and Timothy Gaines, make up the legendary hard rock quartet.


Looking back over the past 25 years, STRYPER is considered to be a groundbreaking act on all accounts. They are one of the first Christian rock bands to achieve unprecedented success in the mainstream. Their 1986 album To Hell With The Devil is listed among CCM’s “100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music” and the band’s popular power ballad “Honestly” became a Billboard Top 20 hit and reached number 1 on MTV. Their pop-rock hit “Calling On You”, also entered MTV’s top 10, simultaneously with “Honestly” being one of the first bands to have two top 10 videos on MTV. Even as recent as 2010 and 2011 STRYPER found their way once again on the Billboard Charts with their albums Reborn, Murder by Pride and The Covering.
“After almost 30 years in this business, we are blessed to be able to continue doing what we love most - making music,” explains Michael Sweet, lead singer/ lead guitarist and songwriter. “God has blessed us with talents and abilities so we plan to continue on this path as long as God calls us to do so.”
TOUR DATES – (more to come) – Bold denotes added dates~

5.10.12 Tailgaters Bolingbrook, IL (Chicago)
5.12.12 M3 Festival Columbia, MD
5.17.12 House of blues Dallas, TX
5.18.12 House of blues Houston, TX
5.19.12 Santa Fe Station Las Vegas, NV
5.24.12 BB Kings New York, NY
5.25.12 Showcase Live Foxborough, MA
5.26.12 Rock Junction West Greenwich, RI

6.01.12 The Marque Tempe, AZ
6.02.12 Speaking Rock Casino El Paso, TX Special Guest Stephen Pearcy/ RATT
6.03.12 El Corazon Seattle, WA


7.06.12 Seaside Festival Risoya, Norway
7.07.12 Gulbranna Festival Halmstad, Sweden
7.28.12 HalfwayJam Royalton, MN
9.19.12 Indira Gandhi Stadium Kohima, India
9.22.12 DDSC Dimapur, India


11.16.12 Poliedro de Caracas Caracas, Venezuela
11.17.12 Complejo Ferial Bicentenario Barqusimeto,Venezuela


Over 25 years later the band continues to deliver an inspiring message with their electrifying stage show, performing in front of audiences worldwide.

For more information go to:
www.stryper.com