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Home to the articles, eBooks and commentaries by
Ross Muir
Freelance Writer, Music Critic & Review, Artist Promotion
Putting the Words to the Music - and a few other subjects
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Home to the articles, eBooks and commentaries by
Ross Muir
Freelance Writer, Music Critic & Review, Artist Promotion
Putting the Words to the Music - and a few other subjects
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Latest Articles
(click on the title to go directly to the article)
The Darvel Music Festival 2012 After the worry that there might not even be a 2012 edition of Ayrshire's leading music festival, the organisers tireless work produced a weekend event featuring Blues, Alternative Country and Melodic Pop.
Ned Evett, Orlando FL Amanda Lee Campbell found out that not only is the man who plays fretless guitar an exceptional musician, he's also an exceptionally nice guy. Guest review of Evett's recent solo gig in Orlando.
Muirsical Conversation with... Jon Anderson The singer, lyricist, musician, composer and voice of YES for some 35 years spoke to FabricationsHQ to discuss recent, current and future projects, and reflect on his progressive past.
Bert Weedon "Mr Guitar" (1920 - 2012) Tribute to the guitarist who inspired an incalculable numbers of budding musicians to pick up the instrument.
The 2012 Ayrshire Music Festivals The number of festivals in the county and the quality of such mean it's a very, very good time to be around Ayrshire.
Featured Album Review: Outbound Road - Hard Country A new band and a new sound, mixing classic rock, American country and southern rock: Hard Country.
Featured Album Review: It Bites - Map of the World The second post-comeback studio release from the melodic prog exponents.
2012 Album Review Summaries Recent entries include releases from the German modern-prog band RPWL, Jeff Scott Soto's latest, a pre-release review of Tracie Hunter's solo album and the definitive covers collection from the premier Eagles tribute band, Talon.
Popular older articles
The Sweet - A Cut Above the Rest Muirsical Reflection on the most misunderstood rock band of the 70's. Known for their great Glam Rock era, but criminally under-rated in their own country as regards original product and musicianship.
The Fool Guitar - The Fool Story Article on the intriguing history behind one of the most iconic instruments in rock and roll.
(click on the title to go directly to the article)
The Darvel Music Festival 2012 After the worry that there might not even be a 2012 edition of Ayrshire's leading music festival, the organisers tireless work produced a weekend event featuring Blues, Alternative Country and Melodic Pop.
Ned Evett, Orlando FL Amanda Lee Campbell found out that not only is the man who plays fretless guitar an exceptional musician, he's also an exceptionally nice guy. Guest review of Evett's recent solo gig in Orlando.
Muirsical Conversation with... Jon Anderson The singer, lyricist, musician, composer and voice of YES for some 35 years spoke to FabricationsHQ to discuss recent, current and future projects, and reflect on his progressive past.
Bert Weedon "Mr Guitar" (1920 - 2012) Tribute to the guitarist who inspired an incalculable numbers of budding musicians to pick up the instrument.
The 2012 Ayrshire Music Festivals The number of festivals in the county and the quality of such mean it's a very, very good time to be around Ayrshire.
Featured Album Review: Outbound Road - Hard Country A new band and a new sound, mixing classic rock, American country and southern rock: Hard Country.
Featured Album Review: It Bites - Map of the World The second post-comeback studio release from the melodic prog exponents.
2012 Album Review Summaries Recent entries include releases from the German modern-prog band RPWL, Jeff Scott Soto's latest, a pre-release review of Tracie Hunter's solo album and the definitive covers collection from the premier Eagles tribute band, Talon.
Popular older articles
The Sweet - A Cut Above the Rest Muirsical Reflection on the most misunderstood rock band of the 70's. Known for their great Glam Rock era, but criminally under-rated in their own country as regards original product and musicianship.
The Fool Guitar - The Fool Story Article on the intriguing history behind one of the most iconic instruments in rock and roll.
Latest Muirsical Thoughts
Tommy Bolin and Friends - Great Gypsy Soul is a US release now looking for UK distribution.
The album features finished outtakes from Tommy Bolin's Teaser album, but the twist is the “finished” parts come courtesy of many great names in rock who were inspired, influenced by or admirers of the influential and innovative guitarist who died in 1976.
Joe Bonamassa, Peter Frampton, Brad Whitford, Steve Morse, Warren Haynes and Steve Lukather all make six-string contributions while singer Myles Kennedy double tracks along with Bolin on the vocal to ‘Dreamer.’
Haynes was also involved in putting the project together and stated that “all (guests) share in acknowledging his (Bolin’s) place in rock history. Watching and hearing it all come to fruition some 35 years later was a journey of its own. Well worth the travel.”
Beg to differ, Warren.
There have been a huge number of posthumous Bolin releases, particularly in recent years, from iffy live bootlegs to interesting rarities to the excellent Teaser Deluxe, a 35th Anniversary edition of the classic 1975 album.
Featuring alternate takes and never-before-heard mixes, Teaser Deluxe is supposedly closer to the original vision Bolin had for the album.
But this?
I’ve heard clips from Tommy Bolin and Friends and it simply sounds like those Friends have simply been playing a new Bolin add-on for the popular Guitar Hero game.
Better the guest musicians simply re-recorded their favourite Bolin songs and created a various artists covers album, or were filmed for a documentary discussing how they rate Bolin and his six-string legacy.
Should have let Sleeping Wild Dogs Lie, boys.
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The album features finished outtakes from Tommy Bolin's Teaser album, but the twist is the “finished” parts come courtesy of many great names in rock who were inspired, influenced by or admirers of the influential and innovative guitarist who died in 1976.
Joe Bonamassa, Peter Frampton, Brad Whitford, Steve Morse, Warren Haynes and Steve Lukather all make six-string contributions while singer Myles Kennedy double tracks along with Bolin on the vocal to ‘Dreamer.’
Haynes was also involved in putting the project together and stated that “all (guests) share in acknowledging his (Bolin’s) place in rock history. Watching and hearing it all come to fruition some 35 years later was a journey of its own. Well worth the travel.”
Beg to differ, Warren.
There have been a huge number of posthumous Bolin releases, particularly in recent years, from iffy live bootlegs to interesting rarities to the excellent Teaser Deluxe, a 35th Anniversary edition of the classic 1975 album.
Featuring alternate takes and never-before-heard mixes, Teaser Deluxe is supposedly closer to the original vision Bolin had for the album.
But this?
I’ve heard clips from Tommy Bolin and Friends and it simply sounds like those Friends have simply been playing a new Bolin add-on for the popular Guitar Hero game.
Better the guest musicians simply re-recorded their favourite Bolin songs and created a various artists covers album, or were filmed for a documentary discussing how they rate Bolin and his six-string legacy.
Should have let Sleeping Wild Dogs Lie, boys.
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Lynyrd Skynyrd will release a new album, Last of a Dying Breed, on August 21st.
(US release – date for other areas still to be confirmed).
The album is the band’s first studio release since 2009’s successful God & Guns, their first Billboard Top 20 album since Street Survivors more than thirty years prior.
As has been the unfortunate norm for the band in recent years, another line-up change has had to be implemented following the death of bass player Donald ‘Ean’ Evans in 2009, who had replaced Leon Wilkinson following his own sad passing in 2001.
Johnny Colt, original bass player of The Black Crowes is the latest recruit to the cause and Last of the Dying Breed is the first Skynyrd album that won’t feature original member and keyboard player Billy Powell (who also died in 2009).
With all the tragedy that has befallen this band since 1977, when they were at the height of their powers, the title of the album could be seen as a statement of black humour and only guitarist Gary Rossington now remains from the classic era/ classic line-up.
But while Rossington is in the ranks and a Van Zant is at the microphone, the flag of the Confedederate Southern Rock brand still flies high.
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(US release – date for other areas still to be confirmed).
The album is the band’s first studio release since 2009’s successful God & Guns, their first Billboard Top 20 album since Street Survivors more than thirty years prior.
As has been the unfortunate norm for the band in recent years, another line-up change has had to be implemented following the death of bass player Donald ‘Ean’ Evans in 2009, who had replaced Leon Wilkinson following his own sad passing in 2001.
Johnny Colt, original bass player of The Black Crowes is the latest recruit to the cause and Last of the Dying Breed is the first Skynyrd album that won’t feature original member and keyboard player Billy Powell (who also died in 2009).
With all the tragedy that has befallen this band since 1977, when they were at the height of their powers, the title of the album could be seen as a statement of black humour and only guitarist Gary Rossington now remains from the classic era/ classic line-up.
But while Rossington is in the ranks and a Van Zant is at the microphone, the flag of the Confedederate Southern Rock brand still flies high.
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Joe Bonamassa remains ridiculously prolific – since 2000 the gifted blues guitarist has released nine studio albums, two Black Country Communion albums and a collaborative album with singer Beth Hart.
And studio album number thirteen will see the light of day later this month.
Bonamassa’s tenth solo album, Driving Towards the Daylight, will be released on May 21st and will feature eight covers in amongst its eleven tracks, including songs by Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, Bill Withers and Tom Waits.
The album will also feature appearances from guest musicians including guitarists Pat Thrall and Brad Whitford and singer Jimmy Barnes (who appears on the cover of his own song ‘Too Much Ain’t Enough Love’).
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And studio album number thirteen will see the light of day later this month.
Bonamassa’s tenth solo album, Driving Towards the Daylight, will be released on May 21st and will feature eight covers in amongst its eleven tracks, including songs by Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, Bill Withers and Tom Waits.
The album will also feature appearances from guest musicians including guitarists Pat Thrall and Brad Whitford and singer Jimmy Barnes (who appears on the cover of his own song ‘Too Much Ain’t Enough Love’).
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Well, not before time.
Carlos Santana, good to his word of earlier this year, will indeed be releasing brand new material in 2012 (perhaps as many as three releases) starting with Shape Shifter, released later this month.
And having heard the instrumental ‘Nomad’ (only one song on the album will feature vocals) I can also say: well, that’s more like it.
After the two Supernatural collaborative clones (although I can understand the reasoning what with Supernatural selling about eleventy-squillion units worldwide), a host of compilations, best-of releases and the more recent but dismissible and unnecessary Guitar Heaven covers album, it’s great to hear a return to the original and distinct Santana guitar groves.
And with ‘Nomad’ having a musical vibe that recalls the original Santana Blues Band (complete with some Hammond-sounds) this is the first Santana album I’ve looked forward to in over a decade.
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Carlos Santana, good to his word of earlier this year, will indeed be releasing brand new material in 2012 (perhaps as many as three releases) starting with Shape Shifter, released later this month.
And having heard the instrumental ‘Nomad’ (only one song on the album will feature vocals) I can also say: well, that’s more like it.
After the two Supernatural collaborative clones (although I can understand the reasoning what with Supernatural selling about eleventy-squillion units worldwide), a host of compilations, best-of releases and the more recent but dismissible and unnecessary Guitar Heaven covers album, it’s great to hear a return to the original and distinct Santana guitar groves.
And with ‘Nomad’ having a musical vibe that recalls the original Santana Blues Band (complete with some Hammond-sounds) this is the first Santana album I’ve looked forward to in over a decade.
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Having confirmed that the UK Download and Chicago Lollapalooza festival dates will be their only two 2012 appearances, it was perhaps no surprise when Black Sabbath superseded and updated that announcement with the news they will play a home-town show on May 19th at the Birmingham Academy.
Presumably without original member Bill Ward behind the kit, whose well-documented contractual issues means it’s highly unlikely he will perform at any of the live shows or play on the forthcoming studio album.
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Presumably without original member Bill Ward behind the kit, whose well-documented contractual issues means it’s highly unlikely he will perform at any of the live shows or play on the forthcoming studio album.
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After the highly successful new album from Van Halen and the subsequent, on-going tour it seems Dave Lee Roth is revisiting his solo career, which was in a state of diminishing returns prior to him reuniting with the Halen-ites back in 2007.
Roth is recording with guitarist John 5 and Ultimate Classic Rock reported the singer has already started work on the new album.
According to John 5 an entire album’s worth of songs (in an acoustic format) have already been completed, with contributions from Gregg Bissonette (drums) and Brett Tuggle (keyboards).
Both were members of Roth’s solo band in his Skyscraper days.
No release date as yet and its unlikely to be issued before Van Halen complete their extensive 2012 tour schedule.
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Roth is recording with guitarist John 5 and Ultimate Classic Rock reported the singer has already started work on the new album.
According to John 5 an entire album’s worth of songs (in an acoustic format) have already been completed, with contributions from Gregg Bissonette (drums) and Brett Tuggle (keyboards).
Both were members of Roth’s solo band in his Skyscraper days.
No release date as yet and its unlikely to be issued before Van Halen complete their extensive 2012 tour schedule.
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Having confirmed he would be working again with Crazy Horse, Neil Young has just released the single 'Oh Susannah' from the forthcoming album, Americana.
The album does indeed feature the Crazy Horse gang, the first to do so since 2003 and the first to feature the complete line-up (Billy Talbot, Ralph Molina and Frank Sampedro) since Broken Arrow back in 1996.
The album is a collection of traditional American folk songs but if the arrangement of ‘Oh Susannah’ is anything to go by Young has put a distinct, almost alternative Americana stamp on it.
The album features the American folk staples ‘Clemintine,’ ‘Tom Dooley,’ ‘She’ll be Comin’ Round the Mountain’ and ‘This Land is Your Land.’
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The album does indeed feature the Crazy Horse gang, the first to do so since 2003 and the first to feature the complete line-up (Billy Talbot, Ralph Molina and Frank Sampedro) since Broken Arrow back in 1996.
The album is a collection of traditional American folk songs but if the arrangement of ‘Oh Susannah’ is anything to go by Young has put a distinct, almost alternative Americana stamp on it.
The album features the American folk staples ‘Clemintine,’ ‘Tom Dooley,’ ‘She’ll be Comin’ Round the Mountain’ and ‘This Land is Your Land.’
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Clockwork Angels, the new album from Rush, is one of the most highly anticipated rock releases of the year – and not just because the band are currently enjoying one of the strongest and most satisfying periods of their career.
Not only does the album promise something not heard or created on a Rush album in a long, long time – a conceptual theme/ story, Neal Peart has stated that he intends it to be his “highest achievement lyrically and drumming wise.”
Further, the novelization of Clockwork Angels is being written by Peart’s friend and science fiction writer Kevin J. Anderson, in collaboration with Peart.
Rush have already released (and previewed on their recent Time Machine tour) what will be the first two songs on the album, 'Caravan' and 'Bu2B,' and more recently 'Headlong Flight' was released as a single.
Those three punchy, heavy guitar-driven numbers have got a lot of attention and say "power trio" loud and clear – with the emphasis on "power."
Clockwork Angels will be released as a special Fanpack magazine edition on 11th June, featuring interviews with the band, producer Nic Raskulinecz and album artist Hugh Syme. There will also be a track-by-track guide.
The standard CD release will be available on the 9th July.
Earlier this year Kevin J. Anderson revealed a little more about the story and the lyrical content of Clockwork Angels:
”In a young man's quest to follow his dreams, he is caught between the grandiose forces of order and chaos. He travels across a lavish and colorful world of steampunk and alchemy, with lost cities, pirates, anarchists, exotic carnivals, and a rigid Watchmaker who imposes precision on every aspect of daily life.”
Sounds like that track-by-track guide might be necessary and essential reading.
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Not only does the album promise something not heard or created on a Rush album in a long, long time – a conceptual theme/ story, Neal Peart has stated that he intends it to be his “highest achievement lyrically and drumming wise.”
Further, the novelization of Clockwork Angels is being written by Peart’s friend and science fiction writer Kevin J. Anderson, in collaboration with Peart.
Rush have already released (and previewed on their recent Time Machine tour) what will be the first two songs on the album, 'Caravan' and 'Bu2B,' and more recently 'Headlong Flight' was released as a single.
Those three punchy, heavy guitar-driven numbers have got a lot of attention and say "power trio" loud and clear – with the emphasis on "power."
Clockwork Angels will be released as a special Fanpack magazine edition on 11th June, featuring interviews with the band, producer Nic Raskulinecz and album artist Hugh Syme. There will also be a track-by-track guide.
The standard CD release will be available on the 9th July.
Earlier this year Kevin J. Anderson revealed a little more about the story and the lyrical content of Clockwork Angels:
”In a young man's quest to follow his dreams, he is caught between the grandiose forces of order and chaos. He travels across a lavish and colorful world of steampunk and alchemy, with lost cities, pirates, anarchists, exotic carnivals, and a rigid Watchmaker who imposes precision on every aspect of daily life.”
Sounds like that track-by-track guide might be necessary and essential reading.
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You wait more than three years for a new Green Day album to follow the massively successful and critically acclaimed 21st Century Breakdown and then three of the buggers turn up at once.
Well, within four months of each other.
The punchy punk and hard pop-powered trio will release the first of three new albums in the autumn. Albums two and three will then be issued two months after the previous release.
Entitled ¡Uno!, ¡Dos! and ¡Tré! the first album will be available from the 25th September in the US (other regional release dates to be confirmed).
The band's official statement on the forthcoming releases was as short, sharp and to the point, much as their music has been of late:
”We are at the most prolific and creative time in our lives. This is the best music we've ever written, and the songs just keep coming. Instead of making one album, we are making a three album trilogy.
Every song has the power and energy that represents Green Day on all emotional levels. We just can't help ourselves... We are going epic as f***!”
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Well, within four months of each other.
The punchy punk and hard pop-powered trio will release the first of three new albums in the autumn. Albums two and three will then be issued two months after the previous release.
Entitled ¡Uno!, ¡Dos! and ¡Tré! the first album will be available from the 25th September in the US (other regional release dates to be confirmed).
The band's official statement on the forthcoming releases was as short, sharp and to the point, much as their music has been of late:
”We are at the most prolific and creative time in our lives. This is the best music we've ever written, and the songs just keep coming. Instead of making one album, we are making a three album trilogy.
Every song has the power and energy that represents Green Day on all emotional levels. We just can't help ourselves... We are going epic as f***!”
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Significant musicians who helped shape what became rock music and the rock and roll landscape of the 20th century are “of an age,” as are those who contributed to very sound of that music, but lately there seems to be more tributes to a sadly gone greats than there is news on ticket information to some band or others latest tour.
Yet another sad, recent passing was the news of the death of Levon Helm, who succumbed to cancer on the 19th of April.
Levon Helm will be best remembered as the singer and drummer of The Band, the American group who blended rock, country and Americana and were noted for not just their own records but their collaborative work with Bob Dylan.
They recorded with the iconic singer songwriter on a number of occasions during the 1970s.
The Band reformed in 1983 and went on to release three albums in the 1990’s but Helm was diagnosed with throat cancer towards the end of that decade.
Necessary treatments left his vocal cords damaged and his singing voice became a thin, softer rasp as opposed to the more famous tenor tones.
Helm continued to play drums, work and record but as his voice grew stronger he began singing again and his 2007 album Dirt Farmer (his first solo album since 1982) was a Grammy Award winner for Best Traditional Folk album.
Helm was still performing up until 2011 and that year Ramble at the Ryman was released, a live set recorded during Helm’s 2008 show at the Nashville Ryman Auditorium.
The album, featuring six songs by The Band, some cover material and songs from previous Hem solo records, won a Grammy Award for Best Americana album.
Not a bad way to sign off, Levon.
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Yet another sad, recent passing was the news of the death of Levon Helm, who succumbed to cancer on the 19th of April.
Levon Helm will be best remembered as the singer and drummer of The Band, the American group who blended rock, country and Americana and were noted for not just their own records but their collaborative work with Bob Dylan.
They recorded with the iconic singer songwriter on a number of occasions during the 1970s.
The Band reformed in 1983 and went on to release three albums in the 1990’s but Helm was diagnosed with throat cancer towards the end of that decade.
Necessary treatments left his vocal cords damaged and his singing voice became a thin, softer rasp as opposed to the more famous tenor tones.
Helm continued to play drums, work and record but as his voice grew stronger he began singing again and his 2007 album Dirt Farmer (his first solo album since 1982) was a Grammy Award winner for Best Traditional Folk album.
Helm was still performing up until 2011 and that year Ramble at the Ryman was released, a live set recorded during Helm’s 2008 show at the Nashville Ryman Auditorium.
The album, featuring six songs by The Band, some cover material and songs from previous Hem solo records, won a Grammy Award for Best Americana album.
Not a bad way to sign off, Levon.
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As expected, Axl Rose was a no-show at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in Cleveland but the bigger disappointment or surprise was the fact that Rod Stewart (being inducted as part of Rod Stewart and the Faces) didn’t turn up.
The controversial Guns ‘N’ Roses front man was never going to appear after his lengthy open letter to the organisers which went into great detail about his reasoning, the fact he didn’t have enough information on just what the Hall of Fame was all about (or where any money made actually went) and made it very clear he didn’t want to be inducted.
Music fans and critics will have their own opinions on whether his stance should be applauded or if it was yet another case of putting the bigger picture and the fans into second place, but he’s not the first to snub the ceremony and he won’t be the last.
Rod Stewart’s no-show was unfortunately down to flu, contracted just a few days prior to the ceremony.
Bit of a double-whammy as he also missed out on his own induction (for his solo work) in 1994.
Mick Hucknall was flown in to sing with the remaining members of the Faces.
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The controversial Guns ‘N’ Roses front man was never going to appear after his lengthy open letter to the organisers which went into great detail about his reasoning, the fact he didn’t have enough information on just what the Hall of Fame was all about (or where any money made actually went) and made it very clear he didn’t want to be inducted.
Music fans and critics will have their own opinions on whether his stance should be applauded or if it was yet another case of putting the bigger picture and the fans into second place, but he’s not the first to snub the ceremony and he won’t be the last.
Rod Stewart’s no-show was unfortunately down to flu, contracted just a few days prior to the ceremony.
Bit of a double-whammy as he also missed out on his own induction (for his solo work) in 1994.
Mick Hucknall was flown in to sing with the remaining members of the Faces.
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After the cancellation of the UK Sonisphere festival, Queen (who were to be one of the headlining bands) confirmed first two, then three shows in July at the Hammersmith Apollo in London, to replace the non-starter at Knebworth.
The band, featuring Adam Lambert as lead vocalist, will also be playing shows in Moscow and Kiev in June.
As much as logistical problems were cited for the cancellation of the festival at Knebworth, Queen with Adam Lambert, headlining one of the three days of what is primarily a heavy rock or metal event, was met with very mixed results.
For every festival fan that was intrigued or ambivalent towards Queen with Lambert performing, there was another making it perfectly clear they had no interest in seeing such collaboration at such an event.
Playing their own shows, in front of their own fans and those who champion the band no matter who is singing, makes much more sense and guarantees an enthusiastic audience.
The latter was proven without doubt when the originally scheduled two Hammersmith shows sold out within 24 hours of the tickets going on open sale>
Such demand led to the third date.
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The band, featuring Adam Lambert as lead vocalist, will also be playing shows in Moscow and Kiev in June.
As much as logistical problems were cited for the cancellation of the festival at Knebworth, Queen with Adam Lambert, headlining one of the three days of what is primarily a heavy rock or metal event, was met with very mixed results.
For every festival fan that was intrigued or ambivalent towards Queen with Lambert performing, there was another making it perfectly clear they had no interest in seeing such collaboration at such an event.
Playing their own shows, in front of their own fans and those who champion the band no matter who is singing, makes much more sense and guarantees an enthusiastic audience.
The latter was proven without doubt when the originally scheduled two Hammersmith shows sold out within 24 hours of the tickets going on open sale>
Such demand led to the third date.
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Interestingly, as Queen were announcing the above dates, Paul Rodgers was confirming he wouldn’t rule out the possibility of working with Brian May and Roger Taylor again after their own successful Queen + Paul Rodgers union.
Speaking to Ultimate Classic Rock, the iconic rock front man also spoke of why he stepped away from the Queen microphone: “Being in a band is all-consuming and I like to have a life. After leaving Queen I decided to stop doing those mega-four-month tours.”
And as regards Queen’s current vocalist?
“It’s probably a dream come true for Adam, but I wonder if he has the groundwork to see him through a big tour with those guys.”
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Speaking to Ultimate Classic Rock, the iconic rock front man also spoke of why he stepped away from the Queen microphone: “Being in a band is all-consuming and I like to have a life. After leaving Queen I decided to stop doing those mega-four-month tours.”
And as regards Queen’s current vocalist?
“It’s probably a dream come true for Adam, but I wonder if he has the groundwork to see him through a big tour with those guys.”
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Joe Walsh has a number of solo shows in North America lined up to promote his new album, Analog Man, which is released on the 11th June.
Eleven shows have been confirmed, with most venues falling into the Casino or Resort centre category.
The announced schedule starts at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Catoosa, Oklahoma (May 17th) and ends at the Resort Casino Amphitheatre in Tulalip, Washington, on August 30th.
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Eleven shows have been confirmed, with most venues falling into the Casino or Resort centre category.
The announced schedule starts at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Catoosa, Oklahoma (May 17th) and ends at the Resort Casino Amphitheatre in Tulalip, Washington, on August 30th.
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Multi-instrumentalist Greg Ham, best known for being a member of iconic Australian band Men At Work, was found dead at his Melbourne home on the 19th April.
Ham was responsible for one on of the most popular instrumental lines in pop with his flute riff for Down Under,' the band's massive and worldwide hit from 1983.
By 1986 Men at Work had split up but the core duo of Ham and singer and guitarist Colin Hay reformed the band in 1996. The band played in various parts of the world between 1998 and 2000 and performed 'Down Under' at the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Sydney in 2000.
The band were inactive in recent years (with sporadic appearances such as a telethon appeal in 2009) but Ham had remained musically active, playing saxophone with the Melbourne-based Nudist Funk Orchestra.
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Ham was responsible for one on of the most popular instrumental lines in pop with his flute riff for Down Under,' the band's massive and worldwide hit from 1983.
By 1986 Men at Work had split up but the core duo of Ham and singer and guitarist Colin Hay reformed the band in 1996. The band played in various parts of the world between 1998 and 2000 and performed 'Down Under' at the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Sydney in 2000.
The band were inactive in recent years (with sporadic appearances such as a telethon appeal in 2009) but Ham had remained musically active, playing saxophone with the Melbourne-based Nudist Funk Orchestra.
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After a successful maiden voyage last year, the Rock Legends Cruise – imaginatively entitled Rock Legends Cruise II - will set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida in January 2013.
At least 15 artists will be on the bill, with fifty sets of music due to be heard over four days.
Confirmed acts include Foreigner, Paul Rodgers, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Bachman & Turner, 38 Special, The Marshall Tucker Band, Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat, Molly Hatchet, the Pat Travers Band, The Artimus Pyle Band and Black Oak Arkansas.
A number of the artists, including the Pat Travers Band, are making their second voyage but what is perhaps not as well-known as some of the names who will be playing is the cause behind the cruise.
The Native American Heritage Association (NAHA) is a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to helping Native American families in need living on the Reservations of South Dakota.
Since its founding in 1993, NAHA has continued to grow, provide assistance and self-help programs to many Native American families.
For each cruise ticket purchased (prices range from $549 to $5,599), $250 will go towards NAHA’s efforts to help Native American families across South Dakota.
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At least 15 artists will be on the bill, with fifty sets of music due to be heard over four days.
Confirmed acts include Foreigner, Paul Rodgers, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Bachman & Turner, 38 Special, The Marshall Tucker Band, Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat, Molly Hatchet, the Pat Travers Band, The Artimus Pyle Band and Black Oak Arkansas.
A number of the artists, including the Pat Travers Band, are making their second voyage but what is perhaps not as well-known as some of the names who will be playing is the cause behind the cruise.
The Native American Heritage Association (NAHA) is a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to helping Native American families in need living on the Reservations of South Dakota.
Since its founding in 1993, NAHA has continued to grow, provide assistance and self-help programs to many Native American families.
For each cruise ticket purchased (prices range from $549 to $5,599), $250 will go towards NAHA’s efforts to help Native American families across South Dakota.
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Having confirmed their Global Warming Tour at a press conference in Los Angeles recently, Aerosmith have also confirmed the long awaited and long rumoured new studio album will be released in a few months.
According to Steven Tyler (now as famous for being a Pop Idol celebrity Judge as he is for being a rock and roll front man) the band have “…two more songs to finish” before the album is mixed.
A new song, ‘Legendary Child,’ is set to feature on the soundtrack of the film G.I. Joe: Retaliation.
The movie is scheduled to be released in June, which will probably be around the time Aerosmith’s new album becomes available.
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According to Steven Tyler (now as famous for being a Pop Idol celebrity Judge as he is for being a rock and roll front man) the band have “…two more songs to finish” before the album is mixed.
A new song, ‘Legendary Child,’ is set to feature on the soundtrack of the film G.I. Joe: Retaliation.
The movie is scheduled to be released in June, which will probably be around the time Aerosmith’s new album becomes available.
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Also out of Billboard.com was the news from Billy Gibbons that ZZ Top are close to completing a new album, which confirms what Gibbons has said late last year.
Seems the band and producer Rick Rubin are now at song selection, mixing and mastering stage with Rubin commenting that the album is “just pretty much straight-ahead. I don’t see any major changes. If we stumble into something drastic, fine. If it works, we’ll know it.”
With no definite release date for the album yet, it’s possible the first new song that will see the light of day will be '25 Lighters,' due to appear in a commercial for Jeremiah Weed whiskey.
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Seems the band and producer Rick Rubin are now at song selection, mixing and mastering stage with Rubin commenting that the album is “just pretty much straight-ahead. I don’t see any major changes. If we stumble into something drastic, fine. If it works, we’ll know it.”
With no definite release date for the album yet, it’s possible the first new song that will see the light of day will be '25 Lighters,' due to appear in a commercial for Jeremiah Weed whiskey.
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As mentioned here last month, Heart will be releasing a comprehensive retrospective box-set later this year (now confirmed as 6th June) and further details have now become available.
The collection will be a 3CD+DVD package called Strange Euphoria and will contain some 50 tracks over the three CDs, including previously unreleased material, rarities and hits.
The DVD will feature a rare 1976 television performance, plus track-by-track commentary from Ann and Nancy Wilson.
New material is also in the offing, with the band’s new album, Fanatic, due in October alongside the release of their autobiography.
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T'was only a matter of time.
With all the reformed, rebuilt and re-imagined groups around (some more brand than band) and musician's looking for ways to extend an acts career (such as Gene Simmons comments a few years back about the possibility of continuing the KISS brand with an all-new line-up of younger musicians) we finally have an official, and fully-endorsed, remake.
With all the reformed, rebuilt and re-imagined groups around (some more brand than band) and musician's looking for ways to extend an acts career (such as Gene Simmons comments a few years back about the possibility of continuing the KISS brand with an all-new line-up of younger musicians) we finally have an official, and fully-endorsed, remake.
From Classic Rock Band to Created Rock Brand.
They are currently recording an album of new material with their creator, mentor and original voice & six-string slinger of Blackfoot, Rickey Medlocke, heavily involved in the writing and production.
"Highway Song, sing it on and on...
(on and on)."
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They are currently recording an album of new material with their creator, mentor and original voice & six-string slinger of Blackfoot, Rickey Medlocke, heavily involved in the writing and production.
"Highway Song, sing it on and on...
(on and on)."
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A few months ago the story of how the KISS album The Elder might become the inspiration for a new movie made the small-music-news pages.
However it remains no more than an idea from independent British author and film maker Seb Hunter and his thoughts about making a "kinda post-apocalyptic road movie..." didn't exactly have me eagerly anticipating the potential of Mad Max meeting the Chosen One.
But a KISS movie based on a true KISS story is about to become reality...
In 1974, after losing their initial games, the Cadillac High School Vikings decided to play KISS albums in the locker room before and after each match and went on to win seven straight games and become Conference co-champions.
When word got to KISS, the band visited Cadillac the next year for what became an unforgettable 'Homecoming Weekend' for the team, their fans, the town and even the band themselves.
The movie will start filming later in the year and, as much as it is bound to be a big hit with the KISS fans as well as the millions of cinema go-ers who love feel good movies, I’m not sure I need a fictionalised film of the events.
Especially as there is a great little news documentary already available, including some original 1975 footage:
However it remains no more than an idea from independent British author and film maker Seb Hunter and his thoughts about making a "kinda post-apocalyptic road movie..." didn't exactly have me eagerly anticipating the potential of Mad Max meeting the Chosen One.
But a KISS movie based on a true KISS story is about to become reality...
In 1974, after losing their initial games, the Cadillac High School Vikings decided to play KISS albums in the locker room before and after each match and went on to win seven straight games and become Conference co-champions.
When word got to KISS, the band visited Cadillac the next year for what became an unforgettable 'Homecoming Weekend' for the team, their fans, the town and even the band themselves.
The movie will start filming later in the year and, as much as it is bound to be a big hit with the KISS fans as well as the millions of cinema go-ers who love feel good movies, I’m not sure I need a fictionalised film of the events.
Especially as there is a great little news documentary already available, including some original 1975 footage:
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News of another loss to the music world and specifically the world of rock guitar came with the news of the passing of Ronnie Montrose on the 3rd of March.
photo credit: Ronniemontrose.com
The 64-year-old had been battling prostate cancer for 5 years but, more tragically, his death was by suicide (Montrose had struggled with clinical depression from a young age).
The guitarist will always be known first and foremost for the band that carried his name and the classic 1973 Montrose debut album.
It truly is an every-rock-fans-home-should-have-one release and featured Montrose, Sammy Hager (vocals) Bill Church (bass) and Denny Carmassi (drums).
The core of the band was short-lived however and Hagar only recorded two albums with Montrose (there would be further Montrose releases with different line-ups).
The original line-up reunited in 1997 to record the song ‘Leaving the Warmth of the Womb’ for Sammy Hagar’s solo album Marching to Mars.
There were also later reformations of that original Montrose, playing guest slots at a number of Hagar concerts in 2004 and 2005.
Ronnie Montrose was with the Edgar Winter Group shortly before forming Montrose and went on to form Gamma in the late 70’s. Gamma was a little ahead of its time with a trio of albums featuring guitar and synth driven sounds.
There were also a number of solo releases from the guitarist (most of them appearing throughout the 90’s) and a Montrose line-up had been performing since 2002, featuring Keith St. John on vocals.
A fourth Gamma album was released in 2005.
Ronnie Montrose may not be at the top of the Rock Guitar Greats list, but the musical legacy he left is a great one.
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The guitarist will always be known first and foremost for the band that carried his name and the classic 1973 Montrose debut album.
It truly is an every-rock-fans-home-should-have-one release and featured Montrose, Sammy Hager (vocals) Bill Church (bass) and Denny Carmassi (drums).
The core of the band was short-lived however and Hagar only recorded two albums with Montrose (there would be further Montrose releases with different line-ups).
The original line-up reunited in 1997 to record the song ‘Leaving the Warmth of the Womb’ for Sammy Hagar’s solo album Marching to Mars.
There were also later reformations of that original Montrose, playing guest slots at a number of Hagar concerts in 2004 and 2005.
Ronnie Montrose was with the Edgar Winter Group shortly before forming Montrose and went on to form Gamma in the late 70’s. Gamma was a little ahead of its time with a trio of albums featuring guitar and synth driven sounds.
There were also a number of solo releases from the guitarist (most of them appearing throughout the 90’s) and a Montrose line-up had been performing since 2002, featuring Keith St. John on vocals.
A fourth Gamma album was released in 2005.
Ronnie Montrose may not be at the top of the Rock Guitar Greats list, but the musical legacy he left is a great one.
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A band featuring Jack Bruce and guitarist Vernon Reid will release their debut album in June.
Spectrum Road, who also include drummer Cindy Blackman Santana and jazz keyboard player John Medeski, were formed around Bruce and Reid’s love for the jazz-fusion of Tony William’s Lifetime, something they first discussed back in 2001 when Reid was working with Bruce.
The band first played together in December 2008 when they played a series of Tony William's Lifetime tribute concerts at the Blue Note Club in Tokyo.
If they are influenced by the Lifetime band and can create a similar vibe, groove or sound, this could be a collaborative project that is actually worth checking out.
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Spectrum Road, who also include drummer Cindy Blackman Santana and jazz keyboard player John Medeski, were formed around Bruce and Reid’s love for the jazz-fusion of Tony William’s Lifetime, something they first discussed back in 2001 when Reid was working with Bruce.
The band first played together in December 2008 when they played a series of Tony William's Lifetime tribute concerts at the Blue Note Club in Tokyo.
If they are influenced by the Lifetime band and can create a similar vibe, groove or sound, this could be a collaborative project that is actually worth checking out.
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