CD Review: TV Snow Brings Out "Red" From Down-Under

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From half-way around the world comes the Australian, alternative rock band TV Snow with their full-length debut album, “Red.” The new release was dedicated to bassist Ben Linden, who was killed in a shark-attack just after recording for the album was finished. Hence the album titled, which was Ben’s nickname.
The band’s upbeat sound on the opening songs “Call To The Siren” and “Dowtown” have a very fresh sound that is needed in the music industry. “Death And Blues” shows a maturity in their songwriting that is not heard very often on debut albums. The boys rock hard on “Underground” and have fun with “Boy Wonder.” The album is full of upbeat, rocking tunes with no ballads to slow the energy down.
The new album was released internationally on December 1 and will be released in Australia at the beginning of 2013. For more information on this new, indie-rock Australian band, please visit tvsnow.net.

CD Review: Doreen Taylor Puts A Little "Magic" Into Her New Album

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Singer/songwriter, Doreen Taylor has entered the realm of country music with her latest album, “Magic.” The new release carries ten original songs and a remake of Gershwin’s “Summertime.” After her dance-beat filled debut album, Doreen wanted more meaning in her songs, which led her to release her first country-based album.
Her voice is perfectly suited for this type of music as in the opening song “Last Call (For Alcohol)” and the ballad “Another Rainy Night In Memphis.” The album’s second single; “Heartbeat” has very passionate performance from Doreen as heard in the music and in her vocal delivery. She also knows how to have fun with the upbeat “Good Girls Wanna Be Bad” and “Baby C’mon.” The album closes with Doreen pouring her heart and soul into her performance of the “Porgy and Bess” song, “Summertime,” which has become the most downloaded song from her new album.
Doreen Taylor’s new album, “Magic” was released back in April, but is finally getting a lot of airplay with her latest single, “Judgment Day” as it's lyrics depict the end of the world. The video was delayed because of Hurricane Sandy, but has since received rave reviews. Doreen was also awarded the “2012 Suggested Artist Songwriting Award” by the Song of the Year Songwriting Completion committee.
For more information on Doreen Taylor, please visit doreentaylormusic.com.

CD Review: Eric Clapton's "Slowhand" Celebrates 35 Years With Bonus Material

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For some, it's hard to imagine that Eric Clapton's pinnacle album "Slowhand" is celebrating its 35th Anniversary. In honor, Universal Music Group released a deluxe edition of the album which contains the original album, remastered with bonus songs and a live CD recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon on April 27, 1977.

The album, "Slowhand" features some of Clapton's most well-known songs including, "Cocaine," Wonderful Tonight" and "Lay Down Sally." The original nine-song album gets highlighted by four previously unreleased bonus tracks. The bonus songs, "Looking At The Rain," "Alberta," "Greyhound Bus" and "Stars, Strays And Ashtrays" were all outtakes from the original "Slowhand" sessions that did not end up on the final album. They give the album a different feel than probably what Clapton was originally looking for, but "Stars, Strays And Ashtrays" feels like the perfect closing song for this album.

The real gem in this set is the bonus live disc which highlights Clapton's 1977 live show. The disc features 9-songs from the Hammersmith Odeon show on April 27 (the super deluxe edition features the full show on two-discs). More than half of the songs are previously unreleased like the Blind Faith song "Can't Find My Way Home" and a 14-minute version of "I Shot The Sheriff."

Eric Clapton's "Slowhand: 35th Anniversary" comes in five different formats. The 2-disc set (original album remastered with bonus tracks and a nine-song live disc), the single disc set (original remastered CD), vinyl LP (original remastered album), a digital version of the original album (with the bonus tracks) and a super deluxe edition. The super deluxe edition features the original album remastered with the bonus tracks, the entire live at Hammersmith Odeon show on 2-CDs, a DVD audio only Hi-Resolution Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound of the original album, a vinyl version of the remastered album, 3 replica tour programs and a book featuring behind-the-scenes photos from the recording sessions. To find out more on this release, please visit ericclapton.com.

CD Review: Frank Zappa's Catalogue Gets Remastered And Re-Released

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In early 2012, the Universal Music Enterprise made a deal with the Zappa Family Trust to reissue Frank Zappa’s entire catalog on CD and in digital form. Many of the albums were being remastered from the original recordings in order to receive the optimal sound available. The first set of albums rolled out on July 31 and every month there after saw another dozen or so of Frank Zappa’s masterpieces hit the market. His entire catalog was also available on iTunes for the first time. Beginning with his first album, “Freak Out!” all the way up until the “Mystery Disc” has been reissued on CD. Some of his albums are hitting the market for the first time and many of them have never sounded better than they do now. Some of the highlights that feature the amazing sound of Zappa are the mostly instrumental “Hot Rats” and “Waka/Jawaka.” Also, after being “out of print” is the return of all six volumes of “You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore.” Fans that have followed Frank Zappa throughout his career will also be happy to know about a couple new compilations, “Understanding America” and “Finer Moments.” “Understanding America” is a two-disc album that features many of Frank Zappa’s politically charged songs, including “Who Are the Brain Police?,” “Can’t Afford No Shoes” and the deluxe, 25-minute version of “Porn Wars.” The other newly released compilation, “Finer Moments,” focuses on some of Zappa’s output during 1967 – 1972 with the Mothers Of Invention. Fans of early Zappa will love these live versions of “The Walking Zombie Music”and “Uncle Rhebus.” Another aspect of Zappa’s musical career that gets overlooked is his involvement in classical music and modern jazz. Albums like “Francesco Zappa” and “Jazz From Hell” are sure to give younger fans an insight to how talented Frank Zappa was a musician and how much he inspired others to reach outside the box. So with the close of 2012, we finally get to rediscover was a musical genius Frank Zappa was and how great his music sounded, no matter who or where he was performing. For more information on Frank Zappa’s entire catalog, please visit zappa.com.

CD Review: Vestibule Expands Their Rock Sound At "The Surface"

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From the Jersey Shore comes a new progressive rock band, Vestibule with their debut album, “Through The Surface.” The album was originally released in December of 2011, but is gaining a new life through New Ocean Media.
The album starts off with the band plugging-in for “Astray” as they add an edgier, punk sound to their prog-rock roots. The songs, “Sweet Surrender” and “The Longing” add jazzy drumming, up-beat bass lines to expand the album’s overall sound. The band’s edgier sound returns in “September Skies,” before slowing down for the mellow rock of “Lucid Dreams.” While most of the album’s songs fall well short of the five-minute mark, their true progressive side comes out on the almost six-minute, “Through The Surface” as the band’s sound truly comes alive. The album closes with the hard-rocking “Forget The Hour” as Vestibule leave their mark on your eardrums.
To find out more on this rising underground progressive rock band, please visit their facebook page at facebook.com/vestibulemusic.com.

CD Review: Debut Album From Outasight Sets The Stage For "Nights Like These"

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Hip-hop singer Outasight released his full-length debut album, “Nights Like These” in November and it features the smash hit, “Tonight Is The Night.” The song has taken on a life of its own, appearing in television shows and commercials and now we finally get to hear the rest from Outasight.

He combines hip-hop lyrics with pop singing laid over club beats on the opening song “Let’s Go.” Outasight invites his friend Chiddy Bang to rap over his own smooth vocals in “Shine,” before once again tapping the pop mainstream vein with “I’ll Drink To That.” Outasight seems to have the most fun when he gets to add a bit of rapping of his own, as in “Perfect Words.” His friend, RJ adds his vocals to “Under Lock And Key,” before closing the album with dance-pop fun of the title-song, “Nights Like These.”

Outasight has some live dates beginning on February 13 at the Heirloom Arts Theatre in Danbury, CT. For more information, please check out, Facebook.com/IamOutasight.

CD Review: Eric Clapton's "Slowhand" Celebrates 35 Years With Bonus Material

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For some, it's hard to imagine that Eric Clapton's pinnacle album "Slowhand" is celebrating its 35th Anniversary. In honor, Universal Music Group released a deluxe edition of the album which contains the original album, remastered with bonus songs and a live CD recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon on April 27, 1977.

The album, "Slowhand" features some of Clapton's most well-known songs including, "Cocaine," Wonderful Tonight" and "Lay Down Sally." The original nine-song album gets highlighted by four previously unreleased bonus tracks. The bonus songs, "Looking At The Rain," "Alberta," "Greyhound Bus" and "Stars, Strays And Ashtrays" were all outtakes from the original "Slowhand" sessions that did not end up on the final album. They give the album a different feel than probably what Clapton was originally looking for, but "Stars, Strays And Ashtrays" feels like the perfect closing song for this album.

The real gem in this set is the bonus live disc which highlights Clapton's 1977 live show. The disc features 9-songs from the Hammersmith Odeon show on April 27 (the super deluxe edition features the full show on two-discs). More than half of the songs are previously unreleased like the Blind Faith song "Can't Find My Way Home" and a 14-minute version of "I Shot The Sheriff."

Eric Clapton's "Slowhand: 35th Anniversary" comes in five different formats. The 2-disc set (original album remastered with bonus tracks and a nine-song live disc), the single disc set (original remastered CD), vinyl LP (original remastered album), a digital version of the original album (with the bonus tracks) and a super deluxe edition. The super deluxe edition features the original album remastered with the bonus tracks, the entire live at Hammersmith Odeon show on 2-CDs, a DVD audio only Hi-Resolution Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound of the original album, a vinyl version of the remastered album, 3 replica tour programs and a book featuring behind-the-scenes photos from the recording sessions. To find out more on this release, please visit ericclapton.com.

CD Review: Frank Zappa's Catalogue Gets Remastered And Re-Released

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In early 2012, the Universal Music Enterprise made a deal with the Zappa Family Trust to reissue Frank Zappa’s entire catalog on CD and in digital form. Many of the albums were being remastered from the original recordings in order to receive the optimal sound available. The first set of albums rolled out on July 31 and every month there after saw another dozen or so of Frank Zappa’s masterpieces hit the market. His entire catalog was also available on iTunes for the first time. Beginning with his first album, “Freak Out!” all the way up until the “Mystery Disc” has been reissued on CD. Some of his albums are hitting the market for the first time and many of them have never sounded better than they do now. Some of the highlights that feature the amazing sound of Zappa are the mostly instrumental “Hot Rats” and “Waka/Jawaka.” Also, after being “out of print” is the return of all six volumes of “You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore.” Fans that have followed Frank Zappa throughout his career will also be happy to know about a couple new compilations, “Understanding America” and “Finer Moments.” “Understanding America” is a two-disc album that features many of Frank Zappa’s politically charged songs, including “Who Are the Brain Police?,” “Can’t Afford No Shoes” and the deluxe, 25-minute version of “Porn Wars.” The other newly released compilation, “Finer Moments,” focuses on some of Zappa’s output during 1967 – 1972 with the Mothers Of Invention. Fans of early Zappa will love these live versions of “The Walking Zombie Music”and “Uncle Rhebus.” Another aspect of Zappa’s musical career that gets overlooked is his involvement in classical music and modern jazz. Albums like “Francesco Zappa” and “Jazz From Hell” are sure to give younger fans an insight to how talented Frank Zappa was a musician and how much he inspired others to reach outside the box. So with the close of 2012, we finally get to rediscover was a musical genius Frank Zappa was and how great his music sounded, no matter who or where he was performing. For more information on Frank Zappa’s entire catalog, please visit zappa.com.

CD Review: Happy New Year & Welcome To The Year "2112"

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Rush's 1976 album, "2112" went against everything that was happening in music at that time. Nobody was successful anymore dedicating an entire album side to one complete musical piece, but Rush fans couldn't get enough of it. The complexity of the "2112 Overture" and just the musicianship within the band was some of the best that the music world had to offer. Many of today's hard rock and heavy metal bands use this album as inspiration to create music outside of the normal pieces. This newly released deluxe edition features a remastered sound along with three live bonus tracks from the 1980-81 tour. The booklet contains new expanded artwork, the original liner notes, lyrics and unreleased photos and also features newly written liner notes from David Fricke of Rolling Stone magazine. The deluxe edition comes in three configurations, CD+DVD, CD+Blu-ray or the super deluxe edition which comes with the CD, Blu-ray and a hardbound book housing the 40 page comic book story by artist Tom Hodges (Star Wars, The Simpsons). The DVD and Blu-ray contain the same material, the comic book in digital form, a photo gallery and the entire album in 5.1 Surround Sound. The bonus tracks are the "2112: Overture" and "The Temple Of Syrinx" recorded at the Northland Coliseum in Edmonton, AB on June 25, 1981. The other bonus song is "A Passage To Bangkok" from the Manchester Apollo in England concert on June 17, 1980. Instead of only a few bonus tracks, an entire concert would have been more appropriate, but beggars can't be choosers. While I don't have the best speakers, the newly remastered version of the album sounds amazing, very clean and clear with just enough punch. The new deluxe edition of "2112" was released in December and is available now. For more information, please visit rush.com.

CD Review: Brand New Trash Give Off A Retro Sound

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From San Francisco, CA comes the new, self-titled album from Brand New Trash. Their music has been described as “Trash Pop” andcombines their influences of grunge, rock, folk, hip-hop and pop into a verycreative sound. The band is a spin-off of Buxter Hoot’n with brothers Vince andJimmy Dewald leading the way as the album’s first single, “Brenda’s Got A Baby”(a Tupac Shakur cover) is generating buzz along the west coast.
The album begins with “If You Let Me,” which carries a very retrosound that would make Neil Young proud. A mellow guitar and organ fill-in thebackground as the song begins to come together. The rawness in their music isheard on the album’s latest single, “Alana” as they combine folk lyrics with aSeattle grunge sound. The song “Blackwater” is an acoustic folk-blues thatsounds like it was concocted in the swamps of the Deep South, while “Brenda’sGot A Baby” combines a Neil Young-style guitar/harmonica with hard-edgedhip-hop lyrics to create their “trash pop.” The album closes with the slow burn;feedback fueled “The Ones” as the song sounds like a long lost Nirvana outtake.
The new album from Brand New Trash was released back inNovember and the band is planning a tour this coming spring. For moreinformation, please visit brandnewtrash.com.

A Morning With Motown and Martha

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Watching a PBS fundraising special on Motown last night, I realized it has been way too long since we tasted the sweet sounds of the Motor City. Now the talent of Motown was so vast, it needs to be savored one bite at a time.

Today we go with one of the great girl groups: Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. Rosalind Ashford, Betty Kelly, Annette Beard and Martha Reeves were the main members responsible for a boatload of hits in the early to mid-60's. The group was always a trio with a few changes in personnel, most notably when Beard left and was replaced by Kelly.

Members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Martha and the Vandellas created a body of work with equal measures of fun and dance-ability. Listening to them, no way your feet aren't moving.

Kick up the volume, kick off your shoes and dance.

"Nowhere to Run"
"Honey Chile"
"Heatwave"
"Jimmy Mack"
"Quicksand"
"Dancin' in the Street"

yeah.

"If your feet ain't tappin', baby you're dead."

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Bringin' It On Home with Sam Cooke

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Sometimes the circle of life is a strange one.  Lately, we've all been inundated with holiday commercials misusing a lot of holiday songs. Most are not very creative and after seeing and hearing them two dozen times in a three hour period...you are sick of them for the year.

There is one commercial though, I just love hearing. It's for Nautica clothing being sold through Macy's. It features a lot of young, good-looking people getting together in a nice house, by a dock, whatever. Not very intrusive, no one screaming about their product, just a song and not even a Christmas song playing in the background.

The song is "Bring It On Home To Me," written and originally recorded by the late Sam Cooke.

Sam Cooke was murdered 48 years ago today. The circumstances of his death have always been fuzzy at best. Rather than think about his death, let's celebrate his remarkable musical career. For today and for always, let Sam bring it on home, one more time.



Close your eyes and just breathe it in.

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We're Having a Party: Let's Start the Show

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So, Happy Birthday to me.
While I wait to see if I get the present I really want, I've decided to give myself a gift. The gift of music. I'm giving myself a rock concert. Last week's 121212 Concert...ha. I've invited some of the best of all time, even a few who are no longer with us, and yes, they've agreed to sing a song or two for my big day.
Some of these songs have been featured in past blogs. Some are my favorites, some are songs I've enjoyed seeing done live, some are songs by an artist I might have seen, but never heard that song done live. You may also notice that many are sung by hot guys...well, it's my party and there aren't many things I enjoy more than watching a good looking man singing a song. There I've said it. I may be adding another year on my age, but I ain't dead yet.
So in no particular order, mainly because I didn't have time to think about how the line-up should go...
Chris Isaac "Wicked Games" ...ok, so let's start with hot and go from there.Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band "Blue on Black" ...with Noah Hunt singing lead...again, hotBon Jovi "Dead or Alive" ...I'm a cowboy. Yes, yes you are.Crosby, Still & Nash "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" ...great clip with Stephen showing how it's doneRobert Plant & Alison Krauss "Killing the Blues" ...breathtakingly beautifulThe Band "The Weight"  ...if only, one more timeJoe Cocker "Hitchcock Railway"  ...start the feet movingJackson Brown "You Love the Thunder" ...a hard choice deciding which song by Jackson to useThe Monroes "What Do All The People Know" ...one of my fave one-hit wondersMeat Loaf "Bat out of Hell" ...11 minutes of theatrical perfectionTom Petty "Free Fallin" ...always loved the chorus, cause don't we all want to sometimesStevie Wonder "Higher Ground" ...also hard to choose with StevieSam & Dave "Hold On. I'm Comin' " ...a no brainer and a great live videoThe Rascals "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore" ...my hometown boys....SURESeal "I Can't Stand the Rain" ...great version of a timeless songLittle Feat "Let it Roll" ...feet don't fail me nowSteve Winwood "Still in the Game" ...another hard choice, but I've never seen him do this liveTracy Chapman "You're the One" ...the voice, melody, lyrics...excellentEric Clapton "Layla" ...electric, it never gets tired...cause uh LaylaJimi Jamison "When Love Comes Down" ...really, did you think he wouldn't make the list. Never seen this live and I love the vocal.
Bruce Springsteen "Candy's Room" ...Max has to be on drums. And Bruce can do another five or ten songs...his choice, all fine with me.Dobie Gray "Drift Away" ...cause that about sums it all up and it's the best song ever written about music. Period.
Not a bad night for me. Hopefully the usual suspects will be wearing some leather...a girl gets her wish granted on her birthday doesn't she? There's at least twenty more songs I would love to hear, but I don't have the extra cash to pay the unions for overtime. Listen to as many as you like.

Happy Birthday to me. Who wants to hang out for the show? Bring your own beer, and somebody better bring a cake. Chocolate.
Now where are my dancin' boots...
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There's More... Beyond The Sea

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When we talk about people who died too young and think of them in terms of  "what might have been," one name always comes to my mind. And while most people have heard the name, most likely they don't quite know just how much talent was lost when he died at the age of thirty-seven.

Bobby Darin was a singer, song-writer, actor and political activist. As a singer, he crooned, he did folk, he did rock, he did country...he did it all. And except for a bad heart which he knew meant he would never be an old man, he could have done so much more.

He had a style and a swagger. Born in the Bronx, his career eventually brought him to Hollywood where he won a Golden Globe for his first major role. The next year, he was nominated for an Academy Award for another film. Ten years later he would not wake up from an operation to repair that faulty heart.

I have loved Bobby Darin for as long as I can remember, if you really knew his stuff, you can't help yourself. Today, let's have a few tastes from a great talent and think...if only.

"If I Were A Carpenter" ...A beautiful rendition of the Tim Hardin song.
"Dream Lover"  ...vintage footage from the Ed Sullivan Show
"Simple Song of Freedom" ...one of his own, spot-on perfect
"Mack the Knife" ...a little Broadway.
"Beyond the Sea"  ...the classic done with a sense of humor.

Yes, different music today. An open mind lets in more joy than you can ever imagine. Try a taste or two.

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Turning Up The Heat For New Year's Eve

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Another New Year's Eve.

Going out can be enjoyable, but staying in can be more fun, if you know what I mean.

Last year, I set up a nice hot list of songs to get cozy to, and I take no credit or responsibility for any family additions which may have arrived come September.

Let's see if we can continue the tradition this year.


A little slow dancin' to set the mood, and who to better start it off than Smokey...
"You've Really Got A Hold On Me" ...just the right amount of heat to start the night

Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes "The Fever" ...you can go with Bruce's version, but I like Johnny's soulful licks.

The Rascals "How Can I Be Sure" ...add a glass of wine and a little candlelight

Springsteen "Human Touch" ...strip down the defenses, raw emotion now

Bryan Adams "Do I Have To Say The Words" ...yes, yes you do

Kenny Wayne Sheperd Band "Somehow, Somewhere, Someday" ...a little bad intent is a good thing

Melissa Etheridge "I Want You" ...let's get real now, turning up the heat

Lou Gramm "Warmest Rising Sun" ...time for truth, it's all that matters

Joe Cocker "You Can Leave Your Hat On" ...c'mon girls, you have to do a little work too

And because you really can't do a getting laid list without the man himself...
Marvin "Let's Get It On" ...just do it already

Ok, everybody feeling better...
Ready for another round? Go with this...

Faith Hill  "Breathe" ... guys, trust me on this

Happy New Year.
Let Your Love Flow.

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