|
PAUL McCARTNEY
on Rounder / MPL
|
BOB DYLAN
on Columbia / Legacy
|
THE ENDLESS SUMMER II
on Monterey Media
|
JANUARY
/ FEBRUARY 2004
MUSIC & RECORD LABEL SPOTLIGHT
AVANT
ACOUSTIC / HAPI SKRATCH - Colorado-based
acoustic guitarist Lynn Patrick is joined by several other
fine guitarists on her 2002 CD When She Dreams. Also
appearing are lead guitarist Dave Beegle and guit-jo wizard
Joe Scott. Peaceful acoustic guitar music played with taste
and tenderness, When She Dreams is filled with Lynn´s
original acoustic-based instrumentals which range from folk and jazz
to country flatpicking. Featured on National Public Radio shows around
the country, the 12 track When She Dreams is layered with a
calm, almost New Age vibe and makes for a most relaxing listening
experience. www.lynnpatrick.com
BACKBEAT BOOKS - Backbeat have a fine selection of 2003 books
for guitarists and music fans alike. Written by music industry veteran,
Nadine Condon, Hot Hits, Cheap Demos: The Real-World
Guide To Music Business Secrets presents a 192 page book that
assembles a wealth of advice for the career minded musician. From
marketing and promoting your music to creating a press kit, producing
and promoting shows, making eye-catching web sites, finding producers,
managers, agents and lawyers all the way to packaging a CD and understanding
major label contracts, Condon offers her vital music business insights
on Hot Hits, Cheap Demos.
Along the same lines, Backbeat also published a new book in 2003
from author Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers entitled The Complete
Singer-Songwriter: A Troubadour’s Guide To Writing, Performing,
Recording & Business. Geared towards the modern
singer-songwriter looking to polish their craft and career, the 208
page book distills professional insights from a wealth of interviews
with music legends like Richie Havens, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon,
James Taylor, Arlo Guthrie, Chrissie Hynde, Jewel, Jerry Garcia and
more. Featuring just the right amount of songwriting and music theory
insights, the book is bolstered with key facts and inside information
on managers, agents, lawyers and record company execs.
In 2003, Backbeat also updated ‘the bible’ when it comes
to tubes and tube amps. Written by Aspen Pittman—the founder
and president of Groove Tubes, LLC—this expanded and revised
edition of The Tube Amp Book: Histories, Specs & Schematics
clears the fog around the tube, featuring 40 percent more
material and a CD-Rom of essential circuit diagrams. Printed in an
easy to use spiral-bound format, the 416 page book features 200 color
photos and is essential reading for tube-tone enthusiasts and everyday
tube-amp users alike.
Backbeat takes an entertaining look at the diminutive, yet influential
Ukulele with The Ukulele: A Visual History 2nd Edition.
Written and put together by Uke expert Jim Beloff, the
120 page hardcover book—featuring 200 color photos—takes
the reader through the history of the Ukulele from it’s roots
in the 1800’s—from Hawaii to the mainland—to all the
great players (remember Tiny Tim and Arthur Godfrey?) and Ukulele
makers. Beyond the history and incredible pictures of more than 100
of the finest Hawaiian koa-wood ukulele’s, Beloff’s essential
resource guide features loads of intriguing Ukulele trivia as well
as reference lists of ukulele song titles, method/songbooks, essential
recording information and more.
Written by guitarists / authors Pete Brown and Lisa Sharken,
Gear Secrets Of The Guitar Legends is being marketed
by Backbeat as the ‘bible for rock guitar tone.’ Featuring
interviews, bio material and essential discographies of rock guitar
legends including Scotty Moore, Eric Clapton and Steve Vai, the 128
page ‘trade paper’ book provides key data on guitar equipment,
technique, amp settings and sound tips that will help players improve
their sound while they learn about the music and lives of their favorite
guitar legends. Gear Secrets also features a CD of classic
guitar licks played in the style of the greats.
The definitive book on the 7-inch single, Backbeat’s 45
RPM: The History, Heroes & Villains Of A Pop Music Revolution
examines the history of the 7-inch single dating back to the
very first record ‘plates’ back in the 1880’s through
to the key musical revelations that transformed the single record
into one of America’s most popular post-war consumer products.
Popular well into the 1980s—just before the compact disc revolutionized
music listening—the black vinyl single is forever synonymous
with early rock and roll, jukeboxes, payola, AM radio and loads more
music history. Filled with 100 color and b&w photos, Dawson and
Propes hit the bullseye with their 176 page retrospective of the classic
‘donut disc’, which also includes a chapter called, “The
50 Most Expensive 45s”.
The musical revolution Jimi Hendrix ignited over 35 years
ago is still reverberating throughout the music world. In his 2003
book Jimi Hendrix: Musician, on Backbeat Books,
U.K.-based author Keith Shandwick takes a refreshing look at
Jimi Hendrix the guitarist, composer, producer and singer. Featuring
350 color and b&w photos—many never before seen—the
256 page impressive hardcover book starts off way back in 1957 with
Jimmy Hendrix growing up in Seattle and goes on to cover almost every
aspect of how Hendrix evolved from his humble beginnings into the
rock legend we still know and love. Broken up into 20 chapters with
titles like, “Do The New York Scuffle” (May 1965 To June
1966), “The Birth Of Jimi Hendrix” (June To October 1966),
“The Road To Electric Ladyland” (January To April 1968)
and “Burning Bridges” (January To March 1970), Jimi Hendrix:
Musician provides a new, definitive look back at all the massive
musical achievements Hendrix created during his all too brief time
on earth. For guitarists, there’s also a final chapter entitled
“Hendrix Gear”—written by Hendrix historian Douglas
J. Noble—which reexamines the various guitars, amps and effects
used to create that one of a kind Hendrix sound. www.backbeatbooks.com
BAD TASTE RECORDS - Sweden—the country best known for
‘60s guitar instrumental bands like The Spotnicks—continues
on that same wavelength with the 2003 CD from Langhorns, entitled
Mission Exotica. There’s been some great
Shadows-style groups coming out of Scandinavia and Finland over the
past 20 years and Langhorns are one of the best. The follow up to
their ‘99 Cd, Club Gabardino, Mission Exotica features
excellent guitar work of founding members Michael Sellers (lead
guitar) and Martin Berglund (bass) who are joined by drummer
Rik Swardh. In keeping with the ‘60 spy/surf instro vibe
of the album, Mission Exotica tracks like “Spybeat”,
“Checkpoint Charlie” and “Las Vegas Fist Fight”
are good examples of the band’s dedication to intriguing, action-packed
guitar sounds. www.badtasterecords.se
BLUE HEN RECORDS - Assisted by the fine rhythm section of Dan
Rieser (drums) and Tim Luntzel (upright bass), NYC guitarist
Jim Campilongo released his finest album yet in 2003. Earlier
Campilongo albums—including Heavy and Table For One—earned
him high regards among critics and guitar watchers in the know. On
his 2003 CD on Blue Hen, American Hips,
there’s something quite bold and at the same time, quite accessible
about Campilongo’s compelling instrumental guitar-jazz vision.
Having vocalist Norah Jones on hand for a couple vocal tracks
will only help Campilongo get his message further out there. Alternatively
described as avant-garde, jazzy and twangy instrumental music with
edge and attitude, the 13 track CD kicks off with a fine, driving
title track and moves and grooves forward with a number of originals
as well as bluesy, instrumental lounge-jazz covers of the Paul McCartney
/ Beatles’ classic “Michelle” and a steamy,
jazzy,
set closing
“Ain’t She Sweet”. www.jimcampilongo.com
COLUMBIA LEGACY - For the first time in a long time the back
catalog of Bob Dylan was upgraded by the folk-rock pioneer’s
original label Columbia Records. Sony’s new Super Audio CD are
fantastic sounding and are playable on every generation of CD players
but the full impact would be optimized with a SACD player. These albums
need no introduction to music fans over the years and while each title
would require a volume’s worth of notes, it’s at least worth
several of these 2003 Dylan upgrades which include his April ‘69
pioneering country rock release Nashville Skyline (with
Johnny Cash), that album’s predecessor released in December
‘67 John Wesley Harding (with Dylan’s original
of “All Along The Watchtower”), Bringing Is All Back
Home (released March ‘65), Blonde On Blonde (released
May ‘66), Another Side Of Bob Dylan (with “My
Back Pages”), The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (“Blowin’
In The Wind”), Highway 61 Revisited (with “Like
A Rolling Stone”), Planet Waves (January ‘74)
and Blood On The Tracks (released January ‘75).
With each album sure to stir a batch of memories, these albums are
the ones to go for the best possible CD sound quality. With other
titles up and out and more Dylan classics to come, including his underrated
New Morning from ‘70, this series on Columbia Legacy
is a must for audiophiles and Dylan fans alike. www.bobdylan.com
EMI / CAPITOL - Back in the ‘60s, with the pop charts
dominated by both The Beach Boys and The Beatles, Capitol Records
could do no wrong, while over in the U.K. on EMI Records, guitar
instrumentalists The Shadows had a lock on the U.K. charts during
pre-Beatlemania England. Another American artist brought to greatness
in the ‘60s by Capitol was Glen Campbell. A country-pop
music legend going back to the early ‘60s, Campbell is given
a fine career retrospective in 2003 by Capitol Records with an 80
track box set, Glen Campbell: The Legacy 1961-2002.
In addition to his trademark hits such as “Wichita Lineman”,
“Galveston” and “Rhinestone Cowboy”, Campbell
also played guitar as a member of the famous L.A. “wrecking crew”,
the session team responsible for historic recording sessions with
Frank Sinatra, Elvis and The Beach Boys. In addition to playing on
five Pet Sounds tracks, Campbell was actually a member of The
Beach Boys during a mid ‘60s period, filling in on bass and
guitar when Brian Wilson stopped touring with the band. Among
the many tasty pop rarities on the Campbell box is Glen’s 1965
version of the Brian Wilson classic “Guess I’m Dumb”,
featuring the greatest L.A. musicians of the era and produced by Wilson
himself. Featuring Campbell’s one of a kind versions of all those
great Jimmy Webb and John Hartford songs from the ‘60s,
disc one and two of the four CD set will be most familiar to fans,
while disc three cherry picks from Campbell’s ‘70s, ‘80s
and ‘90s studio repertoire and disc four rounds up various live
tracks from ‘69 all the way up to four 2002 tracks. With outstanding
packaging and 38 page history filled booklet, Glen Campbell: The
Legacy 1961-2002 shines a long overdue spotlight on Campbell’s
accomplishments as both a pop legend and guitar icon. www.glencampbellshow.com
EAGLE VISION - Watching Fleetwood Mac founder Peter
Green on his 2003 Eagle Vision DVD, An Evening With Peter
Green Splinter Group In Concert is like watching musical history.
The creative force behind the original Fleetwood Mac, Green rose to
prominence in the late ‘60s and became synonymous with rock classics
like “Black Magic Woman”, “Albatross” and “Man
Of The World”—all Green originals. Green’s departure
from Fleetwood Mac at the dawn of the ‘70s signaled the slow
demise of the original band, which later morphed into the more successful,
yet much less creative mid ‘70s version of the band. Green’s
been on the comeback trail ever since the first recordings with the
Peter Green Splinter Group, which features Green along with
guitarist Nigel Watson, Peter Stroud (bass), Roger
Cotton (keyboards) and Larry Tolfree (drums). Recorded
during his 2003 European tour, Green’s live in concert DVD on
Eagle is a total delight and—sectioned off into and “Acoustic
Set” and “Electric Set”—the DVD features new 2003
in concert renditions of some of the greatest blues songs ever written,
along with numerous Green / Splinter Group tracks, including several
from his early 2003 Eagle CD Reaching The Cold 100.
Among the DVD treats on hand here is a cool studio promo video for
the song “Real World” and a fine booklet with photos
and concert notes by Mike Howell. For blues devotees
and long time Green followers, this outstanding two and half hour
DVD is required viewing.
Another guitar hero given the deluxe DVD treatment by Eagle is Eric
Clapton, who’s further immortalized with Eric Clapton
& Friends Live 1986. With a band featuring Genesis
drummer Phil Collins, Nathan East (bass) and Greg
Phillinganes (keyboards), Clapton blazes his way through tracks
originally recorded during his time with Cream (“White
Room”, “Crossroads”, “Sunshine Of Your Love”)
and Derek & The Dominoes (“Layla”). Collins also
takes the spotlight on his ‘80s smash “In The Air Tonight”).
Recorded and filmed in the U.K. on July 15, 1986, 58 minute DVD looks
and sounds great and is further enhanced by extensive notes and bio
material by Roger Newell.
Another Eagle Vision DVD getting lots of attention of late is Pretenders:
Loose In L.A. Backed by a tight band, including guitarist
Adam Seymour and drummer Martin Chambers, lead Pretender
Chrissie Hynde knocks out the L.A. crowd performing a cross
section of Pretenders classics including a helping from their 2003
Artemis Records CD, Loose Screw. From
the extensive DVD liner notes, Hynde comments on the band’s long
standing popularity adding, “I’m the ringleader. They’re
the lions. I crack the whip. I get off on knowing Adam’s about
to play a fantastic solo, but I’ll keep him guessing just to
keep the tension there.” Filmed in L.A. in February 2003, the
audio and video quality on the 140 minute DVD is top notch and—also
blending in lots of bonus material—there’s plenty of classic
live Pretenders action to keep the adrenaline high.
Fans of Pink Floyd are no doubt celebrating the 30th anniversary
of the band's all-time classic Dark Side Of The Moon.
Eagle Vision pays tribute to one of the most popular rock albums
ever made with a Classic Albums spotlight on Dark
Side Of The Moon. Recorded at Abbey Road between June ‘72
and January ‘73, Dark Side has sold over 29 million copies
and Eagle’s new Classic Album spotlight on Dark Side
takes a track by track documentary view of the album, featuring
interviews with all Floyd members including Roger Waters and
David Gilmour, as well as the album’s engineer Alan
Parsons, while adding in loads of bonus interviews and newly recorded
unplugged performances from both Waters and Gilmour.
Another classic Eagle Vision DVD, Roy Orbison - Greatest Hits
features a number of classic live video performances from
late, great rock and roll icon Roy Orbison. Also eaturing a
number of interviews filmed shortly before his death in December 1988,
the live concert DVD features guest performance from Bruce Springsteen,
Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt and many others. In addition,
the 90 minute color and b&w DVD is packed with bonus music videos
of “She’s A Mystery To Me” and “Crying” (with
K.D. Lang) as well as other essential Orbison-related video
and audio rarities. www.eaglerockent.com
/ www.orbison.com
ELEKTRA RECORDS - In a fine effort to compete in a season filled
with fine pop efforts, Elektra release Revive,
the new album from U.K. rockers Steadman. Featuring the
songs, guitar and vocals of Simon Steadman, the quintet gained
the ear of none other than Paul McCartney, whose name is stickered
on the front with a favorable quote on the band. The songs have lots
of appeal and while there is a bit of a Beatles tinge at work here
along with traces of CSN&Y and Jeff Buckley, Steadman claims,
“I’ve always liked Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield,
those types of singers of course.” They may be one album away
from true greatness however; Revive offers a soulful, Beatles
flavored pop sound layered with an impressive studio sound and fine
playing from all, including lead guitarist James Board. www.steadmanband.com
EXPERIENCE HENDRIX / MCA - Following his one off musical experiment
Band Of Gypsys, Jimi Hendrix regrouped with long time Experience
drummer Mitch Mitchell and army buddy Billy Cox for
a pair of concerts on May 30, 1970—four short months before his
untimely demise. Recorded at the Berkeley Community Theater and set
against the student protests of the era, these early and late performances
feature driving Hendrix performances of long time classics like “Purple
Haze”, “I Don’t Live Today” and later period Hendrix
tracks like “Machine Gun”, “Star Spangled Banner”
and “Hear My Train A Comin”. The concerts—never intended
for theatrical release—nevertheless took on an almost reverent
tone following Jimi’s demise and has remained a favorite ever
since. For their 2003 DVD version of Jimi Plays Berkeley,
Experience Hendrix and MCA Records have done the right thing,
tastefully repackaging their DVD with a detailed booklet filled with
lengthy liner notes and rare photos that extensively recalls the concert
event with the utmost respect. In addition to the complete first show
video performance, the DVD also features an audio only remixed version
of the concert’s complete second set. That same second audio-only
set of the Berkeley concerts featured on the DVD has simultaneously
been reissued as a CD on Experience Hendrix entitled The Jimi
Hendrix Experience - Live At Berkeley. Featuring unique
artwork and different liner notes from each other—written by
long time Hendrix historian John McDermott—both the DVD
and CD will provide a field day for long time Hendrix devotees. www.jimihendrix.com
FOSSIL - Colorado-based guitarist Charles Brown really
lets it rip on his self-produced 2003 album, Thru The Flames,
for the Illinois-based Fossil Records. Having already released
several fine CDs, Brown is a masterful guitarist who wisely implements
a wide range of prog-metal guitar strategies within his jazz-rock
and hard rock tracks. Among the guitars featured on Thru The Flames
are Roland GR-30 guitar synth, Les Paul Standard, Fender Strat
as well as acoustic and classical guitars. With contributions from
keyboardist Matt Bassano, the all-instrumental 12 track Thru
The Flames is a sonic roller coaster and is a fine follow up to
Brown’s earlier albums, Mystics, Earth Voyage and Mystic
Visions. Citing guitar legends such as Richie Blackmore, Pat Metheny,
Steve Howe and classical guitarist Christopher Parkening among his
big influences, Charles Brown takes some bold musical moves on his
most powerful and compelling instrumental rock guitar album yet. www.mp3.com/charlesbrown-ascap
FUEL 2000 - In addition to the Jethro Tull Christmas
Album and the 2003 Stage Left CD
from Tull guitar ace Martin Barre, Fuel 2000 also recently released
Rupi’s Dance from Jethro Tull mainman Ian
Anderson. Anderson’s fourth solo CD, Rupi’s Dance
is superbly recorded and is filled with that classic, orchestral
pop Tull sound. One listen and it’s apparent Anderson’s
hasn’t lost a bit of his dry lyrical humor and captivating orchestral
rock edge. On his latest solo CD, Ian is joined by notable friends
including percussionist / drummer Leslie Mandoki, David
Goodier (bass) and James Duncan (drums) to name a few.
A couple Rupi’s tracks feature Tull keyboard wiz Andrew
Giddings while the last track features the near complete Tull
lineup of Giddings, guitar great Martin Barre and drummer Doane
Perry. Track by track liner notes by Anderson sheds interesting
light on his latest solo masterpiece. www.j-tull.com
Fuel 2000 are also quite renowned for their acclaimed reissue
CDs and in 2003 the label rolls out several noteworthy titles including
Johnny Winter - Winter Essentials 1960-1967. A
fine retrospective from one of the supreme American blues rock guitarists
of the 20th Century, Winter Essentials features forty tracks
Winter and his band recorded prior to his signing with Columbia Records
in 1968. Including Winter’s first single, from 1960, Fuel’s
double CD set is highlighted by cool cover art and historic liner
notes from Bill Dahl. Fuel 2000 have also been doing some great
work with the back catalog of The Yardbirds. Masterworks
1963-1965 pairs single CDs of Eric Clapton & The
Yardbirds: The Yardbird Years with Jeff Beck & The
Yardbirds: The Yardbird Years. The double CD package
combines forty tracks, 20 with Clapton and 20 with Beck on guitar.
Complete with various single versions, instrumental versions, and
even a previously unreleased stereo mix of their September ‘65
recording of “New York City Blues”, the double CD Masterworks
1963-1965 set features fine liner notes and detailed discography
information by noted Yardbirds expert Greg Russo. In addition
to a flurry of 2003 blues reissues—including titles by Big
Bill Broonzy - Blues Is My Business, Sister Rosetta
Tharpe - Sing Sister Sing and Otis
Clay - Testify!—Fuel have also reissued
a unique CD long associated with Rolling Stones’ guitarist Keith
Richards. Todays Pop Symphony by The Aranbee
Pop Symphony Orchestra Under The Direction Of Keith Richard features
instrumental orchestral versions of various ‘60s pop chestnuts
from The Beatles, The Four Seasons, Sonny & Cher and of course,
The Rolling Stones. Produced and directed by Richards and engineered
by Glyn Johns way back in 1966, the CD—a vital ‘60s
pop artifact—remains essential listening for long time Stones
fans. The CD features liner notes by pop historian Greg Russo. Last
but not least from Fuel is fine Christmas-related title for the holidays
from Bill Pickney & The Original Drifters entitled O’
Holy Night: A Drifters Christmas. Keep an eye on Fuel
2000 for more essential pop classics in 2004. www.Fuel2000.com
IMP - Over in Sweden, Light Valley Shadows released
their third CD entitled Just Cruisin’ Back on their
own Instrumental Music Production label. Featuring guitarists
Roger Nilsson (rhythm) and Stig Larsson (lead guitar),
the five piece instro rock band skillfully romp their way through
retro-tinged instro guitar classics such as the Jerry Lordan classic
“Diamonds” and fourteen other classics made famous during
the ‘60s by legends like The Shadows, The Ventures, Dick Dale
and more. The knowledge and musical expertise Light Valley Shadows
brings to the table is quite evident and Just Cruisin’ Back
is a stellar example of just how well these Swedish masters perform
this evergreen style of music. www.instro.nu
IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT - Four of the five original members of Roxy
Music reunited for a tour back in 2001. In mid 2003 Image Entertainment
released a DVD of the 2001 London show of Roxy’s fabled Worldwide
reunion entitled Roxy Music Live At The Apollo: London 2001.
Featuring the original lineup, minus Brian Eno, of Bryan Ferry,
guitar great Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay (sax, oboe)
and drummer Paul Thompson, Roxy serve up tasty new versions
of their all time classics and are joined on stage by guitar legend
Chris Spedding and other notable players, vocalists and dancers.
Manzanera’s guitar playing has never sounded better and despite
the fact that they hadn’t toured in over 18 years, their 2001
DVD proves Roxy still have it. In addition to long time Roxy classics
like “Love Is The Drug”, “Virginia Plain” and
“Avalon”, the 2+ hour DVD features an entertaining documentary
on the band’s comeback tour including press conference / interview
clips and rehearsal footage. www.bryanferry.com
/ www.manzanera.com
One DVD sure to capture the imagination of the many fans of Elvis
Presley is 200 Cadillacs. The hour long documentary
focuses on the 200 Cadillacs Elvis gave away to his many friends and
associates. A humorous yet historically valid Presley documentary,
the DVD features numerous interview segments with the lucky recipients
of the caddys and other intriguing gifts from Elvis. Also on hand
on this novel documentary are original Elvis drummer DJ Fontana
along with extensive liner note by founding Aztec Two-Step member
Rex Fowler. www.image-entertainment.com
H.M.R. - One of the best flamenco-rock albums ever made, Spanish
Blood was released by Los Jets in late 2003. Formed
in Spain in the late ‘50s by brothers Jose Maria and
Santiago Gonzalez, Los Jets have carried on the tradition of Spain’s
great guitar instrumental music for the past four decades. Simply
put, Spanish Blood may be the finest Los Jets album ever. Featuring
the masterful drumming of Eduardo Bartrina and the meticulous
guitar sound of Michael Martinez, the 16 track CD is filled
with memorable tracks that draws on Spain’s guitar heritage while
also incorporating the classic instro-pop guitar sound of ‘60s
groups such as The Shadows and The Ventures. With highlights being
the killer lead off track, “Don Quijote”, new versions of
“Andalucia” (“The Breeze & I”) and “Lady
Of Spain” and a dazzling instro cover of the Doc Pomus / Mort
Shuman classic “Spanish Lace”, Spanish Blood
is an entertaining excursion into the land of magical instrumental
guitar rock. www.losjets.com
HAPPY FROWN RECORDS - Commenting on the release of his latest
solo CD Transit Plaza, L.A.-based Trevor Lissauer
states, “Transit Plaza is a place where people are
always coming and going, whether it’s home or some place brand
new.” Backed by a fine rhythm section, the Dallas-born singer-songwriter
has composed an array of original, catchy, stay-in-your-head tracks
for the album that combines time-honored influences like Neil Diamond,
acoustic Bowie and even Kinks tunesmith Ray Davies. That said, there’s
also a strong air of originality on the eleven track CD that reveals
itself with repeat spins. Interestingly, Lissauer is also a player
and collector of vintage Martin acoustic guitars including the 1959
Martin D-18E made famous by Kurt Cobain on MTV Unplugged. Regarding
his Martin fixation, Lissauer adds, “I’ll be collecting
for the rest of my life. I’ll probably have enough to fill up
a museum some day.” That said, Lissauer puts the instruments
to good use on an album that can only be described as memorable, well-composed
pop of the highest quality. www.trevorlissauer.com
INSIDE OUT MUSIC AMERICA - IOMA is one of the preeminent progressive
rock labels on the music scene today. The label’s 2003 releases
include new albums from Yes guitarist Steve Howe and the Chris Squire
/ Billy Sherwood Conspiracy project. IOMA have also plunged into the
DVD world and among their first big releases is a double disc DVD
/ CD set from King Crimson stick master Trey Gunn entitled
Untune The Sky. Gunn mastered the guitar, bass
and keyboards early on his career, although his expertise in King
Crimson focuses on his Warr Guitar—a nine and ten string instrument
played by tapping the strings, not strumming or plucking them. With
guest appearances from King Crimson founder Robert Fripp and
KC thumper Pat Mastelotto, the CD half of Untune The Sky
acts as a greatest hits compilation collecting fourteen tracks
from a number of different Gunn CDs, while the DVD half of the set
features seven live videos, video montages and interview segments.
Untune The Sky is hypnotic, edgy instrumental music at it’s
best. Gunn blends rock, fusion and World Beat sounds to a great effect
and the DVD / CD set underscores Gunn’s massive contributions
to the current King Crimson lineup. www.treygunn.com
Another new essential prog-rock video on IOMA is a double DVD collection
from the Swedish band The Flower Kings entitled Meet
The Flower Kings - Alive Recordings 2003. At the center
of the Flower Kings sound is legendary Swedish guitar master Roine
Stolt, who first came into his own as a member of the band Kaipa
and later with his 1979/80 solo album Fantasia. The double
DVD set features the band recording live in the studio in addition
to video footage of the Flower Kings recent tours of America, Europe
and South America. Classic Swedish Prog-rock played with precision,
power and majesty, the double DVD set features a scintillating performance
by Stolt, who’s joined by top players including Tomas Bodin
(keyboards) and Swedish percussion master Hasse Bruniusson.
www.insideoutmusic.com
KING BISCUIT FLOWER HOUR RECORDS - Although guitar legend Steve
Miller made his mark early on with a series of brilliant blues
rock albums, topped off by his late 1969 classic, Your Saving Grace,
it wouldn’t be until he released his early ‘73 hit “The
Joker” that he would find huge commercial success. Those years
between the ‘73 release of The Joker through till his
May ‘76 album Fly Like An Eagle are fondly remembered
on a 2003 double CD set from Miller entitled King Biscuit Flower
Hour Presents The Steve Miller Band. Luckily, the King Biscuit
radio team were on hand to record Miller and his band from a show
in Washington D.C. on November 24, 1973 and then again in NYC on June
12, 1976. In his 2002 liner notes, Miller recalls his reemergence
and the massive success of Fly Like An Eagle, while further
notes by S.F. rock critic Joel Selvin puts Miller’s resounding
‘70s success story into a truly fitting perspective. King Biscuit
Flower Hour’s double disc set bookends both concert dates on
two separate CDs, and complete with a superbly detailed booklet, the
package puts forth a fine live retrospective of Miller captured live
from the heyday of ‘70s FM radio. The CD booklet adds in an interesting
two page spread written by guitar icon Les Paul, who in his
notes (and cool photo) recalls meeting a young Steve Miller when he
was just a kid who was so eager to learn from the master himself.
Also released in 2003 on King Biscuit Flower Hour Records are King
Biscuit “Archive Series” Greatest Hit Live CDs
from Byrds / CSN&Y founder David Crosby (recorded in 1989,
featuring “Deja Vu”, “Wooden Ships” and tracks
from his Oh Yes I Can CD), Dixie Dregs (from 1979) and
America (recorded September 4, 1982). www.kingbiscuit.com
MATT RAE - You can tell alot about about a guitarist by the records
that influenced him. In the case of Connecticut-based guitarist Matt
Rae some of those influential instrumental guitar albums include
Speedy West And Jimmy Bryant’s Swingin’ On The Strings,
Duke Levine’s Country Soul Guitar and Arlen Roth’s
Toolin’ Around. Inspired by those greats—and other past
masters like Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton—Rae, assisted by fine
players including Mark Bridgman (bass), works a musical magic
together of his own to great effect on his solo debut Twang!
In Rae’s own words, “Although I played different styles
on the CD from fast country, blues, funk and fusion, I feel that the
CD is held together by the ‘Tele-Twang’ sound.” Rae
makes good use of his 1963 Fender (Tele) Esquire, which is fitted
with an added Lindy Fralin neck pick-up and he’s in fine musical
company with several fine players assisting including Paul Opalach
(bass, keyboards) and drummer Stuart Stahr. Currently playing
second guitar behind Arlen Roth, Rae assembles a winning coalition
of twangy and rockin’ guitar sounds on his tasty solo debut.
Contact: mattrae2003@yahoo.com
MONTEREY
VIDEO -
Possibly the greatest surfing movie ever made, The Endless Summer
woke up the masses to the surfing craze back in 1964. Thirty
years later—in 1994—the movie’s original producer Bruce
Brown joined forces with his son Dana Brown to make the
original movie’s long awaited sequel. The Endless Summer
II was an outstanding sequel and, in fact some of the original
stars from the first Endless Summer movie are on hand
for more action-packed surfing excitement. Ten years after it’s
original run, California-based Monterey Video has done a splendid
job reissuing Endless Summer II on DVD, adding in loads of
extras, including documentary info as well as the original soundtrack
music and guitar work of fretboard great Gary Hoey. Monterey
is also renowned for their historic View From The Vault DVD
concert series from The Grateful Dead. Monterey’s latest
is Grateful Dead: The Closing Of Winterland. Originally
filmed and recorded for San Francisco public TV on New Year’s
Eve December 31, 1978, the concert event is now superbly documented
on a six and a half hour, two DVD set that combines Jerry Garcia
and the Grateful Dead’s entire mind-blowing (4+ hour, 3 sets)
performance that night along with bonus footage featuring the concert
opening performance from The Blues Brothers (John Belushi
& Dan Akroyd) from that night with a band featuring
Stax legends Steve Cropper and “Duck” Dunn.
This 25th anniversary 2003 double DVD set honoring Grateful Dead and
their closing of Winterland is decked out in first class packaging,
topped off by a stunning 28 page color booklet. www.montereymedia.com
/ www.dead.net
NEGATIVE / TCY TUNES - One of the most pleasurable and
easy on the ears acoustic guitar CDs of 2003, The Moment The
Apple Falls is the second full length CD from South
Carolina-based Tom Yoder. Yoder earned high marks for his ‘99
CD, Eat This It’s Safe and—while he mastered the
electric guitar, having studied the licks of both Eddie Van Halen
and Greg Howe—he’s lately been compared to acoustic legends
such as Leo Kottke and Michael Hedges. Like Kottke and Hedges, Yoder
has a unique ability to entrance listeners with just his Taylor acoustic
guitar in hand. Featuring eleven satisfying Yoder originals, The
Moment The Apple Falls is the perfect acoustic guitar album to
chase away your Winter blues. www.tomyoder.net
NORTHERN BLUES - Canada-based Northern Blues released two
excellent tribute albums in 2003. First off, Johnny’s Blues:
A Tribute To Johnny Cash celebrates “The Man In Black”
with 13 covers of songs made famous by Cash including “I Walk
The Line” (from Garland Jeffreys), “Walking The Blues”
(from Maria Muldaur) and “Get Rhythm” (from Clarence
“Gatemouth” Brown & Benjy Davis) to name
a few. A blues-based tribute to one of America’s great music
legends, Johnny’s Blues features track by track notes
by each of the artists. Another fine 2003 CD on Northern Blues is
Beautiful: A Tribute To Gordon Lightfoot. One
of Canada’s great folk-rock exports, Gordon Lightfoot is responsible
for writing some of the greatest folk gems of the past 40 years including
“Sundown” (covered here by the great Jesse Winchester)
and “If You Could Read My Mind” (here by Connie Kaldor).
Also taking part in this fine CD tribute are Cowboy Junkies,
Ron Sexsmith, Bruce Cockburn and others. In the spirit
of their Johnny Cash tribute, Northern Blues have done a fine job
on their 15 track Lightfoot tribute topping it off with insightful
liner notes. www.northernblues.com
NO SWEAT RECORDS - A great new 2003 CD from one of the best current
guitar instrumental groups to come out of Texas in a long time, Guitars
Gone Wild! reintroduces the guitar heavy sound of The Plungers.
A seven piece surf instrumental group featuring 2 lead guitars, rhythm
guitar, bass, Fender six string bass, baritone guitar, and drums,
The Plungers take the ‘60s rockin’ twang sound of The Ventures,
The Shadows and even the vintage ‘50s style connection between
the guitar work of Buddy Holly and drummer Jerry Allison to new heights.
The 21 track CD has something for everyone, but mostly the album features
some rocking guitar rave-ups played with sense of style and finesse
usually reserved for the best instro surf-rockers. A fine follow-up
to the bands earlier effort, Land Of A Thousand Surf Guitars, the
2003 release of Guitars Gone Wild! is the album that puts this
top notch group on the map. www.theplungersband.com
RICHARD ROBINSON - A noteworthy acoustic guitar album guaranteed
to lower your stress levels, Watercolors is a
fine introduction to New York-based guitarist Richard Robinson.
The ten track 2003 CD provides some appealing musical scenery and
in some respects recalls some of Pat Metheny’s noble acoustic
moments. In his own words, Robinson adds, “I would describe the
CD as musical impressionism. Each piece was written on site at a particular
body of water.” Robinson—recording direct to DAT, often
in one take—makes excellent use of his Yamaha LL-5 acoustic.
Citing a number of guitar influences—including Eric Clapton,
Kenny Burrell, Steve Howe, Larry Carlton, Mike Bloomfield, B.B. King,
Wes Montgomery and Pat Martino—Robinson steps into the spotlight
with his excellent Watercolors CD. Contact: richsethrobinson@yahoo.com
RAVEN RECORDS - Down under in Australia, Raven Records keeps
music collectors happy with a 2003 2-on-1 CD reissue from rock legend
Shuggie Otis. Raven’s Shuggie Otis reissue pairs Here
Comes Shuggie Otis (1970) with Freedom Flight (1971),
both produced by Shuggie’s father, Johnny Otis. Although
Otis resurfaced again in 2001 with a recent reissue of his 1975 album
Inspiration Information, Raven give fans what
they’ve been longing for with this long overdue reissue of two
early Otis classics. Reissued on CD for the first time, the single
CD set features 18 tracks, including the original Otis version of
“Strawberry Letter 23” and a rare 1969 track from Kooper
Session...Al Kooper Introduces Shuggie Otis. With it's
mix of electric blues, instrumental free jazz and psychedelic soul
sounds, this
fantastic sounding blues-rock CD clocks
in over 75 minutes and features a history-filled CD booklet. Also
up and out on Raven in 2003 is a fine 2003 retrospective from British
invasion legends The Animals, entitled Absolute Animals
1964-1968. This newly remastered 20 track Animals compilation
combines a fine crosssection of their early R&B hits (“Boom
Boom”, “House Of The Rising Sun”), most of their now
historic Top 20 ‘60s smashes (“It’s My Life”,
“We Gotta Get Out Of This Place”) and latter period psychedelic
pop (“San Franciscan Nights”, “Sky Pilot”, “Monterey”).
Clocking in at over 78 minutes, the colorful CD booklet features liner
notes by Aussie rock scribe Glenn A. Baker and reestablishes
The Animals as one of the top mid ‘60s U.K. rock groups. www.ravenrecords.com.au
REAL MUSIC - One of the finest American music labels, Sausalito-based
Real Music has remained on the cutting of New Age World Beat music
for over ten years now. One of their 2003 releases—The
Spirit Of Yoga by Ben Leinbach—is one of their
best ever. A master synthesist who is always quite skilled on the
harmonium, tamboura and acoustic guitar, Leinbach is joined by the
legendary Jai Uttal (dotar, vocals) and Bond Berglund (electric
guitar). Perfect instrumental music—topped off with some exotic
background vocals—made for the art of Yoga and other healing
practices, The Spirit Of Yoga presents an otherworldly blend
of Eastern mysticism and fascinating meditation music that simply
should not be missed. http://www.realmusic.com
ROUNDER - Released on Rounder Records through MPL and
Liberty International Entertainment, Paul Is Live In
Concert On The New World Tour is an 85 minute live concert
DVD recorded during Paul McCartney’s 1993 world tour.
Accompanied by his late, great wife Linda McCartney, guitarist
Robbie MacIntosh and the rest of his band from that early ‘90s
period, Macca and Co. serve up fine renditions from Paul’s solo
albums along with rockin’ covers of Beatles classics like “We
Can Work It Out”, “Penny Lane”, “Paperback Writer,
“Magical Mystery Tour” and many more. McCartney’s album
from 1993 Off The Ground is also well represented on the DVD
with several tracks such as “Looking For Changes”, “Hope
Of Deliverance” and “Biker Like An Icon”. Superbly
filmed with plenty of sumptuous b&w and color footage, the DVD
features 5.1 Dolby digital surround, biography info and photo gallery.
www.rounder.com
Also from Rounder on the Zoe imprint is a new double DVD
set from prog-rock icons Rush entitled Rush In Rio.
Superbly filmed by a 22 camera shoot during the Brazilian leg
of the Rush 2002 tour of North and South America, the double DVD features
an impressive live set from Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and
Neil Peart. All the band’s great hits are played with
impeccable sound and style and it’s amazing to watch the Rio
De Janeiro crowd go wild and cheer on just about every note the band
play. Presented in a 16x9 widescreen format, other features included
Dolby 5.1 surround and Dolby digital stereo sound, a documentary including
band interviews, rehearsal and backstage footage, multi-angle viewing
options and several rare relics from the Rush vaults. Extra points
for the dazzling DVD packaging. www.rush.com
SANCTUARY - Todd Rundgren has a good relationship with Sanctuary.
The label have released several fine Rundgren DVD titles including
Live At The Forum ‘94 and the Nearly
Human Tour, Japan ‘90. In late 2003 Sanctuary
follows suit with a live concert DVD with Rundgren’s mid ‘70s
band Utopia. Sectioned off into three different sets, the DVD,
Utopia: Live In Columbus, Ohio 1980 includes
live performance footage, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, rare photos
and a new 2003 interview with Todd on his early involvement in making
live concert videos. Personally selected by Rundgren for release,
the DVD features live Utopia performances of numerous Rundgren classics—including
“Love Of The Common Man”, “Hello It’s Me”,
and “Couldn’t I Just Tell You”—and is a fine showcase
for the multi-talented Utopia lineup of Rundgren, Roger Powell,
Kasim Sultan and Willie Wilcox. www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com
/ www.tr-i.com
Progressive rock legends King Crimson are well represented
on a 2003 double DVD set released on Sanctuary. With one DVD featuring
the band on April 16, 2003 from their 2003 Japanese tour and the other
capturing live Krim from a July 3, 2000 London show recorded at Shepherds
Bush Empire, Eyes Wide Open presents the current KC
lineup in prime form. Drawing on vintage Crimson—but focusing
on live versions of the band’s recent CD releases—the double
DVD set features an impressive DVD booklet filled with all manner
of color photos and mind-boggling artwork as well as a wealth of extras
such as a Tokyo sound check and camera check on disc one and something
called “Improvising Crimson” on disc two. There’s almost
too much music here to fully fathom in one viewing, but that’s
the way Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew and company like
it. With so much classic Crimson to savor, long time KC followers
will eat this one up.
www.king-crimson.com
Another rock legend given a spotlight profile is original Genesis
drummer Phil Collins. Taking a close view look at Phil Collins:
singer, songwriter, drummer and actor, A Life Less Ordinary
features video clips of Phil performing big solo hits like “In
The Air Tonight” and “Another Day In Paradise”. Originally
broadcast in England on the BBC on November 4, 2002, the hour long
documentary was reissued on DVD by Sanctuary during the Summer
of 2003. In addition to Phil’s personal home movies, interviews
and concert clips, A Life Less Ordinary features various extra
features including assorted commentary by British rock royalty including
Sir George Martin, Ozzy Osbourne, Sir Bob Geldof
as well as Phil’s former bandmates in Genesis including Peter
Gabriel. www.philcollins.co.uk
WARNER
STRATEGIC MARKETING / RHINO - It’s been quite a few years
since pioneering Grateful Dead vinyl pressings like American
Beauty and Workingman’s Dead. Those
early Warner Bros. albums as well as tracks from various albums
the band released on Arista and their own Grateful Dead
Records are given a fresh spin on The Very Best Of Grateful
Dead. Released on WSM the 17 track reissue compilation
is an ear opening retrospective, featuring early classics like the
dazzling, “The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion”) a ‘67
track from their Lp debut, “Box Of Rain” and “Truckin’”
(both from 1971’s American Beauty) and classics like “U.S.
Blues (from Mars Hotel - 1974), touching down in 1987
with the Jerry Garcia / Robert Hunter hit, “Touch Of Grey”
from their In The Dark CD. Despite the passing of Garcia,
the band, now just The Dead—still the originals featuring Phil
Lesh, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann—carry
on filling concert stadiums where ever they go. The CD features cool
picture discography and in the Rhino / Warner tradition, features
finer liner notes and eye-catching artwork.
Another essential release on WSM is a 2003 release of Eagles
- The Very Best Of. The 33 track double
CD is a celebration of America’s most popular country-rock group.
Kicking off with the group’s anthem, “Take It Easy”
(May ‘72), the double CD set covers three decades of music history
all the way up to the group’s 2003 Glen Frey / Don
Henley-penned comeback single “Hole In The World”. A
48 page CD booklet featuring a track by track Eagles interview conducted
by rock scribe Cameron Crowe puts the finishing touches on
the band's first ever career spanning double CD set.
What more can be said about The Doors, perhaps the greatest
American rock band of the ‘60s. Single after hit single—from
their first smash, “Break On Through” in ‘67 through
till their ‘71 swansong “Riders On The Storm”—there
will never be another band quite like them. The otherworldly vocals
of the late, great Jim Morrison balanced out by the neo-jazz
rock virtuosity of Robbie Krieger, Ray Manzarek and
John Densmore defined the ‘60s and while it was all over
way too soon, Rhino / Elektra keeps the Doors’ story alive with
The Doors Legacy: The Absolute Best. Drawing
on single edits and various tracks from the band’s six studio
albums—and assorted live cuts—the double CD set is backed
up by a 24 page CD booklet featuring a wealth of photos, discography
info and liner notes guaranteed to keep The Doors story alive for
decades to come.
Another new Rhino / Warner Bros. ‘best of’ sure to create
interest is The Collected Works Of The Roches. Spanning
the heyday of the folk-fusion sister act—from 1979-1992—the
single CD retrospective spotlights 19 songs culled from their albums
on Warner Bros. and MCA. Produced by the band and featuring new track
by track by Maggie, Terre and Suzzy Roche, the
CD features eight tracks produced by guitar legend Robert Fripp,
while also thankfully drawing on tracks from their brilliant 1985
masterpiece Another World. www.rhino.com
/ www.wmg.com
WATSON / GUPTILL / BILLBOARD BOOKS - The ‘50 and ‘60s
were synonymous with the rise of the the Top 40 pop song. For baby
boomers born in the mid ‘50s, the AM radio craze of the early
and mid ‘60s is still a time filled with cherished memories.
Billboard Magazine’s music historian Fred Bronson—Mr.
“Chart Beat” himself—puts it all into fitting perspective
with his book The Billboard Book Of Number 1 Hits.
This massive book—featuring 1000+ pages—provides a first
hand retrospective and related chart info behind every song to reach
the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart between 1955 and
2002. Starting off with the Bill Haley classic, “Rock
Around The Clock” (which hit Number on July 9, 1955) and ending
with the number one success of “This Is The Night” by Clay
Aiken (hitting the top spot on June 28, 2003), the book goes on
to feature individual in-depth perspectives on fifty years of number
one greatness and overall, provides a fascinating, well researched
inventory of some of the greatest songs ever recorded. Despite the
fact that much of the excitement brought about by the rise of Top
40 radio during the ‘50s and ‘60s was more or less over
by the dawn of the ‘70s, Bronson’s book is nevertheless
essential reading for those looking for an in depth analysis of the
number one hit song phenomenon. Another fascinating Bronson-penned
book released by Billboard Books—Billboards Hottest Hot
100 Hits (updated & expanded 3rd edition) takes yet another
looks at the top 100 songs of every year from 1956-2001, while also
offering further detailed analysis of the biggest pop hits of all
time and the artists who made them. www.watsonguptill.com
Attention Artists and CD
and DVD Companies:
Have your release reviewed in MWE3.com and 20th Century Guitar. Send
to Reviews Editor Robert Silverstein, P.O. Box 630249, Little Neck,
N.Y. 11363-0249 e-mail: rss54@mwe3.com
Contact: rss54@mwe3.com
