Its about music I love and hate. Bands, musicians, albums, songs, live performance... anything related to music I listen too, read about, and watch (even breath) is here.
Earlier today I watched on BBC4 one of the series recorded as part of the Leeds International Piano Competition. An event that brings pianist from all over the world every three years.
Today's episode was on the brilliant performance by 24 year old pianist, Federico Colli, playing Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, called the Emperor.
The performance is dated back to the time when this Italian virtuoso was still in the second place
When I saw him playing I just left everything I was doing and began watching Colli bringing a new life to Beethoven's 5th Symphony.
Extraordinarily, his piano playing is magical. The first thing comes to mind when watching and listening to him confirm the theory that there are wizards living among us. He can make the sun shine on stage and not in sky.
The special thing about Federico Colli is that you won't see him as just an amazing musician who learned to play a difficult and technically-complex musical score. Colli plays with perfection (and ease), with passion and conviction towards the score.
A couple of days ago he won the first place in this competition. Can anyone would dare of have any doubts?
What we know so far came out a couple of days ago from various online sources. Metal Injection is one of the websites who published an exclusive report. Adding to that other websites talking about the progress of the one of the most anticipated albums in rock and metal.
So this is what is known about the progress of the new Black Sabbath album:
- One song title, called "God Is Dead".
- The band recorded 15 songs. 12 will make it to the album, the other 3 will be released with other special / deluxe editions.
- The band is recording the new album at Shandri La Studios in Malibu, US.
- The album will come out next, but no release date announced.
- The title of the album will also be announced next year. Ozzy told NME "next year, 2013, is a good clue of what we'll call the album."
- Bassist Geezer Butler revealed that the band was approaching the album in the same way that they did with their all important second album "Rick Rubin (Producer) sat us down, put the first album on and said, "listen to this. Imagine it's 1969. You just did that. What would you do next?"
- Tony Iommi finished guitar tracks on all songs of all 15 songs.
- Ozzy and Geezer are writing lyrics, and currently putting vocals and bass on all songs.
- No word on who is (already) given the drums tasks.
On all websites publishing current Black Sabbath news one can see already seen pictures of the band from the Ozzy era, but all pictures have Bill Ward removed from them!
It doesn't need a lot of thinking to know that Bill is our of the picture the moment the official Black Sabbath website came online with dozens of old and new pictures, all cut artistically to show three instead of the original four band members.
Back to the new album, from reading the above, am I seeing a fast pace in putting things together? In either case, I look forward to the new album next year.
The queens of rock are back with a new album. Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson new record is called Frantic, and it has a number of fine golden songs.
I wasn't impressed with the title song when I saw the video on youtube, but I liked it after a couple of listens. However, I still feel that the climax picks up from "Old Dear America". Side note, great choice to merge strings on some of the songs, I think most of them had an orchestration composition into them.
Million Miles is one of my favorites. I listened to the song a number of times, it is one of my most favorite songs on the album. Did I say that?
I can't make out describing the 59 Crunch. A short song that is between a typical Grunge and Indie rock (if we are going to separate the two into two different genres).
The music takes another turn on Cordury Road. Mid tempo a bit dark melody with heavy strings arrangements. Am I hearing 3/4 note used in the melody?!
Beautiful Broken is another favorite of mine. Just punch in the face type of rock song.
Another favorite of mine from this fanatical perfect album is Two Silver Rings. The song had its own atmosphere. Sadly, the album ends with the Zingara, with percussions and acoustic guitars going blues style in a way, with strings from second part of the song to compliment the overall melody.
Another side note: I don't understand why they didn't include the other two songs "Two
Silver Rings" and "Zingara" into the official album! The latter
The album is coinciding with the release of an autobiography, hence Heart fans (like me) are getting a double treat.
All in all, Heart took us a trip around musical cultures around the world, in my opinion, but with their own terms.
Ann and Nancy Wilson still deserve the title of queens of rock. No doubt about it, especially with such a vibrant album.
What makes this album better than previous one, Red Velvet Car, are the obvious power and energy that I missed in previous one. In addition, the Wilson sisters ability of writing diverse and colorful songs. No doubt about it.
Song Listing
01 Fanatic
02 Dear Old America
03 Walkin' Good
04 Skin and Bones
05 Million Miles
06 Pennsylvania
07 Mashallah!
08 Rock Deep (Vancouver)
09 59 Crunch
10 Corduroy Road
An excellent interview by MusicRadar with Deep Purple's maestro and legendary guitarist Steve Morse. The interview was done during Deep Purple's world tour last year.
The interview touches on many subjects, from early days with the Dregs, Deep Purple, playing technique adn future plans.
One of the highlights from the interview I liked most is talking about the time when he met with Deep Purple's management and band members for the first time back in 1994. Steve Morse admitted that he had some trepidation:
"Actually, I did have some trepidation. They asked
me to join the band, but I'd never even seen them play live. They played
all over the world, but they didn't play a lot in America. I didn't
know what they'd be like, whether they were a band just living of their
name and not into new ideas – all those things. So my manager, Frank
Solomon, set it up Deep Purple's manager that I would play four shows
with the band. That way, it was an easy get-out-of-jail arrangement on
both sides if we were unhappy."
"I didn't know what to expect,
but during my first rehearsal with the band, which was only a couple of
hours before we were supposed to do a gig, I was blown away by how great
they were. I think we were all surprised at how good things sounded and
how easy the chemistry was. Within an hour, we were laughing and
slapping one another on the backs going, 'All right, this is gonna
work!'"
Steve Morse also talk about his guitar playing technique live and while recording albums in studio, whether recording with Deep Purple or for his solo projects. There is a video giving a demonstration of his signature guitar, with some shredding and soloing that leave you speechless.
No one can beat this man's guitar technique - John Petrucci of Dream Theater himself consider Steve Morse as his idol.
I think he got used to that, but it looks like inevitable in an interview with Steve Morse without seeing/hearing/reading about the subject of comparing him with Ritchie Blackmore. This interview is no exception.
One of his responses to the question about his approach:
"In truth, my attitude about my guitar was more based
around what the band wanted, and what they said to me flat-out was,
'Don't copy Ritchie.' They told me that right off. They could've picked
from plenty of people who wanted to be just like Ritchie Blackmore in
Deep Purple. That's not what they wanted. They wanted somebody with his
own persona – and not only that, but a strong persona.
"If I would play a Strat,
everything would go right out the window and I'd be entering into that
land of parody and emulating Ritchie Blackmore. I respect him totally,
but I don't want to be him in a Deep Purple cover band."
I personally hate this non-sense comparison. Steve Morse is the longest-serving guitarist in the history of Deep Purple. He co-wrote with them fantastic albums, such as Purpendicular and Bananas. I have seen him playing live with Deep Purple three times, and if I have the opportunity again I will definitely go. His presence and charisma on stage is nothing to compare with the that of Blackmore. This is a fact.
Speaking of playing DP songs live, "Highway Star" is Steve Morse's favorite Deep Purple song to play on stage, because it has a lot of changing parts...
"Plus, it has that awesome keyboard solo, which is an absolute work of
art. If you were to say to me, 'Name me one of the greatest examples of
classical meets rock music,' I wouldn't have to think too hard. And the
guitar solo is a lot of fun to play."
In the interview he also explains how to play Smoke on the Water. Check it out below:
Steve Morse talks briefly about Deep Purple's progress regarding the recording of their new album - the last studio album by the band was "Rapture of the Deep", released in 2005. "We've got the music pretty mapped out for the majority of the
recording. The goal on this album isn't to stretch out to new heights;
it's more about revisiting the roots – riff-oriented blues rock. Heavy
stuff, you know?"
"Doom and Gloom" is the new song from the Rolling Stones. The song is the first from new album "Grrr!", due to release next month, 11 November, to be precise. The last album the band recorded was seven years ago.
Someone told me that the Rolling Stones is the oldest living band today, is that right?
The new song is energetic, enjoyable, uptempo pure rock number.... you know what? this is the official video of the song. See it by yourself.
Gibson have named Black Sabbath legendary guitarist Tony Iommi as the greatest heavy metal guitarist of all time.
Guitar firm Gibson say: “Tony’s dark, distinct guitar textures in Black Sabbath helped spearhead the heavy metal movement. Iron Man and Paranoid boast some of the most memorable riffs of all time, with crushingly heavy choruses. His playing is immortalised through the generations of bands that have followed.”
Gibson’s Greatest heavy metal guitarists of all time list is:
01. Tony Iommi 02. Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield 03. Randy Rhoads 04. John Petrucci 05. Dimebag Darrell 06. Eddie Van Halen 07. Zakk Wylde 08. Adam Jones 09. Dave Murray and Adrian Smith 10. George Lynch
I might argue with the order in which these names were ordered, but as long as Iommi is nr.1 I am a very happy man.
Delivered today by post, a copy of Jon Lord’s studio version of the Concerto for Group and Orchestra.
Unfortunately, this album is the final chapter in the life of Jon Lord, an outstanding musician. A man with a personality that inspired many and loved by many. His sudden death last July was a devastating, a big shock.
A bright beautiful star has faded away from our lives. Jon Lord will be forever missed.
The Concerto for Group and Orchestra originally performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Malcolm Arnold at the Royal Albert Hall on September 1969 with Deep Purple MKII. Some say that this life performance took place shortly after bringing Gillan and Glover into the band, even before recording their first album In Rock.
After the show part of the original score went missing. That was in the early 1970's. Until the late 1990’s when Dutch composer, Marco de Goeij wrote a transcription of the Concerto, by listening to the original album, and from watching the video tape of the live performance. He met Jon Lord later and presented the score to him. Celebrating the 30th anniversary Deep Purple began the “Concerto Tour” in different countries with special guests, such as the late Ronnie James Dio, Ian Anderson, Steve Moors and others. Again the show at the Royal Albert Hall in September 1999 was filmed and released on CD, DVD and Blu-ray.
I was there on 30 October 2000 at the Rotterdam Ahoy, The Netherlands when the Concerto was played in its entirety. Jon Lord introduced the band before starting the music, and he also brought Dutch composer, Marco de Goeij on stage to thank him for his immense effort in bringing the Concerto to live again. It was a show that I will never forget as long as I live.
Jon Lord left Deep Purple in 2002 and put his time mainly around composing classical music. Not until a couple of years ago when he decided to record the Concerto for Group and Orchestra in studio.
This version of the Concerto is performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by the great Paul Mann – the same conductor of the 30th anniversary shows. No current or previous members of Deep Purple are involved in this project, except for guitar master Steve Morse. It was Mr. Lord’s decision to have different musicians on the album this time, to have different personalities and musical background and not put the focus on a single band, according to the liner notes of the album.
The Concerto consists of three movements:
1. Moderato - Allegro (16.20 minutes).
2. Andante (19:34 minutes).
3. Vivace - Presto (10:48 minutes).
The sessions were recorded in Liverpool, London and Sofia, but the final mixing was done by Andrew Dudman at Abbey Road Studios in London.
When I read earlier this year about Jon Lord's taking the Concerto into the studio, first thing I was wondering about was how on earth are they going to make the entrance of the "rock band" this time? I am referring to the 6 plus minutes of the the first movement, Moderato, because it is the most crucial spot in the whole score, in my opinion. This is by far the moment when rock music aggressively suppose to clash with classical music! This suppose to be the first contact, the first impact. Those who have seen the 1969 performance remember when Ritchie Blackmore launched that heavy-artillery attack with a guitar solo that left Sir Malcolm Arnold and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra dazzling in a swirl. On the 30th anniversary version, Steve Morse took matters differently by showing the audience a premier in musical punctuality with a masterful sensational solo.
Both guitarists managed to take breath away with their magical guitar playing. Thus, I was asking myself if the new recording will have a new or similar magic! The answer is a big yes!
I never heard of him, neither heard his playing before, but Darin Vasilev's fret shredding and finger tapping solos on the first movement of the Concerto is just jaw-dropping.
It was not only the guitar playing here, there is something else added to this guitar mayhem at that “entrance” of rock to the world of classical music: it is Brett Morgan on drums!! wow
Lost count how many times I replayed that part of the first movement just to listen to the way Brett Morgan played drums.
The second movement, Andante, is what many call it the event when a “truce between rock and classical music is taking place”. On this movement we have the singing part which Ian Gillan wrote the lyrics one or two days before the event back in 1969. On this version the singing is divided among three perfect vocalists: both Kasia Laska and Steve Balsamo delivered fine singing lines and exchanged harmonies on the first part, while Iron Maiden’s legendary Bruce Dickinson sang magnificently the remaining parts.
Joe Bonamassa choice to play guitar on Andante was the spot on. In addition, I loved Bonamassa's way of complimenting Dickinson singing through his solos, and use of power chords in the background.
On the first and second movement of the concerto you can sense very little changes to the composition of original score. Basically, the score is based on the 1999 version, but the third movement, Vivace - Presto, is where I felt personally where most of the changes were made to the score. These changes definitely added glory to the overall score.
And I am so glad to hear Steve Morse putting his wizard touch again.
The third movement is shorter than the previous versions. For example, they shortened the drum solo in the middle prior to the 6/8 tempo. However, I felt that the third movement on this record is the most accurate and "clean" version of the Concerto.
The CD has a 20 page booklet with pictures from the recording sessions, and liner notes by Paul Mann and Jon Lord's family. Beautiful and warm words, all paying tribute to a giant in music history. It is sad as well as a relief to know that Jon Lord himself listened to the final mix of the record couple of weeks before his death. The same thing regarding the cover art and the design of the CD.
Jon Lord will be missed among us, but his music, all his music will remain forever in the minds and hearts of his fans. The proof is the attempt by fans to include Jon Lord's music into the BBC Proms earlier this year.
Rest in peace, Jon Lord.
Below is a video fragment from the recording sessions of the Concerto for Group and Orchestra
Earlier today I enjoyed watching live interview on BBC1 with Jeff Lynne, co-founder of Electric Light Orchestra, aka ELO.
He talked about different things, such as how he always wished to make a James Bond theme. He also talked about his joy playing and recording with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison as one band i.e. Travelling Wilburys.
Jeff Lynne mentioned that in the last three years he has been working in his home studio in the United Stated on both his solo album and on ELO compilation album called "Mr. Blue Sky: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra". The latter piece of work is re-recording of old ELO material (not re-mastering or re-mixing of original recordings).
Lynne felt the new re-recorded songs have now a fresh sound when listening to them comparing to the original.
The other project Jeff Lynne was walking about was his solo album "Long Wave". An album consists of cover versions of songs that influenced him when he was living in Birmingham in the old days. He used to listen to those songs on the radio's long wave, hence the album title. A video fragment of a song "Mercy Mercy" was also shown during the interview.
Tonight on BBC4 will be an ELO night. A documentary called Mr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne and ELO is scheduled to begin at 9PM. This will be followed by ELO's live show at Wembley arena back in 1978.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced a list of nominees to be inducted as part of the 2013 class.
Rush and Heart expressed their excitement and thrill with the news through their Facebook pages,
Previously, Rush guitarist, Alex Lifeson said during an interview with Guitar World magazine that he "really don’t feel the need to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because, at the end of the day, it’s just somebody’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame".
For Heart, I think this news is a boost to their already fame status, because this news coincide with the release of their new album "Fanatic", also with the release of of their autobiography book entitled "Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll".
Fans can vite for their favorite band n the rock and roll hall of fame website here
