New Live Albums Coming Your Way

In one week news came out about three heavy weight acts in music releasing live albums.

One of the bands that I regret not going to their live concert is AC/DC. I have problems with big arenas, maybe that's the reason.

Their new album 's Live At River Plate is taken from three shows they did in Argentina and came out on previous DVD released last year. However, the new live CD will include extra songs.

I have seen different live DVD's of this great Australian band, but the their 1990's LIVE album still in mind as my favorite. Nevertheless, this band still deliver one of the best shows on earth every year, the proof is obvious in reviews and by people I talked to who has been to their concerts.

The song listing of the album will be:
1. Rock N Roll Train
2. Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be
3. Back In Black
4. Big Jack
5. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
6. Shot Down In Flames
7. Thunderstruck
8. Black Ice
9. The Jack
10. Hells Bells
11. Shoot To Thrill
12. War Machine
13. Dog Eat Dog
14. You Shook Me All Night Long
15. T.N.T.
16. Whole Lotta Rosie
17. Let There Be Rock
18. Highway To Hell
19. For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

Paul Simon, Live in New York City is not only a CD, it is a DVD and CD set loaded with songs from this magnificent musician career.

Last week I was watching a documentary on him during the recording with a number of African artists.

Without doubt, Simon is a great musician, and that is obvious from his diversity in musical elements he put in his music - whether that is disputed or not, it is not our discussion here, but the humbleness and coolness this man has during the recording session is outstanding.

I don't think anyone would argue of joy such a concert would bring to fans everywhere.

Live in New York City’ track listing is:
1. The Obvious Child
2. Dazzling Blue
3. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
4. So Beautiful Or So What
5. Mother And Child Reunion
6. That Was Your Mother
7. Hearts And Bones
8. Crazy Love, Vol. II
9. Slip Slidin’ Away
10. Rewrite
11. The Boy In The Bubble
12. The Only Living Boy In New York
13. The Afterlife
14 Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
15. Gumboots
16. The Sound Of Silence
17. Kodachrome
18. Gone At Last
19. Late In The Evening
20. Still Crazy After All These Years

The third live album coming out soon is by the band that is considered as one of the three pillars created hard rock: Led Zeppelin. It is from their live performance in 2007 at the O2 Arena in London. The album is called "Celebration Day". Not known yet if the album will only be on DVD or CD/DVD.
Many people, including me waited for a long time for this, and can't describe my happiness of the news.

It started when the band's Facebook page showed a FIVE on its main page and started with a countdown prior to the official announcement. The obscurity of the event triggered a lot of speculations. Some thought that the band is recording a new album and launching a big tour. These speculations were ruled out, especially seeing Robert Plant's commitment to two bands at the same time. Even with that, people's imagination went too far by saying that Plant has been replaced by Glenn Hughes.
That was the funniest thing I ever heard. I love Glenn Hughes, but seeing him with Zeppelin is difficult to imagine (like seeing David Coverdale singing with Black Sabbath). Besides, Glenn is touring now promoting Black Country Communion new album coming out next month, Afterglow.

Zeppelin never had another vocalist but Plant and it is very difficult to imagine anyone else taking the helm.

Celebration Day tracklist:

1. Good Times Bad Times
2. Ramble On
3. Black Dog
4. In My Time Of Dying
5. For Your Life
6. Trampled Under Foot
7. Nobody’s Fault But Mine
8. No Quarter
9. Since I’ve Been Loving You
10. Dazed And Confused
11. Stairway To Heaven
12. The Song Remains The Same
13. Misty Mountain Hop
14. Kashmir
15. Whole Lotta Love
16. Rock And Roll

Rodrigo y Gabriela

Last month I walked into HMV record store to check on some movies.  Always a joy going to that place.

This was the first time I heard Rodrigo and Gabriela music, coming out through the store's speakers.

The fast playing combined with outstanding composition melody were stunningly perfect to my air.

I asked one of the guys working there about the music, he told me about the due and how they left thrash metal and switched to classical guitars before recording their first album. He showed me the shelve where they have their CD's.

They only have 5 studio albums, and 4 live albums. I decided to buy my first album but I was not sure from where to start, wanted to ask the guy again about the name of the tune i heard few minutes ago, but then I had another idea: to start with the latest album and go backwards through their catalogue. That's how I bought Area 52.

This is an album where the two virtuoso recruiting a number of perfect Cuban musicians and record (or shall I say re-record) some of their songs from previous albums but with Cuban style.

The result is a brilliant record.

The record was mixed received. Some criticized the idea of replacing guitar and adding other instruments like piano, violin, trumpets...etc

I disagree, I could listen to both the original version of "Hanuman" (from their 11:11 album), as well as to the new version from Area 52, which became like a Santana melody.

The same goes with the excellent tune"Santo Domingo", or "11:11" or "Diablo Rojo". They are the same songs but they have another excellent musical taste each.

On the same day I listened to Area 52 and before watching the "making of the album documentary" on the DVD attached with the album, I went to youtube and that was it: I was stunned. Their playing live performance is jaw dropping.

It is not about being a good player only, but Rodrigo and Gabriela were capable of entertain. Their interaction with the public is also superb.

From Youtube I also heard the tune they wrote for Pirates of the Caribbean 4 soundtrack.

After seeing that I decided to look if they are planning to do a concert in London in the coming months, but I was disappointed because they are not. Hopefully next year.

I read somewhere that they are already back in the studio to record their next album. One thing for sure, I will be one of the first to buy that record when it come out.

Black Country Communion - Afterglow

The artwork of Black Country Communion's upcoming album is out.

This is the one of the most anticipated albums to me for this year.


Black Country Communion made of the legendary Deep Purple/ Black Sabbath's Glenn Hughes, guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham on Drums (he is the son of  Led Zeppelin's late drummer) and Derek Sherinian, a former member of giant progressive metal band Dream Theater.


This is the third Black Country Communion album to be release - if not counting the live in Europe album / DVD.

I like the artwork very much, and I liked the bits of music from the new album on the trailer - see below.

According to Hughes the new album will not step away from the musical direction introduced in previous two studio albums, but it will be a deeper album music.

I am a very happy man, especially when I hear such words.


The album release date is 30'th of October.

The Cure - Live at Reading and Leeds Festival 2012

Finished watching the Cure playing live at Reading and Leeds Festival. This is the first appearance of the band at this festival in 33 years, according to news sources.

Great performance will not give justice, to say the least, because it was much greater than anyone would expected. It was fantastic.

I know that this line-up of the Cure is not the same 33 years ago, yet the bass / guitar signitures playing (reminds me of Killing Joke - another great band), and Robert Smith's distinguish voice scared the years away - like the first time hearing this band many years ago.

Hopefully will see this band again live very soon and not to wait for another decade.

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Last of a Dyin' Breed

Lynyrd Skynyrd is a band with a history book of its own. When the name Lynyrd Skynyrd is mentioned to any music fan, immediately the name is linked to the tragic plane crash that took the lives of some of band members including lead singer Ronnie van Zant and guitarist Steve Gains, among others.

To many fans, that was the end of the band.

The plane crash was the turning point for this American band - they decided to call it a day until mid 1980's when they came back with the late singer's younger brother, Johnny,  on lead vocals. Since then, the band went through many lineup changes, except for Gary Rossington being the only original member of the band.

I like his guitar playing. 


I think they have recorded something like 15 studio albums and tons of live material. They are pioneers in their music genre, no doubt about it.

However, their songs never clicked in to me. Never. I never loved Lynyrd Skynryd music but I loved "Free Bird".

I hated "Sweet Home..." but their latest album just came out now, and it is amazing. 


Last of a Dyin' Breed is a solid rock album with a lot of country and southern rock music flavor thrown all over most of songs. Line-up changes in a band always has its impact on the overall music any band is making, but does that live up to the expectations of fans in the case of Lynyrd Skynyrd new album?

Highlights from the new album are the title track Last of a Dyin' Breed. Mississippi Blood, and Home Grown are among my favorites, and I can add Home'sTwisted and Good Teacher too.

There are some albums that you play and gradually fall in love with the music, and there are some that you just fall in love with the songs from first listen. This album is in the middle.

The problem I have is not with this band in particular. It is more of a general taste of music genre. I don't like country music or southern rock music - liked a little the work Zakk Wylde did a couple of years ago on his Pride and Glory album, though.

In short, Lynyrd Skynyrd delivered a very good album, regardless of whether they have stick to their southern rock roots or not.  Remember,  I never listened to full album from this band, but i think the new music will please many die hard fans.

The albums can easily be chosen as one of music highlights in 2012, in my opinion.

Track Listing:
==================
01."Last of a Dyin' Breed" 
02."One Day at a Time"
03."Homegrown" 
04."Ready to Fly" 
05."Mississippi Blood" 
06."Good Teacher" 
07."Something to Live For" 
08."Life's Twisted"
09."Nothing Comes Easy" 
10."Honey Hole" 
11."Start Livin' Life Again"



Band members on this album:
=================================
Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
Gary Rossington – guitars
Rickey Medlocke – guitars
Michael Cartellone – drums
Johnny Colt – bass
Mark Matejka – guitars
Peter Keys – keyboards
John Lowery aka "John 5" – guitar

Jon Lord, You Will Be Greatly Missed

The first time I heard Jon Lord was when I listened to songs from Deep Purple's "Made in Europe", such as Burn or You Fool No One. The second time was when I heard "Deepest Purple" album. Since then, DP became an integral part of my life.

This is not a post to talk about the history of Deep Purple as one of the three main pillars holding Rock & Metal music structure (the other two are Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, of course).

This post is about what Jon Lord means to me since I was a kid to this day.

The first time I saw Jon Lord on video was many and many years ago. I used to live in Iraq, and back then there were small numbers of communities from different neighborhoods in Baghdad who shared passion for rock and metal.  The knew which record shop to meet and welcome new comers, and they knew which record shop is the most resourceful with latest news and stories about their favorite bands.
I was one of those guys.

Back to that video tape. I borrowed it from a friend whom I would love to talk about one day on this blog (and whom I wish he is still doing well).

By the way, that friend I am talking about is considered as one of the few ultimate sources of rock and metal music in whole Iraq during these days.
The video tape was of Deep Purple playing California Jam concert from 1974.

Seeing Jon Lord playing Hammond organ - an instrument I am used to see and hear only in churches, it made me speechless. This was the first time I see such an instrument being recruited that way in music: melting Hammond organ sound in a heavy rock band music.

I thought this was his only trademark. I was wrong, because the creativity Jon Lord had in music exceeded that of being a professional rock star, because years later I learned that he already did something more advanced than any other musician in modern music history could made: he is the one who made the perfect marriage between classical music and rock come true. This was in the form of the Concerto for Group and Orchestra that came out in 1969.

Being a fan of Jon Lord became an integral part of me. Growing up listening to his work with Deep Purple and Whitesnake, as well as his solo work or with other musicians. It was not only about music, but it filled me in joy reading news about him back then or chatting with dear old friends about his stage performance, for example.

In the mid 1980's, a friend of mine showed me a magazine that was exclusive to Deep Purple family tree news. In Iraq, pop and rock magazines did not exist, and no import of such media source was possible, but that friend got it from a relative from abroad. Two things in particular I will never forget about that particular magazine: the first was seeing for the first time a picture of Glenn Hughes with Black Sabbath (from Seventh Star photo sessions), and reading how David Coverdale describing Jon Lord as being THE STAR and the gentleman out of all musicians he worked with while he was in Deep Purple and Whitesnake.

Jon Lord was one of my role models in life. If I was meant to work as a musician, part of me definitely would have a Jon Lord in it.

When I was in the first year in university I drew a portrait of Jon Lord based on picture from the Perfect Strangers album. I remember doing that during lectures - It didn't mean that I had no interest in those lectures, but making a portrait of Jon Lord was a priority too.

Speaking of Whitesnake, I got a video tape of one of their live concerts. Jon Lord's solo by combining classical, Hammond organ and synth's was mind blowing. Can anyone dispute that the remake of "Crying in the Rain" in 1987 album missed the Jon Lord touch in it compare it to that on "Saint & Sinners"?

The first time I saw Jon Lord live was in 2000 in Ahoy, Rotterdam, during Deep Purple's 30'th anniversary tour of the Concerto for Group and Orchestra. I won't forget his introduction to the concert warning that the concert will start slow and by the end will make us deaf.  It was a sensational, one of the most special moments in my whole entire life.

One of the reasons I keep replaying John Peel's rock family tree on Deep Purple was the way Lord telling the story of this pioneer rock band. On a side note, I still can't believe it, but after all these years, I still enjoy every minute watching that documentary - eyes locked on screen. Don't know if I have to thank the great John Peel for the way this show was made, or is it because of my love of Deep Purple.

To everyone's knowledge, Jon Lord stardom was not only tied to Deep Purple material. Can anyone argue or say anything about Sarabande or Pictured Within, for example?

Even after departing ways with his mates in Deep Purple and focusing on classical music was stunning. The last album I bought was Boom of the Tingling Strings, a sensational album.

I was so thrilled when I read not long ago about Jon Lord was busy in the past months on completing a final studio version of the Concerto, with guest musicians such as Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson, guitar Virtuosos Joe Bonamassa and Steve Morse.

No one doubted for a minute about health issues. The news of Jon Lord having cancer was shocking prior to that, but many, including media I read confirmed that Jon was getting better... and the news of recording the concerto in Abbey Road was a sort of confirmation, a relief, in fact. My feeling of comfort and relief for that legendary musician strengthen when I read about tour dates advertised in Germany, until the moment when a friend of mine sent me an email late on that night to tell me that Jon Lord passed away.

That was it for me. I was for days in a state of disbelief.

I felt that music scene has lost something extremely vital to its essence, and this man's work for more than 40 years is a living proof. Jon Lord was unique. He was and will always be a titan among giants in music history. No doubt about that.

Rest in peace, Mr. Lord. You will remain in our heart and souls with what you gave humanity. Your music will remain for eternity.

Slash - Apocalyptic Love

Got the deluxe edition today (with the making of the album DVD).  There was a lot of publicity online and on guitar magazines regarding this album. To say the truth, it deserve such coverage.

The album is one of music highlights of 2012. I can say that with full confidence. The music on this album is straightforward heavy metal, no complication in songs structure. The choice of mixing guitars the way they did is also a good one.

Difficult to pick a favorite song, because if I do that then I will list the full album track.

The singing is stunning, in fact, it is much better than it was with Alter Bridge. Yet, Myles Kennedy influence from his days with that great band Alter Bridge is noticeable on this album. Nevertheless, but that doesn't ruin it for Slash fans. It give another flavor to the music from that great guitarist.

Track List
01."Apocalyptic Love" 3:28
02."One Last Thrill" 3:09
03."Standing in the Sun" 4:03
04."You're a Lie" 3:50
05."No More Heroes" 4:23
06."Halo"   3:22
07."We Will Roam" 4:49
08."Anastasia" 6:07
09."Not for Me"    5:21
10."Bad Rain" 3:46
11."Hard & Fast" 3:02
12."Far and Away" 5:14
13."Shots Fired" 3:48

Band members

Primary personnel
Slash – lead guitar, acoustic guitar on "Anastasia", talkbox on "Carolina"
Myles Kennedy – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Todd Kerns – bass, backing vocals
Brent Fitz – drums