Seems; like rumours are true.. Deep Purple cancelled all their upcoming summer shows for 2012, to work on their new album.
The Highway Star Pager reports:
"The five summer dates two in Italy, one in Poland and two in Germany that we mentioned as contradicting with the bands summer studio plans are now listed on the ticket vendors sites either as cancelled or postponed until 2013. Well, as far as someting can be cancelled that was never confirmed in the first place. This clears the bands touring schedule wide open from the end of Canadian tour in late February until the (so far very much unconfirmed) Russian dates in late October. For the first time in many years, we must add.
Studio, here we come?"
We keep you informed, as soon we have more details, we'll let you know right away.
Bernie Tormé was one of the many artists who provided some thoughts upon the great late Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne) for a DVD and has been put in a very bad daylight... Here's his statement:
Sheesh what a day! Some years ago i did a film interview with some director guy from California about Randy Rhoads who said he was a big fan of Randy's: I did it out of love and regard.
Yesterday I had an email because the plan had changed and they want to do a 'coffee table book' (we're all grown-ups now) and they want me to clear it. Ok mate, please send t' relevant bit. So I then get a chapter of this derogatory lying piece of K RAP that is completely insulting to me, Ozzy, Sharon and Tommy Aldridge in varying degrees. SAD! What are these losers at?
Randy was a brilliant untouchable guitar player and he definitely does NOT need your lies and twisted truth to increase his brilliance in anyone's memory. He was special, a one off, a true star, and making the people who were struggling to carry on with their lives following his death look like idiots moneygrabbers incompetents and control freaks is truly shameful. You were not there, you apparently have the empathy of a dead slug, you know nothing.
If you can't spread light and love over someone who oozed light and talent, please crawl in a hole and bury yourself. The human race has enough to be ashamed of without your shameful self profiting addition.
Randy was brilliant."
For all of you interested in buying a dvd from this twat who approached Bernie, please don't and post this message as much as you can!
Deep Purple to release New Album 2013 and a new World tour
Seems, like the boys in Deep Purple (OR The Ian Gillan Band playing Deep Purple songs) have finally seen the light and will record their next (and probably last) album, due to be released somewhere 2013.. It will be followed by an extensive world tour.
The Deep Purple pages stated: "Deep Purple are very excited by the prospect of making a new and significant album. To that end they have decided to extend their writing and recording period through the summer of 2012."
Ian Gillan said: "We know we will disappoint some of our fans this summer, however we look forward very much to our autumn/winter tour and continuing our worldwide tour with our new album in 2013!"
Apparently, the Sabbath guys are starting to record again, after it was made public, Tony Iommi had been diagnosed with cancer. Yesterday (19th January) Geezer Butler stated:
"Today we got the engines back up and running at Tony Iommi's home studio. Far from being down and depressed about his lymphoma diagnosis, Tony had already written the music for two new songs, and I must say it has given us all a kick in the rump. It's great to hear him churning out those riffs again, assuaging the demon C. Takes more than that to stop Tony. Can't wait for you all to hear our workings, it has been great working on this stuff.
I want to thank the lovely encouraging emails send to this site giving Tony love and encouragement and great vibes. It really does help, not only to Tony, but us as a band, it raises up our spirits and restores our faith in this tarnished world. Sabb fans are good people, time and again you have proven your faith in us and boosted endeavor.
Thanks, love, peace.
Geezer"
The band will head for the road, starting out May 18th at Moscow, Russia. Here are the dates, so far confirmed:
May 2012:
May 18 - Olimpiski / Moscow / Russia
May 20 - New Arena / St. Peterburg / Russia
May 23 - Hartwall Arena / Helsinki / Finland
May 25 - Stadium / Stockholm / Sweden
May 29 - Bergen Calling Festival / Bergen / Norway
Seems like a big All-Star cast has been put on foot to record a tribute album for the late Tommy Bolin...
In the annals of rock history, Tommy Bolin, occupied a brief, but shinning stint as a brilliant guitarist who wowed those in the knows with his mastery of many genres, ranging from rock, fusion, funk, reggae to heavy metal among others. Along with a much lauded solo career that, pushed by the boundaries of rock/jazz fusion, Bolin played with the James Gang and Deep Purple which set him up for a major solo guitar stardom which was cut short by his untimely death in 1976.
Not to be overlooked, there's been much written about the guitar wunderkind and now a top notch roster of players have signed on to pay tribute to Bolin on Great Gypsy Soul. Produced by Greg Hampton and Warren Haynes, it's a remarkable project that brings together major players who actually perform alongside Tommy Bolin's playing and vocals from the recording outtakes to his solo debut album, Teaser.
Peter Frampton, Warren Haynes (a key supporter of the project), Nels Cline, Steve Lukather, Steve Morse, Brad Whitford, Joe Bonamassa, John Scofield, Derek Trucks, Glenn Hughes and Myles Kennedy, all contribute to this amazing project. Great Gypsy Soul will be released on 429 Records, on March 27th in both a single CD format and double cd with bonus tracks. A series of promotional concerts are also getting prepared.
Tommy Bolin was the quintessential guitar prodigy who focused his talents within the burgeoning rock/metal scenes of the early 70's as well as mastered a highly lauded jazz/fusion technique, catching the attention of rock tastemakers and guitar legend peers. It was just a matter of time before Bolin was making a name for himself playing on projects as diverse as Billy Cobham's Spectrum project (concidered one of the great jazz fusion recordings of all times), replacing Joe Walsh in the James Gang, playing session work on seminal fusion projects by Moxy and Alphonse Mouzon, to replacing Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple. With the release of his second solo album, Private Eyes, what should have been a red letter moment for Bolin, opening up for Jeff Beck in Miami, sadly turned tragic as Bolin was found dead of an overdose shortly after the gig (It is still not clear what happened that day, but Glenn Hughes reported to say, "He was at that time neglected by his manager and was surrounded by very strange people, who didn't gave a s**t").
Says Warren Haynes: "Many of the guests added after the fact have a close personal connection to Tommy, all share in acknowledging his place in rock history. Watching (and hearing) it all come to fruition some 35 years later was a journey of it's own, well worth the travel."
Tracklisting and artist as follows:
Disc 1:
- The Grind (with Peter Frampton)
- Teaser (with Warren Haynes)
- Dreamer (with Miles Kennedy and Nels Cline)
- Savannah Woman (with John Scofield)
- Smooth Fandango (with Derek Trucks)
- People People (with Big Sugar and Gordie Johnson)
- Wild Dogs (with Brad Whitford)
- Homeward Strut (with Steve Lukather)
- Sugar Shack (with Glenn Hughes and Sonny Landreth)
- Crazed Fandango (with Steve Morse)
- Lotus (with Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes and Nels Cline)
Disc 2, Bonus Cd:
- Flying Fingers (with Oz Noy and Nels Cline)
- Marching Bag - Movement one (with Nels Cline, BOLIN, Greg Hampton, John Scofield and Sonny Landreth)
- Marching Bag - Movement Two (with Nels Cline, BOLIN, Steve Lukather, Derek Trucks and Peter Frampton)
- Marching Bag - Movement Three (Gordie Johnson, BOLIN, Nels Cline, Oz Noy, Steve Morse, Joe Bonamassa and Steve Lukather)
- Marching Bag - Movement Four (Nels Cline, BOLIN, Waren Haynes, Joe Bonamassa, Oz Noy, Brad Whitford and Peter Frampton)
A complete review will follow as soon I've heard both albums.
Joe Lynn Turner has again teamed up with his bandmates from Sunstorm. It's already the band's 3th studio album.
Sunstorm, is a AOR band which has been put together when Turner met Frontiers Records president, Mike Serafino Perugino. Its was ment to be a project with old songs, Turner had written in the 80's. However, they had both agreed to make an ultimate Joe Lynn Turner Melodic Rock 'Dream Collection'. This was the first ray of light for the very first Sunstorm album way back in 2006. They teamed up again for the next Sunstorm chapter only to been seen 3 years later (2009), called House Of Dreams.
The first two albums, came together by material, Joe had written for himself or other artists in this genre. For this album however they decided to take a look at Turner's numerous vocal sessions he did in the eighty's as a background vocalist or for other artists. This brought on a resurrection of some Michael Bolton's melodic rock gems such as 'Gina', (originally included on The Hunger album where Turner contributed with backing vocals), 'You Wouldn't Know Love' and 'Emotional Fire', which Bolton wrote for The Heart Of Stone album by Cher (in which Turner also appeared as Background vocalist).
"I sang background on the original 'Gina'" says Turner, "Michael and I did all of the parts but I tried to rock it up a bit more than the original... Not so pop! Good song though! It's funny.. I heard 'Emotional Fire' from Desmond Child during a writing session and then he asked me to sing background vocals on it! Crazy! It's like one big circle!"
With production and mixing once again under the expert hands of Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Place Vendome, Angra, etc) and a tracklist rounded out by some amazing songs written by the likes of Soren Kronkvist (Crash The System, ISSA), Tom and James Martin (Vega, Sunstorm, Khymera) and Daniel Palmqvist (xorigin, The Murder of My Sweet), The third Sunstorm album, Emotional Fire, is destined to reignite the melodic rock passion in every fan.
"I think this record has a good mix of songs," concludes Turner, "Just what Sunstorm is supposed to be! Dennis Ward is a great producer and the players are amazing. I have to say I'm pleased with the work we did and I hope that everyone else will be pleased as well... Enjoy!"
Sunstorm's 'Emotional Fire' will be released February 24th in Europe and February 28th in North America both by Frontiers Records.
Sunstorm's Emotional Fire will include the following songs:
1. Never Give Up
2. Emotional Fire
3. Lay Down Your Arms
4. You Wouldn't Know Love
5. Wish You Where Here
6. Torn In Half
7. Gina
8. The Higher You Rise
9. Emily
10. Follow Your Heart
11. All I Am
Who'd like to hear the first single 'Never Give Up', can go to www.frontiers.it/webradio.
Again, as soon I've heard it, a complete review will follow!
Flying Colors, the spectacular new virtuoso prog/pop/rock band, featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater) and guitarist Steve Morse (Deep Purple), will release their eponymous debut album in the UK on Monday March 26, followed by a US release on Tuesday March 27.
Released by Music Theories Recordings, the debut album includes the talents of Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals), Casey McPherson (lead vocals, guitar), and Steve Morse (lead guitar). "The album has bits and pieces of what you'd expect from each of us, says Portnoy. The sum of all its parts led to brand new, unchartered territory for everyone involved." The formation of Flying Colors began with a simple idea: virtuoso musicians and a pop singer joining together to make new-fashioned music the old fashioned way. Refreshing, classic, old and new, the recordings are saturated with the many styles, tones and hues of the players who, in becoming a band, have delivered a unique fusion of vintage craftsmanship and contemporary music. Mike Portnoy was the co-founding member and drummer for one of the world's biggest prog metal bands Dream Theater. Neal Morse is the co-founding member of the prog rock band Spock's Beard and is currently the prog rock supergroup Transatlantic. David LaRue plays bass for the Dixie Dregs and has also worked with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. Steve Morse has been playing lead guitar for Deep Purple for the last 16 years. Founder and leader of Alpha Rev, Casey McPherson, has enjoyed major success in the US with multiple hits including the song New Morning. "It was quite an experience, recalls Dave LaRue. The band moved at a fast pace, ideas flying around the room at all times. Sections of tunes were arranged, and then re-arranged. Ideas were tried every which way until we made them work, or, in some cases, discarded them altogether. Just keeping track of everything was a challenge!" The album is filled with trial and triumph. It's been an inspiring challenge melding folk, prog, pop, and metal all into one big recording."
To all of you who keep sending me reviews of the DP BBC BOX-set, for my DP blog, please stop writing. Here's the buzz: EMI was indeed wrong with handing out the wrong text-file concerning the Early BBC Years Box. The text file presented was completely out of this world and they told me that there will come another review very soon (how about that??!! It's like eating turkey with easter, instead of X-mas dear EMI friends!!). THX
I had a chance to listen to the new Michael Schenker album. Let me tell you, I had a good feeling for this album, but it exploded right in my face after listening to the first few tracks, let alone
the whole latter..
The problem with mr. Schenker, are his staff.. What I have here in my hands, is an album played by over more than a
dozen musicians, including Rudolf Schenker, William Shatner, Leslie West, Michael Amott, Robin McAuley, Don Airey, Paul Raymond, Simon Phillips, Carmine Appice, Chris Slade, Chris Glenn, Neil Murray, Brian Tichy, Elliot Robinson (owner of Dean Guitars) and Doogie White, recently to find on every rock album, with every artist in the business (he also needs to make some descend money, so why not ..) The song he sings on, called 'Before The Devil Knows You're Dead'.. Is a song like there are a million, and Doogie seems not to take any advantage by the fact he once was the vocalist of a band called 'Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow'. It's again one of those songs he sang on any other album.. Like it or not (which I don't)!
Schenker's line-up besides the "all-stars" are: Michael Voss/Vocals, Herman Rarebell/Drums, Pete Way/Bass and Wayne Findlay/Keyboards. Speaking of.. The vocalist for almost the whole length of the album - as mentiond above - is Michael Voss, the all-arounder in music business.. But fails directly to prove it on this album as a singer.. Schenker had ones like, Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet in the past.. He knows so many good vocalists but fails to find the right one each time.. This time around, it's simplicity triumph on whatever scale! The thing about Voss, is he has this squeeking raw voice, which in this case was a bad choice.. Nowhere through the whole lenght of the album, there was a light in the black.
When I read the introduction to this album, I had high expectations and was really convinced this album was the return of Schenker.. It failed my expectations after listening to the latter twice.. A pitty, 'cause this could have been his return after a long dark period, of health and personal problems.
The first track on the album is a instrumental, simply called Intro; with spoken words provided by William Shatner aka Mr Kirk from Star Trek (didn't quite understand that kind of intro's anyway).. Next up How Long, in my eyes one of the many fillers on this album. Starting off nicely, but revamps in a messy track, with strange vocals contributed by Voss.. Fallen Angel, the next one, again nothing more than a filler. Sounds a little dull in my ears too.. Again Voss handles the vocal duty's. Hanging On, is the first attempt to take back some power, but lacks creativity.. Listening becomes harsh and I even caught myself putting the volume down!! At least with End Of An Era, there's a small positive note.. Doogie (again!!) makes his entree (according to the text-file) and sings a duet with Voss.. However, the first one of you my dear readers, who can tell me where he is in the mix, can email me! The quality of this track comes out good. The sound of a brilliant Schenker is gone, but there's still some good arrangements for this track. The first attempt to a hitsingle is Miss Claustrophobia. A descent song, but why he (Schenker) has again chosen for vocals by Voss is a big question mark for me!!! His voice just doesn't nail it enough. However Voss tries to sing it a bit lower, but his voice doesn't let him do it properly. Schenker is playing a good solo, but still not at his best. Overall, the solo's on this album are played on automatic pilot. A little bit further on the album, you'll find a second version of this song, but reduced to radio format (why would one do this?! no pun here). There is not much to say for the next track, With You. Same thing as mentioned before. Before The Devil Knows Your're Dead, leaves a fresh wind blow through the record, as Doogie steps forward. This songs reminds me of his days with a band called Empire. Powerful song, with a great drum groove and bassline however it's the same vocals of Doogie which he uses for years. He tries his best, but it doesn't pay off.
Storming in,.. Indeed it does, with a wrong tuned guitare (you can hear it quite well...), just tuned so for fun or not, I don't care, it's something you just don't do, I mean, come on give me a break!! This song builds up fast and goes down as fast as it builded up! No great solo, no nothing. By the time you've tought you heard it all, Saturday night kicks in, with a bunch of really cheap lyrics and a real poppy backbeat. Where did this one come from?! Cheap as hell, and I wouldn't be surprised the audience is going to chose this a hitsingle.. At least there's a couple of other songs on this album, such as Lover's Sinfony, sung by Robin McAuley. This guy can nail it, however same as the previous songs, a terrible composition. And then we have a redention of the song How Long (3 Generations Guitars). It's the same song, but the guitare solo has been swipped and replaced by 3 different solo's. An all-in-one you may call it. However, there's no direction in this song, and the solo's are all played in another key, which makes it messy and incoherent to my ears. Guitar duel provided by: Michael Schenker, Leslie West and Michael Amott. These 3 gents will play later this year as an ensemble called '3 Generations Guitars".
If you are a Michael Schenker fan and you want to support your hero, well just buy the album. If you don't and you are getting hyped about it, DON'T. Buy an older album, like Strangers In The Night. I don't get the whole idea actually.. I've listened to it twice and got a little bored. It didn't blow me away, as I first thought it would. But it seems some idols don't have -nor take - the time to do an effort and create something descent. Why rushing it? I mean, it's his comeback and nobody asked for him to make a comeback, so he could have spend more time. This is what you get if you don't.
I'd rate this one a 5,5/10. Not worth a dollar more.
Schenker and his band, will play a UK tour commencing May and will make a stop in Belgium @ the Biebob, Vosselaar, 8th of May. I'm glad Mr. Voss is not handling vocals, Doogie White is! The setlist for this tour will be a couple of songs from this album and a lot more from his back catalogue aswell some UFO tracks. Maybe this will sound a little better......
Alcatrazz - Live @ The Rock Tempel, Netherlands 3/12/2011
Ok, here's a review of the Alcatrazz concert 3th December 2011, at the Rock Tempel (NL).
As I arrived (rather late, thx to roadworks and no signals at all), I noticed that Graham Bonnet and band, where not around the venue.. They where still at the hotel (Guess Graham had to take a little nap before the show ).. So they had to have a support act.. Unfortunately, I know, a band like Alcatrazz doesn't give a shit when it comes to support acts, and I can't blame them.. Me neither!!
So, the support act was a Dutch (note: not DEUTSCH) band given the rather strange name: DERAILED.. Ok, when I hear a name like that, I start to hold my breath a little.. Why, one would ask? simple, because it's bollocks most of the time.. no exception today..
It was pretty much Derailed, commencing with a beat alla Iron Maiden's "Run To The Hill's".. speeding up like hell and a vocalist who was pretty of the tune for most of the time.. He seemed like he came straight out of his bed. Drunk a bunch of "Heineken" and smoked like hell. So, you as a reader can imagine, this wasn't my cup of tea AT ALL! Onwards the show, I started to ask myself, why for fuck's sake, there are 2 guitarists.. If you have a band with 2 players, it's rather normal, one takes the soloing and the other one takes the backpatterns.. This guy (banjoplayer nr1) did it all, and at the same time, resulting in a bunch of rubbish, and not coherent at all! The other one (banjoplayer nr 2) just stood still. Looking effortless to do his bit and never did.. Good job guy's! Anyway, a whole bunch o' songs later (read: drinks at the other end of the bar near the exit where I took off to after 3 songs) it was finally over! For those of you interested: they have a couple of cd's which you probably can buy somewhere, someplace..
Alcatrazz for me, was the only live act I actually never saw live.. Offcourse I got all their albums (and yes.. some bootleg's aswell). I saw the Graham Bonnet Band a long time ago and Bonnet preforming with The Legends of Rock. This gig however I needed to see, due the fact Bonnet is aging also and his voice in general.. When the stage crew started to take care of the set-up, I caught a glimpse of the PA and noticed something was wrong.. Seemed there was a little hustle going on, because they didn't quite knew how many gents there where going to sing.. However they promptly placed 3 mic stands and started testing them.. A little bit later Simon Howie jumped on stage to check his gear and wandered off again.. Same thing for Tim Luce, the bassplayer.. No sign from Bonnet however..
Light went off.. NOT.. Something was wrong again.. The introtape allready started playing but no-one took notice wether the band was allready there to take the stage!! 10 minutes delay (off to the bar again)..
Lights went off again, and there was the intro tape buzzing! They started with Assault Attack, followed by Too young to die, Too drunk to live. Those first two tracks where really powerfull (at least to speak), and graham's voice in top form!! left me puzzled and waiting for more..
Next up was God Blessed Video, which in my humble opinion was the magnus opius from the whole set! Very hard and smashing, again top preformance from the band. Night Games followed, played a little bit different to keep ahead of Graham's voice. Graham then begins to mumble that "in a previous life' he was the singer in a band, under control of a man dressed in black.... yep, Love's No Friend is next.. offcourse with the usual sing alongs attached.. During the break it was time for Howie's guitare solo.. Very cool and a little dramatic aswell (cue, the stage crew who where fitting the cymbal stands back in place again). Big foot and Jet To Jet where next in line and both those tracks, for one reason or another, I really find it hard to like 'em.. though they stood out just fine in this yet to be called 'powerful setlist'. Skyfire kicks in like a bomb and blowed the first row of audience at the front of the stage away (thank you for almost smashing my camera to the ground, dear spectator!!). Kree Nakoorie and Hiroshima Mon Amour where played next and the drumsolo was next. It was the first tour of the sticksman with the band and what a performance it was! This guy has the arms of a lumberjack (all positive) and the height of a T-Rex dinosaur! After his solo, it was time for the stage crew to march out again, for those cymbal stands, which by now, where more than a meter away from the drums.. Aaah yes,.. powerfull indeed! Will You Be Home was the next tune, and the only one sounding mellow throughout the whole set.. The song itself had a slightly different arrangement than the one on CD, albeit it sounded great. Next comes Dessert Song. Brilliant power vocals and he just nailed it. It's clear that any other incarnation of MSG can't handle this song, just the way Graham does it. By this time Graham had removed his shirt and started to talk a little with the audience.. It also seems there's a great salesman in this man, because he started to sell some glasses of him, which he - by coincidence - destroyed the day before (don't know if anybody buyed it or not..). Ok, the last 3 songs where all Rainbow related (how could he not?): All Night Long, Since You've Been Gone and Lost in Hollywood. He'd might had chosen some other Rainbow tunes, because it bored me actually a little bit. First of all, he didn't sounded as good as he did with the first load of songs, and he was more shouting them, then singing.. and second, he wanted to go to the dressing room and go to the hotel (what did you expect?? The tour is over!!).
Anyway, I went back to my car and drove home immediately. Because I had enough and needed to work the next day.. I didn't know until after the last song, it was the last gig of the tour.. So after all, this gig was worthy to watch.. Considering going to a Deep Purple concert and notice the vocalist isn't in great shape,.. a perfect waste of money/time I'd say! This one wasn't..
..) The song he sings on, called 'Before The Devil Knows You're Dead'.. Is a song like there are a million, and Doogie seems not to take any advantage by the fact he once was the vocalist of a band called 'Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow'. It's again one of those songs he sang on any other album.. Like it or not (which I don't)!
