Thursday, May 29, 2008

Emitt Rhodes - Daisy-Fresh from Hawthorne, California (The Best of the Dunhill Years)


BRCD 001
Dunhill Records/Edsel Records UK 1998

This 23-track CD covers the three records he made for Dunhill in the early 1970s, including all of his self-titled debut solo release. Emitt Rhodes sounds eerily reminiscent of Paul McCartney, but his strong songwriting and the deeply emotional qualities he brings to his songs make him far more than a McCartney clone.

Most people are discovering Emitt just now, long after he faded into a footnote. Emitt should have been as big as any pop star on this planet, but it was not to be.

1. With My Face On The Floor 2. Somebody Made For me 3. She's Such A Beauty 4. Long Time No See 5. Lullaby 6. Fresh As A Daisy 7. Live Till You Die 8. Promises I've Made 9. You Take The Dark Out Of the Night 10. You Should Be Ashamed 11. Ever Find Yourself Running 12. Your Must have 13. Bithday Lady 14. Better Side Of Life 15. Mirror 16. Really Wanted You 17. Love Will Stone You 18. Golden Child Of God 19. Warm Self Sacrifice 20. Blue Horizon 21. Shoot The Moon 22. Only Lovers Decide 23. Tame The Lion

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Jack Lancaster - Skinningrove Bay

BRCD 001
Bold Reprive Records 1987
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Blodwyn Pig and Aviator member Jack Lancaster released his first solo album in 1981, the very beautiful Skinningrove Bay. The album has been reissued in several shapes (Some of them called by mistake "Wild Connections" but "Wild Connections" was in fact another album from Lancaster collaborating with Rick v.d. Linden) and this is the 1987 version as the first of a serie of reissues on Bold Reprive Records. I think they printed not many copies because you can't find much on the web concerning this release on BRR (exept for the secret vault that is).

The list of musicians appearing is:
Jack Lancaster (sax, lyricon, flute, keyboards, vocals), Phil Collins (vocals), Bernie Frost (vocals), Gary Moore (guitar), Hughie Burns (guitar), Mick Rogers (guitar), John G. Perry (bass, vocals), Robin Lumley (keyboards), Rick Van Der Linden (keyboards), Rod Argent (keyboards), Clive Bunker (drums).
Skinningrove Bay is a fascinating, highly unique and beautiful suite of progressive Rock music with Celtic, Nordic, Jazz, Church and Pop influences. It deserves a place on the shelf of any discerning collector of Classic Rock Music.

1. Save a Place for Me2. Deep Green3. Carlin How4. Old Man of the Ocean5. Skinningrove Bay6. North Country Girl7. Kilten Castle8. The Abbess St. Hilda

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Ryan Cabrera
Elm Street

2001

Ryan Cabrera honed his musical talents in Texas, spending his teen years playing in various bands and creating a name for himself in the Dallas music scene. Beginning with the band Rubix Groove, Cabrera then went on to perform as a solo artist, and would travel around the country, just him and his acoustic guitar. His independent release, “Elm St.,” was extremely successful. Elm St. soon was sold out at local record stores, and it began selling strongly via the Internet and Cabrera grabbed opening slots for artists such as Sister Hazel, Howie Day, Ben Harper, Third Eye Blind and the Pat McGee Band.



01 - Last Winter Intro / 02 - Spanish Song / 03 - Yesterday's Gone / 04 - In My Life / 05 - My Friend John / 06 - Reasons Intro / 07 - Reasons / 08 - Lost Again / 09 - I Will / 10 - Last Winter

_______________________________

Ryan Cabrera
Take It All Away

2004 Atlantic/Wea B000255J2M

Once Ryan Cabrera felt he was ready for the next step in his career, he hooked up with Joe Simpson, father of Jessica and Ashlee, as his manager. He was soon after signed to Atlantic Records, and after touring with folk-songstress Jewel, and pop icon Jessica Simpson, he released his major label debut: “Take It All Away.” The charismatic singer-songwriter shines on this album, filled with sparkling melodies, vibrant instrumentation, and breezy vocals.


1. Let's Take Our Time / 2. On The Way Down / 3. True / 4. Exit To Exit / 5. 40 Kinds of Sadness / 6. Echo Park / 7. Take It All Away / 8. Shame On Me / 9. She's / 10. Illusions / 11. Blind Sight



And because it's spring I trow in the other two albums too.
and

Friday, May 02, 2008

The Four Seasons
The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette
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Philips PHS 600-290
released 1969.
-
And what does it mean to be the most bizarre album in the Four Seasons' catalog? Psychedelic, ambitious and conceptual, The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette took the Four Seasons in an entirely unexpected direction at the time, as the group became influenced by other socially-conscious bands and inspired by the new sounds being created by groups like The Beatles and The Beach Boys. But the problem was the fact that no one expected anything but a top 40 record from the Four Seasons, so the album was poorly received (according to Valli one review said that "had that album been done by anyone but us it would have been a smash album"). Despite the lack of commercial success however, the record has become a bit of a cult classic, with reviews praising it as a "stunning example of the artistry of the Four Seasons at their most ambitious." Reportedly, even John Lennon considered it to be one of his favorites
Original album tracks:
'American Crucifixion Resurrection' / 'Mrs. Stately's Garden' / 'Look Up Look Over' / 'Something's On Her Mind' / 'Saturday's Father' / 'Wall Street Village Day' / 'Genuine Imitation Life' / 'Idaho' / 'Wonder What You'll Be' / 'Soul Of A Woman'
Bonus tracks:
'Watch The Flowers Grow' / 'Raven' / 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow' / 'Electric Stories'

Toto and Friends
Jeff Porcaro Tribute Concert

Various 2008
mp3 192 Kbps

Jeffrey Thomas Porcaro (April 1, 1954 – August 5, 1992) was a highly regarded session drummer and a founding member of the Grammy Award winning band Toto. In his career, he was a highly sought after session musician, playing with hundreds of artists and featuring on countless recordings.
A memorial concert took place at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles on December 14th, 1992 with an all-star line up that included Boz Scaggs, Donald Fagen, Don Henley, Michael McDonald, Eddie Van Halen and Toto. The proceeds of the concert were used to establish an educational trust fund for Jeff's sons.
-
Intro / Gypsy Train / Child's Anthem / I'll Supply The Love / I'll Be Over You / Michael McDonald Intro / I Keep Forgettin' / Takin' It To The Streets / Home Of The Brave / Dave Solo / Georgy Porgy / 99 / If It's The Last Night / Angela (song cut short) / I Won't Hold You Back / Don't Stop Me Now / Africa / Donald Fagen Intro / Chain Lightning /Josie /Little Wing / Kingdom Of Desire / Jake To The Bone / Boz Scaggs Intro / Lowdown / Lido Shuffle / Angel Don't Cry / Don't Chain My Heart / Rosanna / Don Henley Intro / Dirty Laundry / You Better Hang Up / Come Rain Or Come Shine / Eddie Van Halen Intro /Fire / Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love / Hold The Line / Band Intro / George Harrison Intro / A Little Help From My Friends
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Part 1

Part 2 Part 3

Amy Winehouse
B-Sides, Remixes and Rarities

mp3 192 Kbps


CD1
01 - Monkey Man
02 - You Know I'm No Good ft. Ghostface Killah
03 - Valerie (Live Lounge - 10-01-07)
04 - Best Friend (Acoustic)
05 - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
06 - He Can Only Hold Her (PNut Demo)
07 - What It Is
08 - Do Me Good
09 - F*ck Me Pumps (Mylo Remix)
10 - To Know Him Is To Love Him (Napster Live Session)
11 - Round Midnight
12 - Back to Black (Zilla Rocca Remix)
13 - Close To The Front
14 - Best For Me (feat Tyler James)
15 - Love Is A Losing Game (Acoustic)
16 - Rehab (Desert Eagle Discs Remix)
17 - I Should Care (Live)
18 - Heard It Through The Grapevine(Duet With Paul Weller)

CD2
01 - Valerie (Mark Ronson Version)
02 - You Know I'm No Good (Skeewiff Remix)
03 - Hey Little Rich Girl
04 - Back To Black (The Rumble Strips remix)
05 - F*ck Me Pumps (MJ Cole Mix Edit)
06 - Get Over It ft JTWR
07 - Take The Box (The Headquarters Mix)
08 - You Know I'm No Good (Live Lounge)
09 - You're Wondering Now
10 - Rehab (I Can't Help Myself Remix)
11 - B Boy Baby (Feat. Mutya Buena)
12 - Don't Go To Strangers (Duet With Paul Weller)
13 - Beat It (Duet With Charlotte Church)
14 - In My Bed (Bugz In The Attic Vocal Edit)
15 - Fool's Gold
16 - Tears Dry On Their Own (Eric Clapton Remix)
17 - Stronger Than Me (A Cappella)
18 - Procrastination
-
Tracks 1-8

Tracks 9-15

Amy Winehouse
Hove Festival 2007-06-26

mp3 320 Kbps

Addicted
Just Friends
Tears Dry On Their Own
He Can Hold On Her
Cherry
Back To Black
Wake Up Alone
Love Is A Losing Game
Cupid
Hey Little Rich Girl
Monkey Man
You Know I«m No Good
Rehab
Me And Mr. Jones
Valerie
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Tracks 1-8

Tracks 9-15

Friday, April 25, 2008

Janis Joplin - Blow All My Blues Away


9 cd compilation
1962 - 1970

This set of archival recordings lets us witness the formation of arguably the most powerful and expressive voice in rock history. From the earliest known performances in the small bars of Texas to the first sessions with Big Brother to her mesmerizing live shows, Janis never left behind her raw roots. She drew upon them to impel emotional performances as if by exposing her pain she gained power over her past and transformed it into a gift. In these newly sourced pearls, we can hear as never before the birth and fast burning flame of Janis Joplin.

Included are outtakes and unreleased songs from the 1968 "Cheap Thrills" studio sessions, demos for the 1969 Kozmic Blues album and vast improvements on all existing vintage (1962-65) live recordings. The vintage recordings, in particular, are wonderful and although we
had some of this material from the long out of print "Janis" movie
soundtrack vinyl release, this collection has 39 (!) tracks recorded
between 1962-65 including the ubiquitous "Typewriter Tapes" made by Jorma. The final CD finally unchains the urgent expression and lets it be heard in a complete Big Brother concert from 1967. Sit down by your window, put this set on, and blow all your blues away.


CD#1 (66:29) The Early Years 1962-63

John Riley's Home, Austin, Texas 1962 //1. What Good Can Drinkin Do
Threadgill's Bar, Austin, Texas 1962 / 2. CC Rider / 3. San Francisco Bay Blues / 4. Wining Boy Blues / 5. Careless Love / 6. I'll Drown In My Own Tears / San Jose Coffeeshop w/Jorma Kaukonen & Steve Mann 1962 / 7. Honky Tonk Angel / 8. Empty Pillow On My Bed / Grant Ave. Coffeehouse, late 1962 or early 1963 / 9. Gospel Ship / 10. Stealing / 11. Leaving This Morning / 12. Daddy, Daddy, Daddy / 13. Careless Love / 14. Bourgeois Blues / 15. Black Mountain Blues, Austin, Texas Reel #1: 1963 / 16. Trouble In Mind / 17. What Good Can Drinking Do / 18. Silver Threads & Golden Needles / 19. Mississippi River / 20. Stealing
21. No Reason For Living, Austin, Texas Reel #2: 1964 / 22. I'll Drown In My Own Tears / 23. Daddy, Daddy, Daddy / 24. Careless Love / 25. San Francisco Bay Blues / 26. Wining Boy Blues / 27. CC Rider / 28. Leaving This Morning


CD#2 (73:25) The Middle Years 1964-68

"The Typewriter Tape" w/Jorma Kaukonen & Margaretta Kaukonen (typewriter)
San Jose, CA 25 June 1964 Jorma's Mother's House
1. Typewriter Talk / 2. Trouble In Mind / 3. Kansas City Blues / 4. Hesitation Blues / 5. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out / 6. Daddy, Daddy, Daddy / 7. Long Black Train Blues
San Francisco 1965 w/Dick Oxtrot Jazz Band
8. Black Mountain Blues / 9. Walk Right In / 10. River Jordan / 11. Mary Jane
Janis & Big Brother & The Holding Company Sessions 1967-68
Mainstream LP Session Outtakes with Big Brother & The Holding Co.
12. (1967) Call On Me / 13. (1967) Bye, Bye Baby
Cheap Thrills Studio Session Outtakes w/Big Brother & The Holding Co.
14. (03/19/68) Its A Deal / 15. (03/19/68) Easy Once You Know How / 16. (03/25/68) Roadblock / 17. (03/25/68) Flower In The Sun / 18. (03/25/68) Misery'n / 19. (03/25/68) Catch Me Daddy / 20. (03/25/68) Farewell Song / 21. (03/28/68) Summertime


CD#3 (70:06) The Late Years 1968-70

Cheap Thrills Studio Session Outtakes cont.
1. (04/01/68) Misery'n / 2. (04/01/68) Catch Me Daddy / 3. (06/12/68) Harry
The Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI 01/02 MAR 1968
4. Magic Of Love / 5. Down On Me / 6. Piece Of My Heart
Amsterdam 01 APR 1969 w/The Kozmic Blues Band
7. Maybe / 8. Try (Just A Little Bit Harder) / 9. Ball And Chain
Kozmic Blues Outtakes & Demos - June & July 1969
10. Dear Landlord (outtake) / 11. Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out (Demo) / 12. Try (Just A Little Bit Harder) (Demo) / 13. Let's Don't Quit (Demo) / 14. Get It While You Can #1 (Demo) / 15. Get It While You Can #2 (inc.) (Demo)
3/28/70 Studio Session Outtakes with The Butterfield Blues Band
16. One Night Stand (1) Outtake / 17. One Night Stand (2) Outtake
"The Dick Cavett Show" ABC-TV 25 JUN 1970
18. Get It While You Can


CD#4 (73:59) Live Big Brother

California Hall, San Francisco, CA 12 FEB 1967
w/Big Brother & The Holding Co.
1. Call On Me / 2. Combination Of The Two / 3. Blow My Mind / 4. Down On Me / 5. All Is Loneliness/Drum Solo / 6. Road Block / 7. Light Is Faster Than Sound / 8. Bye Bye Baby / 9. Goin' To Brownsville / 10. Ball And Chain / 11. I Know You Rider

CD#5 Early Janis

Studio (unknown, from acetate) backed by jazz band, date? early
1) Black Mountain / 2) Careless Love
San Francisco, CA, unknown venue, Fall 1962
3) Gospel Ship / 4) Stealin' / 5) Leavin' This Mornin' / 6) Daddy Daddy Daddy / 8) Careless Love / 9) Bourgeoise Blues / 10) Black Mountain
Folk Theater, San Jose, CA DEC 1962 with Steve Talbot
11) Honky Tonk Angel / 12) Empty Pillow / 13) Red Mountain Burgundy / 14) ?? unknown title / 15) Mary Jane
KPFA Studios, San Francisco, CA 18 JAN 1963 with Larry Hanks, RogerPerkins& host Gert Cherito
16) Black Mountain / 17) Columbus Stockade
Jorma Kaukonen's House, San Jose, CA, probably 1964 with Steve Mann
18) Winin' Boy Blues / 19) Trouble in Mind


CD# 6 Live Big Brother

Big Brother & The Holding Co. Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco, CA 23 JUN 1968 (low gen. 1/2 track reel)
1) (cuts in) Combination of the 2 -> / 2) I Need A Man To Love / 3) It's Just History / 4) Light Is Faster Than Sound / 5) Summertime / 6) Mr. Natural (cuts)
Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA 1968 (FM)
7) Bye Bye Baby / 8) Women is Losers / 9) All is Loneliness / 10) Call On Me / 11) Ball & Chain


CD#7 Various Outtakes and Live Sets I

1) So Sad to Be Alone (1965) / 2) San Francisco Blues (San Francisco 1963) / 3) Apple of My Eye / 4) 219 Train / 5) Codine / 6) Down & Out / 7) Turtle Blues / 8) I Ain't Got A Worry / 9) Brownsville (circa 1965) / 10) Catch Me Daddy (Brownsville) / 11) Piece of My Heart(from the D.A. Pennebaker out-of-print video "Comin' Home." Recorded at the New Generation Club, NYC, April 1968) / 12) Down On Me(Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco 1966) / 13) Summertime14) / I Need A Man To Love / 15) (chat with Don Adams)(Hollywood Palace Show, 26 OCT 1968) / 16) Combination of the Two / 16) Farewell Song("Cheap Thrills" outtakes 1968)


CD#8 Various Outtakes and Live Sets II

1) Piece of My Heart / 2) Summertime / 3) Coo Coo / 4) Combination of the Two / 5) Ball & Chain / 6) Down On Me / 7) Piece of My Heart (reprise)(Newport Festival, August 1968) / 8) interview / 9) Piece of My Heart / 10) Summertime / 11) Me / 12) Raise Your Hand / 13) Work Me Lord(Swedish TV, April 1969) / 14) Stay With Me / 15) Walk Right(Winterland, San Francisco, 21 March 1969)



CD#9: Various Outtakes and Live Sets III

1) Dick Cavett introduction / 2) To Love Somebody / 3) interview (Dick Cavett Show, July 1969) / 4) Little Girl Blue / 5) Raise your Hand (w/Tom Jones) / 6) Kosmic Blues / 7) Ego Rock (w/ Johnny Winter) / 8) Help Me Baby (w/ Johnny Winter; title uncertain)(Boston Music Hall, 11 December 1969) / 9) One Night Stand (w/ Paul Butterfield Band)(Columbia Studios, March 1970) / 10) Mercedes Benz / 11) Try / 12) My Baby (Final Concert, Harvard Stadium, 12 August 1970) / 13) My Baby(Dick Cavett Show, March 1970) / 14) Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down(Ken Threadgill's Birthday Party,Austin, TX, 10 July 1970)

An Archival Group Effort For The Love Of The Music
**********NEVER FOR SALE***********
Share It & Keep The Legacy Alive

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Glenn Hughes And Friends
A Tribute to Tommy Bolin

the Tommy Bolin Archives (TBACD-12) 1998
E.V.E.N.T. Records/SPV (SPV 085-60182) 1999

Recorded August 22 & 23 1997 at the Bluebird Theater, Denver, Colorado.

Musicians: Glenn Hughes - vocals/bass (6, 7, 8,10), Terry Brooks - keyboards, harmony vocal. Ralph Patlan - guitar, Robert Ware - bass (1,2,3,4,5,6,9). Johnnie Bolin - drums, Rocky Athas - guitar

1. Teaser [4:22] 2. Shake The Devil [3:38] 3. Tou Told Me That You Loved Me [5.27] 4. Gypsy Soul [4:50] 5. Alexis [4:33] 6. Coast To Coast [8:30] 7. Gettin' Tighter [7:59] 8. You Keep On Movin' [10:02] 9. Dreamer [5:56] 10. Your Love Is Alright [7:19]

Friday, April 18, 2008

Deborah Chesher - Nilsson Nilssonsson...




She was a rock'n'roll photographer back when the music business was about the music. She has released the book "Everybody I Shot Is Dead", a collection of her photographs of the musicians who have passed, along with her personal stories. This is one of her stories.


Do You Believe In Ghosts? Tuesday, June 19, 2007


As this blog is my witness, yesterday I was writing the text to go with my Harry Nilsson pictures. It was a tough write because there was a lot to say in very little space, but I finished it. And it started me wondering what really happened to that last album he had finished the vocal tracks on just days before he passed away. I thought about trying to get in touch with my friend who I knew Harry through, but then I was thinking, there's really no time to do that. And besides, I was pretty happy with how the text finally came out. Then last night Harry was in one of my dreams but I've been so tired lately, I'm not remembering the details of my dreams when I wake up. But he was definitely present. I know, I know, it's not uncommon to dream about someone when you've just been focused on them for seven hours.

Today I had appointments with both companies that are doing the scans for the book. While I was driving there I got a phone call from one of my movie clients asking something about a previous job I'd done for her. A couple of seconds into the call she said my voice was garbled. We hung up and she called me back. It was still garbled, even though I could hear her perfectly. Then I got another call and the same thing happened. Okay, I need to get my cell phone fixed.

After all my meetings over the hill, I dropped by Sprint - the store near my house where I knew they had while-you-wait repair service. I go in only to find out they closed the repair counter down because there wasn't enough traffic. They gave me a piece of paper with listings of a bunch of repair places and circled the second one of the list. I don't know why they picked the second one when the first one was as close, or closer.

I drove the 3 miles East on Ventura Blvd and pulled into the parking area that was overflowing with cars from from the local gym, thinking I really need to go to my gym. Fortunately, there was a reserved spot open in front of the cell phone repair shop. (Of course there was...I have a parking fairy, but that's another story). I walk in the shop and notice two guys sitting behind the service counter. The guy on the right asks what he can do for me before I even reach the counter. The other guy was online and talking to a guy leaning on the side of the counter. I tell the guy helping me that the mic is not working on my phone. He asks to see it and immediately informs me that he probably doesn't have the part, but he'll look it up.

How am I doing at dragging this story out? Pretty good, eh?

So, while he's tending to that, the other guy turns to me and asks if I know how to spell the name of the restaurant "Pasche." I gave it a shot - P-a-s-c-h-e - but they didn't think that was right and my guy was ready for me with my prognosis so I turned back to him. He said they didn't have the part and couldn't fix my phone. Shit. But the store in Encino could probably fix it since they were a corporate Sprint, whereas these guys were independent and weren't provided with a lot of older (2 years) parts. I then go out to my car to get my list to confirm with him which store it is.

When I come back in the other guy happily reports that they found the restaurant. It's P-a-c-e. "Oh, Pace," I say. Yeah, but it's called Pashay. Does it have an accent on the e, I ask? He shows me on the screen. Yes. And then calls the restaurant. While my guy is calling the other Sprint place to make sure they have the part, I overhear that last part of the other guy making a reservation. I thought he was doing it for the other customer. I wasn't paying much attention until, out of the corner of my ear, I heard him spell N-i-l-s-s-o-n and say it was for four.

I glanced at him and when he hung up the phone I made some smartass comment like, "So, I'm invited to dinner?" as the spelling of the name sunk in. How odd, I thought, as he joked back, "Sure, dinner's at 7:30." Then I mumbled, "You don't happen to know Harry. do you?" "Excuse me?" "Sorry, I just heard you spell Nilsson. Just wondered if you knew Harry."

"I'M HIS SON."

"No shit." As I looked at him a little closer. Of course. He looked a lot like him.

"Yup. Harry Nilsson is my dad."

I immediately went into my "Oh my God, you're not going to believe this but I'm doing a book and your dad is in it..." spiel. I don't think he believed me at first, until I started filling in the details with evidence that I did actually know his dad. And then he had lots of questions, as did I...like "whatever happened to the album he was working on when he died?"

He was as freaked out as I was that I had just been writing about Harry yesterday. We talked about a bunch of stuff and I gave him a postcard on the book. We exchanged information and I told him I'd be in touch so he could see the pictures. And that I'd give his family a print when I got them done and then I left...

...TOTALLY FREAKED OUT.

I mean what are the chances that he'd spell his name on the phone when I happened to be standing there? Hell, what are the chances that Harry Nilsson's son would be behind the counter at a cell phone store I was sent to to get my phone fixed?

Especially since I'd run into the woman who is directing my movie at the scanners earlier in the day. And we had a long talk while she looked at the mock-up of my book. She also had some good news about our movie and we discussed how great things were working out for both of us. I made a comment about how cool it was that things and people were just connecting out of the blue for us and that it was a sign that we were going in the right direction.

So, I'm guessing you think the story is over now, right?

It's not.

I got in my car and as I was leaving the parking lot a song came on the radio.

It was One by Three Dog Night. My all-time favorite Three Dog Night song. They don't play it much on the radio anymore.

Do you know who wrote One?

Harry Nilsson.

And what could be weirder than that?

Someone called my cell phone as soon as I got home. The caller could hear me just fine. Then someone else called. That caller could hear me just fine. And then someone else, and someone else. There's nothing wrong with my phone.

Hi, Harry. Thanks for visiting. Feel free to stop by any time.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Billion Dollar Babies - Battle Axe



As their former frontman continued his popular theatrical antics, three members of the original band (guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway, and drummer Neal Smith) formed the band Billion Dollar Babies, named after the 1973 Alice Cooper album and song. With keyboardist Bob Dolin and guitarist Mike Marconi rounding out the quintet, the band recorded only one album, on which they played straight-ahead rock and roll similar to the music they made with Cooper. Bruce handles vocal duties (as he sometimes did on the first two albums). His voice is less menacing than Cooper's, though he usually sounds like he is mimicking his style. There's nothing great on Battle Axe, but it is consistently energetic and entertaining.

The LP bombed commercially, and the Billion Dollar Babies never recorded a second album. The Battle Axe LP has been out of print since the late 70's and had two (not compleatly legal) CD re-issues, first in 2001 as a rip-off 3 CD-set. That CD was no more than a ripped LP burned onto CD. Second re-issue was in 2004 by C(um) O(n) E(verybody) Records. COE used a good source tape and so their CD is much more enjoyable to listen to (no vinyl ticks and clicks!).

It's here at 320 KB/s, including the original CD artwork.
If you're an early Alice Cooper fan than this is a must have!

Tracklisting: Too Young / Shine Your Love / I Miss You / Wasn't I The One / Love Is Rather Blind / Rock And Roll Radio / Dance With Me / Rock Me Slowly / Ego Mania / Battle Axe (Sudden Death) / Winner



Tony Visconti - Tony Visconti's Inventory


TVPI 2
1977-1998

Tony Visconti is one of the most influential producers and has worked with David Bowie, T. Rex, Jon Anderson, Paul McCartney, Sparks, Morrisey, Ziggy Marley, Kristeen Young and many others . He made an album wich was advertised as his first soloalbum on the assuming that there were more to come. Tony recorded some demo's but part two never saw the daylight. Those demo's were all included on the 1998 re-release of this album. As an extra I included Mr. Blue Sky. Tony recorded it for a Jeff Lynne tribute album.

There are a variety of musical styles on the album s.a. rock, classical, doo whop, country and folk but all of them were brought with love for the style.

1. What a Dilemma 1:53 / 2. Hello 0:31 / 3. Inventory 2:57 / 4. I Remember Brooklyn 2:48 / 5. Middle of Your Heart 3:43 / 6. Let Me Cast Your Chart 3:39 / 7. Speak to Me Of Love 3:31 / 8. Dance Children Dance 4:03 / 9. Mope-itty Mope Stomp 2:28 / 10. I Can't Help It 2:49 / 11. A Field of Heather 3:26 / 12. The Cabaret is Over 3:28 / 13. Bodhi Tree 3:01 / 14. Let's Grow a Little Garden 2:04 / 15. (Sweet Baby Suite) Baby 1:40 / 16. Now that the Baby is Coming 2:42 / 17. Delaney My Son 2:42 / 18. Clorrisa 3:28 / 19. Skinny Rose 1:59 / 20. Conasuela 2:22 / 21. Scenescof 3:46 / 22. Nothing Can Be Very Wrong 2:15 / 23. Hunger Sucks 2:58 / 24. Wholetone 1:17 / 25. It Feels Like Death 3:17 / 26. And You Go 1:20 / Mr. Blue Sky

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Bruce Cameron
Midnight Daydream
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Bruce Cameron Music/Brain Cell Records BC001
Released in 1999.
An unknown guitarist Bruce Cameron produced his solo album with a list of 70's musicianswith a classic rock sound. Cameron is joined by featured guest like Jack Bruce from Cream, Buddy Miles, Billy Cox, Mitch Mitchell from Jimi Hendrix Experience. Bunk Garner from Mothers of Invention, Billy James of Ant-Bee, Harvey Dalton Arnold from Outlaws and Ken Hensley of Uriah Heap. Two from the Alice Cooper Group, Michael Bruce who does vocals on two tracks and Neal Smith as drummer on five tracks.
This album is pretty good and has gotten good reviews from mostly guitar magazines. Cameron's guitar work is excellent as some of the tracks are instrumental. Cameron wrote, engineered, mixed and produced the whole album.

The two songs Michael Bruce sings and Neal Smith drums on are "I Want To Be Late" and "Falling Up A Mountain" are great. Michael's vocals are superb as he gives a growl on these songs.
Neal Smith also lends his drumming talent on three more tracks "Mind Gardens", "Just Like A Spaceman" and instrumental "She's So Gone". The last song "She's So Gone" is one of the best instrumentals on this album.

It's sad to note that Bruce Cameron died during the release of this album.

Tracks:
"Midnight Daydream" 6:42 / "Doctor Please" 4:52 / "Mind Gardens" 5:24 / "Miles Away" 3:29 / "Born to Lose" 5:32 / "I Want to Be Late" 4:19 / "Forever Rebel Girls" 6:18 /
"Just Like a Spaceman" 3:57 / "So Aliens Have Been Here" 4:25 / "A Thousand Moons" 3:54 / "Raining the Blues" 4:39 / "Day After Yesterday" 3:27 / "Falling Up a Mountain" 4:09 / "She's So Gone" 2:28

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Micky Dolenz
Puts You To Sleep
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Rhino R2 70413
Released in 1992.
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-This is a a soloalbum from former monkees drummer/singer Micky Dolenz. He made a wonderful album filled with classic lullabies/ballads. Although the main project was to put your children asleep the chances are you gonna like it so much that you're listening it over and over again, no matter what age you are.

Tracks:
Pillow / Time Dream A Little Dream / Beautiful Boy / Blackbird Lullaby / To Tim / Fool on the Hill / Good Night / St. Judy's Comet / The Moonbeam Song / Remember / Sugar Mountain / The Porpoise Song


Friday, March 07, 2008

Ton Scherpenzeel
Le carnaval des animaux
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Ariola 26.327 XOT
Released in 1978.

Ton Scherpenzeel is commonly known because of his work as keyboardist, composer, producer, arranger and lyricist for Dutch 'prog-art' rockband Kayak. He is also known for playing keyboards with Camel in 1984.
Ton is lesser known for his work for theatre, you can her some of his theatrework at Ton's My Space.

Le Carnival des Animeux is in the line of his theatrework. Its a classic musical story by Camille Saint-Saëns in a pop-symphonic-style.

Keyboards and guitar: Ton Scherpenzeel, Guitar: Hans Hollestelle, Bass: Theo de Jong, Mondharmonica and percussie: Frans Peters, Bas, Mondharmonica: Eddy de Wilde; Saxofoon: Clous van Mechelen, Drums and percussie: Max Werner; achtergrondzang: Irene Linders and Ellen Neefjes.

Tracks:
1. Introduction - March Royale du Lion - 3:47 / 2. Fossiles - Fossielen - 2:07 / 3. Aquarium - Vissen - 3:20 / 4. L'eléphant - de Olifant - 1:35 / 5. Le Cygne - de Zwaan - 3:44 / 6. Hémiones - Muildieren - 3:00 / 7. Poules et Coq - Kippen en Haan - 2:55 / 8. Volière - Vogels - 2:25 / 9. Le Coucou Au Fond du Bois - de Koekoek - 2:38 / 10. Tortues - Schildpadden - 3:57 / 11. Personnages à Longues Oreilles - Ezels - 1:18 / 12. Le Carnaval des Animaux - Finale - 3:07