|
© DME |
|
NewsJanuary 3, 2006ZEP'S LAST STANDThe rock aristocracy's list gets longer and longer, with Queen Elizabeth II dispensing Orders of the British Empire - but it's most surprising that Jimmy Page has received his OBE not for steering LED ZEPPELIN but for his work with a Task Brazil group that provides food, clothing, shelter and medical care for children. Jim's been involved with the charity institution since 1994 when, on his trip to Rio de Janeiro to promote the PAGE / PLANT "No Quarter" album, the guitar legend witnessed street gangs fighting. Meanwhile, his partner in crime, Robert Plant, is honored with two Grammy nominations: "Shine It All Around" fits into Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance category and "Tin Pan Valley" is in for Best Hard Rock Performance". Hopefully, Percy snatch the prize from the less worthy. Yet he's much more concerned with charity activities as well, having donated $60,000 to an organization that aids nomadic people in drought-stricken West Africa. The golden warbler had already channelled that way proceeds from his latest EP, but the sales were rather poor, so he had to act differently. The piper has surely led P&P to reason. THE DEEPER THE NIGHTWith all the unlikely talk about the next BLACKMORE'S NIGHT album being a collection of DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW re-makes, there seems to be something to the ring, as "Village Lanterne", out on February 6th, indeed includes "Child In Time" that Ritchie's current band often performed live in the recent years, and "Street Of Dreams". More so, there's two versions of the latter on the record, the second featuring the original singer, Joe Lynn Turner duetting with Candice Night.
BLACK MAN'S SOULHot on the heel of the last year's "My Secret Life, Eric Burdon comes up with a new studio set. Bearing a title of "Soul Of A Man", it features some fine blues - as usual.
THINGS WE LIKERecent CREAM shows on the both sides of the Atlantic reinstated Jack Bruce's position as the real driving force of the band - a honor many hang on Eric Clapton - and the interest in the blues giant has been deepening ever since. So there couldn't be a better time for a great archival release that is "Jack Bruce At Rockpalast", a fantastic double-DVD set which includes three concerts - unfortunately, not all in their entirety. The first, though, is a full show recorded with the best band Jack's ever had - with Clem Clempson, David Sancious and Billy Cobham; this one has been out on DVD before, but it's worth buying again for its completeness. More attractive, still, are the other two performances, the 1983 show with David Sancious and Bruce Gary, and a unique one from 1990, when there was Bruce alone, at the piano. A must-have item for a nice price.
THE DEVIL MADE HIM DO ITWith all the fuss about Bono and Sinead, there was no greater all-round musician in Ireland than Rory Gallagher who, sadly, passed away ten years ago. For all to remember the guitar wizard, out is a limited edition of "The Definitive Collection" 3 DVD box set gathering all Rory's performances for the Rockpalast TV programme - from 1976 through to 1990. With only the first disc (released separately before) spanning almost 3 hours. there's no need for another reason to grab the box.
THOUGHTS THEY STAND TO DEFENDFor a band with a 40-year long lifespan, THE MOODY BLUES seem to quite underserve the fandom with concert releases, especially with those stripped bare of the orchestral backing. If fact, "Lovely to See You: Live From The Greek" double CD and the accompanying DVD is the first such album since 1969's famed "The Moody Blues Live + 5". Recorded lin LA on June 11th, 2005, the set features the stalwart Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge helped out with some good friends including keyboards maestro Paul Bliss. Fine release, classy music.
KINKY BRO'Being such a prolific songwriter, it's most amazing that Ray Davies hasn't release a proper, fully-fledged solo album. In order to correct a situation and having alerted the public with "Thanksgiving Day" and "The Tourist" EPs, Captain Kink brings forth "Other People's Lives" on February 7th. Quite an achievement! What other people really long for, though, is the KINKS' reunion that both Ray and Dave, now almost back to form after the stroke, have no objections to.
Content / comments © DME To the news archiveTop |