ASIA marked their 25th anniversary of the band in 2007 with the reunited original line-up recording and releasing Fantasia (Live In Tokyo). That came out in CD and DVD formats only back then, but there is now a 3-LP reissue of that historic recording to be issued February 24, through BMG. The band consisting of John Wetton, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer, and Geoff Downes played all the songs from their hugely successful 1982 debut album Asia, as well as a few from 1983’s Alpha, plus selections from the bandmembers’ past bands. And much like Asia’s ’80s albums, Fantasia also came in a fantastic Roger Dean cover. *See below for the tracklisting.
“By simultaneously celebrating their debut album alongside the legacy of their foundational bands, the four band members crafted a standing testament to their collective impact on the world of music. Fantasia is a clear reminder of the majestic legacy of this incredible band and to the artistic pedigree of the four original members of ASIA.“
Pooling the talents of bassist/vocalist John Wetton, drummer Carl Palmer, keyboardist Geoff Downes and guitarist Steve Howe, ASIA immediately became the epitome of a supergroup of rock aristocracy and the natural heir to its members’ legendary bands of the 70s – King Crimson, Emerson Lake & Palmer, The Buggles and Yes.
Leaving behind their progressive roots, ASIA embraced the commercial FM rock sound that dominated US airwaves and took that, and the new MTV video channel, by storm. The single Heat Of The Moment was a world-wide monster smash and their eponymous 1982 debut album spent an incredible 9 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard chart as Asia became the biggest selling album of the year and world tour dates sold out.
A second album, Alpha, was released in 1983. The four original members reconvened in 2006 for a world tour, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that incredible success, and the album Phoenix followed.
While the members were still heavily involved in other projects, they came together again to record Omega in 2010 and XXX in 2012, both albums were acclaimed by their faithful fans and supported by more world tours.
Steve Howe stepped back from ASIA to concentrate on his work with YES and was absent for 2014’s Gravitas. Following this tour came the news of John Wetton’s treatment for cancer, a fight he sadly lost in 2017.
ASIA – FANTASIA LIVE IN TOKYO 2007 – 3 LP SET – out 24th February 2023
Set for a March release, Genesis ‘BBC Broadcasts’ is an extensive collection of broadcast material from one of the biggest selling recording artists of all time and one of Britain’s most internationally renowned bands. Curated by founder member Tony Banks and the group’s long-time engineer and producer Nick Davis, it is available as a 53-track 5-CD set and 24-track triple LP. These collections represent the cream of the group’s work recorded by the BBC between 1970 and 1998, and it includes contributions from all three of the group’s vocalists, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and Ray Wilson. With notes by author Michael Hann, and packaged with a 40–page booklet, ‘BBC Broadcasts’ contains favorites such as ‘Home By The Sea’, ‘Mama’, ‘Duchess’, ‘Carpet Crawlers’, ‘No Son Of Mine’ ‘Turn It On Again’ and many more. With only a handful of these tracks previously officially available, Genesis ‘BBC Broadcasts’ acts as both a collector’s cornucopia and an alternative “greatest hits”. Stretching from the very beginnings of the band’s career via appearances on ‘Night Ride’ and John Peel, the set encompasses both of the group’s Knebworth performances (78 and 92) as well as their much–loved 1980 show at London’s Lyceum, and triumphant sell–out run of shows at Wembley in 1987. Rounded out by material from the NEC in 1998 and Paris Theatre and Nightride sessions from the early 70s, as well as the much sought–after encore version of ‘Watcher Of The Skies’ at Wembley Empire Pool in 1975, Genesis ‘BBC Broadcasts’ is a veritable treasure trove.
TRACKLISTS:
CD1 Early BBC
01 Shepherd (Live on Night Ride, BBC Radio Two, 1970) 02 Pacidy (Live on Night Ride, BBC Radio Two, 1970) 03 Let Us Now Make Love (Live on Night Ride, BBC Radio Two, 1970) 04 The Fountain of Salmacis (Live at Paris Studios, London, 1972) 05 The Musical Box (Live at Paris Studios, London, 1972) 06 Stagnation (Live on Sounds of the 70s, BBC Radio One, 1971) 07 Harlequin (Live on BBC Radio One John Peel Session, 1972) 08 Get ‘Em Out By Friday (Live on BBC Radio One John Peel Session, 1972) 09 Harold the Barrel (Live on BBC Radio One John Peel Session, 1972) 10 Twilight Alehouse (Live on BBC Radio One John Peel Session, 1972) 11 Watcher of the Skies (Live on BBC Radio One In Concert, 1975)
Disc 2 (Knebworth 78 / Lyceum 80) 01 Squonk (Knebworth 78) 02 Burning Rope (Knebworth 78) 03 Dance on a Volcano (Knebworth 78) 04 Drum Duet (Knebworth 78) 05 Los Endos (Knebworth 78) 06 Deep in the Motherlode (Lyceum 80) 07 Dancing with the Moonlit Knight (Lyceum 80) 08 The Carpet Crawlers (Lyceum 80) 09 One for the Vine (Lyceum 80) 10 Behind the Lines (Lyceum 80) 11 Duchess (Lyceum 80) 12 Guide Vocal (Lyceum 80) 13 Turn It On Again (Lyceum 80) 14 Duke’s Travels (Lyceum 80) 15 Duke’s End (Lyceum 80)
Disc 3 01 Say It’s Alright Joe (Lyceum 80) 02 The Lady Lies (Lyceum 80) 03 Ripples (Lyceum 80) 04 In the Cage (Lyceum 80) 05 The Raven (Lyceum 80) 06 Afterglow (Lyceum 80) 07 Follow You Follow Me (Lyceum 80) 08 I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) (Lyceum 80) 09 The Knife (Lyceum 80) 10 Mama (Wembley 87) 11 Domino (Wembley 87)
Disc 4 (Wembley 87) 01 That’s All (Wembley 87) 02 The Brazilian (Wembley 87) 03 Throwing It All Away (Wembley 87) 04 Home By the Sea (Wembley 87) 05 Second Home By the Sea (Wembley 87) 06 Invisible Touch (Wembley 87) 07 Drum Duet (Wembley 87) 08 Los Endos (Wembley 87) 09 Not About Us (Live at Birmingham N.E.C., 1998) 10 The Dividing Line (Live at Birmingham N.E.C., 1998)
Disc 5 (Knebworth 1992)
01 No Son of Mine (Knebworth 92) 02 Driving the Last Spike (Knebworth 92) 03 Old Medley (Knebworth 92) 04 Fading Lights (Knebworth 92) 05 Hold On My Heart (Knebworth 92) 06 I Can’t Dance (Knebworth 92)
VINYL LPS
Tracklist LP Set
Side 1
01 The Musical Box (Live at Paris Studios, London, 1972) 02 Stagnation (Live on Sounds of the 70s, BBC Radio One, 1971) 03 Harlequin (Live on BBC Radio One John Peel Session, 1972) 04 Harold the Barrel (Live on BBC Radio One John Peel Session, 1972)
Side 2
01 Get ‘Em Out By Friday (Live on BBC Radio One John Peel Session, 1972) 02 Watcher of the Skies (Live on BBC Radio One In Concert, 1975) 03 Dancing with the Moonlit Knight (Live at the Lyceum Theatre, London, 1980) 04 The Carpet Crawlers (Live at the Lyceum Theatre, London, 1980)
01 Say It’s Alright Joe (Live at the Lyceum Theatre, London, 1980) 02 The Lady Lies (Live at the Lyceum Theatre, London, 1980) 03 I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) [Live at the Lyceum Theatre, London, 1980]
Side 5
01 Mama (Live at Wembley Stadium, London, 1987) 02 That’s All (Live at Wembley Stadium, London, 1987) 03 Home By the Sea (Live at Wembley Stadium, London, 1987) 04 Second Home By the Sea (Live at Wembley Stadium, London, 1987)
Side 6
01 Throwing It All Away (Live at Wembley Stadium, London, 1987) 02 No Son of Mine (Live at Knebworth Festival, 1992) 03 Driving the Last Spike (Live at Knebworth Festival, 1992)
If anyone hasn’t checked out out Troy Redfern’s latest blues rock album The Wings Of Salvation, it is one of the best of 2022, and he’s now got a brand new single from his next album. The song is an easy likeable rockin’ track, full of slide guitar, a unique solo, and a catchy chorus, all of which Redfern has become known for. *check out the links and press info below…
British slide guitarist and singer songwriter Troy Redfern is pleased to announce the release of his brand-new single “The Fever” on Wednesday January 11, 2023. “The Fever” will appear on Troy’s forthcoming album due for release later in the year.
The official music video for “The Fever” is available to view –
The new single follows the news of Redfern’s co-headline April 2023 UK Tour with The Commoners. Tickets are available viaPlanet Rock’s 48-hour ticket pre-sale from 10am on Wednesday January 11th.
Redfern has wasted no time since the release of the last single from his criticality acclaimed album The Wings of Salvation. In December, after the success of playing two storming sets Planet Rock’s Rockstock Festival, Troy headed back into the studio with the same dream team that made his critically acclaimed album The Wings of Salvation such an authentic success.
“The Fever” is produced by Dave Marks (who also plays bass), and features Paul Stewart (The Feeling) on drums. The single is mixed by Jo Webb.
“The plan for The Fever was to make something bigger and ballsier than what has come before,” says Redfern. “I also wanted to expand the musical landscape with new colours and sonic horizons.”
“The Fever”is a slide guitar blues barn-buster with subtle nuances of rock, glam and psychedelia. Lyrically, it deals with themes of emancipation and breaking out. It’s Troy Redfern full-circle blues rock and roll!
“The Fever is about pushing back and breaking through all the obstacles when you’re feeling held down,” adds Redfern. “It’s about feeling as if it’s you against the world.”
Redfern’s current album, The Wings of Salvation is available digitally, on CD, and vinyl from theOfficial Troy Redfern Shop.
Californian stoner metal stalwarts BLACKWÜLF issue a brand new excerpt taken from their forthcoming fourth studio album Thieves & Liars, due out February 3rd on Ripple Music. Hear their galvanizing metal spell with the title track Thieves & Liars now…
Oakland, California’s BLACKWÜLF have roared back from the pandemic hiatus with their new Ripple Music album “Thieves and Liars”, recorded and produced in Oakland by Jesse Nichols (Iggy & The Stooges, Ty Segall, James Williamson). Borne out of the disintegration of the world around them, the new album encapsulates what the mighty five-piece does best: fist-pumping riffs, dark progressions, apocalyptic visions and plenty of epic heavy rock swagger.
Forging melody, message, and authenticity with heavy raw power, BLACKWÜLF have been purveying massive riff rock for over a decade. Drawing from influences found in the darker corners of your stepdad’s vinyl collection, the vintage five-piece outfit’s electric live performances and headbanging heaviness have converted a wide base of ravenous fans from Los Angeles to London. What distinguishes BLACKWÜLF from many of their contemporaries is a strong emphasis on “songs” rather than “sounds”, delivering a wide slab of listenable vintage-style heavy metal that draws its strengths from imaginative content and quality performance. Watch Blackwülf’s latest “Shadows” video –
Tracklist: 1. Shadow 2. Seems To Me 3. Killing Kind 4. Thieves And Liars 5. Failed Resistance 6. Psychonaut / Edge Of Light 7. Mysteries Of This 8. Brother 9. Cries For A Dying Star
Comprised of rock veteran players, BLACKWÜLF features Alex Cunningham on vocals, Pete Holmes on guitar, Jesse Rosales on guitar, Scott Peterson on bass, and Dave Pankenier on drums. Founded in 2012 in the San Francisco Bay Area, the band’s first vinyl release, “Mind Traveler” was released on Wickerman Records and met to critical acclaim. 2015 saw BLACKWÜLF aligning with premier California heavy rock label Ripple Music, and releasing their signature second album, “Oblivion Cycle”, a riffed-out metal tour de force, whose “serious stoner vibes” were praised by Decibel Magazine. 2018 found the band digging deeper into vintage metal roots, releasing their second Ripple Music vinyl, “Sinister Sides”; the album featured three guest tracks from a fan (and now friend) of the band, Geof O’Keefe, an original founder of Pentagram. BLACKWÜLF celebrated the release in the Spring of 2018 by performing as a featured artist at Austin’s South By Southwest Festival and then again across the pond at Desertfest Festival in London.BLACKWÜLF is Alex Cunningham — vocals Pete Holmes — guitar Jesse Rosales — guitar Scott Peterson — bass Dave Pankenier — drums
Two of the hottest blues rock acts have joined forces to embark on what promises to be one of the most exciting co-headline tours in recent years. Critically acclaimed Canadian roots/blues rockers The Commoners embark on a 15-date UK tour in April 2023 with the UK’s King of slide guitar, Troy Redfern. “A killer album from start to finish, The Commoners have delivered a real beauty dripping in quality, rich in its roots/rock heritage, they’ve absolutely nailed it.” – Rock N Load
The Commoners will perform tracks from their current album “Find A Better Way” which includes the singles “Fill My Cup,” “Find A Better Way,” and “Too Much.”
Classic Rock Magazine describes the new album as “Rootsy, soulful and bluesy, these are timeless songs steeped in classic rock tradition.”
The band is comprised of Chris Medhurst (lead vocals), Ross Hays Citrullo (guitar), Ben Spiller (bass guitar), Adam Cannon (drums), and Miles Evans (keyboards).
“Find A Better Way” was produced and mixed by the band’s guitarist Ross Hayes Citrullo, while the title track single was mixed by award-winning record Australian record producer Kevin Shirley (Joe Bonamassa, Black Crowes, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin).
photo by Will Carter
“Troy Redfern really comes over as a breath of fresh air in the blues rock world today. There isn’t one wasted moment on the album.” – Music News.com
“Troy Redfern has the best record of his career on his hands with The Wings of Salvation. Highly recommended.” – Rock Blues Muse
Hot off from winning Hard Rock Hell’s “Blues Artist of the Year” award and following hot on the heels of his recent singles “Come On,” “Gasoline,” “Sweet Carolina,” and “Mercy,” Troy Redfern’s current album, “The Wings of Salvation” has fast become the critics’ favourite and best-selling album to date.
After releasing an unprecedented six albums in just under two years, “The Wings of Salvation,” is being hailed as Redfern’s most compelling work to date. The album highlights Redfern’s powerfully edgy vocal delivery, condensed song writing skills, tight arrangements, complimented by his trademark “firebrand” slide guitar playing, giving him the moniker of Britain’s King of Slide Guitar.
Classic Rock Magazine made “The Wings of Salvation” their “Blues Album of the Month,” and said, “Sweet Carolina, thankfully, is more Bolan-Stones stomp than Neil Diamond syrup, while Come On is the best here, sharing a little bit of DNA with ZZ Top’s La Grange and stealing Muddy Waters’ pay-off (‘Got my mojo workin’). At this creative pace, you couldn’t catch him in a runaway stagecoach.”
Over the past 15 months, Troy has toured the UK with Robert Jon & The Wreck, The Quireboys, The Sweet, DARE, and When Rivers Meet, picking up new fans every step of the way. Championed by the UK’s Planet Rock, Troy’s singles “Come On” and “Sweet Carolina” have had repeated plays on the classic rock radio station’s main playlist. Troy recently played Planet Rock’s Rockstock Festival and will play Planet Rock’s Winter’s End Festival on February 5, 2023.
A DHP PRESENTATION BY ARRANGEMENT WITH GYPSY SOUL ENTERTAINMENT
THE COMMONERS & TROY REDFERN CO-HEADLINE APRIL 2023 UK TOUR
PLANET ROCK 48-HOUR TICKET PRE-SALE STARTS 10AM ON WEDNESDAY 11 JANUARY 2023 BOOK PRE-SALE TICKETS
Tony Martin joined Black Sabbath in 1987 for The Eternal Idol album, replacing Ray Gillen. Gillen went on to Badlands with Jake E Lee, but not before working on an album that would become The Eternal Idol. Martin would go on to sing & write on 4 further Sabbath albums, with a break when the band reunited for 1992’s Dehumanizer album with Dio. During Tony Martin’s era, there were a few line-up changes, and though it wasn’t a huge commercial successful period for the band (at least not in North America), many Sabbath fans enjoyed this era. Unfortunately, it didn’t end on a high note, and these albums have become harder to find on CD & LP! The era has also been brushed aside by some as the band carried on with a reunion of the original line-up (with and without Bill Ward), as well as a further reunion with Dio (as Heaven & Hell). And with all the reissues, box sets, etc.. that have been coming out steady over the past several years from the bands Ozzy and Dio eras, a Tony Martin set of proper reissues is long overdue, and are (hopefully) going to happen this year! (see article link below). Tony Martin also released an excellent solo album in 2022 titled Thorns. Below is a list of 10 great tracks from the Black Sabbath albums with Tony Martin. *check out the links below
The Shining
The first song and single from The Eternal Idol, a Sabbath classic. Written before Tony Martin joined. His writing contributions would begin on the next album. The Eternal Idol featured a number of players, notably Bob Daisley (who would co-write a lot of the lyrics), Eric Singer, Bev Bevan, and longtime Sabbath member Geoff Nichols (RIP). A lot of good tracks on this album!
Devil & Daughter
Headless Cross came out in ’89, co-produced by Iommi and new drummer Cozy Powell! The line-up on record also included Nichols, and bass player Laurence Cottle. A bit of a different approach in production, with space left between guitar for vocals, often at times over top of keys. But plenty of good songs on this one, all credited to Black Sabbath. “Devil & Daughter” is my favorite track here, and was also the single — a one-sided single (credited to Iommi, Powell and Martin).
When Death Calls
Also from Headless Cross, This is classic dark and evil sounding Sabbath. Highlighted by a Brian May guitar solo,
Nightwing
The last track on Headless Cross. Although this is solid heavy album, it does feature some different approaches, such as this ballad, featuring plenty of acoustic guitar, a few changes in pace, and a great vocal.
Anno Mundi
Opening 1990’s TYR album with acoustic guitar and light choir vocals before Tony Martin’s voice comes in and eventually the band kick in for a killer track. The song comes back to the acoustic guitar with organ and harmony accompaniment. I gotta say, this is the dark horse in the Black Sabbath catalogue for me. I never really got in to it when it came out, but over the years this has grown on me more than any other Sabbath record. Great album, making it difficult to just pick few tracks here. Love the cover art as well.
Jerusalem
Another great rocker from TYR! This would’ve made a great single; love the production on this album. Neil Murray on bass!
I Witness
And here we get to my favorite album from the Tony Martin period. As much as I loved the first Dio era, I wasn’t a fan of Dehumanizer, so for me, it was a shame to have that break with Tony Martin because Cross Purposes (IMO) is a fantastic album, and I played the crap out of this when it came out in ’94. This one saw Geezer Butler still with to the band (after Dehumanizer), as well featured new drummer Bobby Rondinelli. Anyway, “I Witness” revs up and kicks in, a great driving rocker and opener.
Cross Of Thorns
Well, probably my favorite track from this era. Again, something a bit different with the quieter acoustic / vocal beginning, before the heavy build up, and returning softer verses. Dig the build up to Iommi’s solo, and an awesome song for Tony Martin’s vocals. This would’ve made a fantastic single, a shame as there appears to have been no commercial single from this album.
Hand That Rocks The Cradle
Another killer track from Cross Purposes that begins softly with acoustic guitar and keyboard before the band kicks in. Lots of light and shade on this track and album, and I feel Tony Martin’s best contributions (writing and vocally). Pretty decent album cover to boot.
Rusty Angels
So, Geezer Butler leaves to join Ozzy (briefly), making way for Neil Murray to return, and Cozy Powell returns on drums. But, not sure who was steering the ship here as Body Count (Ice T) guitarist Ernie Cunnigan is brought in to produce Forbidden. WTF!? I’ve never given this album much play, probably due to that rap connection, but hearing it now, it’s not all that bad! I picked “Rusty Angels” here, a pretty straight forward rocker, with a good chorus. Forbidden would be the last to feature Tony Martin, Geoff Nichols, Neil Murray, and Cozy Powell (RIP).
Well, Heep’s The Magician’s Birthday turned 50 in November! (Yes, I’m late on this) It was released a mere 6 months after the band’s hugely successful Demons And Wizards. Demons would become the band’s biggest album – a worldwide success that featured the hit single “Easy Livin”, and propelled the band in to being a headlining act around the world, particularly in North America. Back then record company mentality was to strike while the iron was hot, so it was not as crazy as it sounds today for a band to be hurried into record another album so soon to capitalize on success. The Magician’s Birthday is a classic Heep album, and for many maybe the band’s best (or one of). The album would make a great pairing to Demons And Wizards with it’s Roger Dean artwork, and fantasy themes in various songs. It did however, (IMO) sound a bit rushed, lacking in the grander production of it’s predecessor. The Magician’s Birthday was originally conceived as a concept album of songs Ken Hensley was coming up with based on a short story he was writing, and never finished. The story according to details in a Circus magazine feature were about “a magician who throws a bizarrely supernatural party to celebrate his 500th birthday… the magician would invite his rivals to a party, throw a huge feast where an orchestra of orchids would provide the entertainment, then end it all with a spectacular show of the spells and tricks he’d learned in nearly half a millennium on earth.” The article goes on to tell how the rest of the band didn’t share Hensley’s vision for a concept album at the time – “They were afraid that a total concept LP would come across like an opera, and stir up bitter comparisons to Tommy. So they kept five songs Hensley had composed about the spell-bound feast, but added ‘Spider Woman’ and ‘Rain’…” Ken Hensley stated over the years that the record’s release date was moved up and there was no time to finish it properly. In a 1973 interview with Geoff Brown, he stated – “I think there were some great songs on the album and I think there would’ve been even better songs had we had another two or three weeks to go through all the material. The time allotted was slotted in between tours and things didn’t go well for us in the early stages like they normally do. …Having mixed the last track we left the studio at 7:30 am and 4 and a half hours later we were on a plane to the States. That shows the sort of screws that we were on.”
Ken Hensley, in a 2016 interview with Jeb Wright recalled – “I was writing a short story called The Magician´s Birthday and the title track was the core song from which all the others spread out to paint the complete picture. It would have been so cool, but they took away my time and I consider this album to be less than 60% of what it could have been. Very disappointing.”
The Magician’s Birthday however, would go on to be one of the band’s most successful, with almost all songs from it returning to the live show over the decades. Side one opens with the organ and build up intro to “Sunrise”, a classic Heep heavy near ballad, with those high end Heep harmonies coming in early on, and certainly one of David Byron’s most passionate vocals. The song would be the tour opener, and thus opener for Heep’s historic Live album. Mick Box once told Metal Hammer – “We used vocals on this one is a very different way. It’s like a car starting up almost. We used very heavy vibrato and really played on it. We weren’t quite sure about the song at first, but once we recorded it – it sounded really great.”
The next track, “Spider Woman” was a short upbeat rock tune highlighted by slide guitar, followed by “Blind Eye”, another good guitar based tune (and B-side in North America). “Spider Woman”, co-written by Box / Byron / Kerslake & Thain was issued as a single in many parts of Europe, and was a hit in Germany (#14). And although it was a short and somewhat catchy tune, I don’t know that it was the right choice to represent the album as a single, in comparison to a number of other songs here. I am also quite certain it is the lone track from The Magician’s Birthday never to be played live. “Blind Eye” was brought back for the band’s Acoustically Driven live recording (and Electrically Driven), featuring Ian Anderson on flute. This first side (or whole album) featured less heavy keyboards, and I think less heavy guitars. And this approach, as with the previous 2 mentioned tracks IMO suggest things were hurried and less produced than the previous album. “Echoes In The Dark” is a dark atmospheric number, one of my favorites here, and an under mentioned gem in Heep’s ’70s catalogue; again highlighted by Byron’s vocal and Hensley’s slide guitar. It would’ve been part of Hensley’s original concept, and was brought back for the band’s Acoustically Driven show decades later. The first side ends with one of the band’s most loved ballads, “Rain”, which is a short piano tune, written by Hensley and interestingly also appeared on his solo album Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf, which came out a few months later. Although I like this album, this first side did not capture my attention as the first side of Demons And Wizards had. I think just less cohesive and lacks a greater Heep epic (there’s no “Circle Of Hands” here folks!). But I am sure there will a Heep fan out there who disagrees with me (!?). Side two, for me, is better.
Side two opens with “Sweet Lorraine”, penned by Box, Byron & Thain. It would be the single in North America, and closest thing to a follow up to “Easy Livin”, though it wasn’t a huge success, reaching #91 in the US, but predicted to be a top 40 by Canada’s Cash Box – “Sweet Lorraine (3:10) (WB Music, ASCAP-Box, Byron, Thain) Following their surcess with “Easy Livin,” Uriah Heep pull new single from their “Magician’s Birthday” album with plenty of surprises in store for listen- ers. Group should continue with their top 40 success. Flip: “Blind Eye” (3:33) (WB Music, ASCAP-Hensley)“
“Sweet Lorraine” wasn’t as heavy as “Easy Livin”, but it is as memorable IMO, and is highlighted by Hensley’s lengthy moog solo. I can’t help but wish the guitar riff in the intro was higher in the mix (or as high as) the moog synths. “Sweet Lorraine” would become a constant high point in the band’s set list throughout the ’70s, and recently returned to the band’s set for their 50th Anniversary tour. Given the number of fine cover versions of “Sunrise” and (more so) “Rain”, I am surprised there are very few covers of “Sweet Lorraine”, no major ones, particularly given the song’s popularity in the US.
Next up is the acoustic ballad “Tales”, another underrated classic in the Heep catalogue and a favorite of many fans from this album. One of the 3 tracks originally to be part of Ken Hensley’s concept idea, with some of his finest words – “And there you sit, tomorrow’s child – So full of love, so full of life – But you must rise to meet the day – Lest you become another tale.” “Tales” was also brought back for the band’s 50th Anniversary show, as well as being included in Hensley’s solo shows. A shame Heep’s label’s never pushed more than 1 single per album (at least in North America), as “Tales” would’ve been an excellent choice.
The album is brought to a close with the 10 and a half minute title track. Penned by Hensley and co-credited to Box and Kerslake, as the high point of the song is the guitar vs drum duel that is featured in the song. It was done in 1 take. Kerslake also plays a homemade kazoo in this one. In a 2014 interview Kerslake recalled – “I said to Gerry Bron, this is going to be good – it’s going to be a fight between the white wizard and the black wizard, ya know good and evil. And he said “that’s a good idea, have a run through it”, and I said “I’ll tell ya what Gerry – just roll the tape because the intensity that me and Mick play it – this is going to be a one-off or nothing”. and we just played it so on, it was unbelievable; it was just so tight! we were laughing and smiling at each other in the studio, and I went “you’ve got no chance Gerry!”. and he said “I don’t need one.” that was brilliant, and that was it! So they put that right in the song, it was an integral part of the song, so Ken said “right, you wrote that with me. So me, you and Mick. …done- agreed!” This song has also been brought back to the band’s live show on a number of tours over the last couple of decades.
Aside from the classic Roger Dean artwork, The Magician’s Birthday came in a gatefold sleeve, with band pics taken at the Buxton Festival, UK, by Fin Costello. It would also be the last Heep studio album to feature liner notes from Ken Hensley! (Tho he would add liner notes to the 1974 Downunda compilation for Australian & New Zealand). Later remastered and expanded versions of The Magician’s Birthday would also include such outtake as the excellent Gary Thain penned “Crystal Ball” and a band take of “Proud Words”, which would wind up as the title song to Ken Hensley’s solo album (Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf). The band received a Gold record award for the album in the US, where it reached #31, and placed higher in Canada and the UK, and particularly Finland where it was #1, and few other countries where it was top 10 (Norway, Germany, Denmark, Australia).
The band would move on from the fantasy themes (for the most part), as well as the Roger Dean album covers, and the lengthy epic closing tracks, and following Live…January 1973, would move from Mercury to the larger Warner Bros label in North America.
UFO’s comeback album Walk On Water from 1995 is finally getting released on vinyl. Walk On Water saw Michael Schenker return to the band, reuniting the classic line up with Phil Mogg, Paul Raymond, Andy Parker and Pete Way. This is my favorite UFO album, and arguably their best studio recording, being beefed up with re-recordings of the band’s classics “Doctor Doctor” and “Lights Out”. It featured a number of great riffs, and heavy rockers “Self-Made Man”, “Venus”, and “Pushed To The Limit” – which all featured in the band’s live show, as well (my own) favorites “Darker Days” and “Dreaming Of Summer”. Every track on this album rocks. I always put Walk On Water alongside Deep Purple’s Purpendicular (94) and Uriah Heep’s Sea of Light (95) as the best comeback albums (or just best albums!) of the ’90s.
By the time Walk On Water came out Andy Parker was not on the tour, nor the 2 follow-up albums w/ Schenker. When I saw the band in Buffalo (a show recorded and used as ‘bonus’ material on the next album) Simon Wright (ex AC/DC, Dio) was in the band), and the band was selling a version of the CD at shows with 1 less track. The album’s cover varied from country to country when it came out as well. This vinyl edition of Walk On Water features the band’s 8 new songs on the LP, and the 2 re-recordings on an accompanying 7 inch vinyl. Also being released on vinyl is the band’s live album Werewolves Of London (Live in Wolverhampton 1998). Werewolves is also being reissued on cassette & CD. *I believe this just leaves the 2 follow-ups to Walk On Water — Covenant (2000) and Sharks (2002) as the band’s only studio albums yet to be issued on vinyl LP.
Steppenwolf “The Epic Years 1974-1976” 3CD Box Set To Be Released January 27, 2023
STEPPENWOLF’s 3 albums following the band’s break-up and reformation in the mid 70s is a nice follow up to last years Magic Carpet Ride 8-CD box set, which covered the band’s highly successful era from 1967-71. The 3 albums included here would be the last Steppenwolf band albums, as they’d break-up again, and John Kay would form a new band into the ’80s as ‘John Kay & Steppenwolf’. This era would include a couple of different keyboard players, as well as ex-Kindred guitarist Bobby Cochran – nephew of Eddie Cochrane.
Slow Flux came out in 1974, and featured the band’s last Top 40 hit – “Straight Shootin’ Woman”, as well as the singles “Get Into The Wind” and “Smokey Factory Blues”. Slow Flux was a solid album, which included such other memorable tracks as “Gang War Blues”, “Children Of Night, and “A Fool’s Fantasy”. Following this album keyboardist Goldy McJohn was replaced with Andy Chapin.
Hour Of The Wolf was released in ’75, and featured the single “Caroline (Are You Ready For The Outlaw World)”, which was penned by Mars Bonfire (who’d previously written “Born To Be Wild”). This album didn’t fare well at the time , but I think it’s another good album with cuts like “Two For The Love Of One”, “Mr Penny Pincher”, and the lighter “Just For Tonight”. After this album Chapin left the band and went on to join Ricky Nelson’s band, where he met his end in the band’s plane crash on New Year’s Eve of 1985. This disc adds 2 bonus tracks, notably the B-side “Angeldrawers”.
Steppenwolf would record one further album – 1976’s Skullduggery. I really liked this one. It featured keyboard player Wayne Cook (ex Goodthunder). This album would something of a contractual obligation record, with there being no single from it or a promotional tour, so I can’t imagine it did very well back then. Nevertheless, it features some fine tunes, notably the title track to kick things off, written by Cochran as well as a cover of the Junior Walker hit “(I’m A) Roadrunner”, (penned by Motown’s Holland-Dozier-Holand), “Train Of Thought” (penned by American songwriter Alan O’Day), and the funky instrumental “Lip Service”. Wayne Cook would go on to work with the LA Jets, join Player, and tour with Alice Cooper (he can be found on Live At The Apollo Theatre, Glasgow 1982), among other things. Kay would record a solo album – All In Good Time, in 1978.
An interesting, final chapter in Steppenwolf’s ’70s recordings. These albums may not have featured hits as their previous albums had, but there is certainly is plenty of fine songs that make each of these albums enjoyable. Wish there were a few more rarities or outtakes from this period to include, but oh well – a fine trio of ’70s rock albums.
*Check out the press release , track listings, and pre-order link below.
• NEW 3CD CLAMSHELL BOXED SET FEATURING ALL THE RECORDINGS ISSUED BY STEPPENWOLF FOR THE EPIC LABEL BETWEEN 1974 AND 1976.
• FEATURING THEIR THREE ALBUMS PLUS TWO ADDITIONAL BONUS TRACKS. WITH AN ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET FEATURING AN ESSAY AND INTERVIEWS
Steppenwolf was formed in 1967 in LA by John Kay (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Goldy McJohn (organ, piano) and Jerry Edmonton (drums) who were previously members of the Canadian band The Sparrows. They were joined by Michael Monarch (lead guitar) and Rushton Moreve (bass). The band signed to Dunhill / ABC Records and were propelled to success in 1968 with their classic single “Born To Be Wild” which became even wider known when the track was featured to great effect in the classic 1969 counterculture film Easy Rider.
Over the next four years the band released eight albums and enjoyed huge success. In February 1972 Steppenwolf disbanded, with John Kay recording a solo album, but by ’74 they had emerged once again and over the next three years they would record three further albums for Epic.
Following on from “Magic Carpet Ride,” Esoteric’s acclaimed boxed set of the first era of Steppenwolf’s career, “The Epic Years 1974-1976” gathers together all of these albums, along with two rare bonus tracks. The set also includes an illustrated booklet with a new essay by Steppenwolf aficionado Jim Christopulos.
Track Listing:
DISC ONE – Slow Flux 1 Gang War Blues 2 Children of Night 3 Justice Don’t Be Slow 4 Get into the Wind 5 Jeraboah 6 Straight Shootin’ Woman 7 Smokey Factory Blues 8 Morning Blue 9 A Fool’s Fantasy 10 Fishin’ in the Dark
DISC TWO – Hour Of The Wolf 1 Caroline (Are You Ready for the Outlaw World) 2 Annie, Annie Over 3 Two for the Love of One 4 Just for Tonight 5 Hard Rock Road 6 Someone Told a Lie 7 Another’s Lifetime 8 Mr. Penny Pincher Bonus tracks 9 Angeldrawers (B-side of single) 10 Caroline (Are You Ready for the Outlaw World) (Mono promotional single mix)
DISC THREE – Skullduggery 1 Skullduggery 2 (I’m a) Road Runner 3 Rock n’ Roll Song 4 Train of Thought 5 Life is a Gamble 6 Pass it On 7 Sleep 8 Lip Service
There’s another Ken Hensley release coming which will offer 4 of his albums from 1999 to 2005. This is the period Ken decided to return to recording music and performing live, as well as moving out of the US. Past & Present (Songs In Times) – A Ken Hensley Anthology 1972-2021 follows recent CD box sets The Bronze Years : 1973-1981, and Tales of Live Fire & Other Mysteries. The 4 albums included in full are A Glimpse Of Glory (1999), Running Blind (2001), The Last Dance (2003), and Cold Autumn Sunday (2005). All these CDs are welcomed as a few of them have become pricier and/or harder to find over the years. For whatever reason there is the omission of 2004’s The Wizards Diary, Volume One – which was Ken’s retakes of a number of Uriah Heep classics that he wrote. But for those 4 CDs alone, this package will be worth it to most fans. The first and last CDs here are not necessary IMO, but presumably included to make this a career spanning anthology package. CD one titled ‘Solo‘, consists of a ‘best of’ from Hensley’s Bronze era solo albums, as well as a half dozen Heep gems from Demons And Wizards and The Magician’s Birthday (and not the predictable hits). CD six is titled ‘Collaborations‘ , and includes tracks from Faster (2011, w/ LIve Fire) right through to a pair from Ken’s last album My Book Of Answers. Absent are some of Ken’s real collaborations and guest appearances with some acts (notably the Toni Rowland album Ken produced and played on in 2007); these would’ve been nice gems to add. Also excluded not included here or elsewhere (yet) is Ken’s 1994 CD of unreleased songs & rarities From Time To Time, or any of Ken’s live collaborations with John Lawton, John Wetton or his guest appearances with Uriah Heep. But hopefully some of these will be included on something further down the line.
Outsider Rock 