The Outlaws Anthology (Live and Rare) has been reissued on vinyl. This set was originally released in 2012 as a 4 CD set. The new 4-LP box set comes with book, and colored LPs, and with new artwork. The Outlaws were one of those classic American bands who played southern rock, with elements of country and hard rock. as well. They had a number of hits such as a cover of Stanley Jones 1961 hit “Ghost Riders In The Sky”, as well as “There Goes Another Love Song”, and perhaps best known epic jam “Green Grass & High Tides”. * For more on this release, check out the press release below.
At the crossroads of Southern Rock and Traditional Country music stood one band – Outlaws. Led by a superb triple guitar assault of Hughie Thomasson, Henry Paul and Billy Jones, later dubbed The Florida Guitar Army, Outlaws found themselves at the center of the Southern rock whirlwind of the early ‘70s with no less than Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant singing the band’s praises to anyone who would listen including Arista Records founder Clive Davis, who would sign Outlaws and issue their first 7 studio albums.
Listening to this box set of live recordings and rare demos, Anthology – Live & Rare, it’s easy to see why. The band were a uniquely electrifying group who wrote and performed together as if they had been playing as a group for decades rather than just the few years it had actually been. These recordings have been released previously on CD and digital but this is the first time that most of these early live recordings have been issued on vinyl. Taken altogether, Anthology – Live & Rare is over 3 hours of incredible southern fried rock showcasing the band at the very height of their powers, playing such epics as “Green Grass & High Tides” plus “There Goes Another Love Song,” “Hurry Sundown,” and lots more!
Each of the 4LPs comes in a unique color with its own full-color sleeve and packaged in a clamshell box with a large 16-page color booklet filled with rare photos and informative liner notes. Available everywhere starting March 31!
LP1 SIDE A Denver, CO (August 1975) 1. Waterhole 2. Stick Around For Rock & Roll 3. Knoxville Girl 4. There Goes Another Love Song STUDIO DEMO 5. Song For You
LP1 SIDE B Bryn Mawr, PA (August 1975) 1. Song For You 2. Prisoner 3. Redneck Friend Cleveland, OH (September 1975) 4. There Goes Another Love Song 5. Freeborn Man STUDIO DEMO 6. Never See Your Face
LP2 SIDE A Cleveland, OH (September 1975) 1. Kansas City Queen Record Plant – Sausalito, CA (November 1975) 2. Song In The Breeze 3. Knoxville Girl 4. Cry No More
LP2 SIDE B Record Plant – Sausalito, CA (November 1975) 1. Green Grass & High Tides STUDIO DEMOS 2. It Follows From The Heart 3. Freeborn Man
LP3 SIDE A Record Plant – Los Angeles, CA (November 1976) 1. Waterhole 2. Stick Around For Rock & Roll 3. Song In The Breeze 4. Lover Boy 5. Freeborn Man
LP3 SIDE B Record Plant – Los Angeles, CA (November 1976) 1. Cry No More 2. Knoxville Girl 3. Green Grass & High Tides 4. There Goes Another Love Song
LP4 SIDE A STUDIO DEMOS 1. Gunsmoke 2. Holiday 3. Hurry Sundown 4. Cold & Lonesome 5. Night Wines 6. Heavenly Blues
LP4 SIDE B STUDIO DEMOS 1. Windy Cities Blues 2. Nighttime’s Passing Dream 3. True Love At First Sight 4. Where Does It Go From There 5. Goodbye Tupelo 6. Alone With You Again 7. Two Time Blues
Ricky Warwick is the lead singer, guitar player, and main songwriter in Black Star Riders. BSR began as a reformed Thin Lizzy, but changed the name when they decided to move on to recording original material. The band’s brand new (and fifth) album is titled Wrong Side Of Paradise (Earache Records), and features the singles “Riding Out The Storm” and “Better Than Saturday Night” (featuring Joe Elliott).
I recently spoke to Ricky about the band’s new album, new line-up, and upcoming tour, among things. Check it out, and check out the links below!
What’s the current line-up of Black Star Riders? You’ve had more changes since making the album.
Yeah, Christian Martucci is no longer with us. He’s had to go back to Corey Taylor because Corey’s busy, working on a new solo record. So sadly Christian had to depart because that’s really Christian’s main gig and the pandemic kinda screwed with our time-line a little bit, and availability and stuff like that. So, right now the line-up of the band is myself, Robbie Crane on bass, Sam Wood on (the other) guitar, and Zak St John on drums. But, for the current 10th Anniversary tour we’re doing in the UK we have Jimmy DeGrasso back on drums, and Scott Gorham is rejoining for the tour – but this tour only!
On the new album you’ve handled most of the writing. How did that go because on previous albums you worked with Scott …
Well I’ve always done the majority of the writing on every Black Star Riders record. I split it with sorta Damon Johnson but i wrote most of the main guitar riffs, I’ve always done that. So it wasn’t really any different for me, I just continued doing what I was doing, and bounce some ideas off Christian. So it didn’t really phase me, I’m a songwriter that’s kinda what I do. You know, Scott didn’t bring in a lot of ideas but what he brought in was always amazing! He’d bring 3 or 4 ideas in on a record, and they were always just fantastic, as you can imagine. So, it wasn’t like suddenly it was all down to me to write it on my own because I’d been doing a bunch of that anyway. Just with the pandemic and not being able to get together I just felt I was able to finish more of the songs on my own before sending them to the guys this time. And in fairness – when I sent them to the guys they were like ‘These are done, let’s record them! We don’t really want to change anything.’ So that’s good on those guys for not tinkering with my vision of what the songs were and just getting it. And that’s just the way it worked out this time around, really.
You’ve got a lot of great riffs on the album. What is your process for coming up with ideas and that? Do you carry around a recorder?
Yeah, it’s old-school. It’s an I-phone, it’s as simple as that. Everything is sung and played in to my I-phone, and then i ‘garage-band’ it, very very basic, and send it to the others and get their input and see what they think. I’m a big believer in the song has to be something you can sit down and play and I’d say 90& of when we write is based around that in it’s purest form so you can pick up an acoustic guitar and play the song right through. And then you can start to embellish it, take it apart and start adding riffs and ideas and stuff like that.
Lyric-wise, what do you draw from?
Everything! Lyrics to me, you’re giving your opinion – your opinion on the world, and your life as you see it, and what effects you. Lyrics are like a diary, so that’s just really what it is – ‘this is what I think, and this is what’s going on around me, this is what’s happening to my friends, my family, and this is what I think is going on politically in the world.’ And you’re giving an opinion. I like to tell stories, I like to create a lot of images lyrically, as well, and bring the person in and have some narrative going on. That’s because the lyricists I admire tend to write that way as well.
Can you talk about a few of the songs here, like the title track, Riding Out The Storm, and Better Than Saturday Night – those all stand out.
Sure. ‘Wrong Side of Paradise’ came about out of sheer frustration with the fact that as a species in society, we have all this fantastic technology and all this wealth and instead of it making us better it seems to be dragging us backwards and making us worse. There’s more hunger and starvation and bigotry and hatred; it’s just complete craziness going on in the world – more than there ever seems to be, when we have the means at our disposal to make the world a better place. And growing up in Northern Ireland I saw what hatred and bigotry and guns and bombs did all throughout my childhood. And it solves nothing, we don’t seem to learn from it, we just keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again. And it’s people working 3 jobs just to keep a job over their heads, and people just can’t get a head in life, you can’t get that little bit of hope, and we’re all chasing that dream, you know just to get a little piece, and we’re just lied to by politicians, there’s people that are in power that I think should be locked up in jail, and lots of those people should not be anywhere near deciding what’s right for humanity. And it’s just sad. And it’s really directed at that and people that buy in to the whole myth and that whole lie that they have our best interests at heart – because they don’t. And we keep making the same mistakes. So that’s really where ‘Wrong Side Of Paradise’ is about. ‘Riding Out The Storm’ is quite a personal song. It’s quite a narrative of where I’m at in my own life, after losing my parents over the last couple of years and some close friends that passed away, and myself getting older, and the road ahead of me is definitely shorter than the road behind me, And just where I see the rest of my life and where I see what’s happened in the road that I’ve gone down, the choices that I’ve made, the friends that I’ve made And lost. It’s just a reflection of my own life. You know, I gave up drinking alcohol about a year ago and it’s mentioned in the lyrics that ‘the devil comes out when the whiskey goes in’ – I could trace a lot of bad decisions and things being associated with that. And when I stopped things got infintely better. It’s just a reflection on growing up where I grew up and the culture that I grew up in. And ‘Better Than Saturday Night’ I wrote for my youngest daughter, because she’s such an inspiration – she’s so full of life, she’s so positive, she’s so great. I love her attitude, I love the way she deals with things, and I just find that really inspiring so I wrote that song for her. And that’s just a real upbeat, positive tune.
There’s a lot of great tunes here – As far as the live set, how much of it do you hope to play and put in to the live show?
Thank you. We’re playing a few; I think we’re playing 5 from the new record in a 20 song set. So plenty of old material, but you’re going to get 5 new songs as well.
Where did the idea to cover Crazy Horses come from?
(haha). You know, I’ve just always loved that song since I was a kid, and the guys dug it as well. And I said ‘we should just do it’, and we started messing around with it, and it sounded really good, and they said ‘just do it, let’s put it on the album.’ This is the first cover version that Black Star Riders have ever done. People wouldn’t think that would be an obvious choice for us, but it’s such a great riff and a great song. And great lyrics – there’s great meaning in those lyrics. They were way ahead of their time when they’re talking about the pollution of the planet back in the early ’70s. It just always resonated with me, and I thought let’s just do it, let’s have some fun with it, nothing other than that.
So Scott’s gone on to do the Thin Lizzy thing again, will you be involved with that?
Absolutely, yes!
Is there anything lined up with that?
I’m not sure. I really kinda let Scott that’s his thing, I’ll let him work on that. And if he’s ‘Hey we got some shows.’ Boom – I’m there! I know he’s working on some stuff for later in the year, so I’m sure when it’s all put in place I’ll get a call. So yeah, I’m very much still involved in that, which I’m very honored to be, of course!
The Live and Dangerous box came out, did you get it?
Not yet, it came out a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve been in the UK for the last (almost) 3 weeks now, so I believe there’s one waiting for me when I get back to Los Angeles.
How much of an impact did that album have on you?
Huge! Thin Lizzy had a huge impact on me.. and still do to this day. It’s an honor and a privilege that I get to sing those songs, but take away and I’m a Thin Lizzy fanatic – I’m a nut! Phil, to me is the greatest frontman that there ever was. So yeah – huge impact, I can’t stress that enough!
So you have a UK tour coming up. With Scott being there, will that also include songs from the new album?
Oh yeah, we’re absolutely playing songs from the new album. Scott won’t be playing on those. What happens is we come out as a 4-piece and we do about a half dozen songs as a 4-piece and some songs from the new album, and then Scott comes out and rejoins us, and we do stuff from the back catalogue for the rest of the show.
Simon McBride is also from Northern Ireland, I’m wondering what your thoughts are on his being apart of Deep Purple(?)
Oh that’s great! I don’t know Simon, I’ve never met him. But that’s a fantastic opportunity for him, and he’s a great guitar player, so I’m sure he’ll do really really well.
I usually ask people for a Top 10, so I was wondering if you can give me a few albums, obviously the Thin Lizzy stuff….What other albums growing up..
Nevermind The Bollocks by the Sex Pistols, No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith Motorhead, Stiff Little Fingers – Inflammable Material , MC5 – Kick Out The Jams, London Calling by The Clash, Ogdens Nut Gone Flake by the Small Faces… yeah, stuff like that. It’s hard to pick 10 off the top of my head.
Are you familiar with any Canadian bands?
Yeah. I’m a big fan of Danko Jones. I love Danko, I think he’s brilliant, I think the band’s great, I think they’re an amazing band. Obviously so many greats like Bachman Turner Overdrive.
Can you give me a few words on the new album cover?
It just depicts me growing up in Northern Ireland where barricades and walls were everywhere because of the situation back then. You know as a kid I was always like ‘Why is our street barricaded off? Why is there a wall there? What’s on the other side of it? Is it better?’ You become fascinated with it. And sadly, I think as we’ve gone on we’re still erecting walls, we’re still erecting barricades to keep us segregated and separated instead of building bridges to unite us and bring us together and get a bit more empathy and understanding going on in the world.
With all the albums coming out, the variants and stuff – do you keep a collection yourself?
I do! I’m a big vinyl junkie myself. I’ve just done a huge in-store tour in the UK where I did 20 record stores in the last 13 days, And I played acoustically at every in-store as well. I love vinyl, and I love record stores. It’s a great way to meet people who have bought the new album. It was fantastic! So yeah, I’m full on when it comes to that.
Anything else you can tell me about the new album?
Well, obviously we’ve got Joe Elliott singing on ‘Better Than Saturday Night’, so that’s cool – if people want to check that out. Joe’s on there, and sounding great! It’s just a killer record! I’m really proud of it. I think it sounds huge, and it rocks very very hard, and people should check it out.
How did you get Joe on the album?
Joe has been a friend for many many years, and Joe produced 2 of my solo records. He’s a really good friend, and I’ve collaborated before with him on stuff. It’s just a no-brainer, I thought he’d be great on the track, and he’s only too happy to do it, which is just amazing.
American band Journey is celebrating their 50th anniversary. The band is largely known as an AOR rock band with a huge string of hits, including a number of ballads throughout the ’80s, hits and albums that featured the vocals of Steve Perry. The band has carried on since those days with a few changes in personnel, most notably the loss of Perry years ago. The band currently revolves around founding member & guitarist Neil Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain – both of whom happen to be publicly feuding. What many who’ve followed the band since the ’80s, and who are content to hear the band’s hits from Escape and Frontiers is that the band had a life in the ’70s – well before Jonathan Cain and even before Steve Perry. The band’s most famous frontman joined in October of 1977, in time for the band’s fourth album, and Jonathan Cain joined in 1980, prior to the band’s massively successful Escape album. Journey originally included Neal Schon (ex Santana, Azteca w/ Larry Graham) and Gregg Rolie (keyboards, lead vocals, ex Santana), Ross Valory (bass, ex Frumious Bandersnatch, Steve Miller Band), Prairie Prince (drums, soon to be replaced by) the legendary Aynsley Dunbar from Britain (ex of The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation, John Mayall, Frank Zappa, David Bowie), and George Tickner (guitar, ex Jerry Garcia band, Frumious Bandersnatch). Tickner was rhythm guitarist in the beginning, but left after the band’s first album and Dunbar left after the band’s fourth album. Early on the band made a name for themselves as a big concert draw in the San Francisco area, prior to signing with Columbia in 1974, as well as their previous connections. Although the band didn’t have a lot of commercial success in the early years with their more progressive-fusion hard rock, they did turn out a trio of fine albums, the debut being one of my favorite Journey albums. When Steve Perry joined Journey, the band had 2 lead vocalists, tho’ Perry was the frontman and sang more, Gregg Rolie could still add a different voice on record and on stage, and his Hammond organ playing was excellent on those ’70s albums.
I’ve compiled a list of classic Journey songs from that first decade with Gregg Rolie, and many with Aynsley Dunbar who deserves a lot of credit on those early albums.
Of A Lifetime
The first song on the band’s debut album, “Of A Lifetime” was written by Schon, Rolie, and Tickner. It features a memorable riff played throughout and leaves plenty of room for the band just to jam away on this heavier progressive heavy number, clocking in at nearly 7 minutes. Not sure if this one ever got much radio play, but I’m sure it was in the band’s live show for a number of years. Probably my favorite Journey song of the decade.
Topaz
Journey’s first album also included a few lengthier instrumental cuts, such as “Kohoutek”, and this one on side 2. Written by George Tickner, this is just a fantastic trip of a song, with highs and lows, love the guitar throughout, as well as the different keyboards adding to the atmosphere here. I’ve read press articles that label Journey back then as a ‘jazz rock’ and even ‘latin-rock’ band; these guys were pretty out there. Classic late-night ’70s guitar driven prog rock.
Look Into The Future
The epic title track to the band’s 2nd album. Look Into The Future (the album) was more of a straight ahead hard rock album, but it did have some really good songs on it. This song offered a bit more, I think. I presume a great live number during the era. Cool cover art. Look Into The Future also included a cover of George Harrison’s “It’s All Too Much”.
I’m Gonna Leave You
Clocking in at 7 minutes, co-written by Rolie, Schon and George Tickner (who was no longer in the band). This is probably the heaviest track on Look Into The Future. A classic ’70s heavy progressive cut, full of heavy guitars, and Hammond organ, like these guys could’ve been mistaken for a British band. A fine album closer.
Spaceman
Kind of an interesting song for an album opener. Co-written by Rolie and Aynsley Dunbar, this one opens featuring piano, not exactly a hard rocker, nor a ballad, but what a great track. i presume this one is about skydiving or handgliding – Don’t be so wise, I was born to fly, Not without a place in the wind, Walked off a cliff, then I closed my eyes, Oh, I’m not a spaceman, no, no Oh, I’m not a spaceman. This one was a single, a shame it wasn’t a hit. The piano and melody are a hint of what was to come.
Nickle And Dime
The lone instrumental piece from the Next album. Credited to Valory, Schon, Rolie, and George Tickner! An excellent track, a bit of jazz, progressive, and rockin’…. a definitely reminds one of Rush’s epic “Xanadu” in a few parts- which followed 6 months later. “Nickel And Dime” was the B-side to “Spaceman”. Songs from those first 3 Journey albums would make up the 2 LP compilation In The Beginning, released in 1979.
For You
The first track to feature Robert Fleischman as a co-writer, and the only released Journey song with his lead vocals (on the Time 3 compilation). I’ve included it as it shows a more commercial approach, plus it’s a good song, and Fleischman had a good rock voice and range. The singer would re-record this song (“All For You”) for his 1979 solo album Perfect Stranger.
Wheel In The Sky
Following the band’s third album the band’s record label wanted Journey to get a frontman, and start turning out some hits. The band’s first choice was Robert Fleishman. For various reasons Fleishman only lasted a few months as the band brought in Steve Perry. But, Fleishman did co-write and demo a number of songs with the band, a few of which ended up on 1977’s Infinity– the first with Steve Perry. “Wheel In The Sky” would be the band’s first big hit, co-written with Diane Valory and Neal Schon.
Feeling That Way / Anytime
I’ve put these 2 together, because of the way they run together – one ending with a vocal and the other quickly beginning the same. They are usually played together on the radio (especially FM), and in the live show (see the Captured live set). “Feeling That Way” starts out with piano (ala Elton John) and Gregg Rolie’s vocals before Steve Perry and the band come in. Infinity featured 3 hit singles with “Anytime” (co-written by the band (w/ Fleischman) being one of them. Both songs featuring both singers, great guitar solos, the band’s harmonies… Journey never got much better than this! The last album to feature Aynsley Dunbar.
Just The Same Way
Another classic featuring Gregg Rolie singing lead, and Steve Perry singing back up. This one from 1979’s Evolution album. Co-written by Rolie, Schon and Ross Valory). A pretty short tune, but another excellent example of how good this line-up was. Evolution was the first to feature drummer Steve Smith. It also featured the hit “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin'”, which reminds me of Uriah Heep’s “Your Turn To Remember” from 1975.
Anyway You Want It
A great start to a hard rockin’ album, co-written by Steve Perry & Neal Schon (like most songs here). I hear this song and I can’t help but think of Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack! This album is Perry’s best with the band , IMO. He co-wrote every song; sang all but one, and Departure featured less ballads than the previous 2 records, and would be the first to include Kevin Elson as producer. Elson would continue with the band during their most successful period in the ’80s.
Someday Soon
One of 2 tracks that Gregg Rolie co-wrote on Departure, and the last one he sang lead on. An excellent song. Too bad it wasn’t released as a single!
I’m Cryin’
I was going to stop at 12, but listening to this one, I had to include it. The other co-write from Perry & Rolie on Departure. A ballad, but heavy with Schon’s guitar playing, organ, and Perry’s best lead vocal here. A few other good rockers here with “Where Were You” and “Line Of Fire” (which both featured in the live show, see Captured).
Later in 1980 Journey would record & release Dream, After Dream, a soundtrack album to a Japanese film titled Yume, Yume No Ato. This was more about instrumentals to suit the movie, with less proper rock-vocal songs. No singles, and I’m not really a fan of this one. It also featured a number of Japanese musicians guesting. In early 1981 the band released Captured – a double live album from the Departure tour. This marked the end for Gregg Rolie, and the end of an era. The keyboardist/singer went on to record a number of solo albums, most recently Sonic Ranch from 2019, as well as a pair of albums in the ’90s with The Storm. Robert Fleischman would go on to record with the bands Channel and The Vinnie Vincent Invasion in the ’80s, and later record solo albums. Aynsley Dunbar would go on to join Jefferson Starship, and record with numerous artists including Bowie, Ronnie Montrose, Pat Travers and UFO . George Tickner left the band to go to medical school, but stayed active in music, and recorded an album with VTR in 2005 (along with Ross Valory).
The Future Never Waits –The Brand New Album, CD / VINYL – 28 April 2023
Hawkwind have announced a brand-new studio album. The Future Never Waits follows their critically acclaimed 2021 album Somnia and 2022 double live album We Are Looking In On You. The band’s 35th studio album is an outstanding progression to their varied and celebrated catalogue.
Opening track The Future Never Waits delivers a ten minute instrumental led space-age march, before progressing into the guitar driven follow up The End, featuring Dave’s trademark vocals and chugging machine gun riffs. Innovative additions to the Hawkwind canon such as Aldous Huxley and They Are So Easily Distracted introduce a gradual, almost lounge-like quality, with deliberate piano, audio samples and saxophones lamenting over a futuristic backdrop and roaming guitar solos. Other tracks like Rama (The Prophecy) and I’m Learning To Live Today sit tightly in the Hawkwind groove, providing old and new fans alike with the intense and concentrated fusion of musical styles they’ve come to expect and celebrate.
The Future Never Waits is presented by Hawkwind, (Dave Brock, Richard Chadwick, Magnus Martin, Doug MacKinnon and Tim “Thighpaulsandra” Lewis) on both CD and double vinyl and will be released to coincide with live shows in the spring and summer.
UK dates so far:
Friday 28th April – Manchester Academy I Saturday 29th April – Rock City, Nottingham Sunday 30th April – Northern Kin Festival, Durham Friday 16th June – Hall for Cornwall Monday 28th August – Castell Roc, Chepstow Castle
Following the announcement of new guitarist Sam Wood (Wayward Sons), Black Star Riders, the Anglo American rockers featuring Ricky Warwick (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Robert Crane (Bass Guitar) and drummer Zak St. John, are excited to release their new single “Riding Out The Storm”, which is accompanied by a video, directed and produced by famed video maker Tony Aguilera (Jerry Cantrell, Killer Be Killed, Orianthi) in Los Angeles.
Ricky Warwick comments: “As we get older, sadly we start to lose the ones around us who we love, having lost both my parents and some dear friends in the last few years I’ve started to question and look at my feelings on my own mortality and morality. I’ve come to realize that death is a part of life and even in the darkest days (that we all get sometimes), I’ve come to understand that every aspect of life should be an intensified experience and never taken for granted.”
He continues: “The video was shot in downtown Los Angeles and directed by Tony Aguilera. I love the cinematography and different camera filters that Tony used during the shoot. I think it complements the essence of the song, which conveys reflections of mortality and consequences of choice. Life must end eventually, but love doesn’t.”
“Riding Out The Storm” is taken from the band’s forthcoming album Wrong Side Of Paradise, which features 11 tracks, and was recorded in the Autumn of 2021 at Studio 606 in Northridge California and Toochtone Sound in Redmond Oregon with producer and longtime BSR associate, Jay Ruston.
Wrong Side Of Paradise is available for pre-order worldwide here: https://webstore.earache.com/black-star-riders. Formats include: limited coloured vinyl (including green, blue, red and black/white split), black vinyl, signed CD, cassette and digital download. A special edition of the album containing two bonus tracks can be found on CD (which comes with a 24-page song booklet) and USB stick formats. Various collector bundles are also available, including one with an exclusive 12”.
The band’s UK tour in February 2023, a special 10th anniversary run of dates, as well as their headline sets at Planet Rockstock and Earache Records’ 35 Years Of Noise party, see the band welcome back guitarist Scott Gorham and original drummer Jimmy DeGrasso for the celebrations.
Special Guests Michael Monroe and Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons on all shows except Belfast where Trucker Diablo open.
Legendary British band WISHBONE ASH have announced a forthcoming box set for their most successful album Argus. Released in April of 1972, Argus would be a Top 10 album in the UK, blending prog, folk-rock, and hard-rock. Argus featured such tracks as “The King Will Come”, “Blowin’ Free”, “Warrior” and “Throw Down The Sword” – all favorites that would feature on the band’s 1973 Live Dates double album. The band (current line-up) is also going on a US tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Live Dates album. *See info from both press releases below, as well as links.
Celebrating one of the most pivotal entries in the history of great British rock and prog albums, Wishbone Ash’s legendary LP “Argus” gets a 50th Anniversary multi-format Box Set release on 14 April 2023 through Madfish.
Complete with its indelible Hipgnosis designed album sleeve, 1972’s “Argus” saw Wishbone Ash (Andy Powell, Martin Turner, Steve Upton & Ted Turner) mix hard rock, blues, folk and elements of prog to create an anthemic album of resounding quality. “Argus” was the group’s third studio LP and undoubtedly the classic album within the band’s ‘70s canon. It is not only the biggest selling album of their career, featuring the beloved fan-favorite “Blowin’ Free”, but full of memorable and timeless tunes such as “The King Will Come”, “Time Was”, “Warrior” and “Throw Down The Sword”. Widely considered a vital moment in the progression of twin-lead guitar harmonization, Andy Powell and Ted Turner’s pioneering twin lead attack left an indelible stamp on the likes of Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was also a technique deployed by Steely Dan for their own 1972 hit “Reelin’ In The Years”.
Featuring 2 LPs, 3 CDs, 7” single, DVD and 48-page book with rare photographs and extensive liner notes & contributions from Andy Powell, Martin Turner & Steve Upton
· 3 CDs: Martin Turner’s “Argus” remaster, “Live at The Alexandra Palace 1973 & Memphis 1972”. Also features 4 previously unreleased early version demos. · 2 LPs: Original “Argus” replica, remastered for this release + “Argus Live” on yellow vinyl (selected recordings from “Alexandra Palace & Memphis”). · DVD: French & Swiss TV footage, “Live from the Rainbow 1973 & RTS Broadcast from 1974”. · 7” Red vinyl Single of “Blowin’ Free”. · Featuring a 48-page book with rare photographs and extensive liner notes with contributions from Andy Powell, Martin Turner & Steve Upton. · Numbered certificate of authenticity
Wishbone Ash achieved considerable success in the 1970s, during which they were among England’s most popular hard rock acts, achieving an impressive eight Top 40 albums. Often regarded as one of the premiere UK live acts of the ‘70s, they toured throughout this period and into the following decades.
1972 was one of rock music’s most memorable years for regal releases – a golden age of classic albums – “Exile On Main Street”, “Machine Head”, “The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars”, “All The Young Dudes”, “Roxy Music”, “Can’t Buy A Thrill”, “Sailin’ Shoes”, “Foxtrot”, “Demons And Wizards”, “Transformer” and “Barnstorm” – by rock royalty – The Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, Davie Bowie, Mott The Hoople, Roxy Music, Steely Dan, Little Feat, Genesis, Uriah Heep, Lou Reed and Joe Walsh. Not least among these amazing artists and records was Wishbone Ash and their groundbreaking album “Argus”.
As they reigned supreme through the ‘70s, Wishbone Ash was centered on inspired musicianship, joyful spirit and inventive songs. Their concerts were uplifting and their recorded work sublime. “Argus” remains a stunning highpoint in the band’s startling repertoire. This is a vital addition to the Wishbone Ash catalogue.
“Argus is one of my favourite albums of all time, and every song on it is great…. Wishbone Ash were such an influential band for me, not just with the twin guitars, but also the melodies and the vocals and Martin Turner’s bass playing…” – Steve Harris (IRON MAIDEN)
Wishbone Ash returns to the US!
In 2023, the band, led by founding member Andy Powell (guitarist, lead vocals), will mark the 50th anniversary of their biggest selling, multi-platinum album, “Live Dates,” with tours of Europe, North America and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., February and March will see the band traveling through the Northeast and Midwest.
As the first live album released by the band, “Live Dates” features selections from Wishbone Ash’s first four albums performed live during the summer of 1973. Reviewers have consistently listed it among the finest live rock albums of all time. “Live Dates” includes the cream of the early Wishbone Ash crop: King Will Come, Warrior, Throw Down the Sword, Rock ’N’ Roll Widow, Ballad of the Beacon, Baby What You Want Me to Do, Pilgrim, Blowin’ Free, Jailbait, Lady Whiskey and Phoenix.
Russell Gilbrook joined URIAH HEEP in 2007, and made an immediate impact with his drumming performance on Wake The Sleeper. Coming up to fifteen years since the release of that first album, Heep’s brand new album is titled Chaos & Colour, and Russell Gilbrook has not only given the band a strong boost of once again, but has also contributed 4 songs to the new album! Along with longtime friend and guitarist Simon J. Pinto, Russell also co-wrote the band’s newest single “Hurricane”. In this interview Russell answers my questions pertaining to the amazing new Uriah Heep album, his writing contributions, and more. Enjoy the read, and check out the new Heep album, as well as the links below.
You’ve contributed 4 excellent tracks to the new Uriah Heep album, co-written with Simon Pinto. First, can you tell me a bit about Simon and how you came to work & write with him?
I’ve known Simon for around 30 years and played in quite a lot of bands with him. He really understands my approach to drumming and rock music in general. He’s a great player and I knew the chemistry would work between us when it came to a writing process.
How did you and Simon write together — who came up with musical ideas, lyrics, etc…?
We got together and I gave him all my ideas of feels, grooves, chord progressions etc.. and he did his own research and familiarized himself with the Heep back catalogue and we slowly built up the songs from those initial ideas.
We wanted to write songs that had a storytelling element and wanted the music to help tell these stories.
Was there an abundance of songs to choose from for Chaos & Colour, more so than previous albums? How was it all cut down (producer’s choice?) And was there anything put to tape that wasn’t included?
Because of the lockdown situation, everyone was able to put down a lot of ideas. We had a lot of time on our hands. All those ideas were brought to the table during our two weeks of pre-production and we picked what we felt were the strongest ideas for the next album. Our producer, Jay Ruston, also had a say on which ideas he would like on the album.
The 11 songs were agreed and recorded in Chapel Studios over the three-week period.
Are there any plans to work on / record your songs that didn’t make the album in the future or with another project (solo or with Simon)?
Yes! All ideas that didn’t go on this record are saved and may be used for either a future Heep record or another project somewhere down the line.
Hurricane sounds like it will be a great live track. I know it might be a ways off, but have you guys discussed what songs from Chaos & Colour you’re probably going to include in the live show?
Well, we have no idea at this time what will make the live set but I’d definitely love to see it in there. What tends to happen is when we rehearse for touring the Chaos & Colour album, we’ll try out various songs from the album to see which ones we think will fit well with existing Heep songs.
You’ll Never Be Alone is an epic piece! Can you talk share a bit of what influenced this song lyrically and musically?
The story is about a child’s dream where fairies are luring and kidnapping children but this one particular child realizes that there is a problem and alerts the parents who then come to find the lost children and take them from the fairies’ grasp and when it seems like all the children are safe and well, the initial verse structure repeats, suggesting that it is a recurring dream and the fairies are up to their usual tricks. If you close your eyes and focus on the music, it really accentuates the story in a dramatic and magical way. It was really important for us to match the lyrics with the music, making it such an epic track!
Can you give me a bit of insight into Hail The Sunrise (a great catchy chorus), and Fly Like An Eagle (just an awesome hypnotic, progressive sort of song)?
Hail The Sunrise is going back to ancient times of how people erected these sacred formations and the blood, sweat and tears and long journeys that went into the process of moving the stone from one place to another, all for what they believed in. The dedication and devotion that ensured the formations at places such as Stonehenge, Gurung Padang and Gobekli Tepe stood through the ages is astounding and difficult to even comprehend! We wanted the chorus to be quite anthemic to represent the elation these people must have felt when these structures were completed and in use.
Fly Like an Eagle… On the surface it’s about meditation but it also touches on the indigenous cultural tradition of ‘Vision Quest’ – A spiritual journey to receive knowledge from the spirit world. The song was written to be uplifting journey for the listener, so hopefully, everyone gets those feelings from it.
Of the other tracks on the album from with Davey or Mick & Phil – what are a few of your favorites?
Save Me Tonight by Davey and Jeff Scott Soto is a killer, high energy track! We had no doubt Dave would bring something like this to the table after ‘Grazed By Heaven’. I also really enjoy Silver Sunlight by Phil and Mick. The dynamic changes within that song and the big melodic chorus are exactly what Heep fans love, but all in all, I think every track on the album has it’s strengths and the album has something to offer everyone.
There’s that cool little exchange between you w/ Mick and Davey, back and forth on “Freedom To Be Free”. A pretty intense instrumental section. Can you recall a bit about that song and section came together?
The song was written by Mick and Phil and we agreed that it would be great to have Davey do a bass solo in there. We played a musical phrase and Davey basically answered it. What that tends to do within a song is give it a bit of a cool musical expression to add a bit of interest. It’s the proggy part of Heep coming out, I suppose!
How did you approach this album playing-wise — anything different?
As a band, no, nothing different really. The song ideas determine ways to play and in the pre-production weeks, we try out a range of different approaches for the playing and find which works best. For me personally, the way I tackle the songs is pretty organic – When I hear the first demos I can already hear what the song needs and as I come from a session background and have played a load of different music styles I tend to have quite a few ideas on the spot and as a result, the drum parts come together pretty easily.
Prior to the release of this album you played on the White Spirit album. Can you tell me a bit about this project? How you got involved and all? Any plans to perform with the band live or on anything in the future?
Actually, Dave Ling (Classic Rock journalist) recommended me to Cliff Evans (Guitar) and Mick Tucker (Guitar) as they were looking for a drummer for the project. They sent over the rough demos and said that I was free to do my own thing on it. Unfortunately, due to the Heep schedule, adding in other touring responsibilities is quite difficult, however, I never say never if there is a gap in the Heep dates, I’ll be out there playing! I’m very happy with the outcome of the album and the songs are really good! It’s a great album, with awesome artists collaborating on it. I’d recommend people go check it out if they haven’t yet.
You’ve been in Heep now for 15 years. Have you ever sat and gone through the band’s Entire catalogue? And do you have a few favorite albums, and/or a few favorite tracks that might be considered ‘deep cuts’ or hidden gems in the Heep repertoire?
I wouldn’t quite say I’ve sat and gone through every album! Haha, but when we have rehearsal time to put together a new set, we tend to go back in the archives and find tracks which the band hasn’t played for a while, such as ‘Love Machine’, ‘Shadows of Grief’, ‘Wiseman’ and ‘Against the Odds’. As for albums that I love, ‘Wake The Sleeper’ is special to me because it’s the first album I played on, just a few weeks after joining the band and ‘Look At Yourself’ is such a Great early album for Heep that has the fantastic ‘July Morning’ and title track. Special mention goes to ‘Chaos & Colour’, of course as It’s my first contributions to the writing.
What sorts of music do you listen to at home (in car or at the gym)? Anything new you’ve been into lately? btw – Do you still buy albums – physical copies or mainly download or stream?
I like a varied amount of music – My car playlist is a bit of a joke actually! Haha
My car favourites go from the likes of Saxon and Judas Priest to Billy Joel and Oscar Peterson.
I’m really enjoying the new Ozzy album ‘Patient Number 9’ at the moment – I’m listening to it a lot in the car.
To be honest, I mainly stream because I only really get to listen to music in the car or in the tour bus. Unfortunately, streaming is the easiest way to access music in these cases.
Can you give me Russell Gilbrook’s Top 10 (favorite) Albums from your youth?
I struggle to name my top ten favourite albums from my youth! I have too many, but I can list 10 albums that I really like in general?
Lee Aaron, once the ‘metal queen’ restarted her career in 2016, following 12 plus years of no recording. In the 80s and early 90s she’d released 7 hard-rock albums, and had a number of hits, before venturing into other projects and musical styles. Aaron returned to rock full-time, first guesting on Sean Kelly’s ‘Metal On Ice‘ (a companion to his book of the same title) where she re-recorded “Metal Queen”, and then in 2016 with her first full album titled Fire And Gasoline, on Big Sister Records. Backed by Sean Kelley (guitar), John Cody (drums), and Dave Reimer (bass), Fire And Gasoline featured the singles “Tom Boy”, “Bad Boyfriend”, and the title track.
Aaron’s music was still rockin’, but comes across now with a more mature sound and production, with plenty of catchy tunes on subsequent albums. Whether you followed her or not in the ’80s, she has something new with an element of fun in her music these days; most welcome in such serious times.
Diamond Baby Blues followed in 2018, and featured 2 excellent singles in “Diamond Baby” and “American High”. That album also included covers of Deep Purple’s “Mistreated” and the Linda Ronstadt hit “You’re No Good” (originally written & recorded in the ’60s, and later covered by Van Halen).
2019 saw the release of Live In Germany on CD & DVD, that had been recorded on her band’s 2017 tour. And despite the pandemic, Lee Aaron has kept up recording & releasing new music at a pace that very few do these days. Radio On! came out in 2021, and featured the standout “C’mon”, as well as favorites “Vampin'”, “Radio On”, as well as the ballad “Twenty One”.
December of last year saw the release of Lee Aaron’s latest – Elevate. And there’s no shortage of good tracks, with her fourth studio album of rock songs since 2016 (not to forget her Christmas album in 2020). Lead by the first few singles “Trouble Maker” and “Rock Bottom Revolution”, Elevate includes a fine range of rock and pop-rockers with “The Devil U Know”, “Highway Romeo”, “Spitfire Woman”, and the title track closing this disc out. “Freak Show” is one song with a chorus I’m sure will sink in with many; that or the ballad “Red Dress” would make fine singles.
Lee Aaron’s return and rejuvenated recording career continues to turn out very good albums, that may be a bit distant from any ‘metal’ tag, but should still appeal to those who will dig her knack for coming up with good songs, and her vocals which remain as clear and strong as they were decades ago; kinda hard to tell that she’s aged at all. Great album cover! Available on vinyl & CD!
There is a new book on the legendary John Wetton coming soon! Titled “An Extraordinary Life”, the book features stories from numerous friends, family, former bandmates, colleagues… Wetton’s career included such bands as King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, UK, Wishbone Ash, and Asia, where he had his biggest commercial success. He also released numerous solo albums, and collaborations with Geoff Downes (Icon).
The sign-up is now open for people to be a part of this much anticipated book created with John’s family and management. Some seventy-plus people who knew and worked with John, from his school days through Family, King Crimson, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash, Roxy Music, U.K., Asia, the John Wetton solo band and beyond, pay witness and tribute to his life and work. Among those quoted along with his family are Steve Howe, Phil Manzanera, Bill Bruford, Robert Fripp, Carl Palmer, Rick Wakeman, Dave Kilminster, Geoff Downes and many, many more.
Among the stories of friendship, music and sometimes craziness are reflections on what made John Wetton such an unforgettable musician and prog rock legend.
Along with stories of John’s musical success are those from friends and family who do not steer clear of his problems, but rather explain the why, the how, and eventual triumph over them in honest and touching recollections. Along with the stories are personal and classic photos of John at work and play in two extensive photo sections of An Extraordinary Life.
“He had a love for fast cars, fine food, coffee, the Rams (that’s Derby County for non-football followers), films, books, crosswords, current affairs, sport, languages, classical music – anything that would stimulate his mind that he could use to great effect in his music and lyrics.” Geoff Downes.
*Signing up for news and special offers at http://www.johnwettonbook.com will ensure a special discount when preorder begins, allow people to have a name printed in the book and be a part of this unique project.
URIAH HEEP has a new single out from Chaos & Colour, which is to be released on the 27. The rocker “Hurricane” was written by (drummer) Russell Gilbrook, along with friend & guitarist Simon J. Pinto, who has played with Les Binks (Les Binks’ Priesthood), and also worked with Adam Wakeman, Brian May, and Sam Smith among others. “Hurricane” is an outstanding heavy rocker and sounds like it should make an excellent fit in to the band’s live show.
The anthemic and epic “Hurricane” carries an underlying historical and mythological theme. Co-writer and drummer Russell Gilbrook explains: “Simon (Pinto) and I wrote the song about how our ancestors looked at storms and how these can be interpreted as being messages from the Gods… Their power is awesome and a great inspiration for a rocking track!”
Founding member Mick Box comments: “Music and lyrics are of paramount importance to me… I used to hate those ‘80s MTV million dollar videos as they created such a visual image that all calls to imagination were lost because you didn’t have to think. I think the power of music and lyrics are that they do certain things to certain people.”
Chaos & Colour is an album which bristles with explosive classic rock guitars, supreme harmonies, and Heep’s famously generous keyboard foundation. “One Nation, One Sun” is a journey of soaring balladic contemplation, “Fly Like An Eagle” takes the listener on a journey of meditation, whilst “Closer To Your Dreams” is a battle cry for all rockers to get out there and do it, with Shaw imploring that “So many have tried but slipped away/Now it’s time for you to have your say.” During the entire album, Bernie Shaw’s timeless vocals sit expertly beside the band’s phenomenal artistry (Mick Box – guitar, Phil Lanzon – keyboard, Russell Gilbrook – drums, Dave Rimmer – bass), rounding out exceptional performances throughout.
Outsider Rock 