Tag Archives: 70s rock

LUCIFER’S FRIEND Where The Groupies Killed The Blues (1972)

Leave a comment

German band LUCIFER’S FRIEND released their 2nd album in 1972 (’75 in the US & Canada). The band’s self-titled debut is often hailed as a proto-metal classic,  lumped in alongside albums from Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Uriah Heep in that year, 1970. But, despite being not quite as ‘heavy’ or early metal, the band’s follow up album, with the odd title of Where The Groupies Killed The Blues is pretty impressive as well. Lucifer’s Friend would expand their sound, adding more piano, acoustic guitars, ballads, while using more instruments, such as keyboardist Peter Hecht on electric piano, moog, Hammond organ, mellotron, as well as being credited with string arrangements. Engineered by the legendary Conny Plank, and produced by the band and Herbert Hildebrandt (The Rattles, Randy Pie). Songs written by the band, along with some lyrics from another English musician – John O’Brian Docker (who also wrote for Randy Pie). An interesting cover by Klaus Witt (Witt Studio, Hamburg), with a strange photo of band members in some hippy party-type feast (or something! Anyone?); with the original German press coming in a gatefold cover, lyrics inside, and other prints being a single sleeve with a printed inner sleeve. Tracklist order also changed from Germany to North America editions.

The album itself featured the single “Hobo”, released in Germany & Spain, but more so it included such classics as the heavy “Prince Of Darkness” (highlighted by Peter Hesslein’s guitar soloing & Peter Hecht’s piano), as well as more proggy epics like “Mother”, the title song, and “Rose On The Vine”. Best known track here though has to be the ballad “Burning Ships” (nicely covered a few years back by Jason Kane & The Jive!). Hard to believe this wasn’t the single, just a great song and performance. Singer John Lawton stood out again throughout this album. 

A shame this album never got a better deal or is seen by casual rock fans as a great album alongside the debut, but those of us who know the band dig this one. As the band went on making regular albums throughout the 70s they covered many other styles from jazz rock, fusion, prog, and pop. But Where The Groupies Killed The Blues remains a favorite for me.

John Lawton – lead vocals RIP, Peter Hesslein – lead guitar, acoustic guitar, percussion, vocals, Peter Hecht – piano, Hammond organ, electric piano, moog, mellotron, Dieter Horns – fender bass, bass-fiddle RIP, Joachim Rietenbach – drums, percussion RIP

LINKS:

http://www.lucifersfriend.com

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100063500899957

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100063473165257

https://www.45worlds.com/cdalbum/cd/rr4143wp

PETE HAM – new album to be released

Leave a comment

,Bob Jackson of BADFINGER shared the following news on December 12 regarding a new digital album release coming of Pete Ham songs. This is a follow up to the album ‘Misunderstood‘, released earlier this year. Check out Bob’s post for all the details below, as well as the first track released from it.

I’m very honored and thrilled to announce the release of a brand new Pete Ham digital album release, titled “Gwent Gardens.” This is the follow-up to “Misunderstood” and the first new release since the passing of producer/engineer Dan Matovina. This is being released with the full support of the Ham Estate. The album is full of the beautiful melodies and universal lyrics that Pete is well known for, composed on either guitar or piano/keyboards. Most of the songs on this new collection have never been heard before by the public, however there are still some demo versions of his well known tunes. This release will be different from previous ones; None of the songs will include posthumous overdubs. Dan would be very pleased to know that his desire to get all of Pete’s unreleased songs out for the public to enjoy is being fulfilled by his team of close friends and associates. One of the last things he told me was, “I can’t believe there are still so many great Pete Ham songs that no one has heard yet.”

The digital album of “Gwent Gardens” can be pre-ordered from Apple Music starting on December 10 and will be released for streaming and downloading on December 21, 2023. A preview song, “Love Will Be” will be available as a YouTube lyrics video starting December 10.

In addition, there will be a special album preview event on the BadfingerIveysOfficial YouTube channel on Friday, December 15 from 9:00-10:00pm EST.

LINKS:

https://www.facebook.com/PeteHamBadfinger/

https://www.badfingerlibrary.com/

TRAPEZE – Lost Tapes Vol. 1 (a review)

3 Comments

TRAPEZE was a British band, perhaps better remembered for the players that were in it and went on to bigger success with other acts, instead of the of excellent albums they made in the ’70s. The band existed from 1969 til 1981 (or 82), and seems to be best known as the band that Glenn Hughes got his recording start in. But, TRAPEZE was not particularly just Hughes’ band; in fact the band based around the guitar sound of Mel Galley carried on well after Hughes left to join Deep Purple in 1973, and released a few very good albums in the latter ’70s. The band also featured (drummer) Dave Holland before he joined Judas Priest, and their last recording line-up – Peter Goalby, before he joined Uriah Heep. Mel Galley was there beginning to end ’til he had an offer to join Whitesnake, so I think it’s safe to say that Trapeze was Mel’s band.

This 14 track album of previously unreleased and unheard material is a most welcomed addition to the band’s catalogue, which in recent years has been reissued in expanded versions, compilations and live releases, undoubtedly bringing back the name Trapeze to many who previously may not have been very familiar, myself included! My initial interest years back was the Hughes-Deep Purple connection, and the Peter Goalby connection (being a Heep fan), and Hold On (the band’s last studio album) remains my favorite. The band’s debut featured a 5 piece band that was signed to the Moody Blues label, but Trapeze seemed to be best remembered as the short-lived trio that released the 2 classic albums Medusa and You Are The Music…We’re Just The Band. After Hughes left, Mel Galley took on lead vocals as well, and added guitarist Rob Kendrick and bass player Peter Wright, and recorded the classic Hot Wire (love that album cover), followed by Trapeze (self-titled), Running/Hold On (with Peter Goalby), and the Live in Texas: Dead Armadillos. Lost Tapes Vol. 1 features tracks from the band’s early days right through to the end with Goalby, and a few from the band’s short-lived reunion in the ’90s. Though the songs aren’t in chronological order, this album features a pile of outstanding Trapeze tunes that might make you wonder why this stuff has never surfaced before. Trapeze was known for their funk-rock style, something that made them a fairly unique band in the ’70s, though often lumped in with early ‘heavy metal’ acts, they were far from it, though they could deliver some heavy hard rockers, and here we get standouts like the heavy Hughes’ sang “Breakdown” – which sounds so fresh one could easily mistaken this for a much more modern recording. There’s the ’80s production sound of “Destiny”, the funkier “Lover”, and closing track “Going Home” (which is a heavier take of the song that appeared on 1974’s Hot Wire).

Lost Tapes also features 3 tracks with Goalby on vocals, including the first one “Cool Water”, an excellent catchy feel-good rock tune, and one of many to feature a memorable guitar riff/intro from Galley, who also doubles up on the vocals on this, with a solid drum performance from Dave Holland (RIP). There’s also the memorable “You’ve Got It” from this era, featuring some excellent slide guitar as well. But my favorite track here is Goalby’s “Who Do You Run To” (the one song written by PG, himself here), absolutely outstanding late ’70s hard rock with influences from the period, a killer little intro and chorus. (Maybe someone can explain how this chorus and similar title ended up on the 1982 Hughes-Thrall album!?).

This makes a great addition to the Trapeze catalogue for fans of the band. The 14 tracks here are all well worth hearing; this is no exercise in ‘cleaning out the vaults’ of anything and everything, this was properly put together for fans to enjoy, and a tribute / reminder of this great band. One of my favorite releases of 2023! I am curious and looking forward to a Volume 2 (presumably there will be!?) Lost Tapes Vol. 1 can be purchased in digital form, CD, and limited orange vinyl (which I am awaiting!)

LINKS:

https://trapeze.lnk.to/LostTapesVol1

https://www.facebook.com/groups/melgalleytrapeze

https://metalville-shop.de/neuheitenpre-order/2200/trapeze-the-lost-tapes-vol.1?number=FLY-MV0302

RIP – MYLES GOODWYN

1 Comment

A sad day for Canadian music with the passing of APRIL WINE founding member, guitarist, singer, and songwriter – Myles Goodwyn. This one hits hard because being Canadian, April Wine was one of the first bands I ever saw live, and the band was a regular on Canadian radio. The band was formed out east in 1969, relocated to Montreal and signed to Aquarius Records, where they would go on to be the label’s biggest band. By the time of the band’s third studio album, Electric Jewels, Goodwyn would be the sole remaining founding member, and would go on to guide the band to huge success, particularly in the early late 70s -80s with the albums First Glance, Harder…Faster, Nature Of The Beast and Powerplay. Throughout the 70s and 80s, Goodwyn wrote, sang, and produced a steady string of singles and hits for the band, even before the band became a hit in the US. Anyone growing up in Canada could not turn on the radio here without hearing an April Wine song at some point. Many of the band’s favorites still feature on FM radio here, whether it’s the early ones like “You Could Have Been A Lady” or late 70s-80s classics like “Say Hello”, “Just Between You And Me”, or the band’s epic take on Lorence Hud’s “Sign Of The Gypsy Queen”. Not to mention “Roller” , the band’s breakthrough US hit, which can still be heard not only on radio, but at arenas during hockey games (Junior & pro…). Being Canadian, if you grew up in the 70s or 80s — you had heard Myles with April Wine; the band played high schools and arenas across the country in the 70s, and was a staple of Canadian radio.

Earlier this year Myles announced his retirement from touring with the band and selected his own replacement (Marc Parent). In the last few years, Goodwyn recorded and released his own solo albums Myles Goodwyn and Friends Of The Blues (1 & 2) , as well as his 2016 autobiography Just Between You and Me. RIP Myles, a Canadian rock n roll legend.

Below are 10 classics April Wine tracks written and sang by Myles Goodwyn.

Roller

from the band’s 1978 breakthrough (US) single and album (First Glance).

Rock N Roll Is A Vicious Game

Also from First Glance. A classic April Wine number, once tributed to Bon Scott (AC/DC) ; nicely covered by Sebastien Bach of Skid Row.

Comin’ Right Down On Top Of Me – also from First Glance

Say Hello – from 1979’s Harder…Faster

Also from Harder…Faster

Just Between You And Me

From the band’s biggest album Nature Of The Beast

Sign Of The Gypsy Queen

Enough Is Enough

The first single from 1982’s Powerplay

Anything You Want You Want It

Also from Powerplay, a great opening number.

This Could Be The Right One

The first single and only track play played live from 1984’s Animal Grace.

Sons Of The Pioneers

Another single and great track from the underrated Animal Grace album. This would mark the end of the band’s most successful line-up and era.

Love Has Remembered Me

the hit single from the 1985 album Walking Through Fire

If You Believe In Me

In 1993 April Wine returned with the album Attitude, which was ful of Myles Goodwyn gems, and April Wine favorites.

Also from Attitude

Look Into The Sun

From 1994’s Frigate album. Perhaps the heaviest thing Myles and AW ever recorded. The best track on the album!

I’ll Give You That

From the band’s 2001 album Back To The Mansion.

TRAPEZE issue 2nd single from ‘Lost Tapes Vol. 1’

Leave a comment

There is a new TRAPEZE single from the forthcoming Lost Tapes Vol. 1 album. The song is “Destiny”, and it’s described as coming from one of bands early recording sessions, tho’ I think it sounds much later (IMO). Regardless, another fine track that makes me wonder why this never found a release when it was recorded (??) And also, the more I hear (as with the first single “Breakdown”)) the more I am looking forward to this new release. Featuring (again) Mel Galley, Glenn Hughes, and Dave Holland.

*Pre-order Lost Tapes Vol. 1 at – https://trapeze.lnk.to/LostTapesVol1

TRAPEZE early albums get vinyl reissue

Leave a comment
Trapeze albums’s “Medusa” and “You Are The Music…We’re Just The Band” are now available for pre-order on Limited Edition Vinyl (250 copies of each) for the first time in over 40 years!  Also Limited Bundles (100 copies of each) with a signed flat by Glenn Hughes.

for mor info & to order: https://www.dekoentertainment.com/reissues/trapeze

WHITESNAKE release video for ‘You Fool No One’

Leave a comment

Celebrating 50 years since he joined DEEP PURPLE, David Coverdale (& Whitesnake) have reissued their 2015 album ‘The Purple Album‘ (remastered), as a special Gold edition (That was followed by the 2017 ‘The Purple Tour‘ album…hmm, wow). Not sure that I need this album again, but this track – “You Fool No One” sounds particularly good, with a cool collage of Whitesnake clips together making up the video. The song is updated, and much heavier than the original Deep Purple classic from Burn. Rhino’s 2CD + blu-ray version of this includes a pile of extra takes, and interesting bits like Coverdale’s Deep Purple Audition tape, which is likely most worthwhile to pick up.

Check out the video below. Incidentally, Glenn Hughes has been playing one on his current tour celebrating Deep Purple classics as well. See track-listing and links below.

CD 1:
2023 REMIX
1. Burn
2. Lay Down, Stay Down
3. Love Child
4. Holy Man
5. The Gypsy
6. Lady Double Dealer
7. Might Just Take Your Life
8. Mistreated
9. Stormbringer
10. Sail Away (Interpolating “Elegy For Jon”)
11. You Keep On Moving (featuring The Hook City Strings)
12. Lady Luck
13. Coming Home
14. You Fool No One (Interpolating “Itchy Fingers” Dedicated In Loving Memory Of Jeff Beck)
15. Soldier Of Fortune
 
CD 2: 78:38
THE PURPLE TOUR “FIVE LIVE” 34:48
1. Burn
2. The Gypsy
3. Mistreated
4. You Fool No One
5. Soldier of Fortune 

ALTERNATIVE MIXES
6. Holy Man (Unzipped)
7. Stormbringer (Punch In The Nuts Mix… Joel Hoekstra alt solo)
8. Love Child (Joel Hoekstra alt solo)
9. Soldier Of Fortune (featuring Joel Hoekstra & The Hook City Strings)
10. Soldier Of Fortune (featuring The Hook City Strings)
11. Soldier Of Fortune (instrumental featuring The Hook City Strings)
 
Demos and Audition Tapes (Previously Unreleased)
 
The DC Purple Audition Tape 1972 
featuring The Fabulosa Brothers
12. Everybody’s Talkin’
13. Get Ready
14. Lonely Town Lonely Street
15. Dancing In The Street
16. 1974 DC Demos/Ideas For “Stormbringer” album
 
DISC 3 BLU-RAY
PURPLE MUSIC VIDEOS
1. Lady Double Dealer
2. Stormbringer
3. Sail Away
4. Soldier of Fortune
5. The Gypsy
6. Soldier Of Fortune (featuring Joel Hoekstra & The Hook City Strings)
7. Soldier Of Fortune (featuring The Hook City Strings)
 
PURPLESNAKE VIDEOS
8. Lay Down, Stay Down
9. Holy Man
10. You Keep On Moving
11. You Fool No One
 
LIVE CLIPS
12. Burn (Live “Atlantis” Video)
13. Burn/Stormbringer   (Live In The Still Of The Night)
14. Soldier Of Fortune (Starkers In Tokyo)
 
THE PURPLE TOUR “FIVE LIVE”
15. Burn
16. The Gypsy
17. Mistreated
18. You Fool No One
19. Soldier of Fortune
20. The Purple Album: Behind The Scenes
21. The Purple Album: Song-By-Song

LINKS:

https://store.rhino.com/en/rhino-store/artists/whitesnake/the-purple-album-special-gold-edition-2cd1blu-ray/603497830299.html

https://www.facebook.com/Whitesnake.official

Home

TRAPEZE – release single from upcoming ‘Lost Tapes Vol. 1’

Leave a comment

TRAPEZE, the classic 70s British rock band from Wolverhampton have a new single out from the forthcoming Lost Tapes Vol. 1, CD, to be released November 24. The song “Breakdown”, featuring Glenn Hughes, Mel Galley and Dave Holland was recorded in the 90s. Check out the video clip below. *For more info check out : https://ramzine.co.uk/news/trapezes-breakdown-available-now/

MOTT THE HOOPLE – All The Young Dudes 50th Anniversary box set

Leave a comment

Mott The Hoople “All The Young Dudes” 50th Anniversary Edition Box Set With Newly Remastered Audio Out December 8th on Madfish Music

Legendary Rock act Mott the Hoople celebrate the 50th anniversary of their landmark album “All The Young Dudes” with a limited edition deluxe box set, featuring newly remastered audio, due to be released on Madfish on December 8th.  The remastered album will also be made available as a limited edition double orange vinyl LP.

Originally released in the UK on the 8th of September 1972, the title track (penned by David Bowie) became their highest-charting hit single, the record also included the definitive cover of Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane” alongside the inventive and suggestive “Momma’s Little Jewel”, the Stones-styled “Jerkin Crocus” and Mick Ralphs’ heartfelt “Ready For Love”.

Mott the Hoople’s 5th studio album remains a special and vital record. Cited as an inspiration from artists that span the world of Rock ranging from Queen, The Clash and Kiss to Primal Scream, Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard’s whose frontman Joe Elliott still to this day remains a devoted fan.

“Mott the Hoople was the greatest rock’n’roll band ever” – Joe Elliott (Def Leppard)

“Raw, fun, angry, glorious and jagged… Mott was everything” – Brian May (Queen)

“If it hadn’t been for Mott, there would be no us” Mick Jones (The Clash)

The band oozes attitude and unpredictability and have recorded a peerless legacy of songs that combine homage, honesty and killer hooks. Mott the Hoople occupy a unique place in the annals of international Rock music.

Ian Hunter, the band’s lead singer has been cited as one of the most inventive writers of the early Seventies, linked to the Ziggy Stardust story, Mott’s rendition of “All The Young Dues” remains the definitive version of Bowie’s masterpiece. It’s a record that proved to be inspirational and still excites and resonates decades later.

‘All The Young Dudes’ will be released on December 8th 2023 on Madfish as a high quality, limited edition 5-disc deluxe box set that includes rare tracks and previously unreleased song versions.

See below for the full contents of “All The Young Dudes” boxset:
• 2LP in Gatefold Sleeve – LP1 Remastered Album / LP2 Rare Mixes and Sessions Tracks
• 2CDs: CD 1 Remastered Album / CD2 Rare Mixes and Sessions Tracks
• 12” Single with rare ‘Unlocked Cars’ version of “All The Young Dudes” + “One Of The Boys” (rare UK B-Side)
• 72-Page Hardback Book with liner notes by Mott the Hoople and Ian Hunter biographer Campbell Devine
• 2 Posters, 3 Art Prints, ‘Sea Divers’ Fan Club Card and an Individually Numbered Certificate

Mott The Hoople – All The Young Dudes (50th Anniversary Box)

LP1 (All The Young Dudes – 2023 Remaster)
Side A
01 Sweet Jane
02 Momma’s Little Jewel
03 All The Young Dudes
04 Sucker
05 Jerkin’ Crocus
Side B
01 One Of The Boys
02 Soft Ground
03 Ready For Love / After Lights
04 Sea Diver

LP2 (Bonus Tracks)

Side C
01 One of the Boys (1980 remix of 1971 Island Recording)
02 Black Scorpio (1980 remix of 1972 Island Recording)
03 Movin’ On (1980 remix of 1972 Island Recording)
04 Ride On The Sun (1980 remix of 1972 Island Recording)
05 All The Young Dudes (1998 Bowie / Hunter Vocal Audio-morph)
Side D
01 One Of The Boys (Edited Version)
02 Sweet Jane (US Single A-side)
03 Shakin’ All Over (Trident Session outtake)
04 Please Don’t Touch (Trident Session outtake)
05 So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad) (Trident session outtake)
06 One Of The Boys (US Single A-side)

CD1 (All The Young Dudes – 2023 Remaster)
01 Sweet Jane
02 Momma’s Little Jewel
03 All The Young Dudes
04 Sucker
05 Jerkin’ Crocus
06 One Of The Boys
07 Soft Ground
08 Ready For Love / After Lights
09 Sea Diver

CD2 (Bonus Tracks)
01 One of the Boys (1980 remix of 1971 Island Recording)
02 Black Scorpio (1980 remix of 1972 Island Recording)
03 Movin’ On (1980 remix of 1972 Island Recording)
04 Ride On The Sun (1980 remix of 1972 Island Recording)
05 All The Young Dudes (1998 Bowie / Hunter Vocal Audiomorph)
06 One Of The Boys (Edited Version)
07 Sweet Jane (US Single A-side)
08 Shakin’ All Over (Trident Session Outtake)
09 Please Don’t Touch (Trident Session Outtake)
10 So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad) (Trident Session Outtake)
11 One Of The Boys (US Single A-side)

Vinyl Single – 7″
Side A
01 All The Young Dudes (‘Unlocked Cars’ Version)
Side B
01 One Of The Boys (UK Single B-side)

Pre-order the boxset: (https://MOTT.lnk.to/All_The_Young_dudes_box )

Alongside the release will be an orange 2LP edition of the album, which has been newly remastered, available from this link: (https://MOTT.lnk.to/All_The_Young_dudes_box )

LINKS:

https://www.facebook.com/MottTheHoople74

https://www.mottthehoople-74.com/

http://www.ianhunter.com

FAMILY – ‘Bandstand’ remastered & expanded CD

Leave a comment

The 2nd of 2 albums by British progressive band FAMILY to include John Wetton on bass is getting an expanded CD release. Bandstand featured the hit “Burlesque”, as well as favorite “Coronation”, which included Wetton as a co-writer. The band lead by singer Roger Chapman and guitarist John ‘Charlie’ Whitney released 1 further album in 1973 (minus Wetton) before going on to form STREETWALKERS. John Wetton left after this album to join KING CRIMSON. This expanded version includes 5 excellent live BBC tracks from October of ’72, notably the acoustic “My Friend The Sun”, great stuff! Looking forward to hearing the 3-disc version of the previous FAMILY album Fearless. *Check out the press release, as well as ordering info and links below!.

Family “Bandstand” New Remastered and Expanded Edition Available November 24, 2023

• NEW REMASTERED AND EXPANDED RELEASE OF THE CLASSIC 1972 ALBUM BY FAMILY.

• REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES WITH 10 BONUS TRACKS, FULLY RESTORED ARTWORK AND NEW ESSAY.

Released in September 1972, Family’s “Bandstand” was the second to feature a line-up vocalist Roger Chapman, guitarist John “Charlie” Whitney, drummer Rob Townsend, bassist and vocalist John Wetton and multi-instrumentalist John “Poli” Palmer on vibes, keyboards and flute and followed the success of the album “Fearless” released the previous October.

The album featured such classic tracks as “Burlesque” (a UK Top 20 hit single), “My Friend The Sun”, “Glove” and “Coronation”. The recording sessions also featured guest vocalist Linda Lewis on the powerful “Broken Nose”.

This new expanded edition has been newly remastered from the original master tapes and also includes ten bonus tracks drawn from the single “The Rockin’ Rs”, unreleased studio out-takes from May 1971 and a BBC Radio session from October 1972. This new expanded remastered release also features an illustrated booklet with a new essay.

TRACK LISTING:

1 Burlesque
2 Bolero Babe
3 Coronation
4 Dark Eyes
5 Broken Nose
6 My Friend the Sun
7 Glove
8 Ready to Go
9 Top of the Hill
Bonus tracks
10 The Rockin’ Rs (B-Side of single)
11 Coronation (first version – Olympic studios May 1972)
12 My Friend the Sun (first version – Olympic studios May 1972)
13 Glove (first version – Olympic studios May 1972)
14 The Rockin’ R’s (first version – Olympic studios May 1972)
15 Ready to Go (BBC Session October 1972)
16 Dark Eyes (BBC Session October 1972)
17 Burlesque (BBC Session October 1972)
18 My Friend the Sun (BBC Session October 1972)
19 Coronation (BBC Session October 1972)

Pre-order:https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/family-bandstand-cd-edition/

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/family-fearless-3cd-expanded-edition/

LINKS:

https://www.facebook.com/RogerChapmanFamily

Introduction