Tag Archives: Classic Rock

STEF BURNS – Interview from the archives, 09/2000

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This is an interview from September of 2000 with Amreican guitarist Stef Burns. At the time Stef was promoting his first full length solo album Swamp Tea. That album came out in 1999 (late ’98 in Japan). Like many back then, this was done via email. I’ve added in some links and songs here as well. In retrospect, some of these questions may seem a bit dorky now. At the time I was excited getting to send interview questions to someone who’d been on an Alice album (being an AC fan). Stef has released a few more solo albums since Swamp Tea (not all instrumental).

AN INTERVIEW WITH FORMER Y & T and Alice Cooper guitarist for his solo album ‘Swamp Tea’.

“Guitarist Stef Burns is best known for his time in Alice Cooper’s band in the early ’90s, as well as being in the last incarnation of Y & T. Recently Stef’s been working with Huey Lewis, and has released his first solo CD “Swamp Tea”. Swamp Tea is an instrumental album. Here I did some Questions and Stef answered, and gathered more info on his career, his time with Alice, Y&T, and his solo project. ”

Who were your earliest influences? how did you get into guitar?
SB: Jazz, blues, soul records of my parents. My dad played a little guitar and I picked it up around 7 years old. Then I became more influenced by the great guitarists like, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, etc. Allman Bros, then later by Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, Mike Stern, Scofield, Pat Metheny, sax players, singers, drummers all were very influential.

What were your favorite albums & bands growing up? favorite guitarists in early days?
SB: Hendrix – Are You Experienced, Jeff Beck – Blow By Blow, Allman Bros. – Live at Fillmore East, Montrose, Deep Purple – Machine Head, Led Zeppelin – All of them, The Beatles – All.

What was your first professional gig?
SB: Touring with the R&B group – “Omega” featuring members from the Elvin Bishop Group.

How did you get involved with Y & T?
SB: Being a San Francisco Bay Area musician we kind of hear about each other. They asked me to join and I accepted. Was really a good hard rocking time.

How was the 1998 “Endangered Species” album received? What has the band done over the past decade?
SB: That was the last album recorded by the band. I hardly had anything to do with it other than one song as I was busy working in Italy that year (’96). I like that album though because it has a raw trio kind of feel to it. Dave plays his ass off on that one as well as “Musically Incorrect” (’94). I was more involved with “Ten” (’90) and “Yesterday and Today, Live” (’91)

You mean you only played on 1 track on the album??
SB: Yes.

Did you write & record on ‘Ten’? where & when was Live recorded? [what labels are these on?]
SB: Yes, I played a lot on “10”, 4 solos. It is on Geffen. “Yesterday and Today, Live” is on Metal Blade.

Seeing as Dave M. and Jimmy D. both played on your album, are there any plans for future Y & T gigs or recordings? What are the other Y & T guys currently up to?
SB: No plans as of now, but I think some day we’ll get together and do something. Don’t know exactly what though. Dave works with his band and does other projects in his studio. Jimmy is in Megadeth. Phil has a bunch of great songs I hope he releases some day.

What other recordings and name bands were you involved with prior to working with Alice Cooper?
SB: Well, there was Michael Bolton, Sheila E., Pablo Cruise, Berlin, Jesse Colin Young, (we’re going back to ’82 now). There was a band I was in, in ’88 called the VU. The stuff we did then will be released in Europe next year. It’s power pop rock, I guess you would call it, and sounds really good.

A lot of “pop” stuff! Who was in VU? anyone of notoriety ?
SB: Ross Valory, Prairie Prince, Kevin Chalfant and Tim Gorman.

How did you get involved with Alice Cooper? what do you recall of the auditions, etc… ?
SB: I was recommended to Alice by Joe Satriani, whom I know from the Bay Area, and I sent Alice a tape, got hired to do the “Hey Stoopid” album, then to tour. Then I recorded “The Last Temptation” which I felt more involved in creating sonically.

You were not in the songwriting credits on ‘Hey Stoopid’ or ‘The Last Temptation’; why not? was songwriting a ‘closed shop’ with Alice due to his working with outside ‘pro’ writers?
SB: I don’t know. I really didn’t have anything prepared that was in the Alice Cooper style.

Hey Stoopid had a lot of big names on the album, including other guitarists. What do you recall of these sessions?
SB: I was only present during the Motley stuff. Oh yeah, and Slash too. He was super cool, little bit drunk, but…

Why were there almost no big name guest stars on The Last Temptation?
SB: I guess that was Alice’s choice to make more of a band sound.

When did you tour with Alice ? Any stories or recollections?
SB: Toured a lot with Alice from 91 to 95. Again in the end of 98. It was always fun.

How close were you to Alice? How was he to work with? Are you still in contact?
SB: Alice is a breeze to work with. Very easy on stage and rehearsal. Great poker games on the bus. Haven’t talked to him in a while though we sent messages to each other through mutual friends.

What are your personal favorites [songs] from the stuff you recorded with Alice Cooper?
SB: The Last Temptation.

The song? anything else ?
SB: No, the record. Some of my favorite songs are, “Stolen Prayer”, “Cleansed By Fire” and “You’re My Temptation”.

What have you been doing since The Last Temptation?
SB: Vasco Rossi, tons of sessions, released “Swamp Tea”, Huey Lewis etc…

What’s your involvement with Huey Lewis? [Recordings, tours, etc…] [What’s Huey been doing for the past 15 years?]
SB: Right now it’s just touring. The new album to be released first of 2001 was finished before I joined. Chris Hayes plays his ass off on this CD. Some of his best playing ever, I think. Huey has always been working.

Have you done any recording with Huey? How long you been in his band? [where have you toured? where’s his market these days, cause I ain’t seen anything of him until the other day when i saw him in the promo for the “Duets” movie].
SB: Have not done any recording yet. Will play on one live track that I think will be for Europe. I have been playing with The News since March. The band’s market is spread out. We just played for 12 000 people at Pine Knob in Detroit.

How did the solo project come about? [who runs Lakeside Records? ]
SB: I did it myself with the help of my friends and collaborators. Always wanted to. John Seppala and I worked a lot together to finish it. He’s amazing.

‘Swamp Tea’ is less of the Alice Cooper riff-rock stuff, and more of a almost progressive / fusion sound. Is that the style of music you are more into? How did the sound / idea come about to not be a ‘metal’ album, but a more prog style?
SB: We just came up with music that we liked. Sometimes very melodic or jazzy. I never wanted to do a metal album. 

What can you tell me about a few of your favorites on Swamp Tea? Any stories behind any of the tracks? any favorites?
SB: Some of my favorites are Walking the Penguin, Echo Lake, Summer of ’68. These have a bit more of a soulful melody style.

How was the response to Swamp Tea in Europe and Japan? What promo plans are in the works for North America – any gigs, tracks receiving any radio attention, major mag features, etc.. ?
SB: I did an Italian tour and it went well. There were features in a few of the Italian guitar mags. I think I’ll go back to Italy first of the year. My Italian band is great. Next I think I’ll get working on my next CD.

What would you compare it to? Familiar with [fond of] Steve Morse’ work?
SB: I don’t compare it at all, but some of the influences that I hear are Todd Rundgren, Led Zeppelin, Toto, Deep Purple, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Mike Stern. I am familiar with Steve Morse but I am not really influenced. John’s song – “Wayfunner”, has a ‘Dregsish’ line in the verse.

How has the reaction been so far? any plans to do a follow up?
SB: Good and yes.

Any ideas for the next CD ?
SB: Not sure yet really.

Aside from the Italian mags, any major features, chart placings [ie internet, foreign countries, etc…]
SB: Haven’t got my first statement yet, so don’t really know what I sold.

What are you listening to these days? what guitarists out there do you admire these days?
SB: I still listen to the old guys. Beck, Hendrix, more Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Pat Martino, Rage Against the Machine.

( KJ: thanks Stef!)
SB: You’re welcome. This is the longest interview I have ever typed in my life!

https://www.facebook.com/stefburnsofficial

https://www.discogs.com/artist/300337-Stef-Burns

GRAND FUNK RAILROAD – Collector’s Series & More Of The Best (1991)

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Some times getting a compilation album on vinyl or CD was an introduction to a band I would really like, or allowed me to hear a bit more of their catalogue without shelling out for every album, in the event I wasn’t sure.

Growing up, for years once I began picking up records early on (be it used or new) I always looked forward to Christmas, even when I got older and Record shops still existed. For many years my uncle Jim would get me a gift certificate, usually for the Sam The Record Man outlet at the Pen Center, in St Catharines (maybe later Sunrise, after Sam’s closed out). That was usually a highlight for me at Christmas time, and I wouldn’t waste any time getting to the Pen when the stores reopened after the holiday. I had fought switching to CDs until about 1991 (never totally switched, but…) I knew a few GFR songs by then, as many of the hits still got played on the radio, and I think I’d picked up a VHS compilation of the band at the flea market! (Still got boxes of these things).

Anyway, following the Christmas of (either) 1991 or 92, I headed over to Sam’s and selected 2 Grand Funk compilations, both of which were issued in ’91, and retailed for about $18.99 back then – Collector’s Series (on Capitol) and More Of The Best (on Rhino). I don’t how close these 2 were coordinated and released, but they were/are the perfect pair of GFR compilations 16 hits on one, and 15 on the other, with no repeated tracks. While the Collector’s Series includes all the band’s biggest singles from 1969’s “Time Machine” and ending with 1975’s lighter “Bad Time”, More Of The Best includes the early live favorites like “Are You Ready”, “Into The Sun’: and “Loneliness” , as well as later lesser hits, like “To Get Back In”, “Sally”, and a few from the band’s early ’80s comeback albums. So, these 2 really cover something from the band’s entire career.

Each CD comes with extensive liner notes, images, chart placings, etc.. So, for someone just looking at getting in to the band at the time, these were perfect. Of course I went on to pick up the rest of the band’s catalogue on vinyl, I still grab these for the car ride on occasion.

GOLDEN EARRING – 1970 album to be reissued w/ bonus tracks

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• Expanded edition of the band’s 1970 eponymous album, also known as ‘Wall Of Dolls’
• Including the Golden Earring classic Back Home
• Remastered for the first time from the original first-generation Phonogram Studio master tapes
• Three bonus tracks, including the follow-up single Holy Holy Life and the US single version of Back Home
• Including a 20-page booklet with liner notes, memorabilia, and photos

Founded in 1961 by George Kooymans and Rinus Gerritsen, Dutch rock band Golden Earring (or Golden Earrings, until 1969) started off as a beat band, experimented as a psychedelic quartet and finally became a heavy rock group. Their ninth album Moontan (1973) – including their classic track “Radar Love” – hit the international album charts and is the band’s most successful album in the United States, being the only Golden Earring album to be certified Gold by the RIAA.

‘Golden Earring‘ is the sixth, self-titled album that is also known as ‘Wall Of Dolls’ because of the cover photo. The record, released in September 1970, marks the debut of drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk with Golden Earring and is the first in a series of progressively oriented records that the group released in the 1970s.

The single “Back Home” from this album – written by George Kooymans during the American tour in 1969 – reached the top position of the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1970, while the single also reached the charts in Germany and France.

This expanded edition contains three bonus tracks: the single “Holy Holy Life” (#5 in the Dutch Top 40 in February 1971) with B-side “Jessica”, as well as the single version of “Back Home” as released in the United States on Dwarf Records in October 1970.

All tracks have been remastered in 24 bit/192 kHz from the original master tapes. The 16-page booklet contains a story about the creation of the album, written by Golden Earring biographer and archivist Jeroen Ras.

This expanded CD edition of ‘Golden Earring’ (‘Wall Of Dolls’) is the eighth in the series of remastered & expanded albums by Golden Earring, supervised by Red Bullet catalog and band archivist Wouter Bessels.

TRACKLISTING

1.        Yellow And Blue
2.        The Loner
3.        This Is The Time Of The Year
4.        Big Tree Blue Sea
5.        The Wall Of Dolls
6.        Back Home
7.        See See
8.        I’m Going To Send My Pigeons To The Sky
9.        As Long As The Wind Blows
+ BONUS TRACKS
10.      Back Home (US single version)
11.      Holy Holy Life
12.      Jessica

Golden Earring (remastered & expanded) will be released by Red Bullet Productions on 10th April 2026 and is available through all renowned music stores and online shops, plus all known digital channels (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.). The vinyl version released by Music On Vinyl will follow in late 2026.

SWEET – to release studio tracks from mid ’80s as ‘Reincarnation’

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Metalville is releasing the 7 track SWEET record ‘Reincarnation’, from 1989, on April 10. Reincarnation is really Side 4 , the studio side, of the band’s double LP. Live At The Marquee, recorded in 1986. There’s 4 tracks from Live At The Marquee, 3 of which were co-written by Andy Scott, Paul Lanzon, and Paul Mario Day. In ’86, Paul Mario Day (ex Iron Maiden, More) was an excellent choice to front the band, and also there was keyboard player Phil Lanzon (ex Grand Prix), who would go on to join Uriah Heep that year (where he’s remained since). There’s also a cover of the old Motown classic “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)”, plus as a bonus (I suppose) the 12 inch single mix of that one, and 2 other songs that hadn’t been released til now. So basically, Metalville has split the live and studio songs from Live At The Marquee to make 2 separate releases. A good set of songs, too bad there wasn’t more from this period. RIP Mick Tucker, Paul Mario Day

RELEASE INFO:

The legendary songs – recorded by Andy Scott, Mick Tucker, Paul Mario Day (Iron Maiden), Phil Lanzon (Uriah Heep), and Mal McNulty (Slade) – are available on an album again for the first time since 1989. Reincarnation also includes two previously unreleased bonus tracks!

Andy Scott says today about the recordings and the SWEET line-up at the time: “The year was 1985. The reformation of SWEET was under way. I had been hanging out with Mick Tucker, and we’d talked about putting together a ‘new’ rock lineup of SWEETafter the hiatus of the original band.

“I had recruited Phil Lanzon on keyboards and Mal McNulty on bass; now we needed the voice! Paul Mario Day walked in, and we looked no further. Paul was the original singer with Iron Maiden and had a stint with the band More before he joined SWEET.

“Our first dates were in Australia – total sell-outs, which boded well for the future. Europe followed suit, and three sold-out nights at the original Marquee Club in London produced a live album, video, and DVD. Live at the Marquee did well in various charts around the world, and Paul’s vocal performance has stood the test of time.

“There were also tracks recorded at Pacific Studios in London which feature Paul’s incredible vocals. These recordings were meant to be the start of a new phase for SWEET, but due to a management dispute, only four tracks were released.

“Sadly, Paul is no longer with us, but the legacy is right here for everyone to appreciate.”

LINEUP:

Paul Mario Day – lead vocals
Andy Scott – guitar, backing vocals
Mick Tucker – drums, backing vocals
Mal McNulty – bass, backing vocals
Phil Lanzon – keyboards, backing vocals 

LINKS:

www.thesweet.com 
www.metalville.de 
www.facebook.com/metalville

UFO – The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent: remastered & expanded

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UFO ‘The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent’ (2026 Remaster – Deluxe Edition) is released on double CD and 3LP on May 1st, 2026 on Chrysalis Records.

Order link: https://ufo.lnk.to/TWTWATI

Chrysalis Records are proud to present the latest in the acclaimed UFO reissue series: the classic 1981 album ‘The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent’.

Reissued on stunning 3LP tri-fold sleeve 180gm vinyl and 2CD Digipak formats on May 1st, 2026, the album now sounds more dynamic and detailed than ever, thanks to new remastering from the original tape transfers. 

Originally released on January 16th, 1981, this pivotal album captures the band at a creative high point, blending soaring melodies, powerful performances, and Phil Mogg’s unmistakable voice. The lineup had modified a little with the debut of keyboardist/guitarist Neil Carter, replacing Paul Raymond. Carter also supplied backing vocal and saxophone on ‘Lonely Heart’.

Lead singer Phil Mogg recalled, “Neil had a box of tricks. Getting the backing vocals was great, though I still don’t think he’s forgiven me for making him play saxophone. He was a great add to the band. Plus, he was a nice bloke.”

Drummer Andy Parker said “Neil was just an incredible musician. He brought another energy into the band.

This deluxe edition also includes a brand-new mix of the previously unreleased Live at theHammersmith Odeon, recorded on January 29th, 1981, by Brian Kehew, offering an electrifying snapshot of UFO’s energy on stage. Original 7” edits of the two singles “Couldn’t Get It Right” and “Lonely Heart” released with this album are included as well as an alternative mix of album standout “It’s Killing Me”.

The set is rounded out with newly written liner notes by Michael Hann, featuring fresh interviews with Phil Mogg and Andy Parker, alongside a collection of previously unseen photographs from the era — making it an essential addition for fans and collectors alike.

TRACKLIST:

CD1 – The Wild, The Willing & The Innocent – 2026 Remaster

  1. Chains Chains
  2. Long Gone
  3. The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent
  4. It’s Killing Me
  5. Makin’ Moves
  6. Lonely Heart
  7. Couldn’t Get It Right
  8. Profession Of Violence
  9. Couldn’t Get it Right (7” Edit)
  10. Lonely Heart (7” Edit)
  11. It’s Killing Me (Alt. Mix) *

CD2 – Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, 29th January 1981 – Newly Mixed *

  1. Long Gone
  2. Chains Chains 
  3. Lonely Heart
  4. Cherry 
  5. Mystery Train 
  6. Only You Can Rock Me 
  7. Too Hot To Handle 
  8. Lights Out 
  9. Rock Bottom 
  10. Doctor Doctor 
  11. Shoot Shoot 

*Previously Unreleased 

LP1 – The Wild, The Willing & The Innocent – 2026 Remaster

  1. Chains Chains
  2. Long Gone
  3. The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent
  4. It’s Killing Me
  5. Makin’ Moves
  6. Lonely Heart
  7. Couldn’t Get It Right
  8. Profession Of Violence

LP2 / LP3 – Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, 29th January 1981 – Newly Mixed *

  1. Long Gone
  2. Chains Chains
  3. Lonely Heart
  4. Cherry
  5. Mystery Train 
  6. Only You Can Rock Me
  7. Too Hot To Handle 
  8. Lights Out 
  9. Rock Bottom 
  10. Doctor Doctor 
  11. Shoot Shoot 

RUSH – ‘Grace Under Pressure’: the last classic Rush album!?

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Well, the box set for RUSH’s 1984 album Grace Under Pressure has been announced. For me Grace Under Pressure is the last in the line of classic RUSH albums, before I started losing interest. I’d also say it’s probably one of the band’s most underrated. The Grace Under Pressure Tour was the first Rush show I saw, Maple Leaf Gardens Sept 21, 1984. I saw the Power Windows tour as well, but beyond “Big Money”, not much of that album stuck with me, and I didn’t get excited about Rush again ’til the mid ’90s albums.

Grace Under Pressure followed 1982’s Signals, which saw the band use more keyboards, less guitar, more so less big riffs, more of a lighter guitar sound, where the guitar was not as forceful or heavy sounding, but leaving space and toned down for the band’s new direction for the ’80s. But Signals was the 3rd in a trio of my favorite Rush albums – Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures before it, all seeing the band producing shorter songs, more direct, without the lengthy progressive tracks, full of energy, and classics that remain FM rock staples. And Signals followed that, for the most part. “New World Man”, “Chemistry”, as well as “Subdivisions” and “Analog Kid”, which were 2 of the band band’s best, and at the time, a new fresh sound, that still sounded like Rush. Grace Under Pressure came out a year and a half later, and another great album; featuring 8 songs, most of which either got some radio play at the time, and all of which were played live (at some point) throughout the tour. This album, like the 3 before it, had a good flow from song to song, “Distant Early Warning”, “The Enemy Within”, “The Body Electric”, and “Between The Wheels” stand out (for me), but really, there’s nothing here I tend to pass over. However, as much as I like this album, and those 4 mentioned tracks, one thing I have never been able to claim is there is that huge Rush favorite here, a trademark tune, the one that stands out for me as perhaps “Freewill”, “Spirit Of Radio”, “Limelight”, or “Subdivisions” do. I’d be curious if anyone else sees it similarly, Or what is THE biggest track on this album?

Now, as for the box set…. I passed on the Signals box, mainly because there was nothing new to listen to in it, ie a live show from that tour. This Grace Under Pressure box announced includes the full recording from the band’s September 21st , 1984 show at Maple Leaf Gardens (the one I was at). So, it includes the missing tracks that were cut from the Grace Under Pressure Live CD that came out years ago. There’s also a remix of the album by Terry Brown, who didn’t originally produce this album, as well as a new remastered version of the album, a blu-ray of the Toronto show, and a Dolby Atmos / Dolby TrueHD 5.1* stereo mix of the album (I’ll be honest, I’m not up on such technology, so this is kinda irrelevant to me), plus videos mixed in Dolby TrueHD 5.1″. And then there’s all sorts of visual and print material, such as new art, prints, photos, book, press release, liner notes, poster, etc… Not sure Why this whole thing required new cover-art!? I would love to add this box set, but with the price (!!!) at present ($438 on Amazon, Canadian, for the CD version, and 545 for the vinyl version), I don’t foresee this anytime soon in my future. What I really want is the live recording, (and maybe the 2025 remaster). A shame with these sets that some of these pieces aren’t made available separately. Not sure if they will be down the road, but for those of us who more so just want to hear the music, and are willing to pass on the extras, that would be a great option.

Check out:

RUSH ‘GRACE UNDER PRESSURE’

URIAH HEEP – Beautiful Dream, compiles albums and rarities from 1975-77.

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To be released April 24, HNE (Cherry Red) has compiled another bunch of URIAH HEEP albums, along with their extra tracks (see remasters), as they did with the previous release The Shadow And The Wind: 1973-1975. This one, titled after a Return To Fantasy track, features the last 2 to include original singer David Byron and bassist John Wetton, and the first 2 that feature replacements John Lawton (vocals) and Trevor Bolder (bass). A strange period for Heep, particularly in North America where their popularity and sales declined with each album, while in other parts of the world they had a few hit singles from the Lawton albums.

Return To Fantasy, from ’75 was a huge seller in the UK, perhaps in part to the addition of the well known John Wetton, and features the classic title track, as well as the favorites “Devil’s Daughter” and “A Year Or A Day”. The band undertook a major world tour at the time, but the album didn’t fare well over here. High And Mighty sold even worse, with the band self-producing. I really like this album, it sounded new and fresh, but it didn’t feature a global single, and the band toured it in North America well before it’s release. But songs like “One Way Or Another”, “Weep In Silence”, and “Can’t Keep A Good Band Down” are favorites among old fans, a shame this one came and went so fast, and often considered one of the band’s weakest. Heep carried on, with a long list of candidates to replace David Byron, before choosing John Lawton (Lucifer’s Friend) to record Firefly, released in early ’77. It was a solid album, featured the ballad “Wiseman”, a hit in Germany, as well as fan favorites “Sympathy” and “The Hanging Tree”. This was quickly followed towards the end of the year with Innocent Victim, a more varied album, which featured “Free Me”, a lighter pop song, which became a big hit in various European countries, as well as Australia, but that did not carry over to North America, with the album (in a different sleeve here) just breaking Billboard’s Top 200. Innocent Victim did feature a huge favorite in “Free N Easy”, the hardest & fastest rocker the band had done in years. It also featured a few fine tracks written by American writer Jack Williams (a friend of Ken Hensley’s), most notably “The Dance” and “Choices”. As with many Heep albums, particularly during this whole period (75-77), there were a number of good songs left over from each album session. Arguably, a few if these would’ve improved each album at the time (such as “River” from Innocent Victim), included here.

Even though I have everything here (as do many Heep fans), a collection of the rest of the Lawton era recordings (including, Fallen Angel, Live In Europe 1979, and the unreleased 4th album) would be a welcome collection, as would a set of the Peter Goalby era albums (along with perhaps the Live In Auckland recording?) But, oh well. An interesting (and odd) package cover, featuring a blend of the 4 album covers.

For more info and tracklisting –

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/uriah-heep-beautiful-dream-1975-1977-4cd-box-set

The Story Behind The Album Cover: MARK FARNER’s Closer To My Home, w/ John O’Brien.

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Here is another album cover, which was created by American artist John O’Brien. I’d featured John a few years ago discussing an April Wine cover, and again a few weeks ago, discussing the 2 Great White covers he was responsible for. Somewhere in there John mentioned a Mark Farner cover. And silly me for not even knowing Mark released an album in 2024, titled Closer To My Home. I loved Grand Funk, got the LPs, put together a little newsletter at some point in the 90s, and featured one of their album covers in a previous post a few years ago. So, upon John mentioning this latest album, I got a day later, and it is a great listen, and highly recommended to any Grand Funk fans; after all Mark wrote and sang most of the band’s greatest material in the 70s. *Check out John’s details of the Closer To My Home cover art, as well as the links below. *Thanks again to John for his time (and images) discussing his work and an excellent cover.

More recently you did the cover for Mark Farner’s Closer To My Home. How did that one come about? 

Marks manager, Obi Steinman recommended me for review. The previous year I completed a project with Obi for Felix Cavaliere, “THEN AND NOW”, it went quite smoothly from concept to completion. So thankfully he had faith in my creative process and final product, since we had never met personally.

Can you tell anything about the photo chosen for the front cover? Do you where it was taken, significance?

The image was based on the heritage of Marks roots in the Midwest to be a part of the communication.

I spent a lot of time researching the perfect barn and location which I could add the American Flag which was one of my concepts. I finally found it online in a series of personal images by Ken Heins. The barn angle was perfect and the sky went from an uplifting blue to having an overhanging ominous darker presence. While not being a professional photographer, he captured the location, mood and angle that I needed to modify and portray the communication. It is great to go direct to a photographer, especially someone who shoots for personal reasons. He was great to deal with on securing the image and all usage rights.

I love the big bright lettering of Mark’s name, the layout… a very patriotic cover. Did Mark have a lot of input or suggestions? 

Like many things the simplest direct communication is the best. In one sentence Obi stated the project was to reflect “Marks Heritage, Origin, Rock & Roll Legacy, Values and American Pride”. He is a true Rock & Roll Patriot. A variety of comps were proposed for discussion but, as discussed previously the Barn image with the flag summed it up visually. As far as typography chosen, I wanted to play off of Marks history and Rock & Roll energy. Some solutions related to GF to closely, but he gritty red type communicated the power and intensity he delivers. “Midwest American Rock & Roll” to be sure.

The American Eagle was used for some comps as well as for the record label direction. It was determined that it would best be utilized on the back cover as well as a label on one side of the album.

I submitted suggestions for limited release of the album in Red, White & Blue as well as classic Black.

The initial release is Red Vinyl and some were signed by Mark personally, which were available on his website listed below.

I assume this is the only Farner (Grand Funk) cover you’ve done(?)

Yes, the only one. Who would have thought I would get to work on Marks first solo studio album in 18 years, featuring the 55th Anniversary re-recording of “I’m Your Captain (Closer To Home).  The project produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Mark Slaughter, and co-produced by Mark Farner. A definite alignment in the stars for me to contribute to the visual communication.

It is also fun as I get to submit comps for merch such as T-Shirts for consideration. These are but a few versions with regard to the printing process of 3-5 Color for pricing considerations.

How familiar were you with him (and Grand Funk)?  

Any teenager in the 70’s was aware, as everyone was at the time of GF. Blasting “Grand Funk Live” in my bedroom and hearing various songs played live by cover bands at Junior High School dances. It was a very loud year in 1970 when that album released. Ironically, it was released on Capitol Records, the future company I was to work for from 1983-1989 in the Art Department. Some synchronicity to be sure.

A special thank you to Obi Steinman for his support on projects.

LINKS:

John O’Brien – www.artministry.com

Mark Farner website for updates and merch. – www.markfarner.com

HONEYMOON SUITE – ‘The Singles’, RSD vinyl reissue

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Record Store Day Canada is proud to announce that legendary Canadian rockers Honeymoon Suite have been named the official Record Store Day Canada Ambassadors for 2026. To celebrate their role as Ambassadors, the band will release a special, Record Store Day exclusive version of their hit-packed compilation The Singles, issued on Limited Edition Translucent Red Vinyl and only available at independent record stores across Canada.

This exclusive collector’s item features some of the biggest songs in Canadian rock history, including “New Girl Now,” “Burning In Love, ” “Wave Babies,” “Stay In The Light,” “Feel It Again,” and “What Does It Take” (from the One Crazy Summer soundtrack). It also includes the band’s hard-hitting contribution to the Lethal Weapon soundtrack.

“We are thrilled to be the Record Store Day Canada Ambassadors for 2026, ” says Honeymoon Suite’s lead guitarist and songwriter, Derry Grehan. “To me, vinyl isn’t just a format; it’s how I fell in love with music in the first place. There’s a magic to holding the jacket, reading the liner notes, and dropping the needle that you just can’t replicate. We’ve always been a band that lives for the fans and the music, so getting to champion independent record stores, the place where that magic still lives, is a huge honor us.”

“We are so excited to have Canadian music legends Honeymoon Suite representing us as RSDC Ambassadors in 2026,” says Ryan Kerr from Record Store Day Canada. “With an arsenal of great music under their belts, The Singles album is hotly anticipated by fans coast to coast. Honeymoon Suite’s catalogue represents some of the greatest and most memorable music in Canadian history, so we are proud to be working with them to bring that music to fans through our country’s incredible independent record stores.”

Adds Noble Musa of Microforum Vinyl, “Pressing The Singles title for the Record Store Day Canada 2026 Canadian Ambassadors Honeymoon Suite is so meaningful to us! Seeing this record grace stores nationwide and giving fans the opportunity to hear timeless hits in an analog format is why we do what we do.”

Formed in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Honeymoon Suite has been a driving force in Canadian rock for over four decades. With over a million units sold worldwide, their music is woven into the fabric of the country’s rock history. From their self-titled debut to the multi-platinum The Big Prize and Racing After Midnight, the band delivered an undeniable string of radio anthems that defined an era.

The Singles Tracklist

A1. New Girl Now
A2. Burning In Love
A3. Stay In The Light
A4. Wave Babies
A5. Feel It Again
A6. What Does It Take

B1. Bad Attitude
B2. Lethal Weapon
B3. Love Changes Everything
B4. Lookin’ Out For Number One
B5. Still Lovin’ You
B6. Long Way

LINKS:

https://www.honeymoonsuiteband.com/

REVIEW: Honeymoon Suite – The Singles (1989)

LOU GRAMM – new album ‘Released’ coming in March.

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Cherry Red released the Lou Gramm‘s ’80s solo material in 2021, as Questions And Answers (The Atlantic Anthology 1987-1989). Prior to that the last release of ‘new’ music from the original FOREIGNER singer was 2009’s Lou Gramm Band CD, which is well worth finding. This upcoming collection, strangely titled ‘Released‘, comes out March 27 through Cherry Red Records/HNE (UK). Check out details & tracklisting below in the press info.

Both Released and 1987’s Ready Or Not are being reissued on color vinyl through Friday Music, for details click on the titles.

The first single from Released is an instantly likeable upbeat 80s pop-rock track title “Young Love”, which features Vivian Campbell on guitar.

Released is the long-awaited new solo album from legendary vocalist Lou Gramm, best known as the iconic voice of Foreigner. Arriving in March 2026,​the album presents ten original songs written by Lou alongside former Black Sheep bandmate Bruce Turgon, capturing the classic AOR sound that has defined Lou’s career while delivering a powerful sense of rediscovery and completion. 

Lou says: “My new album ‘Released’ is a collection of unreleased songs that were recorded in the 1980s during the production of my 2 previous solo albums. These are powerful, heartfelt songs with a great vintage sound taken right from my old multitrack tapes. This new album was a long time coming and it’s a real nostalgia trip. When I pulled these songs out of the vault, I knew I had to finish them for my fans around the world, so they can experience what I did when I first heard them after all these years. It means a lot to me to finally see this album released, to be taken back in time when I hear this music again, to remember working with all these great musicians, and to feel that my catalog is now complete.”

Produced by Lou Gramm himself, Released features appearances from an outstanding cast of musicians, including Tony Franklin on bass for “Long Gone” and Vivian Campbell on guitar for the opening track “Young Love”, alongside long-time collaborators such as Lou’s brother Ben Gramm on drums. The result is a collection that feels both timeless and deeply personal, rooted in the era that made Lou one of rock’s most recognizable voices.

Born and raised in Rochester, New York, Lou Gramm emerged from a highly musical family before forming Black Sheep, whose two albums for Capitol Records have since become cult favourites. A pivotal meeting with Mick Jones in 1975 led to the formation of Foreigner the following year, launching a career that produced a run of multi-platinum albums and hit singles. Foreigner famously became the first band since The Beatles to see their first eight singles reach the US Top 20.

Alongside his work with Foreigner, Lou enjoyed major solo success with Ready Or Not​(1987), featuring the hit “Midnight Blue”, followed by Long Hard Look (1989), which included “Just Between You And Me”. Now, with Released, Lou delivers his third solo studio album, completing a vital chapter in his solo catalogue while standing proudly alongside both his earlier solo work and his defining recordings with Foreigner.

The album also includes “True Blue Love (Unplugged)”, originally appearing on Long Hard Look, and follows recent high-profile collaborations with Foreigner connected to the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. Lou Gramm will be touring throughout 2026 in support of Released, with dates announced in March.

TRACKLISTING

1 Young Love 
2 Lightning Strikes 
3 Walk The Walk 
4 Long Gone 
5 Heart And Soul 
6 Long Hard Look 
7 True Blue Love (Unplugged) 
8 Deeper Side of Love 
9 Time Heals The Pain 
10 Word Gets Around

Formats
Digital Album
Dolby Atmos Album
CD (HNE Recordings / Cherry Red Records)
Vinyl (Friday Music)

LINKS:

https://www.lougrammofficial.com/

https://www.instagram.com/LOUGRAMMGRAM

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