The latest album from Avi Rosenfeld is out and is very much in the mold of classic Rainbow, featuring a pair of singers – Josa Tamas (from Hungarian bands Divided and Archaic), as well as Deibys Artigas from Spain. There are a number of players from around the globe on this, but it’s Canadian keyboard player David Stone (ex Rainbow, Max Webster) who is the guest star here, and leaves his mark playing Hammond organ & synths on the 10 minute epic “I Believe In The Sunrise”, with Rosenfeld delivering a fairly Blackmore-Rainbow era guitar feel throughout this one. Best cuts include “Down To The Waterline”, “Rock Down The Stage” (featuring Michael T Ross on keys, ex of Angel, currently of Aldo Nova’s band), and the last 2 here – the largely instrumental “Hey Uchnem”, and the excellent classic Rainbow/Purple type rocker “Out Of The Shadows”, dig the vocal, the backing vox, the Hammond organ from Michael Berry throughout this, and the guitar solo courtesy of Wellington Alves.
Enjoyed this album, and I’m sure anyone into classic rock that features Hammond organ will dig this. Cool album cover too – was someone drawing David Stone on this(?) *Check out the press info below, as well as links, and video!
“In the style of Dio, Rainbow, Iron Maiden, Jethro Tull, Judas Priest, Uriah Heep, Deep Purple …. “Burn The Castle” is tribute to the best Hard Rock and Metal bands of the 70’s and 80’s, Featuring the powerful voices of Josa Tamas and Deibys Artigas. “
“Rainbow’s David Stone is playing Keyboards on one of the songs, another time this dream come true. He wrote “Gates of Babylon” with Ritchie Blackmore, a great honor to have this guy on board. This albums features the mighty vocals of Josa Tamas and Deibys Artigas, super vocalists with mighty voices that cut through the mix straight into the heart. Together with super musicians from all over the world we recorded this cool album. A tribute to the times when music was real. We gotta keep the torch or Rock alive , Long Live Rock’n’Roll!”
“Now And Then” is the last Beatles song – written and sung by John Lennon, developed and worked on by Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, and now finally finished by Paul and Ringo over four decades later. On 2nd November, “Now And Then” will be released worldwide at 2pm GMT / 10am EDT / 7am PDT.
Pre-order/pre-save “Now And Then” in a variety of digital, vinyl, and cassette editions, including Beatles Store exclusives.
A 12-minute documentary film will debut on November 1 on The Beatles’ YouTube channel at 7:30pm GMT / 3:30pm EDT / 12:30pm PDT and tells the story behind the last Beatles song, with exclusive footage and commentary from Paul, Ringo, George, Sean Ono Lennon and Peter Jackson. Watch the trailer today.
To be released on November 24 through Cherry Red is the long-lost collaboration by Glenn Hughes and Robin George. Originally recorded in 1989, this 13 track CD comes from the original tapes, and also features other former members of Trapeze.
A chance meeting between Glenn Hughes and Robin George eventually resulted in an invitation for Glenn to sing backing vocals for Robin and Sean Harris’ Notorious album, which lead to a full collaboration between Robin and Glenn. The album started life as a solo Robin George record and developed into ‘Overcome’, complete with four songs co-written by the pair; ‘Number One’, ‘Sweet Revenge’, ‘Don’t Come Crying’, and the title track.
Such was the faith and strength in the new recordings, that a major label deal was struck but fell through, leaving these recordings to languish in the vaults. Glenn is on fine form on the album, and among the 13 tracks of melodic, and occasionally funky, hard rock, one special treat is the track ‘Haunted’, essentially recorded by a reformed Trapeze, featuring Dave Holland, Mel Galley and Terry Rowley.
Glenn Hughes has quite rightly been hailed “The Voice Of Rock”, and for good reason. With a career that kicked off with Mel Galley and Dave Holland in Trapeze in 1970, followed by Deep Purple between 1973 and 1976, Glenn would also form Hughes / Thrall, join Black Sabbath, enjoy a successful solo career, collaborate with artists as varied as Gary Moore, Joe Lynn Turner and the KLF, founding Black Country Communion and California Breed, and fronting The Dead Daisies.
Over the years, Robin George has collaborated with many musical legends, from Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, Thin Lizzy’s Philip Lynott, Uriah Heep’s David Byron, UFO’s Pete Way, John Wetton & Asia, Daniel Boone, Raymond Froggatt and the Quireboys’ Spike. As a native of Wolverhampton, it’s no surprise that a musician of Robin George’s caliber would cross paths with local heroes Trapeze.
TRACK LISTING:
1 Flying 2 Overcome 3 I Want 4 Haunted (featuring Trapeze’s Dave Holland, Mel Galley & Terry Rowley) 5 Number One 6 Sweet Revenge 7 The American Way 8 Machine 9 Steal My Heart 10 Things Have Gotta Change 11 Don’t Come Crying 12 Loving You 13 War Dance
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)
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)
Southern California roots rockers Robert Jon and The Wreck have a new single out, described as “a soulful ode to the touring life.” Check out the video below, or listen to it digitally – “Hold On”
“’Hold On’ is a track that wrestles with the question of every touring musician of how long can you hold on to this crazy lifestyle of being on the road, away from loved ones and family,” comments Robert Jon. “The song was recorded at Village Studios in LA and started out as a soundcheck riff, with promise. It turned into a riff-based rock classic, with soaring vocals and ripping guitar lines.”
The release of “Hold On” follows the band’s prior single “Stone Cold Killer.” Accompanied by the band’s first foray into animation, the “Stone Cold Killer” music video was directed and animated in black and white by Marco Pavone, introducing a fresh visual narrative while maintaining the band’s authentic Southern Rock essence.
Robert Jon & The Wreck are touring extensively in 2023, bringing their new music to fans both in the United States and Europe. They are currently on a European tour, covering countries like Germany, the Netherlands, UK, France, Austria, and Switzerland. After wrapping up in Europe on October 8th, the band will head to the U.S. in November. They will start by supporting The Mavericks for four shows, followed by their own headline tour that will continue until December 10th and end the year with newly added shows supporting Blackberry Smoke.Recently, keyboardist Jake Abernathie joined the band as an official member as they continue to tour and record in the studio. Simply put, it is difficult to ignore when these talented musicians take the stage.
Music On CD have reissued the ARGENT box of the band’s first 5 essential albums. Well worth checking out, if you don’t have any Argent! Includes hits “Liar” (made famous by Three Dog Night), “Hold Your Head Up”, and “God Gave Rock n Roll To You” (covered by Kiss).
This great box set includes five original albums recorded between 1969 and 1974 by the great British Prog group Argent, created by Rod Argent after the demise of the Zombies, one of the most important and talented representatives of British scene. With masterpiece “Argent” with excellent guitar playing, “Ring Of Hands” with a more rock mood, “All Together Now”, “In Deep” and “Nexus”. The albums have been digitally remastered and packaged in album replicas (mini-sleeves), housed in a cardboard box. This is an essential!
DOKKEN has a brand new album out next week. The band was one of the best that came out of the LA ‘metal’ scene in the ’80s with hits like “Breaking The Chains”, “In My Dreams”, “Just Got Lucky”, and “Alone Again”. They definitely built an impressive catalogue of albums throughout the ’80s, but over the years the ‘original’ band members would come and go, and for the past several years vocalist / songwriter and namesake Don Dokken has been keeping the Dokken name alive (rightfully so). The rest of the band consists of guitarist Jon Levin (for some 20 years now), and the longtime rhythm section of BJ Zampa and Chris McCarvill. Heaven Comes Down was produced by Don Dokken and Bill Palmer, and mixed by Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Aerosmith…). Don Dokken’s health issues over the past decade plus have been documented, and the guy’s taken criticism online on occasion over his voice in later years, but really the guy is 70, still out there, and listening to Heaven Comes Down – he can still write good songs and delivers them fine by me! In going back and checking out the band’s previous few albums, I would say this is much better. The songs and production suit Don’s voice well; he sounds good throughout this, not overdoing it, but still rockin’. Heaven Comes Down is not ‘metal’ (was Dokken ever really metal?), but it rocks, and offers a good range of songs, with a few surprises. “Fugitive” was the lead off single, and it’s the first track on the album, a great opener with Jon Levin’s guitar notes, and the band coming in, easily a favorite here. I also dig the 2nd single “Gypsy”, a cool story behind it, and well – gotta love the title (thinking of all the classic bands that have used the same title & idea — Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath). There is a good mix of rockers and a few ballads here, with favorites being “Saving Grace”, “Lost In You”, and the ballad “Never Give Up”. Plenty of cool intros and hooks throughout this, with Jon Levin being outstanding on this. Heaven Comes Down closes with the most interesting and perhaps best non-rock Dokken tune ever – “Santa Fe”, a memorable acoustic ballad, biographical lyrics , as Don sings about packing up and moving on. Is it a sign that this is Dokken’s last album (as Don has suggested in interviews)? Let’s hope not, as Heaven Comes Down is a great return after a decade. Check it out!
MAGNUM have announced a new album, ‘Here Comes the Rain’, to be released January 12, 2024. There will be a new single & (lyric) video out on November 22! A European & UK tour will follow starting in April. *Check out the press info & tour dates below.
There are few great bands on our planet that can be infallibly identified within the first few bars of one of their songs. With unique melodic skill, tasteful instrumentation, an amazing balance of depth and catchiness, and, of course, that charismatic voice: MAGNUM are Magnum!
The same can be said of their latest studio album ‘Here Comes The Rain’, which will be out on Steamhammer/SPV January 12th, 2024 on CD + DVD, double vinyl LP, as a box set and for digital download, proving once again that classic rock music could hardly sound more atmospheric. The band surrounding frontman Bob Catley and guitarist/songwriter Tony Clarkin is set to release two lead singles – “Blue Tango” on November 22, 2023 and “The Seventh Darkness” on January 3, 2024. Additionally, a tour has been scheduled to kick off in early April 2024.
The album’s highly inspired artwork is once more designed by the great Rodney Matthews, who has already created a number of MAGNUM sleeves to support the band’s atmospherically dense music. Says Tony Clarkin: “The back cover features a kind of avian battalion in attack mode, which I think is a great allegory!”
Apart from MAGNUM’s typical trademarks, ‘Here Comes The Rain’ also holds a number of thoroughly pleasant surprises. First single, “Blue Tango”, is a real riff-rock number that makes you want to move your feet while “The Seventh Darkness”, is filled with awesome brass sections courtesy of guest musicians Chris ‘BeeBe’ Aldridge (saxophone) and Nick Dewhurst (trumpet), which lend the song brilliance and shape.
There is no doubt about it: ‘Here Comes The Rain’ sees the MAGNUM line-up consisting of Catley, Clarkin, keyboardist Rick Benton, bassist Dennis Ward and drummer Lee Morris, once again succeed in creating an outstanding, colorful, varied and inspired new studio album. “Everyone played their part without me dictating anything,” Clarkin enthuses, “everyone just instinctively played what their inspiration told them.” It’s a good thing that these superb musicians can rely on their intuition!
‘Here Comes the Rain’ Track List: 1. Run into the Shadows 2. Here Comes the Rain 3. Some Kind of Treachery 4. After the Silence 5. Blue Tango 6. The Day He Lied 7. The Seventh Darkness 8. Broken City 9. I Wanna Live 10. Borderline ‘
Here Comes The Rain’ will be released on January 12th, 2024 through SPV/Steamhammer in the following configurations: > CD+DVD (‘Live At KK’s Steel Mill’) DigiPak > CD Jewel Case Version > Limited Box Set > 2LP Gatefold, 140 g, solid baby blue vinyl, printed inner sleeves > Download / Streaming > Exclusive CD/LP Bundles with a shirt only at the Steamhammer shop HERE > 2LP Gatefold exclusive colored edition only at the Napalm shop HERE
URIAH HEEP’s sixth studio album since their inception in 1970, was released in September of 1973.Sweet Freedom marked a change in direction for the band following the favorites – Demons And Wizards and The Magician’s Birthday, both released in 1972, both including fantasy themes and Roger Dean artwork. But following the band’s Live album released earlier in 1973, the band spoke of the unwanted attention that the previous 2 albums drew in based on the song titles and lyrical topics, and that they’d be steering clear of that on their next album. The band’s contract with Mercury Records was also up and they were signed to Warner Brothers in North America. Warners was a bigger label, and had loads of the big name heavy acts at the time, so Heep would make a fine addition to their roster. With Sweet Freedom the band began a more mainstream approach. This new album came in a brightly colored cover featuring the band on the front in a sunset, and a tri-fold sleeve to include individual photos,lyrics and credits (gone would be Ken Hensley’s liner notes). Cover and photos by Fin Costello.
Sweet Freedom featured the single “Stealin'”, penned by Ken Hensley. Although it be de-railed from being a massive hit single due to radio stations, at the time, not playing it because of the line “I done the rancher’s daughter”, it would go on to be a huge favorite amongst fans, and a live favorite regularly for decades to come. Based on a story Hensley claimed was pure imagination, it is one of the best examples of David Byron interpreting his words so convincingly. And add in Gary Thain’s bass (intro) and Mick Box’s brilliant solo, “Stealin'” is Heep at their best. But there’s 7 other cuts here, and they’re all classic Heep. “Dreamer”, penned by Box & Thain is a solid rocker that opens the album, telling the tale of a fan who hangs around the band, the feel-good short rocker “One Day”, and title track round out the first side.
“If I Had The Time”, opens side 2 with Hensley using more keyboards, giving this a more prog & psych feel. He would later in life disagree with some of his own lyrics here, commenting that he wouldn’t do things the same given the chance ‘if I had the time to re-live my life’. “Seven Stars”, another Hensley tune based on a dream would be the album’s 2nd single. The last 2 tracks tho’ are huge favorites – the acoustic “Circus”, another penned by Box & Thain would’ve made an excellent single (much more so than “Seven Stars”, IMO). Heck, I would suggest between Gary Thain’s songwriting contributions and playing throughout, that Sweet Freedom would be his best record with Heep. The album closes with the Hensley & Byron epic “Pilgrim”. It’s a theatrical heavy rocker, with some cool changes, and a great vocal. Clocking in at over 7 minutes, about as long as post-’72 Heep would get, as they abandon the longer pieces as they moved to a more mainstream approach (the band’s next few albums would feature more shorter tunes).
Sweet Freedom was another big charting album for the band in many countries, notably in Canada where it reached top 10. Odd that I never hear anything from it on Canadian classic rock radio, tho “Stealin'” still gets played on many American stations (like Buffalo’s 97 Rock). Sweet Freedom was also the first album Heep recorded outside of the UK (for tax reasons), at France’s Chateau D’Herouville, which was a popular studio at the time. They would stumble a bit with the next album which they also recorded out of country, in Germany. Sweet Freedom though is essential Uriah Heep listening from the band’s golden era.
*Leave a comment and let me know where Sweet Freedom sits amongst your favorite Uriah Heep albums.
*Songs from Sweet Freedom can be heard live on the release of the band’s 1973 King Biscuit Flower Hour, as well as a decent audience bootleg from the band’s show in Buffalo, New York, a few weeks prior to the album’s release. Aside from “Stealin'”, a few other tracks have been brought back to the live show on occasion, so live versions of “Sweet Freedom”, “Circus”, and “Seven Stars” exist with Bernie Shaw & Phil Lanzon. Ken Hensley also released an early take of “If I Had The Time” on his 1993 compilation of outtakes From Time To Time.
URIAH HEEP, “SWEET FREEDOM.” Uriah’s first album for the Brothers Warner is loaded with explosively driving rock that should leap to the top of the charts. “Stealin’ ” looks like a giant hit single and Ken Hensley and Gary Thain have written a heap of solid tunes, including “One Day,” “If I Had Time,” “Pilgrim” and “Seven Stars.” Warner Bros. BS 2724 (Record World, 09-29-1973)
SWEET FREEDOM-Uriah Heep-Warner Brothers-BS 2724 On their debut for their new label, Uriah Heep comes on stronger than ever and look ready to storm American shores as they have in their native England. Spearheaded by their current single release, “Stealin’,” this Heep disk is a very powerful demonstration of what the group is capable of delivering and one which should impress the masses upon first listening. Along with the single is the power driving title track and “Dreamer” other Heep compositions that score heavily, and only do more to increase their already high level of respectability. If you’ve been waiting for the vehicle to really get this group on their way, the wait is over. “Sweet Freedom” is here. (CashBox, 09-23-1973)
