Finland’s Erja Lyytinen has released a new single from her upcoming live album – Diamonds On The Road-Live 2023. The track is a awesome version of the Hendrix classic “Crosstown Traffic”. To check it out > STREAM SINGLE , or check out the new video!
DIAMONDS ON THE ROAD – LIVE 2023 TO BE RELEASED 6TH OCTOBER 2023
AVAILABLE ON DOUBLE CD, VINYL & DIGITAL
PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM
DIAMONDS ON THE ROAD – NOVEMBER 2023 UK TOUR
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM: ERJALYYTINEN.COM/TOUR
Legendary and multi-Platinum rockers FOGHAT will be releasing their long-awaited 17th studio album, ‘Sonic Mojo’—their first in seven years—later this year on the band’s label, Foghat Records, which is distributed by Select-O-Hits (part of the Sun Records family).
The album’s first single, “Drivin’ On” (co-written by the late Kim Simmonds from Savoy Brown), is now available for pre-saves at Foghat.lnk.to/DrivinOnNE
Watch the video teaser for “Drivein’ On” on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fyM0hdKIS8
In addition to three brand new songs written by band–founding member/drummer Roger Earl, guitarist/engineer/co-producer Bryan Bassett, singer/bassist Rodney O’Quinn, singer/guitarist Scott Holt—three other songs were co-written by Kim Simmonds, the man who gave Roger his first break back in 1967 as a member of Savoy Brown. Sadly, shortly after writing these songs, Kim passed away.
The upcoming release sees FOGHAT tip their hat to great artists that came before them, with songs on the album written by Willie Dixon, B.B. King, and Chuck Berry, as well as giving plenty of winks and nods from the current lineup.
Formed in 1971 when Lonesome Dave Peverett and Roger Earl left the British blues-rock band, Savoy Brown, FOGHAT has earned eight Gold records, one Platinum record and one double-Platinum record. They continue to release new music every few years, and they’ve never stopped touring and recording although there have been several ups and downs and changes over the years. They sadly lost Lonesome Dave Peverett in 2000, Rod Price in 2005, and Craig MacGregor in 2018, but Roger Earl keeps banging and kicking to keep FOGHAT’s musical legacy going. It’s about the Music!
LINKS:
A new Dokken album coming, will be the band’s first in over 10 years. The first single is out, and it sounds good. Don Dokken has gone though a number of health issues, and there’s been many comments about his voice over the last several years, but he sounds fine on “Fugitive”. The guy’s not in his 20s or 30s, but still has that recognizable voice here. Longtime bandmate Jon Levin does an outstanding job on this one. A memorable chorus, big solo, looking forward to hearing the rest of the album. Dokken and Levin are joined by longtime drummer BJ Zampa, and bassist Chris McCarvill (both ex House of Lords). Heaven Comes Down will be available on blue vinyl, CD, and cassette HERE. *For more info check out the new video for “Fugitive” , and read the bio/press info in the details.
Track Listing:
Fugitive
Gypsy
Is It Me Or You?
Just Like A Rose
I’ll Never Give Up
Saving Grace
Over The Mountain
I Remember
Lost In You
Santa Fe
Don Dokken – Vocals / Jon Levin- Guitar/ Chris McCarvill- bass/ BJ Zampa- drums. +Bill Palmer: acoustic guitar on ‘Santa Fe’. Mark Boals: special guest (background vocals).
Dokken Upcoming Dates:
Saturday 19 August – Shoshone Bannock Casino Hotel – Chubbuck, ID
Wednesday 20 September – The Big E – West Springfield, MA
Saturday 14 October – RCU Theatre – Eau Claire, WI
Saturday 21 October – The Piazza – Aurora, IL
Saturday 11 November – Piere’s – Fort Wayne IN,
Friday 17 November – Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
Saturday 18 November -Whisky A Go Go – West Hollywood, CA
LINKS:
https://www.dokken.net/
https://www.facebook.com/DokkenOfficial
https://www.youtube.com/DokkenOfficial
https://www.twitter.com/Dokken
https://www.instagram.com/dokken_official
https://blabbermouth.net/news/don-dokken-is-very-proud-of-upcoming-dokken-album-heaven-comes-down
Before there was the LA metal scene, before there was the likes of Motley Crue, Quiet Riot, and even Van Halen – there was Yesterday & Today. Originally from Oakland, Dave Meniketti (guitar/vocals), Joey Alves (guitar), Phil Kennemore (bass), and Leonard Haze (drums). The band released 2 albums as Yesterday & Today in 1976 & ’78 (on London Records), before signing to A & M and releasing 5 studio albums and 1 live set from 1981 to ’85. The band released 2 more albums by 1990, and by then Haze had been replaced by Jimmy DeGrasso and Stef Burns had replaced Alves. With changes in the music scene and no record deal the band played farewell shows and released Yesterday & Today Live in 1991, on MetalBlade.
Originally released with 13 tracks, Live has been expanded to 15 tracks, with a set that features (almost) every album up until then. Absent was the band’s 1985 hit “Summertime Girls”, but as far as a live recording and document of a legendary band that should’ve been something bigger – Live is a ‘must hear’ classic hard-rock/metal set. Classics like “Mean Streak”, “Midnight In Tokyo”, “Beautiful Dreamer”, “Don’t Stop Runnin”, and “Forever” sound great here, and if you don’t know this band, this is a good place to start (as well as the 4-CD Earthquake: The A&M Years) This reissue also comes in various colored vinyl editions, as well as a 2-CD set. Dave Meniketti still carries on with Y & T. *For more on Y & T check out the press info and the links below!
Yesterday and Today Live features 15 songs and more than 84 minutes of live Y&T recorded in 1990, with never-before-seen photos and two bonus tracks, ‘Earthshaker” and “Rescue Me.” “Earthshaker” was originally on the first Yesterday and Today (self-titled) album in 1976, and “Earthshaker” was also the title of Y&T’s 1981 third studio album; “Rescue Me” appears on the “Earthshaker” album. Both bonus tracks appear on all versions/variants of Yesterday and Today Live.
The iconic songs on Yesterday and Today Live (initially released in 1991) were written by the classic lineup of Dave Meniketti, drummer Leonard Haze, bassist Phil Kennemore, and guitarist Joseph Alves.
Singer/songwriter and guitarist Dave Meniketti says of the album: “Very happy to have this vinyl re-release of Yesterday and Today Live come together. This was recorded at a time when the band had decided to disband–however temporary that was–and these tracks were taken from what we considered were to be the last shows Y&T would perform. Because of our state of mind at the time, songs like “Hard Times” were especially poignant. Even though the changing music industry had us in turmoil, the band was at the top of our game and these tracks give a good window into that time of our lives. I believe this is truly one of our finest Y&T live recordings.”
Yesterday and Today Live (Expanded Edition) Tracklisting:
01. Mean Streak
02. Hurricane
03. Don’t Stop Runnin’
04. Struck Down
05. Winds of Change
06. Black Tiger
07. Midnight in Tokyo
08. Beautiful Dreamer
09. Hard Times
10. I’ll Cry
11. I Believe in You
12. Squeeze
13. Forever
14. Earth Shaker (Bonus Track)
15. Rescue Me (Bonus Track)
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/YandTRocks
https://www.metalblade.com/us/
Recorded in 2018, Postcard From Germany was kept in the can for a few years, and is being released this week. It follows the recording & release of Live At The El Mocambo (2020/21). Postcard From Germany was recorded at the HEAT Festival, in Ludwigsburg, consisting of 13 songs. BUT, a few interesting things that make this a ‘must have’ for Coney fans. First, the set-list does differ from the El Mocambo show, with an emphasis on the band’s 3rd album Friction. That album was a big hit over there, so this set includes 5 cuts from it. The show sounds energetic, and the Friction tunes (with Dave Ketchum on drums, who wasn’t on that album), as well as with then-new guitarist Sean Kelly, and minus the keyboards(!) they rock a bit more (IMO). The band’s other albums are all represented, though there’s the glaring omission of “Hey Operator” – which was not performed that night (for whatever reason, really!?). The band gets a nice intro in German (their first time in Germany), and seem to have enjoyed themselves. But this album has the added bonus of including 2 new studio tracks, the first Coney Hatch tunes to feature Sean Kelly, and finished around the time of the El Mocambo show in 2020. “It’s About A Girl” has already been released as a (digital) single and video, a fun pop-rocker from Carl Dixon, with a catchy chorus; a song that could’ve been a major hit … in another time. The other new track features Andy Curran on vocals, “Heaven’s On The Other Side” is a heavier rock tune, the intro reminds me of “Boys Club” (from CH Four), lots of cool guitar throughout this; old school Coney fans will dig this one!
*Find this on Amazon or get the limited signed copies from Cleopatra > https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/coney-hatch-postcard-from-germany-cd/
*There is an Album Release bash/show for Postcard From Germany September 22 at the El Mocambo
While checking out Canadian LPs from 1978, I got to revisiting this favorite, released in the summer of that year, Streetheart’s debut, and best album! Streetheart was originally based in Regina, Saskatchewan, and fronted by Kenny Shileds, and joined by Daryl Gutheil (keys), Matt Frenette (drums), Ken Sinnaeve (bass), and Paul Dean (guitar). Meanwhile Back In Paris‘ LP title was taken from the opening line in the first cut “Action” – the band’s best known classic, and the one Streetheart tune most likely to still be played on Canadian radio. The album though was preceded by a limited edition 12 inch single titled The 12 Incher!!!, and featured 3 tracks from the upcoming album – “Just For You”, “Action”, and “Can You Feel It”. The 12 Incher!!! was released in limited numbers (3500), on red vinyl (I have a white-label promo copy). Meanwhile Back In Paris featured 9 songs, all of which rock, making for a solid album of cool Canadian hard-rock. Aside from the obvious classic “Action”, favorites include “Pressure”, “Street Walker”, “Look At Me” (the single) and “Just For You”. “Action” – I can’t help to draw comparisons to the 1980 Loverboy hit “Turn Me Loose”, both with the longer keyboard in the intro, as well as each singer hitting that big note in similar style – with the word “crazy” on “Action” and “fly my way” on the Loverboy tune, and both featuring stand-out bass lines. Sinnaeve’s bass playing throughout this is a big part of the sound, driving a number of songs, such as “Can You Feel It”.
This album has a much more energy to it, more guitar heavy hard-rock than later Streetheart albums, which went in a more AOR style and production (though the follow-up Under Heaven, Over Hell is a fine album). Streetheart (and Shields) initially drew comparisons to Steve Marriott and The Faces and Meanwhile Back In Paris was hailed as “the greatest debut by a Canadian R&R band”. It would sell over 100 000 copies in Canada, earning a Platinum award, but would not get a US release (tho’ it would be the reason for the band getting a US deal for future albums). It did get released in a number of European countries (Germany, etc..) as well as South Africa! Classic album cover shot by Myron Zabol who would be credited on a few other Streetheart albums, as well as albums by The Dudes and Shania Twain.
Paul Dean, who co-wrote most of the album would leave after this album to form Loverboy, and was joined by Matt Frenette (after another Streetheart LP). Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve would go on to work with numerous Canadian acts, and later joined Loverboy as well. Four songs from Meanwhile Back In Paris would feature on the 1981 compilation LP Action – The Best Of Streetheart, and Paul Dean would include a new version of “Action” on his 1988 solo album – Hard Core. The original Streetheart reunited in August of 1993, and a live recording from this was later released as One Night One Take. Streetheart carried on after the passing of Kenny Shields in 2017 (RIP), with founding members Sinnaeve and Gutheil, along with longtime guitarist Jeff Neil and drummer Chris Sutherland, and singer Paul McNair (Harlequin).
Streetheart With WEA
Gary Muth has announced the signing of Regina -based group Streetheart to WEA Canada for a long-term recording agreement.
In conjunction with the signing, it was announced that Don Valley Music Ltd. will be the sole publisher of all compositions written and recorded by the band, who will enter the studios shortly to record their first
album, with George Semkiw producing. (CashBox, 10, 08, 77)
MEANWHILE BACK IN CALGARY: Streetheart must be one of the
brightest lights to shine here in the north. The act is currently in the midst of a cross country tour to promote their debut album, “Meanwhile Back In Paris.” Their 12″ EP, with slick cover art and even slicker HM licks inside, managed to turn some heads and airplay on this act is a natural. Contained in “Just For You” is the sound of a beer bottle smashing, captured so well that heads invariably turn to spot the clumsy goof who dropped it. Worth hunting for. – (Record World, 07,01,78)
STREETHEART MEANWHILE BACK IN PARIS/Atlantic KCA 92002
A beat set in a drone stresses the bottomy nature of Streetheart. Their tunes are O.K., the best of them being ” Pressure.” Streetheart rocks steadily. A fine instrumental called “Captain Rhythm” graces side two. Merit. (Walrus Magazine, 03,12,79)
HOW DO YOU CALL YOUR LOVER BOY: Paul Dean has been carving an excellent reputation as a guitarist on the prairies with his contributions to both Scrubbalo Caine and Streetheart. Now comes news that he’s teamed up with former Hammersmith and Moxy vocalist Mike Reno for a new hard rock act, Lover Boy. Teaming up to handle management are Bruce Allen (of BTO and Prism fame), who runs a west coast booking agency, and Lou Blair, owner of the Calgary club, The Refinery, where Doucette recorded a live number for his latest album. Blair also handled management for former CBS act Fosterchild. (RecordWorld, 07, 28, 79)
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/streetheartofficial/
http://www.twitter.com/Streetheartband
https://www.kenspidersinnaeve.com/
As a fan, I very much looking forward to this release – a 2CD compilation of John Lawton recordings. John was a great singer, and a great person. This first review of this album was posted by Richard Wagner – a fan and friend of John’s. With Richard’s permission I am sharing it here, along with a few images. Enjoy, and check out this release at the link below…
I’m a lucky guy who received a copy of the “Celebrating the Life of John Lawton” double-CD at the CD-launch party last Sunday (July 9).
And I must say I love it!
There are 33 songs on the two CDs which Iris Lawton personally selected. And don’t expect the typical Best Of. Far from that. There are songs which I never heard, some of them Iris found on old cassette tapes. All the music was beautifully mastered and sounds really good indeed.
The songs show John’s versatility, feeling and huge talent. His name really should be mentioned with the best of the best.
There are funny moments too, e.g. the Colgate toothpaste jingles sung in German or the impromptu “Mamma Lou” jam at a concert in Hamburg.
The front cover design and booklet paintings by Polish artist Damian Bydlinski are outstanding.
The booklet designed and put together by Iris has 15 pages and holds a lot of information and quite a number of photos. It is fun reading through the booklet like it was a vinyl cover in the old days 
. Iris tells where the songs originate from and also why she selected them.
I can only guess how hard and difficult it must have been for her to go through all these songs and hear John’s voice.
Thank you, Iris, you really did John proud.
A must have for those who know John and definitely a must have for those who are not so familiar with his voice and work.
To order: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/john-lawton-celebrating-the-life-of-john-lawton-2cd/
John Wetton’s solo catalogue is being released in box set format in November. This comes after the book An Extraordinary Life, as well as the John Wetton Tribute concert this week (August 3), which can also be live-streamed! Check out all the info below on the box set.
On 24th November the first in a series of box sets commemorating the life and music of one of the UK`s most extraordinary and prolific musicians, John Wetton, will be released.
The An Extraordinary Life box set contains 8 newly remastered CDs, featuring the six solo albums Wetton released between 1980 and 2011. Each album now includes special bonus tracks. Additionally, two further discs are included which feature a gold mine of rare, live and unreleased material from the vaults, compiled by John`s archivist, Rick Nelson.
*Check out trailer for the box set here:
Housed in a sumptuous 12” by 12” box, this set includes a 64-page book with an introduction by legendary artist, Roger Dean and contains comprehensive sleeve notes by Nick Shilton, author of Wetton’s biography, ‘An Extraordinary Life’, published earlier this year. The book also features a raft of photographs taken from the Wetton archive and has been designed by John’s long-time friend, Michael Inns.
This whole project has been lovingly crafted and compiled with the full blessing of John`s son Dylan and his wife Lisa and is endorsed by the Wetton estate.
With a career spanning more than four decades, John Wetton`s rich baritone voice and accomplished bass playing has adorned many recordings. In this ‘An Extraordinary Life’ his extensive solo career is captured for posterity all in one sumptuous box set, making this a fitting tribute to one of the UK most loved and respected artists.
An Extraordinary Life
DISC 1: Caught in The Crossfire (1980)
DISC 2: Battle Lines (1994)
DISC 3: Arkangel (1997)
DISC 4: Welcome to Heaven (2000)
DISC 5: Rock of Faith (2003)
DISC 6: Raised in Captivity (2011)
DISC 7: New Live and Unreleased Tracks
DISC 8: New Live and Unreleased Tracks
Pre-Order link:
LINKS:
Finnish hard/classic/blues rock band MOUNT MARY has a new single out – ”Color of My Tear” (see new lyric video below), from their upcoming 2nd album Diamonds of a Fool (to be released Aug18th). The band has a very ’70s feel, with big riffs, and strong melodies. Well produced guitar heavy songs, which should appeal to fans of Led Zeppelin, Cactus, Mountain (hey, Corky Laing guests on 3 tracks here!), as well as modern day bands like Rival Sons, Dirty Honey, and The Damn Truth. Maria Hanninen’s vocals remind me (at times) of Sass Jordan. A solid album of 9 rockin’ songs, that doesn’t lighten up much, with fave picks being “Diamonds Of A Fool”, “Tohu Bohu” (I like the Hammond organ here), and “Heart’s Astray”. *For more info, credits, and links – see below!
MM released their critically acclaimed self-titled debut 2021.
With their new album “Diamonds of a Fool” Mount Mary continues rockin’ in the atmosphere of 70’s hard rock.
The band offers “healing organic rasp, unrestrainedly.”
“Diamonds of a Fool” will be released AUg18th,2023, via Emsalö Music
Members of Mount Mary have worked together with many international artists including Ken Hensley, Corky Laing, Billy Cobham, Hanoi Rocks, Michael Monroe , Bob Margolin, Franz Ferdinand, Johnny Bolin, Conny Bloom, Wigwam, Kingston Wall, Dave Lindholm….just to mention a few
Arranged and produced by Mount Mary
Recorded, mixed, mastered by Petri Majuri
Maria Hänninen – vocals, guitar
Petri Majuri – guitar
Jukka Jylli – bass
Otto Haapanen – drums
*Special guests :
-Corky Laing (Mountain, West, Bruce & Laing)
-Remu Aaltonen (Hurriganes)
-Per Wiberg ( Kamchatka, Opeth, Spiritual Beggars, Candlemass)
-Mother Joonas
To Order: Diamonds Of A Fool:
LP : http://äx.fi/P846872
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/mountmaryband
Arguably Genesis finest album, Foxtrot was released in 1972. It is now being celebrated by former guitarist Steve Hackett, who’s latest tour has included performing the album with his band. Hackett in recent years has toured, performed and released a series of ‘Genesis Revisited‘ live albums celebrating the classic ’70s era of Genesis with Selling England By The Pound & Spectral Mornings: Live At Hammersmith (2020), and last year’s Seconds Out And More. Hackett’s band features singer Nad Sylvan, who does a remarkable job with the Peter Gabriel era songs. Check out the clip of “Wacther Of The Skies” below! Steve Hackett is coming to North America in the fall to perform Foxtrot at 50, looking forward to it. *See dates below. *For more on the upcoming Live release see the press info below….
Legendary guitarist Steve Hackett presents his brand-new live audio/visual extravaganza, with the release of ‘Foxtrot at Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live in Brighton’, set for release on the 15th September 2023.
Filmed & recorded live on his 2022 UK tour, in the coastal city of Brighton, UK, this release documents Steve and his band celebrating the 50th anniversary of the much-loved Genesis album ‘Foxtrot’. Played in full, this album features fan favorites including ‘Watcher Of The Skies’ and ‘Supper’s Ready’. The show also features a set of Hackett solo material, including ‘The Devil’s Cathedral’ from his latest studio album ‘Surrender of Silence’, and the powerful ‘Ace of Wands’.
Shot by long time collaborator Paul Green, you can now watch the band perform ‘Watcher of the Skies’ –
Mixed by Chris Lord-Alge & mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, the album is now available to pre-order on Ltd 2CD+Blu-ray & Ltd 2CD+2DVD, both including bonus behind the scenes interviews, as well as 5.1 surround sound. A Ltd Deluxe 180g 4LP edition will also be available, and you can pre-order now here: https://stevehackett.lnk.to/FoxtrotAtFiftyHackettHighlights-LiveInBrighton
Track-listing:
1. Intro / Ace of Wands
2. The Devil’s Cathedral
3. Spectral Mornings
4. Every Day
5. A Tower Struck Down
6. Basic Instincts
7. Camino Royale
8. Shadow of the Hierophant
9. Watcher of the Skies
10. Time Table
11. Get ‘Em Out by Friday
12. Can Utility and the Coastliners
13. Horizons
14. Supper’s Ready
15. Firth of Fifth
16. Los Endos
Steve Hackett & band continue their busy touring schedule with further “Foxtrot At Fifty & Hackett Highlights” dates in North America beginning in October. For the full list of dates, head to: http://hackettsongs.com/tour.html
Steve Hackett is joined live by Roger King, Rob Townsend, Nad Sylvan, Craig Blundell & Jonas Reingold, as well as on occasion special guest Amanda Lehmann.
LINKS:
www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Hackett/123101228589
www.twitter.com/HackettOfficial
http://hackettsongs.com/tour.htm
http://www.youtube.com/InsideOutMusicTV
www.facebook.com/InsideOutMusic
Outsider Rock 