URIAH HEEP has a new single out from Chaos & Colour, which is to be released on the 27. The rocker “Hurricane” was written by (drummer) Russell Gilbrook, along with friend & guitarist Simon J. Pinto, who has played with Les Binks (Les Binks’ Priesthood), and also worked with Adam Wakeman, Brian May, and Sam Smith among others. “Hurricane” is an outstanding heavy rocker and sounds like it should make an excellent fit in to the band’s live show.
The anthemic and epic “Hurricane” carries an underlying historical and mythological theme. Co-writer and drummer Russell Gilbrook explains: “Simon (Pinto) and I wrote the song about how our ancestors looked at storms and how these can be interpreted as being messages from the Gods… Their power is awesome and a great inspiration for a rocking track!”
Founding member Mick Box comments: “Music and lyrics are of paramount importance to me… I used to hate those ‘80s MTV million dollar videos as they created such a visual image that all calls to imagination were lost because you didn’t have to think. I think the power of music and lyrics are that they do certain things to certain people.”
Chaos & Colour is an album which bristles with explosive classic rock guitars, supreme harmonies, and Heep’s famously generous keyboard foundation. “One Nation, One Sun” is a journey of soaring balladic contemplation, “Fly Like An Eagle” takes the listener on a journey of meditation, whilst “Closer To Your Dreams” is a battle cry for all rockers to get out there and do it, with Shaw imploring that “So many have tried but slipped away/Now it’s time for you to have your say.” During the entire album, Bernie Shaw’s timeless vocals sit expertly beside the band’s phenomenal artistry (Mick Box – guitar, Phil Lanzon – keyboard, Russell Gilbrook – drums, Dave Rimmer – bass), rounding out exceptional performances throughout.
British blues rockers Bad Luck Friday have a new single out – “Rebel With A Cause”. The single on Wilde Fire Records, from the band’s debut album can be streamed HERE and check out the video below. *For more check out the press info and links below!
“Rebel With A Cause is Bad Luck Friday’s unambiguous statement about Britain’s current political climate,” says the band’s guitarist Steve Brook. “Channelling Rage Against the Machine, the track’s opening riff serves as a rallying call to the disaffected, the downtrodden and jaded alike: get off your rear and get to the front! It’s big, bold and demands to be heard.”
Don’t be fooled by the harmonica. Bad Luck Friday is not your typical blues rock band. Will Wilde has a reputation in the blues world as a pioneer of the rock harp, but with Bad Luck Friday, he’s taken the music well beyond its traditional blues roots.
The band’s eponymous debut album is available on CD and limited edition coloured vinyl from www.badluckfriday.com.
The classic 1980 album from The Alan Parson Project – Turn Of A Friendly Card is being reissued in a 4 disc (3 CD + DVD) box. The album was highlighted by 2 major hits – “Games People Play” – featuring the amazing vocals of Lenny Zakatek, and the ballad “Time”. It also included such favorites as “I Don’t Wanna Go Home”, “The Gold Bug” (a single) and “Turn Of A Friendly Card” (Parts One & Two). The original album is an awesome listen on it’s own, but the numerous demos, early takes, and rough mixes make this even more interesting. I am quite happy hearing a number of versions of “Games People Play”! To be released February 24, with a limited number of collector’s postcards available.
*For more info check out the press info & tracklisting below, as well as ordering link.
• A DELUXE LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET OF THE CLASSIC ALBUM BY THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT.
• THREE CDs AND ONE BLU-RAY DISC (REGION FREE), REMASTERED AND REMIXED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES BY ALAN PARSONS.
• FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL 42 BONUS TRACKS DRAWN FROM ERIC WOOLFSON’S SONGWRITING DIARIES, STUDIO SESSION OUT-TAKES AND A STUNNING NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK MASTER TAPES BY ALAN PARSONS AND FOUR PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS.
• INCLUDES A LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH NEW ESSAY AND A REPLICA POSTER.
First released in November 1980, ‘The Turn Of A Friendly Card’ was the fifth album by The Alan Parsons Project, the brainchild of composer, musician and manger Eric Woolfson and celebrated producer and engineer Alan Parsons.
Inspired by the period in which both Eric Woolfson and Alan Parsons had resided in Monte Carlo, this legendary album was recorded in Paris. The album sessions featured the contribution of musicians such as Ian Bairnson (guitars), David Paton (bass), Stuart Elliott (drums) with Eric Woolfson playing keyboards and providing lead vocals, along with Elmer Gantry, Chris Rainbow and Lenny Zakatek.‘ The Turn Of A Friendly Card’ would become one of the biggest selling albums for The Alan Parsons Project, attaining gold status in many European countries and the USA. The album featured such classic compositions as ‘Games People Play, ‘Time’, ‘The Gold Bug’ and ‘The Turn Of A Friendly’ suite which dominated the album’s second side.
This new deluxe edition comprises 3CDs and a Blu-Ray disc (Region Free) with an additional 42 tracks drawn from Eric Woolfson’s song-writing diaries, studio session out-takes and a stunning new 5.1 surround sound mix by Alan Parsons and a high resolution remastered original stereo mix, along with the promotional videos of ‘Games People Play’, ‘The Gold Bug’ and ‘The Turn Of A Friendly Card’ plus a promotional television advertisement. This stunning set also features a lavish illustrated book with a new essay with photos, memorabilia and features recollections from Alan Parsons and Sally Woolfson. It also includes a reproduction poster.
DISC ONE THE TURN OF A FRIENDLY CARD’ REMASTERED 1 MAY BE A PRICE TO PAY 2 GAMES PEOPLE PLAY 3 TIME 4 I DON’T WANNA GO HOME 5 THE GOLD BUG 6 THE TURN OF A FRIENDLY CARD (PART ONE) 7 SNAKE EYES 8 THE ACE OF SWORDS 9 NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE 10 THE TURN OF A FRIENDLY CARD (PART TWO) BONUS TRACKS 11 MAY BE A PRICE TO PAY (INTRO DEMO) 12 NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE (BASIC BACKING TRACK) 13 NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE (CHRIS RAINBOW OVERDUB VOCAL COMPILATION) 14 TIME (EARLY STUDIO ATTEMPT) 15 GAMES PEOPLE PLAY (ROUGH MIX) 16 THE GOLD BUG (DEMO)
DISC TWO ERIC WOOLFSON’S SONGWRITING DIARIES 1 MAY BE A PRICE TO PAY 2 GAMES PEOPLE PLAY 3 TIME 4 I DON’T WANNA GO HOME 5 THE TURN OF A FRIENDLY CARD 6 SNAKE EYES 7 NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE 8 TOFC / SNAKE EYES / I DON’T WANNA GO HOME 9 LA LA LA LAH 10 NEXT YEAR 11 SOMEONE ELSE 12 TAKING IT ALL AWAY 13 TO THOSE OF YOU OUT THERE
DISC THREE RECORDING SESSIONS BONUS TRACKS 1 MAY BE A PRICE TO PAY (EARLY VERSION – ERIC GUIDE VOCAL AND UNUSED GUITAR SOLO) 2 GAMES PEOPLE PLAY (EARLY VERSION – ERIC GUIDE VOCAL) 3 TIME (ORCHESTRA AND CHRIS RAINBOW BACKING VOCALS) 4 THE GOLD BUG (EARLY REFERENCE VERSION) 5 THE GOLD BUG (CHRIS RAINBOW BACKING VOCALS) 6 THE GOLD BUG (CLAVINET WITH NO DELAY) 7 THE TURN OF A FRIENDLY CARD – Part One (EARLY BACKING TRACK) 8 SNAKE EYES (EARLY VERSION – ERIC GUIDE VOCAL) 9 THE ACE OF SWORDS (EARLY VERSION WITH SYNTH ORCHESTRATION) 10 THE TURN OF A FRIENDLY CARD – Part Two (ERIC GUIDE VOCAL AND EXTENDED GUITAR SOLO) SINGLE EDITS 11 GAMES PEOPLE PLAY (SINGLE EDIT) 12 THE TURN OF A FRIENDLY CARD (SINGLE EDIT) 13 SNAKE EYES (SINGLE EDIT)
DISC FOUR – BLU RAY 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX (2019) AND HIGH- RESOLUTION ORIGINAL STEREO MIX BY ALAN PARSONS 1 MAY BE A PRICE TO PAY 2 GAMES PEOPLE PLAY 3 TIME 4 I DON’T WANNA GO HOME 5 THE GOLD BUG 6 THE TURN OF A FRIENDLY CARD (PART ONE) 7 SNAKE EYES 8 THE ACE OF SWORDS 9 NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE 10 THE TURN OF A FRIENDLY CARD (PART TWO) VISUAL CONTENT 1 THE TURN OF A FRIENDLY CARD (ALBUM AD) 2 GAMES PEOPLE PLAY (PROMOTIONAL VIDEO) 3 THE GOLD BUG (PROMOTIONAL VIDEO) 4 THE TURN OF A FRIENDLY CARD (PROMOTIONAL VIDEO)
American blues rocker Jared James Nichols has a brand new album out. It is self-titled, and it kicks ass! JJN sounds heavy and live! The guy plays guitar like he’s on stage, and has a distinctive enough and fitting vocal for such wild rockin’ tunes as “Saint Or Fool”, “Easy Come, Easy Go”, and the Sabbath heavy “Hallelujah”. Other excellent tracks in “Long Way To Go”, which reminds of John Corabi’s Dead Daisy stuff (on the vocal), as well check out the slower paced closing cut “Out Of Time”. Well worth checking out – today!
JJN:“I made a record to serve as the menu for the live show, ….There’s an element of excitement and danger. It’s my version of rock ‘n’ roll with a little more humanity. The album is a day in the life with the ups and downs, but it musically rings true to who I am as an artist. I’m not trying to be anybody but myself and play the music I love for today. I’m giving you loud ass guitars and no fucks given rock ‘n’ roll, and I’m loving it.”
*Check out more info from the press release below, as well as tour dates for the new album! To order the album: www.jaredjamesnichols.com/
OFFICIAL ALBUM RELEASE SHOWS SET FOR NASHVILLE, LOS ANGELES, FRESNO, CHICAGO & MILWAUKEE
EUROPEAN TOUR DATES CONFIRMED FOR FEBRUARY 9-22
With nothing more than a Gibson Les Paul slung over his shoulder, a warm amp turned all the way up, and a hot microphone on and ready, Jared James Nichols churns out the kind of rock that rips, roars, and rolls without filter or apology. Nichols, who stands at a staggering 6 foot 5 inches tall, delivers a one-two punch of gritty vocals straight from the gut and incendiary fret fireworks. Jared first emerged onto the scene in 2015 with his debut Old Glory & The Wild Revival and followed that up with Black Magic in 2018, which yielded the fan favorite “Honey Forgive Me.”
More recently, he issued the Shadow Dancer EP (2021) and collaborated earlier this year with both Maggie Rose and Joe Bonamassa for revised versions of his song “Threw Me To The Wolves.” Gibson also formally welcomed Nichols as an official ambassador, plotting the release of several signature Jared James Nichols guitars. Since his debut, Nichols has racked up millions of streams and critical acclaim and, in between show-stopping solo shows, has performed alongside icons such as Slash, Billy Gibbons, Zakk Wylde, and even the late Leslie West, to name a few.
Guitar World has attested, “If you’ve never witnessed Jared James Nichols onstage, let us say right now: you’re missing out, big time.” By keeping it simple, Jared remains primed to leave his imprint on rock ‘n’ roll forever.
JARED JAMES NICHOLS TOUR DATES U.S. Dates Tuesday, January 17 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East Thursday, January 19 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Peppermint Club Sunday, January 22 – Fresno, CA @ Strummer’s Thursday, January 26 – Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen Saturday, January 28 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Miramar Theatre
Set for a March release, Genesis ‘BBC Broadcasts’ is an extensive collection of broadcast material from one of the biggest selling recording artists of all time and one of Britain’s most internationally renowned bands. Curated by founder member Tony Banks and the group’s long-time engineer and producer Nick Davis, it is available as a 53-track 5-CD set and 24-track triple LP. These collections represent the cream of the group’s work recorded by the BBC between 1970 and 1998, and it includes contributions from all three of the group’s vocalists, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and Ray Wilson. With notes by author Michael Hann, and packaged with a 40–page booklet, ‘BBC Broadcasts’ contains favorites such as ‘Home By The Sea’, ‘Mama’, ‘Duchess’, ‘Carpet Crawlers’, ‘No Son Of Mine’ ‘Turn It On Again’ and many more. With only a handful of these tracks previously officially available, Genesis ‘BBC Broadcasts’ acts as both a collector’s cornucopia and an alternative “greatest hits”. Stretching from the very beginnings of the band’s career via appearances on ‘Night Ride’ and John Peel, the set encompasses both of the group’s Knebworth performances (78 and 92) as well as their much–loved 1980 show at London’s Lyceum, and triumphant sell–out run of shows at Wembley in 1987. Rounded out by material from the NEC in 1998 and Paris Theatre and Nightride sessions from the early 70s, as well as the much sought–after encore version of ‘Watcher Of The Skies’ at Wembley Empire Pool in 1975, Genesis ‘BBC Broadcasts’ is a veritable treasure trove.
TRACKLISTS:
CD1 Early BBC
01 Shepherd (Live on Night Ride, BBC Radio Two, 1970) 02 Pacidy (Live on Night Ride, BBC Radio Two, 1970) 03 Let Us Now Make Love (Live on Night Ride, BBC Radio Two, 1970) 04 The Fountain of Salmacis (Live at Paris Studios, London, 1972) 05 The Musical Box (Live at Paris Studios, London, 1972) 06 Stagnation (Live on Sounds of the 70s, BBC Radio One, 1971) 07 Harlequin (Live on BBC Radio One John Peel Session, 1972) 08 Get ‘Em Out By Friday (Live on BBC Radio One John Peel Session, 1972) 09 Harold the Barrel (Live on BBC Radio One John Peel Session, 1972) 10 Twilight Alehouse (Live on BBC Radio One John Peel Session, 1972) 11 Watcher of the Skies (Live on BBC Radio One In Concert, 1975)
Disc 2 (Knebworth 78 / Lyceum 80) 01 Squonk (Knebworth 78) 02 Burning Rope (Knebworth 78) 03 Dance on a Volcano (Knebworth 78) 04 Drum Duet (Knebworth 78) 05 Los Endos (Knebworth 78) 06 Deep in the Motherlode (Lyceum 80) 07 Dancing with the Moonlit Knight (Lyceum 80) 08 The Carpet Crawlers (Lyceum 80) 09 One for the Vine (Lyceum 80) 10 Behind the Lines (Lyceum 80) 11 Duchess (Lyceum 80) 12 Guide Vocal (Lyceum 80) 13 Turn It On Again (Lyceum 80) 14 Duke’s Travels (Lyceum 80) 15 Duke’s End (Lyceum 80)
Disc 3 01 Say It’s Alright Joe (Lyceum 80) 02 The Lady Lies (Lyceum 80) 03 Ripples (Lyceum 80) 04 In the Cage (Lyceum 80) 05 The Raven (Lyceum 80) 06 Afterglow (Lyceum 80) 07 Follow You Follow Me (Lyceum 80) 08 I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) (Lyceum 80) 09 The Knife (Lyceum 80) 10 Mama (Wembley 87) 11 Domino (Wembley 87)
Disc 4 (Wembley 87) 01 That’s All (Wembley 87) 02 The Brazilian (Wembley 87) 03 Throwing It All Away (Wembley 87) 04 Home By the Sea (Wembley 87) 05 Second Home By the Sea (Wembley 87) 06 Invisible Touch (Wembley 87) 07 Drum Duet (Wembley 87) 08 Los Endos (Wembley 87) 09 Not About Us (Live at Birmingham N.E.C., 1998) 10 The Dividing Line (Live at Birmingham N.E.C., 1998)
Disc 5 (Knebworth 1992)
01 No Son of Mine (Knebworth 92) 02 Driving the Last Spike (Knebworth 92) 03 Old Medley (Knebworth 92) 04 Fading Lights (Knebworth 92) 05 Hold On My Heart (Knebworth 92) 06 I Can’t Dance (Knebworth 92)
VINYL LPS
Tracklist LP Set
Side 1
01 The Musical Box (Live at Paris Studios, London, 1972) 02 Stagnation (Live on Sounds of the 70s, BBC Radio One, 1971) 03 Harlequin (Live on BBC Radio One John Peel Session, 1972) 04 Harold the Barrel (Live on BBC Radio One John Peel Session, 1972)
Side 2
01 Get ‘Em Out By Friday (Live on BBC Radio One John Peel Session, 1972) 02 Watcher of the Skies (Live on BBC Radio One In Concert, 1975) 03 Dancing with the Moonlit Knight (Live at the Lyceum Theatre, London, 1980) 04 The Carpet Crawlers (Live at the Lyceum Theatre, London, 1980)
01 Say It’s Alright Joe (Live at the Lyceum Theatre, London, 1980) 02 The Lady Lies (Live at the Lyceum Theatre, London, 1980) 03 I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) [Live at the Lyceum Theatre, London, 1980]
Side 5
01 Mama (Live at Wembley Stadium, London, 1987) 02 That’s All (Live at Wembley Stadium, London, 1987) 03 Home By the Sea (Live at Wembley Stadium, London, 1987) 04 Second Home By the Sea (Live at Wembley Stadium, London, 1987)
Side 6
01 Throwing It All Away (Live at Wembley Stadium, London, 1987) 02 No Son of Mine (Live at Knebworth Festival, 1992) 03 Driving the Last Spike (Live at Knebworth Festival, 1992)
If anyone hasn’t checked out out Troy Redfern’s latest blues rock album The Wings Of Salvation, it is one of the best of 2022, and he’s now got a brand new single from his next album. The song is an easy likeable rockin’ track, full of slide guitar, a unique solo, and a catchy chorus, all of which Redfern has become known for. *check out the links and press info below…
British slide guitarist and singer songwriter Troy Redfern is pleased to announce the release of his brand-new single “The Fever” on Wednesday January 11, 2023. “The Fever” will appear on Troy’s forthcoming album due for release later in the year.
The official music video for “The Fever” is available to view –
The new single follows the news of Redfern’s co-headline April 2023 UK Tour with The Commoners. Tickets are available viaPlanet Rock’s 48-hour ticket pre-sale from 10am on Wednesday January 11th.
Redfern has wasted no time since the release of the last single from his criticality acclaimed album The Wings of Salvation. In December, after the success of playing two storming sets Planet Rock’s Rockstock Festival, Troy headed back into the studio with the same dream team that made his critically acclaimed album The Wings of Salvation such an authentic success.
“The Fever” is produced by Dave Marks (who also plays bass), and features Paul Stewart (The Feeling) on drums. The single is mixed by Jo Webb.
“The plan for The Fever was to make something bigger and ballsier than what has come before,” says Redfern. “I also wanted to expand the musical landscape with new colours and sonic horizons.”
“The Fever”is a slide guitar blues barn-buster with subtle nuances of rock, glam and psychedelia. Lyrically, it deals with themes of emancipation and breaking out. It’s Troy Redfern full-circle blues rock and roll!
“The Fever is about pushing back and breaking through all the obstacles when you’re feeling held down,” adds Redfern. “It’s about feeling as if it’s you against the world.”
Redfern’s current album, The Wings of Salvation is available digitally, on CD, and vinyl from theOfficial Troy Redfern Shop.
Two of the hottest blues rock acts have joined forces to embark on what promises to be one of the most exciting co-headline tours in recent years. Critically acclaimed Canadian roots/blues rockers The Commoners embark on a 15-date UK tour in April 2023 with the UK’s King of slide guitar, Troy Redfern. “A killer album from start to finish, The Commoners have delivered a real beauty dripping in quality, rich in its roots/rock heritage, they’ve absolutely nailed it.” – Rock N Load
The Commoners will perform tracks from their current album “Find A Better Way” which includes the singles “Fill My Cup,” “Find A Better Way,” and “Too Much.”
Classic Rock Magazine describes the new album as “Rootsy, soulful and bluesy, these are timeless songs steeped in classic rock tradition.”
The band is comprised of Chris Medhurst (lead vocals), Ross Hays Citrullo (guitar), Ben Spiller (bass guitar), Adam Cannon (drums), and Miles Evans (keyboards).
“Find A Better Way” was produced and mixed by the band’s guitarist Ross Hayes Citrullo, while the title track single was mixed by award-winning record Australian record producer Kevin Shirley (Joe Bonamassa, Black Crowes, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin).
photo by Will Carter
“Troy Redfern really comes over as a breath of fresh air in the blues rock world today. There isn’t one wasted moment on the album.” – Music News.com
“Troy Redfern has the best record of his career on his hands with The Wings of Salvation. Highly recommended.” – Rock Blues Muse
Hot off from winning Hard Rock Hell’s “Blues Artist of the Year” award and following hot on the heels of his recent singles “Come On,” “Gasoline,” “Sweet Carolina,” and “Mercy,” Troy Redfern’s current album, “The Wings of Salvation” has fast become the critics’ favourite and best-selling album to date.
After releasing an unprecedented six albums in just under two years, “The Wings of Salvation,” is being hailed as Redfern’s most compelling work to date. The album highlights Redfern’s powerfully edgy vocal delivery, condensed song writing skills, tight arrangements, complimented by his trademark “firebrand” slide guitar playing, giving him the moniker of Britain’s King of Slide Guitar.
Classic Rock Magazine made “The Wings of Salvation” their “Blues Album of the Month,” and said, “Sweet Carolina, thankfully, is more Bolan-Stones stomp than Neil Diamond syrup, while Come On is the best here, sharing a little bit of DNA with ZZ Top’s La Grange and stealing Muddy Waters’ pay-off (‘Got my mojo workin’). At this creative pace, you couldn’t catch him in a runaway stagecoach.”
Over the past 15 months, Troy has toured the UK with Robert Jon & The Wreck, The Quireboys, The Sweet, DARE, and When Rivers Meet, picking up new fans every step of the way. Championed by the UK’s Planet Rock, Troy’s singles “Come On” and “Sweet Carolina” have had repeated plays on the classic rock radio station’s main playlist. Troy recently played Planet Rock’s Rockstock Festival and will play Planet Rock’s Winter’s End Festival on February 5, 2023.
A DHP PRESENTATION BY ARRANGEMENT WITH GYPSY SOUL ENTERTAINMENT
THE COMMONERS & TROY REDFERN CO-HEADLINE APRIL 2023 UK TOUR
PLANET ROCK 48-HOUR TICKET PRE-SALE STARTS 10AM ON WEDNESDAY 11 JANUARY 2023 BOOK PRE-SALE TICKETS
Steppenwolf “The Epic Years 1974-1976” 3CD Box Set To Be Released January 27, 2023
STEPPENWOLF’s 3 albums following the band’s break-up and reformation in the mid 70s is a nice follow up to last years Magic Carpet Ride 8-CD box set, which covered the band’s highly successful era from 1967-71. The 3 albums included here would be the last Steppenwolf band albums, as they’d break-up again, and John Kay would form a new band into the ’80s as ‘John Kay & Steppenwolf’. This era would include a couple of different keyboard players, as well as ex-Kindred guitarist Bobby Cochran – nephew of Eddie Cochrane.
Slow Flux came out in 1974, and featured the band’s last Top 40 hit – “Straight Shootin’ Woman”, as well as the singles “Get Into The Wind” and “Smokey Factory Blues”. Slow Flux was a solid album, which included such other memorable tracks as “Gang War Blues”, “Children Of Night, and “A Fool’s Fantasy”. Following this album keyboardist Goldy McJohn was replaced with Andy Chapin.
Hour Of The Wolf was released in ’75, and featured the single “Caroline (Are You Ready For The Outlaw World)”, which was penned by Mars Bonfire (who’d previously written “Born To Be Wild”). This album didn’t fare well at the time , but I think it’s another good album with cuts like “Two For The Love Of One”, “Mr Penny Pincher”, and the lighter “Just For Tonight”. After this album Chapin left the band and went on to join Ricky Nelson’s band, where he met his end in the band’s plane crash on New Year’s Eve of 1985. This disc adds 2 bonus tracks, notably the B-side “Angeldrawers”.
Steppenwolf would record one further album – 1976’s Skullduggery. I really liked this one. It featured keyboard player Wayne Cook (ex Goodthunder). This album would something of a contractual obligation record, with there being no single from it or a promotional tour, so I can’t imagine it did very well back then. Nevertheless, it features some fine tunes, notably the title track to kick things off, written by Cochran as well as a cover of the Junior Walker hit “(I’m A) Roadrunner”, (penned by Motown’s Holland-Dozier-Holand), “Train Of Thought” (penned by American songwriter Alan O’Day), and the funky instrumental “Lip Service”. Wayne Cook would go on to work with the LA Jets, join Player, and tour with Alice Cooper (he can be found on Live At The Apollo Theatre, Glasgow 1982), among other things. Kay would record a solo album – All In Good Time, in 1978.
An interesting, final chapter in Steppenwolf’s ’70s recordings. These albums may not have featured hits as their previous albums had, but there is certainly is plenty of fine songs that make each of these albums enjoyable. Wish there were a few more rarities or outtakes from this period to include, but oh well – a fine trio of ’70s rock albums.
*Check out the press release , track listings, and pre-order link below.
• NEW 3CD CLAMSHELL BOXED SET FEATURING ALL THE RECORDINGS ISSUED BY STEPPENWOLF FOR THE EPIC LABEL BETWEEN 1974 AND 1976.
• FEATURING THEIR THREE ALBUMS PLUS TWO ADDITIONAL BONUS TRACKS. WITH AN ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET FEATURING AN ESSAY AND INTERVIEWS
Steppenwolf was formed in 1967 in LA by John Kay (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Goldy McJohn (organ, piano) and Jerry Edmonton (drums) who were previously members of the Canadian band The Sparrows. They were joined by Michael Monarch (lead guitar) and Rushton Moreve (bass). The band signed to Dunhill / ABC Records and were propelled to success in 1968 with their classic single “Born To Be Wild” which became even wider known when the track was featured to great effect in the classic 1969 counterculture film Easy Rider.
Over the next four years the band released eight albums and enjoyed huge success. In February 1972 Steppenwolf disbanded, with John Kay recording a solo album, but by ’74 they had emerged once again and over the next three years they would record three further albums for Epic.
Following on from “Magic Carpet Ride,” Esoteric’s acclaimed boxed set of the first era of Steppenwolf’s career, “The Epic Years 1974-1976” gathers together all of these albums, along with two rare bonus tracks. The set also includes an illustrated booklet with a new essay by Steppenwolf aficionado Jim Christopulos.
Track Listing:
DISC ONE – Slow Flux 1 Gang War Blues 2 Children of Night 3 Justice Don’t Be Slow 4 Get into the Wind 5 Jeraboah 6 Straight Shootin’ Woman 7 Smokey Factory Blues 8 Morning Blue 9 A Fool’s Fantasy 10 Fishin’ in the Dark
DISC TWO – Hour Of The Wolf 1 Caroline (Are You Ready for the Outlaw World) 2 Annie, Annie Over 3 Two for the Love of One 4 Just for Tonight 5 Hard Rock Road 6 Someone Told a Lie 7 Another’s Lifetime 8 Mr. Penny Pincher Bonus tracks 9 Angeldrawers (B-side of single) 10 Caroline (Are You Ready for the Outlaw World) (Mono promotional single mix)
DISC THREE – Skullduggery 1 Skullduggery 2 (I’m a) Road Runner 3 Rock n’ Roll Song 4 Train of Thought 5 Life is a Gamble 6 Pass it On 7 Sleep 8 Lip Service
There’s another Ken Hensley release coming which will offer 4 of his albums from 1999 to 2005. This is the period Ken decided to return to recording music and performing live, as well as moving out of the US. Past & Present (Songs In Times) – A Ken Hensley Anthology 1972-2021 follows recent CD box sets The Bronze Years : 1973-1981, and Tales of Live Fire & Other Mysteries. The 4 albums included in full are A Glimpse Of Glory (1999), Running Blind (2001), The Last Dance (2003), and Cold Autumn Sunday (2005). All these CDs are welcomed as a few of them have become pricier and/or harder to find over the years. For whatever reason there is the omission of 2004’s The Wizards Diary, Volume One – which was Ken’s retakes of a number of Uriah Heep classics that he wrote. But for those 4 CDs alone, this package will be worth it to most fans. The first and last CDs here are not necessary IMO, but presumably included to make this a career spanning anthology package. CD one titled ‘Solo‘, consists of a ‘best of’ from Hensley’s Bronze era solo albums, as well as a half dozen Heep gems from Demons And Wizards and The Magician’s Birthday (and not the predictable hits). CD six is titled ‘Collaborations‘ , and includes tracks from Faster (2011, w/ LIve Fire) right through to a pair from Ken’s last album My Book Of Answers. Absent are some of Ken’s real collaborations and guest appearances with some acts (notably the Toni Rowland album Ken produced and played on in 2007); these would’ve been nice gems to add. Also excluded not included here or elsewhere (yet) is Ken’s 1994 CD of unreleased songs & rarities From Time To Time, or any of Ken’s live collaborations with John Lawton, John Wetton or his guest appearances with Uriah Heep. But hopefully some of these will be included on something further down the line.
Canada’s APRIL WINE got together in 1968, moved to Montreal, signed to Aquarius Records, and released their first album in 1970. That album featured the hit single “Fast Train”. And from there, April Wine went on to become one of the biggest band’s in Canada. By the time the band’s 3rd album was released Myles Goodwyn was the lone original member. He sang lead, played guitar, and wrote the majority of the band’s material. Over time, he would go on to write almost all of the band’s material, add keyboards, and produce. Guitarist Brian Greenway joined in 1977, and the band took off with the hit “Roller”, from the album First Glance. April Wine split in the mid ’80s, but reformed in the early ’90s, recording more studio albums, and touring extensively. After a number of personal changes only Goodwyn and Greenway remained from the band’s classic late 70s-early 80s classic era. Now Myles Goodwyn has announced his retirement from touring with the band that he lead for 5 decades. Replacing him will be Montreal musician Marc Parent, from the Ottawa based band Eight Seconds. Goodwyn posted on Facebook on December 19 (with the above photo): “New April Wine group to hit stages everywhere in 2023. (l to r) Brian Greenway, Marc Parent, Richard Lanthier and Roy Nichol. Although I’m still in the band writing, recording the guys and producing, I am now officially retired from touring. My last stage performance after 50+ yrs. on the road, will be in Nova Scotia, March 2, 2023. It all started here and ends here for me. I will miss the shows, the fans and the other bands that have been friends for years, but health reasons have made this decision necessary. Cheers everyone and thanks for all the support over the years.”
Brian Greenway commented (further on) – “The new fellow’s name is Marc Parent from the band 8 Seconds. He plays excellent guitar and sings great! He was hand picked and is a gift as he can play and sing a lot like Myles. The song book will carry on. It’s all about the songs.”
In recent years Myles Goodwyn has recorded and released 3 solo albums – Myles Goodwyn and Friends of the Blues (2018), Friends of the Blues 2 (2019), and his most recent (2021) Long Pants. There has also been talk of a new April Wine album over the last couple of years, hopefully that will still happen. The band’s catalogue has more recently been reissued on colored vinyl via Unidisc.
Outsider Rock 