The God Of Hellfire ARTHUR BROWN Invites You To His MONSTER’S BALL, Releases New Single LUCIFER SAM With DEEP PURPLE’S IAN PAICE & STEVE HILLAGE!
Features performances by James Williamson, Ian Paice, Mark Stein, Nik Turner, Shuggie Otis & More
Los Angeles, CA – Fans of dark and ghoulish rock & roll are all cordially invited to attend what is sure to be the biggest party of this year’s Halloween season, Monster’s Ball, the new album from the one and only God Of Hellfire and theatrical rock visionary, Arthur Brown! For his latest macabre-themed masterpiece, Brown is joined by a murderer’s row of talented co-conspirators including the album’s producers Alan Davey, who also co-wrote several of the songs, and Fernando Perdomo, all of whom have helped Brown craft one of the most energetic and thrilling albums of his long and distinguished career. From The Stooges’ guitarist James Williamson, who brings the heat on a new version of Brown’s iconic 1968 hit “Fire” to the killer collaboration with Vanilla Fudge’s Mark Stein on “Zombie Yelp,” Monster’s Ball promises to be one hell of a good time!
Today, Brown is proud to share another song from the album, the psychedelic opener to the album “Lucifer Sam,” penned by none other than Syd Barrett and featuring ripping performances by Gong guitarist Steve Hillage and Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice. Brown had this to say about the song, “As a prelude to the album launch on October 21st here’s a mysterious track by the enigmatic Syd Barrett. Fernando Perdomo’s bold production, the song’s adventurous structure, and the input of Steve Hillage and Ian Paice make this a delight of spooky fun. Shadows flickered and felines howled as I sang this portrait – Happy Halloween!”
Track List: 1. Lucifer Sam feat. Ian Paice & Steve Hillage 2. Screamin’ Ball (At Dracula’s Hall) feat. Alan Davey 3. I Feel Free feat. James Williamson & Rat Scabies 4. Bucket O’ Blood feat. Nik Turner 5. Zombie Yelp feat. Roye Albrighton & Mark Stein 6. Whistlin’ Past The Graveyard feat. The Sinclairs 7. Fire feat. James Williamson, Brian Auger & Carmine Appice 8. The Monster Hop feat. Shuggie Otis 9. Curse Of The Hearse 10. Mad Witch 11. The Vampire feat. The Coffin Daggers 12. Late Last Night feat. Steve Hillage, Roye Albrighton, Gilli Smyth & Joel Vandroogenbroeck BONUS TRACK [CD ONLY] 13. Karn Evil #9 feat. Jordan Rudess
Canadian classic roots and blues rock band The Commoners release “Too Much”, the second single from the forthcoming album Find A Better Way on Friday August 26th. The single is available to buy and stream from https://lnk.fu.ga/thecommoners_toomuch. The “Too Much” music video can be streamed on You Tube .
The album is released on CD, limited edition vinyl and digital by Gypsy Soul Records on Friday 4th November and is available to pre-order from thecommoners.ca. and pre-save from https://lnk.to/TheCommonersFABW.
The band describe the Too Much single as follows – “Erupting with the growling vigour of an old Beaumont, Too Much drives The Commoners to the brink of surrendering their dreams for the comforts of home. A high horsepower performance peels out with rowdy riffs and lively organ in tow, delivering a relatable sentiment that never proves to be too much.”
Possessing a sound tapped from the oaken belly of a whiskey barrel, The Commoners are a four-piece Roots/Blues Rock band from Toronto, Canada.
Described as “a classic rock and roll affair,” the nine songs take the listener on a sonic voyage through the lives of the band, from the dusty back roads of rural Ontario to the bright lights of the big city. Offering their own blend of rock and roll, southern blues, and roots music, the Toronto-based four-piece band are known for their high-energy riffs, soulful vocals, and rich harmonies. The result is an authentic Southern-style rock experience.
The group was cobbled together over the course of a decade, adapting through numerous obstacles to form the unit as it exists today: Chris Medhurst (vocals/guitar), Ben Spiller (bass), Ross Hayes Citrullo (lead guitar), and Adam Cannon (drums). Often joined by their friend, organist Miles Evans-Branagh, The Commoners unite under a shared dream: to write, perform, and share music that is an authentic nod to the greats who paved the way before them.
“The new album authentically embodies the rock and roll, soul, and blues rock experience,” says the band’s lead singer, Chris Medhurst. “That’s something we really wanted to bring back. That’s the roots. That’s what we listen to.”
“The Black Crowes are a considerable influence for us,” says Medhurst. “Derek Trucks, Marcus King, Led Zeppelin, and The Allman Brothers Band, too. These are the bands that we wear on our sleeves as we aspire to create our own music and sound.”
Find A Better Way is an album that demands attention from the first note. The opening lines “If I scream at the top of my lungs, and stamp my feet, ’til the floor comes undone,” immediately inform that a wild ride lies ahead. The album was recorded and produced at RHC Music in Toronto by the band’s guitarist Ross Hayes Citrullo. Ross collaborated with executive producer Renan Yildizdogan to strike the perfect balance of new and old recording treatments. The goal was to create something that felt new and original, yet still familiar to their target classic roots rock and blues rock audience.
“The vision from the beginning was to marry old and new southern rock together in a way that was unique to the band’s Canadian roots,” explains Citrullo. “By adding the soul and rock elements of the Black Crowes, and the southern blues rock undertones of the Allman Brothers to a production style akin to Blackberry Smoke and Rival Sons, I think we developed an authentic sound that compares sonically to some of our favorite records across all of those music genres.”
The album’s lyrical themes drill into the essence of humanity: love, regret, ambition, and fear. Circling the forever challenge of doubt vs. desire, The Commoners place themselves into the shoes of the everyman. The result? Nine tracks that function as a comfort and companion through all of life’s trials and tribulations, with melodic solos, soaring organ, and a punchy rhythm section to drive the messages home.
Drummer Adam Cannon says – “Music, like so much in life, is about the exchange of energy.” and The Commoners make more than a fair trade. Striving to present an impactful, memorable, and downright exhilarating live experience that accurately represents their recorded works, the band carries the listener over spirited choruses and group chants, before returning them back to earth in need of a shot of something smooth. You can expect to leave fully satisfied, sweat drenched, and heart racing, a good time guaranteed—just what we all need.
The Commoners enlisted a handful of Toronto’s finest musicians to help bring their record to life. On the title track Find A Better Way, the band brought on keyboardist Jeff Heisholt (The Trews) to lay down an iconic organ track. For the rest of the album, keyboardist Miles Evans-Branagh performed organ, piano, and Rhodes.
To accompany Ben and Adam on backup vocals, The Commoners called upon three of Canada’s top backup singers. Tash Lorayne and Shezelle Weekes (The Arkells), and Chantal Williams joined in to arrange vocal parts and enliven the mix with their vivacious voices resulting in a spine-tingling performance.
The Commoners also invited local legend Michael Eckert to lend his pedal steel talents on I Won’t and Alive. Adding the final cherry on top, renowned multi-instrumentalist Ben Healey treated Deadlines to a guitar solo worthy of the world’s greatest stadiums. Though these songs were all written by The Commoners, the contributions of these amazing guest musicians make the album something special.
“Every time we brought an outside player into the studio, they would offer their own unique instincts and interpretations of each song. This helped the album grow into a collaborative art piece that continues to surprise us with every listen.”
A rock anthem to its core, the title track, “Find A Better Way” carries a message that encapsulates the entirety of the record. With growing uncertainties, society faces challenges previously unseen, leaving the collective in a perpetual state of questioning, with doubt directed towards governments, public leaders, and our neighbors. From the aftermath of COVID-19, the increasing mental health crisis in North America, war crimes in Ukraine, and the explosion of social movements and protests, one thought unites us all—we need to find a better way to co-exist on this planet. Find A Better Way takes an inward look at confronting our tumultuous past and accepting personal accountabilities to uncover the strength needed to seek a solution.
“Find a Better Way” is the only track on the record to mixed outside of Canada. The band worked with legend Producer/Mixer Kevin Shirley (the Black Crowes, Joe Bonamassa, Led Zeppelin) at Caveman Studios in Sydney, Australia. Kevin’s mix helped set the perfect tone for the album, which Ross Hayes Citrullo was then able to follow for the rest of the record. Kevin’s involvement set The Commoners on the right path with this epic title track.
Mastering was also an important consideration for the band and their label. For this stage, the team sent their record all the way to Nashville, Tennessee toPete Lyman (Tedeschi Trucks, Blackberry Smoke, Chris Stapleton, Rival Sons) at Infrasonic Sound. Pete’s specialty for mastering southern rock made the mixes come alive, making them sonically competitive to the band’s influences.
As a collective, we find ourselves emerging into a changed society, with uncertainty looming and shadowing the future. In their upcoming release The Commoners remind us that music has a unique ability to heal, a medicine of extraordinary merit, and balm for the soul during dark times. Every major movement in history gave rise to change makers, and The Commoners are taking their stand, here to lead and inspire us all to Find a Better Way.
TRACK LIST:
FIND A BETTER WAY FILL MY CUP MORE THAN MISTAKES TOO MUCH NATURLLY I WON’T DEADLINES HANGIN’ ON AGAIN ALIVE
Chris Medhurst – Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar Ross Hayes Citrullo – Lead Guitar Ben Spiller – Bass, Vocals, Piano (5, 9) Adam Cannon – Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Miles Evans-Branagh – Organ, Rhodes, Piano | Jeff Heisholt – Organ (1) Michael Ekhart – Pedal Steel (6, 9) | Ben Healey – Lead Guitar (7) Chantal Williams, Shezelle Weekes, Tash Lorayne – Backing Vocals
All songs written by The Commoners Produced by Ross Hayes Citrullo and The Commoners Executive Producer – Renan Yildizdogan Recorded at RHC Music, Toronto ON
Album Photography by Lindsay White Album Design by Emily Goguen
THE COMMONERS 2022 Tour Dates:
12/08/22 Toronto-Canada @ The Horseshoe Tavern 23/09/22 London-Canada @ Eastsides 12/10/22 Norderstedt-Germany @ Music Star 13/10/22 Hoganas-Sweden @ Garage Bar TBC 14/10/22 Varberg-Sweden @ Maja’s 15/10/22 Avesta-Sweden @ Kulturgaraget 16/10/22 Stockholm TBC 18/10/22 Malmo-Sweden @ Folk & Rock 19&20/10/22 Hamburg-Germany @ Cowboy und Indianer TBC 21/10/22 Asendorf-Germany @ Break Out 22/10/22 Singwitz-Germany @ Kesselhaus 23/10/22 Burglengenfeld-Germany @ RockStürbl 24/10/22 Bratislava-Slovakia @ Muzeum Ochbodu 26/10/22 Bremen-Germany @ Meisenfrei 27/10/22 Köln-Germany TBC 28/10/22 Rimsting-Germany TBC 29/10/22 Fiesch-Switzerland @ Inch Bar 30/10/22 Switzerland TBC 31/10/22 Solothurn-Switzerland TBC 03/11/22 Barcelona-Spain @ Sala Textil 04/11/22 Castellon-Spain @ Sala Because 05/11/22 Orihuela-Spain @ La Gramola 06/11/22 Valladollid-Spain @ Puerta Caeli 07/11/22 Leon-Spain @ Babylon 08/11/22 Ourense-Spain @ Cafe Auriense 10/11/22 A Coruna-Spain @ Sala Mardi Gras 11/11/22 Cangas-Spain @ Salason 12/11/22 Valles-Spain @ Bocanegra 13/11/22 Vitoria-Spain @ Urban Rock 15/11/22 Chambery-France @ Brin de Zinc 16/11/22 Besançon-France @ Bar De L’U 17/11/22 Metz-France TBC 18/11/22 Krefeld-Germany @ Kulturrampe 19/11/22 Ostend-Belgium TBC
Kings of Mercia, the new group formed by acclaimed rock/metal guitarist Jim Matheos (Fates Warning, Arch/Matheos) and powerhouse rock vocalist Steve Overland (FM) have announced the release of their self-titled debut album on September 23rd, 2022 via Metal Blade Records. Accompanying the duo on the upcoming album are Matheos’ Fates Warning bandmate Joey Vera on bass, and legendary drummer Simon Philips.
Kings of Mercia are now pleased to share the new single “Liberate Me”.
Steve Overland says this about the track: “’Liberate me’ is another great example of what the Kings of Mercia album represents, a high energy, hard rock song about someone who has lived life selfishly and done many wrongs, but as the years take their toll, they begin to regret their past and want to make things right. Once again, it shows off the great individual talents in the band with great performances by all.”
TRACKLIST: 1.Wrecking Ball 3:54 2.Humankind 4:13 3.Sweet Revenge 4:38 4.Set the World on Fire 4:16 5.Too Far Gone 6:07 6.Liberate Me 4:18 7.Nowhere Man 4:20 8.Everyday Angels 3:59 9.Is It Right? 4:03 10.Your Life 6:07
Best known as the founding guitarist for Fates Warning, but with countless other projects under his belt – including Arch / Matheos and most recently Tuesday The Sky – Jim Matheos is incapable of stifling his creativity. In early 2021, he started working on the songs that would become Kings Of Mercia’s self-titled debut album, bringing his distinct style yet doing something a little different. “I started writing without any real idea of what direction I wanted to go in or what I was going to do with the material. The first few songs came together quickly and were a bit more straightforward than I’m used to, and I really liked that idea, kind of going back to my early heavy/hard rock roots.” Not having any pre-conceived ideas of what the record should or would end up sounding like, at least early on, certainly helped, “as did the fact that it’s our first record, so there was nothing to measure it against or expectations to live up to, even if only in my own head.”
Churning out songs, Matheos’ next concern was to find the musicians who would help him realize the material, and his first priority was a vocalist. It was his friend Jeff Wagner who suggested FM’s Steve Overland, and another friend, rock journalist Dave Ling, who put them in touch with each other. “Jim had asked Dave for my contact details, we talked about his idea for mixing the two styles, his heavier background, with my melodic/bluesier direction,” says Overland. “We decided to try a collaboration on one song and see how it worked, we came up with the track “Humankind”, and we both loved it.”. Having already settled on this hard rock direction, it was only once Matheos got the first couple of songs back from Overland that it became all the way clear of the shape the record would take, with the vocalist sending over his parts every few weeks, everything gradually coming together.
Behind the kit for the record is the legendary Simon Phillips (ex-Toto, Derek Sherinian), one of Matheos’ favorite drummers. “I decided to contact him on a whim, not really expecting that he’d be available or interested in this project. But, to my surprise, he liked the music and was able to fit some recording into his schedule. It’s an honor to share a credit with him and I couldn’t be happier with what he added to the record.” Rounding out the group is bassist Joey Vera – Matheos’ Fates Warning bandmate – who brings his trademark style and professionalism to the table. “My old friend and co-worker Joey Vera was a natural choice for bass. Not only did I know he would deliver performance-wise, but it was nice to have a familiar face among the new personalities.” With these players involved it was an easy, stress-free process throughout, making music for the love of it, and coming up with something that sounds familiar yet new, expanding the repertoire of all involved. This means songs like the half-acoustic ballad, half-swaggering “Too Far Gone” or the beautiful “Everyday Angels”, and the soaring “Wrecking Ball”, which opens the record on a high note, all brought to life in dynamic style. Jim Matheos – Guitars Steve Overland – Vocals Joey Vera – Bass Simon Phillips – Drums
When the Intelligent Music Project started, the first albums featured the late John Lawton on them, and they were fantastic. As each album has come along new singers and players have come along as well. My initial interest in the band was John, as I was a fan of what he had did throughout his career. Thus, I kinda didn’t totally keep up with each subsequent release. But the latest (and 3rd) with Ronnie Romero (Blackmore’s Rainbow, Michael Schenker, Lords of Black…) I am nicely reminded that I.M.P. is about well written and produced tunes, regardless who’s exactly in it; this is really good from start to finish. I was not sold on the singer as part of Rainbow, but here Romero is more involved that just doing someone else’s material or a band with a set style. With Unconditioned (released July 27), Romero takes on something new and different, less ‘metal’, and really makes this his own thing. Also on here is Nazareth’s Carl Sentance and legendary drummer Simon Phillips. Plenty of great rock tracks, from the cool riff of “Intention”, “Wait For The Night”, and the more aor-ish “And Stars Never Fall” (dig the drum/slide intro). And as with I.M.P, there’s a good variety of tracks, and use of acoustic guitars, piano, harmonies, etc.. , so you get interesting and excellent songs like “Soulmate”, “Madness”, “New Hero”, and “Sunshine Boulevard” (great heavy solo). I see this is Romero’s 3rd album with the project, so I’ve got some back-tracking to do. Contains 14 tracks, so a bit long (10 tracks is long enough for me for almost any album). But a solid collection of songs.
*For more info check out the press release and links below
Superstar Rock Band Intelligent Music Project To Release 7th Album “Unconditioned” Feat. Members of TOTO, Rainbow & Nazareth
Featuring Simon Phillips (TOTO, Mike Oldfield, Pete Townshend), Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, MSG), Carl Sentance (Nazareth)
The superstar rock band Intelligent Music Project will release its seventh studio album entitled “Unconditioned” in July – just two months after their biggest adventure, called Eurovision Song Contest.
The legendary Simon Phillips (TOTO, Protocol) returns as percussionist and musical co-producer of the new album, while the lead vocalist on this release will again be one of the most popular names in rock music today: Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, MSG). This will be Romero’s third album with Intelligent Music Project, and for the first time the group has expanded its compositional approach: two of the songs and their arrangements are entirely the work of Ronnie, Biser Ivanov and Ivo Stefanov. For the first time on “Unconditioned,” the band’s lead singer shows off his skills as a lyricist, having penned the words to those two songs. All the other songs and lyrics are once again the creation of Intelligent Music Project’s founder and producer, Dr. Milen Vrabevski.
In honor of the tenth anniversary of the band’s first album, “The Power Of Mind,” the seventh album follows its format and also begins and ends with instrumental tracks written by Dr. Milen Vrabevski in collaboration with Biser Ivanov and Ivo Stefanov.
“‘Unconditioned’ is an album dedicated to unconditional love as a deciding factor in normalizing our modern life. This love has to be focused above all on our children, because they are the future, while we are the ones who need to show them the way and teach them to make bold decisions and to live for the people around them. Only with more such people will the world become a better place” – Dr. Vrabevski about the new album
One hit track from “Unconditioned” is “Intention” – the song the band played as Bulgaria’s representative to Eurovision 2022 in Torino. Besides the Eurovision version, the album will also include the original, longer take, which sticks to Intelligent Music Project’s signature melodic progressive style, as well as a backing track version.
“Intention” was the first single from Intelligent Music Project’s seventh album. At the moment, the song has more than two and a half million views/listens on both YouTube and Spotify. The song raises the question of every individual’s personal, internal battle with outdated models of belief and behavior that hold them back. Starting from the title itself, the author underscores the simple fact that it is never too late to start down the right path – the path of your own personal growth, of dignified existence and of life with a mission. The song calls us to turn away from our ego, selfishness and a consumerist attitude on life and instead to live for the people around us.
“Finding the right path, however, often turns into a battle with one’s self, so you need a serious intention to truly make a change!” – Dr. Milen Vrabevski, the author of the music and lyrics of “Intention” notes.
The album’s second single, “New Hero,” came out in early May. The song was accompanied by a striking video that recreated a military atmosphere, where, in sync with the idea behind the album, the main characters were children. In the video’s narrative, it is precisely the children who turn out to be the brave heroes who bring about change.
“Effective action in the present, despite difficulties, is the key to progress. It is crucial for us to know that pretty words get us nowhere. It is easy to stand silently and do what you’re told. The harder but only effective thing is for a person to have their own opinion, their own method of resisting injustice, even if this means they often find themselves alone and misunderstood,” Dr. Vrabevski explains.
In addition to Simon Phillips and Ronnie Romero, the album also includes Carl Sentance (Nazareth), Biser Ivanov on guitar, Ivo Stefanov on keyboards, Slavin Slavchev, Lina Nicole, and Borislav Mudolov-Kosatkata on backing vocals; Dimitar Sirakov on bass; Samuel Eftimov on piano
Guitarist Peter Hesslein of legendary German band Lucifer’s Friend has finished a new collection of instrumental tracks for his Night Drive 3 album, to be released on October 14.
Night Drive 3 features 16 tracks, and will be the last in this solo trilogy.
Following the reformation of Lucifer’s Friend in 2015, a live album and 2 new studio albums, Peter released his first solo album titled Night Drive in 2020 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Lucifer’s Friend, followed by Night Drive 2 in ’21. Sadly, Lucifer’s Friend singer John Lawton passed away on June 29 of last year, putting an end to the band, with a compilation titled The Last Stand being issued later in the year.
Night Drive 3 features singer Mike Starrs (who replaced Lawton in Lucifer’s Friend in the late ’70s), who ‘guests’ on the album’s last track. Starrs has recently recorded an album with the band Crossover. I am looking forward to hearing his voice on Night Drive 3, and ‘hope’ their may be more to come.
Track Listing:
1 This Way Home 2 Sunset Drive 3 At A Crossroads 4 Driving All Night 5 Going South 6 In The Fast Lane 7 Road of Dreams 8 On The Horizon 9 A Few More Hours 10 No Backseat Driver 11 A Warm Day’s Night 12 Faster Than a Slug 13 Exit Number 9 14 Sunrise Pit Stop 15 A Gnat In My Life 16 Chapters Of My Life
UK blues rocker Troy Redfern, hailed as “the king of slide guitar” recently released “Gasoline” — the second single from Troy Redfern’s forthcoming album The Wings Of Salvation. As mentioned, the slide guitar summer anthem was officially released Friday August 19th. The upbeat heavy cut comes across as a cool, positive summertime rocker, with a catchy chorus, and filled with Redfern’s trademark slide work.
“With Gasoline I wanted to write a positive, uplifting, good-time rock ’n’ roll tune,” says Troy. “Right now, we’re bombarded with a lot of negative news in the media. Lyrically, I wanted to put something out there that was the opposite to that. The groove of this tune is in 7/8, which isn’t a typical rock ’n’ roll rhythm, but I really love the flow and feel of riffing in this time signature, especially playing slide using the National resonator in a low tuning. The combination sounds huge.”
photo – Adam Kennedy
The single features Dave Marks on bass guitar and Paul Stewart (The Feeling) on drums. “Gasoline” follows the excellent hard hitting anthemic “Come On” single (see below). Both tracks sound like they will be great live numbers. Redfern has amassed a large discography of recordings since 2015’s Back Door Hoodoo, including 6 albums recorded over the past couple of years of lockdown, and notably the critically acclaimed The Fire Cosmic! So, plenty of classic slide guitar driven rock to get into.
Fans can pre-save the “Gasoline” single (released Friday August 19th) from this link – https://bit.ly/3Pofyuc.
Wings Of Salvation features 10 tracks, and will be released September 23rd. Available for pre-order on CD & Vinyl (as well as digital) at – www.troyredfern.com/shop.
Troy is special guest on DARE’s UK tour in October (12 shows).
BABE RUTH was one of those unique British progressive bands, originally lead by guitarist / writer Alan Shacklock, and featuring the vocals of Jenny Haan. Alan was a member of The Juniors in the ’60s, along with Mick Taylor and the Glasscock brothers. After The Juniors, the band evolved in to The Hi Numbers and The Favourite Sons. Shacklock went on to work with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds before eventually forming Babe Ruth. Following the 3rd album Shacklock left (tho he contributed to Stealin’ Home). The band carried on with Bernie Marsden on guitar for 2 more albums, with the 5th and final album not including any original members! Bassist Dave Hewitt would go on to work with Whitford/St Holmes and Georgia Satellites, Haan recorded a solo single in ’79, while Shacklock went on to a lengthy career as a producer. The original band reformed decades later, even releasing a new album in 2009 (Que Pasa).
This 3 CD set features the band’s first 3 albums, on Harvest Records. The debut First Base is perhaps the band’s most easily recognizable, with the Roger Dean artwork, and classic like heavy rockin’ “Wells Fargo”, as well as their best known cut “The Mexican”, and favorites “Black Dog”, the ballad “The Runaways”, and a cover of Frank Zappa’s “King Kong”. *A few bonus tracks on this one, notably the pop-rock single “Ain’t That Livin'”.
The band followed that up with the album Amar Caballero, and it is quite different than the debut, as the band takes on more influences of soul, r & b, and Spanish music. There’s plenty of strings, flutes, congas, trumpets, sax…. Not overly rockin’, but a pretty interesting album. The cover (created by Hypnosis) features a photo of horses out in the desert (Poco anyone?). This disc features favorites “Gimme Some Leg” (which features a couple of heavy solos from Shacklock), and the funky “Doctor Love”. *Includes the bonus track “If Heaven’s On Beauty’s Side”, which was released as a single in ’74, and it’s the only real hard rock’ track here.
The band’s 3rd album was self-titled, featuring a slightly more interesting cover of bandmembers dressed as characters from another era. And this one is back on track, and the band’s hardest rockin’ with heavy hitters like “Dancer” and “Somebody’s Nobody” – which kicked off this album, as well as “Jack O’ Lantern”, and ‘ “Sad But Rich”. A couple of excellent covers included on this album – Curtis Mayfield’s “We People Darker Than Blue” the theme to “A Fistful Of Dollars” (by Italian composer Ennio Morricone), and Booker T Jones’ “Private Number” (which featured Shacklock sharing lead vocals) was issued as a single (single edit here as ‘bonus’ track). The heavy ballad “The Duchess Of Orleans” was the other single from this album. This last of the trio is the best of the era IMO, and it’s hard to believe it wasn’t a huge charting success for the band. Oh well….but you can check ’em out in this package!
*For more info, check out the press & bio info below…
• NEW 3CD CLAMSHELL BOXED SET OF THE ALBUMS AND SINGLES BY THE BAND BABE RUTH RECORDED FOR THE HARVEST LABEL BETWEEN 1972 AND 1975 • FEATURING THE ALBUMS ‘FIRST BASE’, ‘AMAR CABALLERO’ AND ‘BABE RUTH’. • NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL HARVEST MASTER TAPES WITH AN ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET FEATURING AN ESSAY
Babe Ruth was formed Iin Hatfield in 1970 by guitarist Alan Shacklock and featured vocalist Janita “Jenny” Haan, bassist Dave Hewitt and drummer Jeff Allen. Their unique brand of soulful Progressive Rock soon gained many admirers and in 1972 they signed a contract with EMI Records’ Progressive imprint, Harvest. By this time Jeff Allen had departed and Dick Powell joined on drums. The band’s line-up was also expanded by the arrival of keyboard player Dave Punshon. Babe Ruth stood out from many of their labelmates, partly due to Haan’s vocals and through the band’s ability to generate a soulful edge to their music. Their debut album, ‘First Base’ was issued in 1972 and featured the classic tracks ‘Wells Fargo’ and ‘The Mexican’ (later covered by Jellybean Benitez in 1984), which gained considerable air play in Canada (where the album gained Gold Disc status) and the USA, but the record inexplicably failed to match this success in the UK. The arrival of Chris Holmes on keyboards and new drummer Ed Spevock in 1974 saw them follow their debut with ‘Amar Caballero’, before the band’s final album for Harvest in 1975, the eponymous ‘Babe Ruth’ which was a hit in the USA and Canada and featured the band’s memorable cover of the theme from the film A Fistful Of Dollars and the Curtis Mayfield composition ‘We People Darker Than Blue’. Soon after the album’s release Alan Shacklock departed the band (to be replaced by Bernie Marsden) and Babe Ruth moved labels to Capitol Records.
Tracklisting:
Wells Fargo The Runaways King Kong Black Dog The Mexican (Interpolating Per Qualche Dollaro in Piu) Joker Bonus tracks Wells Fargo (single version) Theme from A Few Dollars More (B-side of single) Ain’t That Livin’ (A-side of single) We Are Holding On (B-side of single)
Lady Broken Cloud Gimmie Some Leg Baby Pride Cool Jerk We Are Holding On Doctor Love Amar Caballero a) El Caballero de la Reina Isabella b) Hombre de la Guitarra c) El Testament De ‘Amelia Bonus track If Heaven’s On Beauty’s Side (A-side of single)
Dancer Somebody’s Nobody A Fistful Of Dollars We People Darker Than Blue Jack O’Lantern Private Number Turquoise Sad But Rich The Duchess of Orleans Bonus track Private Number (single version
Newly expanded and 45th anniversary edition of the first Golden Earring Live album. Remastered from the original IBC Studios master tapes. Featuring 5 bonus tracks, including 3 previously unreleased recordings from the concert in Brugge in March 1977, Including a 30-page booklet with a new essay, 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 beatband, experimented as a psychedelic quartet and finally became a heavy rock group. Their ninth album Moontan (1973) 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, alongside the classic single “Radar Love”, that reached #10 on the Cash Box Top 100 and #13 in Billboard in the United States.
Live is the band’s first live (double) album released in 1977. With it’s long, spun-out versions of classic Golden Earring songs, this record is vastly different from other live registrations by the band. It’s also one of only three albums featuring guitarist Eelco Gelling as a band member, adding a new dimension to the band’s sound. Furthermore, this album emphasizes Golden Earring’s strong rhythm section on swinging songs like “Mad Love’s Comin’” and “Radar Love”. Live celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2022 and has been being remastered for the first time from the original IBC Studios master tapes. It includes three bonus tracks recorded during the concert in March 1977 in Brugge and the double A-sided single “Radar Love/Just Like Vince Taylor” which was issued to promote the album and features edit versions of the respectable album tracks. In addition, a DVD entitled Golden Earring Live features four tracks filmed at the IJsselhallen in Zwolle on 28th August 1977, which were broadcasted on Dutch television four weeks later. This footage has been restored and remastered from the original 16 mm film reels. The 2LP edition of Live (remastered & expanded) has been released by Music On Vinyl on 10th June 2022. This 2CD+DVD edition of Live is the second volume in a special series of remastered & expanded albums by Golden Earring, overseen by Red Bullet catalogue and band archivist Woute Bessels.
TRACKLISTING 2CD: Original album version remastered plus bonus tracks CD1-
Candy’s Going Bad 5.06 She Flies On Strange Wings 8.09 Mad Love’s Comin’ 9.49 Eight Miles High 10.06 Vanilla Queen 11.42 To The Hilt 6.40 Fightin’ Windmills 8.50 Con Man 9.20
CD 2
Radar Love 11.16 / Just Like Vince Taylor 6.24 BONUS TRACKS: Fightin’ Windmills (Brugge 1977) 7.50 / Eight Miles High (Brugge 1977) 9.13 / I Need Love (Brugge 1977) 6.45 / Radar Love (single version) 4.46 / Just Like Vince Taylor (single version) 4.00
DVD: Golden Earring Live
Mad Love’s Comin’ / Leather / Radar Love / Just Like Vince Taylor
Live (remastered & expanded) was released by Red Bullet Productions on 29th July 2022 and is available through all renowned worldwide music dealers and online shops
“DEUCE” SOPHOMORE ALBUM 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION BOX SET
SET FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 ALL FORMATS AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER HERE
4CD DELUXE BOX SET, 2CD, LIMITED EDITION 3LP, LIMITED EDITION 1LP COLOURED VINYL (D2C), DELUXE DIGITAL HD AND DELUXE DIGITAL STANDARD
Formats: 4CD / 2CD / 3LP / 1LP Colour (D2C) / Digital HD & SD Release Date: September 30, 2022 Label: UMC
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rory Gallagher’s“Deuce” sophomore solo album from 1971, a deluxe CD boxset will be released by UMC on Friday September 30th. The album is available to pre-order fromhttps://RoryGallagher.lnk.to/Deuce_50.
The extensive celebratory release digs deep into the Rory Gallagher Archives and will include a new mix of the original album, twenty-eight previously unreleased alternate takes, a six-song 1972 BBC Radio ‘In Concert’, and seven Radio Bremen radio session tracks. The package will contain a 64-page hardback book with a foreword by Johnny Marr of The Smiths, unseen images by the late Mick Rock, essays, and memorabilia from the album recording. The 2CD and 3LP will be cut down versions from the deluxe box and there will be a special D2C 1LP of the “BBC In Concert – Live at The Paris Theatre, 13 January 1972.”
“There was one day when I was playing along with the Deuce album which was a complete turning point for me as a guitar player.”
Released in November 1971, just six months after his eponymous solo debut, Rory Gallagher’s second album, Deuce, was the summation of all that he’d promised in the wake of Taste’s collapse. Rory wanted to capture the feeling of a live performance, so he would look to record immediately after live concerts while keeping production to a minimum.
He chose Tangerine Studios, a small reggae studio, in Dalston in East London, due it’s history with legendary producer Joe Meek. With Gerry McAvoy on bass guitar and Wilgar Campbell on drums, the album was engineered by Robin Sylvester and produced by Rory. Deucefeatures many Rory highlights, from the blistering Crest Of A Wave to the Celtic-infused I’m Not Awake Yet.
When asked “How does it feel to be the best guitarist in the world,” Jimi replied: “I don’t know, why don’t you go and ask Rory Gallagher.”
– Jimi Hendrix
“There are a million guys who sound like Stevie Ray Vaughan, but I never heard anybody who could really pull off sounding like Rory Gallagher.”
– Slash
” As soon as I heard Cradle Rock, I was hooked. I thought, ‘This is what I want to be when I grow up.”
– Joe Bonamassa
“I really liked Rory, he was fine guitarist and singer and lovely man”
– Jimmy Page
“He was just a magician, he’s one of the very few people of that time who could make his guitar do anything it seemed. It just seemed to be magic. I remember looking at that battered Stratocaster and thinking how does that come out of there?”
– Brian May
“The man who changed my musical life was Rory Gallagher, I picked up a guitar because of him.”
– Johnny Marr
“A beautiful man and an amazing guitar player. He was a very sensitive man and a great musician.”
– The Edge
“An amazing player, very spirited … he had a particular sound using that Stratocaster and he really got it because of the brute force in the way that he played, he just had such a passion about it.”
– Joe Satriani
FORMATS / TRACK LIST
4 CD BOX SET
CD 1
Used to Be – 50th Anniversary Edition I’m Not Awake Yet – 50th Anniversary Edition Don’t Know Where I’m Going – 50th Anniversary Edition Maybe I Will – 50th Anniversary Edition Whole Lot of People – 50th Anniversary Edition In Your Town – 50th Anniversary Edition Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – 50th Anniversary Edition There’s a Light – 50th Anniversary Edition Out of My Mind – 50th Anniversary Edition Crest of a Wave – 50th Anniversary Edition
CD 2
Used to Be – Alternate Take 1 Used to Be –Alternate Take 2 I’m Not Awake Yet – Alternate Take 1 Don’t Know Where I’m Going – Alternate Take 1 Maybe I Will – Alternate Take 1 Maybe I Will – Alternate Take 2 Maybe I Will – Alternate Take 3 Maybe I Will – Alternate Take 4 Maybe I Will – Alternate Take 5 Whole Lot of People – Electric Alternate Take 1 Whole Lot of People – 6 String Acoustic Alternate Take 1 Whole Lot Of People – Deuce Album Session / Alternative Acoustic Take / 1971 * Whole Lot of People – 12 String Acoustic Alternate Take 1 In Your Town – Alternate Take 1 In Your Town – Alternate Take 2 In Your Town – Alternate Take 3
CD 3
In Your Town – Alternate Take 4 Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – Deuce Album Session / Alternative Acoustic Take / 1971* Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – Deuce Album Session Outtake / 1971* Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – Alternate Take 2 Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – Alternate Take 3 There’s A Light – Alternate Take 1 There’s A Light – Alternate Take 2 There’s A Light – Alternate Take 3 Out of My Mind – Alternate Take 1 Out of My Mind – Alternate Take 2 Out of My Mind – Alternate Take 3 Crest of a Wave – Alternate Take 1 Crest of a Wave – Alternate Take 2 Don’t Know Where I’m Going – Home Demo Maybe I Will – Home Demo Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – Home Demo
CD 4
Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 Crest of a Wave – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 I Could’ve Had Religion – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 For The Last Time – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 Messin’ With The Kid – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 Don’t Know Where I’mGoing – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 Pistol Slapper Blues – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 Used To Be – BBC In Concert – Live at The Paris Theatre, 13 January 1972 Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – BBC In Concert – Live at The Paris Theatre, 13 January 1972 Out Of My Mind – BBC In Concert – Live at The Paris Theatre, 13 January 1972 I Could’ve Had Religion – BBC In Concert – Live at The Paris Theatre, 13 January 1972 Crest Of A Wave – BBC In Concert – Live at The Paris Theatre, 13 January 1972 Messin’ With The Kid – BBC In Concert – Live at The Paris Theatre, 13 January 1972
2 CD
CD 1
Used to Be – 50th Anniversary Edition I’m Not Awake Yet – 50th Anniversary Edition Don’t Know Where I’m Going – 50th Anniversary Edition Maybe I Will – 50th Anniversary Edition Whole Lot of People – 50th Anniversary Edition In Your Town – 50th Anniversary Edition Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – 50th Anniversary Edition There’s a Light – 50th Anniversary Edition Out of My Mind – 50th Anniversary Edition Crest of a Wave – 50th Anniversary Edition
CD 2
Used to Be – Alternate Take 1 I’m Not Awake Yet – Alternate Take 1 Maybe I Will – Alternate Take 1 Whole Lot of People – 12 String Acoustic Alternate Take 1 In Your Town – Alternate Take 3 Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – Alternate Take 3 There’s A Light –Alternate Take 1 Out of My Mind – Alternate Take 3 Crest of a Wave – Alternate Take 2 Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 Crest of a Wave – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 I Could’ve Had Religion – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 For The Last Time – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 Messin’ With The Kid – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 Don’t Know Where I’m Going – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 Pistol Slapper Blues – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971
3 LP
SIDE A
Used to Be – 50th Anniversary Edition I’m Not Awake Yet – 50th Anniversary Edition Don’t Know Where I’m Going – 50th Anniversary Edition Maybe I Will – 50th Anniversary Edition Whole Lot of People – 50th Anniversary Edition
SIDE B
In Your Town – 50th Anniversary Edition Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – 50th Anniversary Edition There’s a Light – 50th Anniversary Edition Out of My Mind – 50th Anniversary Edition Crest of a Wave – 50th Anniversary Edition
SIDE C
Used to Be – Alternate Take 1 I’m Not Awake Yet – Alternate Take 1 Maybe I Will – Alternate Take 1 Whole Lot of People – 12 string acoustic Alternate Take 1
SIDE D
In Your Town – Alternate Take 3 Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – Alternate Take 3 There’s A Light – Alternate Take 1 Out of My Mind – Alternate Take 3
SIDE E
Crest of a Wave – Alternate Take 2 Crest of a Wave – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 Don’t Know Where I’m Going – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 I Could’ve Had Religion – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971
SIDE F
Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 For The Last Time – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 Messin’ With The Kid – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971 Pistol Slapper Blues – Radio Bremen 21/12/1971
1 LP COLOUR (D2C)
SIDE A
Used To Be – BBC In Concert – Live at The Paris Theatre, 13 January 1972 Should’ve Learnt My Lesson – BBC In Concert – Live at The Paris Theatre, 13 January 1972 Out Of My Mind – BBC In Concert – Live at The Paris Theatre, 13 January 1972
SIDE B
I Could’ve Had Religion – BBC In Concert – Live at The Paris Theatre, 13 January 1972 Crest Of A Wave – BBC In Concert – Live at The Paris Theatre, 13 January 1972 Messin’ With The Kid – BBC In Concert – Live at The Paris Theatre, 13 January 1972
This is an album I picked up in the early-mid ’80s on one of my trips around Toronto with my Uncle Jim, who lived in Rexdale. He knew where all the shops were, and on a few occasions we’d go up and down Yonge Street, and then off to various other shops within walking distance. So, at that time you could still pick up albums you weren’t familiar with for a dollar or 2, a small gamble but I picked up a lot of gems this way. I had the first Crazy World Of Arthur Brown LP (via my uncle, from a few years earlier), so I was a wee bit familiar with Arthur Brown, but judging by the cover and titles Dance With Arthur Brown would be something very different.
This was Brown’s first post-Kingdom Come album, and although it could still be deemed experimental, Dance With seems a bit more radio accessible for the time, as if Arthur was attempting to get in to the mainstream. It featured 11 tracks, a pair of covers, and a few that would’ve made interesting singles. In fact there were 3 singles. Now signed to Gull Records (part of the Motown group) may be a sign of Arthur’s new direction, with elements of soul, r & b, gospel, all can be found on this album. Gull also released the first few Judas Priest albums during this era. Dance With was preceded by a single in late ’74 – “Gypsies” bw/ “Dance”. The A-side was a non-LP track, penned by Naaman (anyone?). A shame this one is not on youtube, though Arthur Brown’s re-recording of it is, as he re-did the song for his 2007 album The Voice Of Love (as The Amazing World Of Arthur Brown). The single was produced by Brown, himself, but the album would be produced by the legendary Rodger Bain who was better known for the heavier bands he produced like Black Sabbath and Budgie. Dance With featured a number of players, notably guitarist Andy Dalby (from Kingdom Come), and keyboardist Pete Solley (ex Paladin, Snafu), as well as a few backing singers – Fuzzy, Stevie, and Mutt! Stevie was Stevie Lange who later appeared with a number of acts in the 70s , notably The Sweet, Graham Bonnet and Elton John, while Mutt (Lange) went on to produce tons of bands over the next few decades, notably AC/DC, Def Leppard, and Foreigner. Anyway,…. Dance With Arthur Brown came out in May of ’75, it received mixed reviews (of the few I could find), Although there’s no face-paint, costumes, or cosmic cover art, the cover is a bit humorous with 2 torn photos of Brown dancing with a female partner in formal wear (from a different era), while the back cover includes all the songwriting and performance credits, and a regular photo of Brown and lyrics to just 3 songs.
Gull released 2 further singles, in a few countries – “We’ve Got To Get Out Of This Place” b/w the non-LP track “Here I Am” in July of ’75, and then “Out Of Time” b/w “The Lord Will Find A Way” (penned by bass player Lee Robinson). The 2nd single seemed to only be issued in New Zealand and Australia. I actually like both of these covers, as the production seems lively, but find it odd that the album’s 2 covers were the only singles, as there were a few others that would’ve made excellent choices, such as “Helen With The Sun” and the title track (as a A side!). And I hear saxophone on “Out Of Time”, but don’t see it in the credits…(!?) The rest of the album includes a few styles, such as “Crazy” with it’s cabaret approach, “Soul Garden” with it’s reggae beat, and closing “Is There Nothing Beyond God?”, which – with it’s 1 line repeated throughout is kind of a chant put to some decent guitar, bass and drums.
Both Dance With Arthur Brown and it’s follow up Chisholm In My Bosom (which I don’t have.. yet) seem scarce (and pricey) on CD. Both were released together in 1995 on See For Miles Records (UK), in ’95, and since then only in Japan. A proper release of both of these albums – complete with bonus tracks, would be nice after so many years, and while Arthur Brown is getting long overdue press and praise with the release of the Eternal Messenger (An Anthology) CD box last year And his brilliant new album Long Long Road.
