Classic Rock Radio Dot EU CD Review Spotlight: Steve Hunter - The Manhattan Blues Project (2013 Deacon Records)

Classic Rock Radio Dot EU CD Review

Spotlight: Steve Hunter - The Manhattan Blues Project (2013 Deacon Records) 

The first KickStarter program I pledged money. A new Steve Hunter solo project. It's a story I'll tell the rest of my life. And with wonderful results for it funded, meaning the artist succeeded in reaching the goal set, and now the CD is a reality. A guitarist rock fans have been listening to since the golden 1970's. A man who helped make popular such names in music as Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, and Alice Cooper. A professional musician in every meaning of the word. Displays superior guitar skills with each and every song he participates on. One of Steve's latest successes being the lead guitarist on Alice Cooper's Nightmare 2 album. Then being ever so respectful, standing in for the deceased Glen Buxton when the Cooper's were inducted in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.

Mr. Hunter, a sometimes independent artist, met his financial goal to put out this CD through a website I just previously mentioned, KickStarter Dot Com. To all others thinking of getting a project funded, a lesson in how it's done. Came to my house autographed with a signature that can actually be read. Packaging design done very nicely. Good photos of Steve and I like the darker colors used in the cover wrap. Via Kickstarter and Steve's official Facebook page, his wife Karen communicating with folks keeping everyone abreast as to everyday occurrences. The whole experience made it a pleasure to participate. The Hunters both come across online as very pleasant, and ever so professional. I personally could not be any more happier to be a pledge participant. My first time backing an idea proposed on KickStarter, and then it met and or exceeded it's goal. I have witnessed proposed projects crash and burn. Will continue to keep open minded to participating again.

Steve Hunter has already participated on unique concept albums held in high esteem by fans and critics alike. And like all other past projects, The Manhattan Blues Project is consistent on the entertainment meter. Deeper than just the hit songs he participated on. The listener is getting a more personal understanding of the man behind the guitar.

The topic of this CD is of course, Manhattan. It is the smallest of the five boroughs that make up New York City. Madison Square Garden is located there. Having hung out in Manhattan (considered a county of New York State) as a teenager I can tell you first hand that it's an encyclopedia when it comes to music. Different bars / clubs all having different sounds. Big acts like The Rolling Stones used Manhattan / New York City as a backdrop for many of their songs. My introduction to rap was heard walking the streets of Manhattan. Young black guys on the street corners using rhythms to sell their drugs. I'd shake my head no and smile. Already had all the drugs I needed.

Each song on The Manhattan Blues Project is as unique as the location it's named after. The CD starts off with typical outside street sounds. A nice instrumental mood piece that leads in wonderfully to one of the most bad ass songs I"ve heard in ages called "222 w.23rd". Do justice here and listen to this with a good pair of headphones. The song got a prominent lovemaking vibe. Music you imagine hearing in an erectile dysfunction TV commercial, when the pill takes effect and it's time to get busy. Maybe I'm the only one hearing this? And I'm not saying in anyway, anything bad. The song inspires shagging. Has a definite sexiness to it. Includes interesting background noises, a vocal rap by Tommy Henriksen, some slide by Michael Lee Firkins, and Hunter's wife Karen acing the background vocals. For Steve, Uncle G predicts a new greatest hit. Guaranteed repeat plays. It's that good. And then draw a tub for you and a special friend. Let the music take you both away (wink wink).

At times throughout The Manhattan Blues Project Mr Hunter has some rather exceptional friends join in. One of my favorite bass players, Mr Tony Levin appears on a couple of songs. One is a re-imagining of a Peter Gabriel hit song called "Solsbury Hill". Ninety-eight percent is an instrumental with uncredited male background voices heard in somewhat harmony. Overall the guys did the classic rock song justice. An enjoyable track.

"The Brooklyn Shuffle" totally shines. Traditional blues sounding song with some outstanding guitar work by Steve and two other gentlemen: Johnny Depp and Joe Perry. Both offering meaty solos. Karen again outdoing herself on background vocals. Be fun to see this played in concert.

"Ground Zero" is a haunting, yet beautiful piece. Evokes emotion when listening to it. So many terrific days in Manhattan's history and then you have that very dark one. Not a totally depressing tune, Hunter captures the right vibe. Each note and chord played, backed with feeling. A positive sign of a good blues guitarist.

"Twilight In Harlem" has this funky groove to it. Joining Steve on guitar duty are Joe Satriani and Marty Friedman. The song has a real band sound. Helping to make this so on keyboards is Phil Aaberg, with drummer Todd Chuba.

"Sunset In Central Park" is the last song on the CD. On bass again is Tony Levin and on cellos is 2Cellos. All the ingredients needed to close the CD on a fine note. Nice outro !!

Rating: A friend asked if I could be non-bias. Knew I been a longtime fan. An old Alice Cooper associate that Steve also knows would say assessing yours truly that I'm loyal and honest like a boyscout. To me that flattering. Using the one to five star rating system I give Steve Hunter - The Manhattan Blues Project: 5 very solid stars. Well done Mr. Hunter. Well done indeed.

Gary Brown

American Corespondent for Classic Rock Radio Dot EU   

FAC51 A Bit Of Manchester

I have had in my hands a piece of Manchester's musical history which I believe will endure for many more years.In the 1980's and 90's there was a club and venue at the heart of music, that club was the Hacienda on Whitworth Street West.


The face of the Hacienda was a legend in Manchester TV personality and boss of Factory records 'Tony' Wilson who managed to keep the enterprise going despite mounting problems until it finally closed the doors on music June 15th 1997. Despite being one of Manchester's iconic buildings which in any other forward thinking city would have become a tourist venue, in 2002 the place was flattened and in its place now stands an apartment building bearing the Hacienda name.

 Which brings us almost to the present but before the Hacienda was bulldozed and its contents consigned to the skip of time, key parts of the interior were sold to interested parties. Fortunately the dance floor was made of Canadian Maple a very durable wood and coincidentally a very popular choice among luthiers. That fact did not escape the attentions of Chris Hewitt promoter, record label boss, studio owner and festival supremo.His epiphany was to incorporate parts of the Hacienda into a bass guitar and he very kindly allowed me to lay hands on it.

It is a very distinctive instrument cut from the pattern of Peter Hook Joy Division and New Order's bass dispensing with f holes in favour of the number 51. Now do not be fooled into thinking there are 50 odd of these about in the wild the first made is in the hands of Peter and which is numbered 51 the one we feature is numbered 55 so thus far just five have been made they are expensive to do and built to order - you buy one and Chris makes another until he runs out of that Maple.

The construction involves taking a plank from the dance floor and stripping it back to good sound wood. You have to bear in mind this was the day when people smoked and girls wore evilly dangerous stilettos despite the high polish on the floor Stacey,Diane and friends will have furnished a layer of dents scratches and fag burns to the wood. That thin layer is laminated to the neck of the axe on which I have to point out another feature the head stock is cut and shaved so it mirrors the shape of the Hacienda dance floor. Our Bass has some other unique features at the rear the covers on the electronics and truss rod are cut from the club's stair tread polished beautifully to enhance the look, on the front just below the bridge is an inlay of marble engraved with the legend FAC51. That marble spent its working life on the bar top before ascending to a higher plane. The colour scheme is chosen to represent the warning signage that decorated the club So there we have it did Bez spill his drink on that bar top or maybe crash out on it (quite likely) Tony Wilson no doubt spent time chatting above it maybe ran a cloth over it at closing time and how many chicks/dudes do you know who shook out the night on the Hacienda dance floor before clattering up or down the stairs. No doubt about it the axe is linked with Manchester like no other I should perhaps say to Madchester and that is how we roll in the Rainy City.

Classic Rock Radio Dot EU CD Review Spotlight: Brainticket: Cottonwood (2013 re-issue Purple Pyramid Records)

Classic Rock Radio Dot EU CD Review

Spotlight: Brainticket: Cottonwood (2013 re-issue Purple Pyramid Records)

I sure wish I would have heard of Brainticket a lot sooner than a week ago. That's when I busted open the beautifully done re-issue of the very first Brainticket release Cottonwood. Originally put out forty years ago, now on CD and looking as good as ever. Hard to believe the album was banned in various countries including America. This could explain why it took me longer than usual to get turned on to it. Back in 1973, I was listening to all kinds of different styled rock music: Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells, Nektar - Remember The Future, and Kraftwerk - Autobahn. This would have fit right in. But because I wasn't exposed to Brainticket's Cottonwood, it didn't happen. I can say typing this that I'm sincerely glad to not have totally missed out. It's a genuinely cool sounding album that deserves to be heard by a worldwide audience. Better now than never, right?

What we have here is early seventies free-style / experimental / psychedelic rock music. Their own record company stereotyping it drug music was a lethal move as far as popularity and sales. Before the Internet, rumors would travel the globe. It was said the band, when performing in concert, would hand out free drugs to the audience. Of course it never happened. Back then stories of giving out free LSD would certainly not have kept me away. I would have been there in line like it was holy communion time. By and large, acid frightened children, and regular God fearing individuals. Ignorant folks back in the day believed what they heard, tried shielding others from even hearing Cottonwood. How ridiculous. Even more so because of something NO ONE could prove. The musicians involved denied any and all allegations the music had anything to do with drugs of any kind. Unfortunately most of planet Earth didn't listen. For Brainticket's benefit, the album did do well in Germany. Personally, I believe just giving it one listen will dispel any concerns. Frankly, I dug what I heard almost immediately. The music speaks for itself.

On organ and flute is Mr. Joel Vandroogenbroeck. This is the main cat. The only real central fixture, Vandroogenbroeck's the main force of Brainticket. Displays a musical prowess that is at times hypnotic. And that's just on Cottonwood's first song "Black Sand". A catchy as can be instrumental. Keyboard driven accompanied by a unique sounding electric guitar played by Ron Bryer (rest in peace). Worth the price of the CD all by itself.

"Places Of Light", the second offering, has the best flute playing I heard since I last played a Jethro Tull album. Vocals come in the form of poetry where voice is changed by different effects. More catchy keyboard work. Music that makes you think of lava lights and 1960's smoke filled coffee houses.

The rest of the the album / CD is a creative piece called "Brainticket, Parts 1 & 2". This is where folks start throwing around the avant-garde label. I can hear why, the sound effects, weird sounds, repetitive music, voices, a monkey...yes I said a monkey. Wax back in the early seventies, so we had what was called side A & side B of an album. The female voice in and out seeming to have frantic and then almost orgasmic moments, one second to the next. Funky noises fill the ears and then something close to what I would imagine, some sort of orgasmic release: a screaming monkey and then a loud sample of Beethoven's 5th. Flipping the record over and putting the needle on the beginning grooves would pick up where part one left off, continuing further into the odyssey till its climatic ending. And what a ride it was. Audio intercourse that leaves you satisfied at the end, and with a strange desire to smoke something. .

I played Brainticket - Cottonwood loud, on an real stereo multiple times. When having a friend over we played Purple Pyramid's wonderful re-issue of this very cool album three times. Just kept pressing the repeat button. Admitting to that, using the one to five star rating system, I give Brainticket - Cottonwood 5 stars. Of course I do.

Warning: Contagious: Capable of mass approval.

Gary Brown

American Corespondent for Classic Rock Radio Dot EU

The Darkness UK & Ireland Tour Winter 2013

The Darkness Perform Permission To Land In Its Emntirety On Forthcoming UK & Ireland Winter Tour

Girding their loins for a full frontal assault on the UK in November and December The Darkness have announced dates for a pre Christmas jaunt. The band who came to prominence in 2003 with their album Permission To Land and the hit single I Believe In A Thing Called Love. The band scored a major success with the album which attained "Quadruple Platinum" selling in excess of 1.3 million copies

The band split in 2006 although staged a hugely successful comeback in 2011

During the tour The Darkness will be performing the album Permission To Land in its entirety in celebration of the albums tenth anniversary. The band will also perform selected hits B Sides and album tracks .
The band's current album Hot Cakes is out now

Tickets are available from

www.ticketmaster.co.uk

or
www.livenation.co.uk


More details from the bands website here

http://www.theactualdarkness.com/

Announcement from Def Leppard's Vivian Campbell‏

In light of the forthcoming European and North American dates from Def Leppard, guitarist Vivian Campbell felt it would be right to let the band's supporters know that he is currently in recovery from cancer.

Vivian says, “I feel fortunate that my cancer sent me an alarm call in the form of ‘the cough that wouldn’t quit’. Otherwise, how would I have known? After several months of trying every inhaler known to man, my doctor finally had me X-rayed. A further CAT scan revealed that enlarged lymph nodes were doing wrestling manoeuvres on my windpipe – hence the cough. What was causing the enlarged lymph nodes, however, was yet to be determined, so I underwent a surgical biopsy on March 11th, the first day of Leppard rehearsals for our Viva Las Vegas shows. Obviously, I didn’t make it to rehearsal that day, but it’s okay; I know the songs by now...

My diagnosis was Hodgkin's Lymphoma and 6 months of chemotherapy is the prescribed treatment. I’m about 2 months in and feeling rather spiffy, all things considered. Hodgkin's has an over 80% cure rate, so by my reckoning, if you’re going to have a cancer, Hodgie’s is the one to have!

The reason I’m sharing this with you is because, despite cancer and chemo, me and my new aerodynamic hairstyle (read: no hair) are going on tour this summer with the band and I don’t want anyone to be so shocked by my new look that they ask for a refund. Simple economics, really.

My family, friends and bandmates have all been extremely supportive through this and I look forward to a summer full of shows with both Def Leppard in June/July and the debut of Last In Line this August.”

The USA based Northern Irish guitarist has a busy schedule this coming summer. Fresh from Def Leppard’s triumphant Las Vegas Residency, the band are set to play a series of festivals and headline shows across Europe and North America in June/July 2013. Full dates are as follows

Thursday 21^st June 2013 Hellfest, France

Sunday 23^rd June San Sebastian, Spain

Monday 24^th June Barcelona, Spain

Wednesday 26^th June Madrid, Spain

Friday 28^th June Santiago, Spain

Tuesday 2^nd July Helsingborg, Sweden

Wednesday 3^rd July Uppsala, Sweden

Saturday 6^th July Skanevik, Norway

Wednesday 10^th July Calgary, Canada

Saturday 13^th July Quebec City, Canada

Monday 15^th July Gilford, New Hampshire, USA

Wednesday 17^th July Canandaigua, New York, USA

For further details www.defleppard.com

In addition to performing with Def Leppard, August 2013 sees Vivian debut the reunited original Dio band under the name of Last In Line: 30 years after the recording of the legendary Dio albums Holy Diver, Last In Line and Scared Heart, and without trying to replace the singular sound that was Ronnie’s voice, the original band have started playing the songs they wrote and created together again. Joined by the passionate, powerful and unique voice of vocalist Andrew Freeman, Vivian Campbell, Vinny Appice, Jimmy Bain and Claude Schnell have united under the name of their classic album, Last In Line, to perform and tour their original songs again.

THE ALLMAN BROTHER’S BAND BROTHERS AND SISTERS 40th Anniversary Deluxe and Super Deluxe Editions

THE ALLMAN BROTHER’S BAND

BROTHERS AND SISTERS

29^TH JULY 2013

When the Allman Brothers Band’s fifth album, Brothers and Sisters, was released on Capricorn Records in August 1973, the legendary southern blues-rock group had already achieved world-wide fame with their 1971 live album, At Fillmore East. This success was followed by the tragic loss of their founder, leader and musical visionary, guitarist Duane Allman, who died in a motorcycle crash on 29^th October 1971. Arguably at the peak of their popularity, the band's album followed the release of the two-disc Eat a Peach, released 12^th February 1972 and the last recording to include contributions by Duane.

While regrouping under the leadership of singer/organist Gregg Allman and guitarist/vocalist Dickey Betts, the Allman Brothers Band soldiered on with Brothers and Sisters, which turned out to be their most successful selling recording to date, spending five weeks at number 1, and the first to achieve platinum status. To mark its 40th anniversary, the original classic recording, which includes such Allman standards as Ramblin’ Man, Wasted Words, Jessica and Come and Go Blues, will be re-released in re-mastered form on both CD and vinyl, plus deluxe two-CD and four-CD box sets that include previously unreleased rehearsals, jams and outtakes.

The album’s famous front cover features a photo of Vaylor Trucks, the son of drummer Butch Trucks, while the back sports a shot of Brittany Oakley, the daughter of bassist Berry Oakley. The gatefold pictures the entire Allmans family: band members, roadies, wives, girlfriends, children, dogs, all in a seemingly idyllic Southern setting, capturing the family nature of the project.

The deluxe two-CD edition of Brothers and Sisters includes the original re-mastered recording as well as previously unreleased rehearsals of Wasted Words, Trouble No More, One Way Out, I’m Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town and Done Somebody Wrong; outtakes of the instrumental Southbound, Double Cross and Early Morning Blues, as well as the brand-new archival find, A Minor Jam. The four-CD set includes two discs devoted to a live performance at Winterland in San Francisco from 26^th September 1973, just after the release of Brothers and Sisters and featuring an introduction by Bill Graham. It features previously unavailable live versions of Done Somebody Wrong, Stormy Monday, Midnight Rider, Statesboro Blues, You Don’t Love Me (which includes Amazing Grace), Les Brers in A Minor, Blue Sky, Trouble No More and Whipping Post, along with two Brothers and Sisters tracks in Come and Go Blues and Jessica.

From The Booklet

"By the time they released their fifth album Brothers And Sisters in August 1973, the Allman Brothers Band had experienced dizzying highs and soul-crushing lows. The group had spent its first two years developing its formidable collective chemistry into an unprecedented stylistic fusion that established it as the era’s most influential American rock act. But just as the band had achieved a hard-won commercial breakthrough with 1971’s At Fillmore East, it suffered a devastating loss with the death of Duane Allman, its founder, leader and musical visionary, in a motorcycle crash on October 29, 1971.

Following Duane’s traumatic passing, the band regained its bearings and soldiered on, with Duane’s brother, singer/organist Gregg Allman, and guitarist/vocalist Dickey Betts—now the lone axeman in an act famous for its dual-guitar fireworks—assuming more prominent roles in its direction. The musicians marshaled their strengths to make Brothers and Sisters—their first album recorded completely without Duane—a decisive creative rebirth as well as their best-selling release to date.

Brothers And Sisters bested the sales of At Fillmore East and Eat A Peach, spending five weeks at #1 and becoming the first Allman Brothers Band release to gain Platinum sales status."

Configurations

Vinyl - Brothers And Sisters original recording remastered.

CD - Brothers And Sisters original recording remastered.

Deluxe

- Disc 1: Brothers And Sisters original recording remastered.

- Disc 2: Rehearsals, Jams, and Outtakes previously unreleased.

Super Deluxe

- Disc 1: Brothers And Sisters original recording remastered.

- Disc 2: Rehearsals, Jams, and Outtakes previously unreleased.

- Disc 3: Live At Winterland, September 26, 1973

- Disc 4: Live At Winterland, September 26, 1973

Tracklistings

DISC ONE: BROTHERS AND SISTERS remastered

1. WASTED WORDS

2. RAMBLIN' MAN

3. COME AND GO BLUES

4. JELLY JELLY

5. SOUTHBOUND

6. JESSICA

7. PONY BOY

DISC TWO: JAMS, REHEARSALS and OUTTAKES previously unreleased

1. WASTED WORDS (Rehearsal)

2. TROUBLE NO MORE (Rehearsal)

3. SOUTHBOUND (Instrumental Outtake)

4. ONE WAY OUT (Rehearsal)

5. I’M GONNA MOVE TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN (Rehearsal)

6. DONE SOMEBODY WRONG (Rehearsal)

7. DOUBLE CROSS (Outtake)

8. EARLY MORNING BLUES (Outtake)

9. A MINOR JAM

DISC THREE: LIVE AT WINTERLAND, SEPTEMBER 26, 1973

1. INTRODUCTION BY BILL GRAHAM

2. WASTED WORDS

3. DONE SOMEBODY WRONG*

4. ONE WAY OUT

5. STORMY MONDAY*

6. MIDNIGHT RIDER*

7. RAMBLIN' MAN

8. IN MEMORY OF ELIZABETH REED

9. STATESBORO BLUES*

10. COME AND GO BLUES*

DISC FOUR: LIVE AT WINTERLAND, SEPTEMBER 26, 1973

1. SOUTHBOUND

2. JESSICA*

3. YOU DON'T LOVE ME (includes AMAZING GRACE)*

4. LES BRERS IN A MINOR (with drum solo)*

5. BLUE SKY*

6. TROUBLE NO MORE*

7. WHIPPING POST*

*Previously Unreleased

Check Out The Allman Brothers Band on the Web Here:

http://www.allmanbrothersband.com/

UK Prog Legends Nektar To Release Highly Anticipated New Studio Album 'Time Machine' – June 18 , 2013

UK Prog Legends Nektar To Release Highly Anticipated New Studio Album 'Time Machine' –

June 18 , 2013

Los Angeles, CA – Prog legends Nektar return with their triumphant 13^thalbum 'Time Machine' on June 18, 2013 on Purple Pyramid Records –the first album of new material in over 4 years – that band leader and founding member Roye Albrighton is calling “The best album Nektar has ever made!” 'Time Machine' showcases a new depth of songwriting, melodic complexity and musical exploration that hearkens back to early Nektar releases such as 'Remember The Future' and 'A Tab In The Ocean'.

Nektar, featuring Albrighton, founding drummer Ron Howden, keyboardist Klaus Hentasch and bassist Lux Vibratus, is British, but was formed in Hamburg, Germany in 1970. Their early albums featured a heady, exhilarating mix of progressive, experimental rock sounds that soon caught on worldwide at the height of the international prog-rock boom. Touring the world behind numerous album releases throughout the‘70s and ‘80s helped to cement the band’s reputation as an influential prog-rock legend. Having undergone a variety of personnel changes over the past decade or so, the band now boasts its strongest lineup in years and is ready to prove so yet again to its many fans throughout North America. In celebration of the 40^thanniversary of the original release date of the band’s classic album, 'Remember the Future', Nektar is looking to perform in its entirety this most heralded release from its vast catalog, a rarity in that the band has not performed the entire album live in years.

Nektar 'Time Machine' CD is available for pre-order now at Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Time-Machine-Nektar/dp/B00CGUSM16

Nektar / Son's Of Hippies US Tour Dates:

June 20 – Sully's – Chantilly, VA

June 21 – Altar Bar – Pittsburgh, PA

June 22 – Sellersville Theatre – Sellersville, PA

June 23 – B.B. King Blues Club & Grill – NYC

June 26 – The Winchester Music Hall – Cleveland, OH

June 26 – The RockPile Bar & Nightclub – Toronto, ON, Canada

June 28 – Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI

June 29 – Viper Alley – Lincolnshire, IL

June 30 – Famous Dave's Blues Club – Minneapolis, MN

July 02 – Rogue Pizza Co. - Fayetteville, AR

July 03 – Cheer Up Charlie's – Austin, TX

July 04 – The Grotto – Fort Worth, TX

For more information visit Nektar's official website:www.nektarsmusic.com