Featured CD/LP
Cheap Trick – “The Latest” album review
June 29, 2009 · 1 Comment
In 2006 Cheap Trick released Rockford, and for me it was the year’s biggest musical surprise. Here was a complete collection of brilliant pop and rock songs that fans had been waiting for since Dream Police. Subsequent records hinted of the band’s capabilities, but the results seemed to fall short of potential. Then as 30-year music vets, they didn’t just come back knocking on the door with Rockford, they kicked it down, square. It was a remarkable comeback, but could they carry through again? The Latest... [Read the full story]
DVD
Redemption – “Frozen In The Moment – Live In Atlanta” DVD review
May 15, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Redemption is a progressive metal band that was formed in Los Angeles in 2000 around the talents of guitarist Nick van Dyk. Despite lineup changes, the group has released three albums to great critical and audience acclaim. Some significant fans are the members of Dream Theater, who invited Redemption to support them during their 2007 U.S. tour. The tour culminated in an appearance at the 8th annual Prog Power show in Atlanta, Georgia, in October 2007. The short set of just over an hour is captured on Frozen In the... [Read the full story]
Interview
Foghat – The Roger Earl interview
June 28, 2009 · Leave a Comment
When the topic of great live rock and roll albums comes up, you can be sure that Foghat’s name will be mentioned. From their first live release back in 1977 to the latest Live At The Blues Warehouse, Foghat has been thrilling crowds with their blues-based boogie rock, giving their all at every show. In 2009, Foghat continue to deliver the goods onstage, a tribute to the band members who’ve carried on despite major setbacks. After the death of frontman “Lonesome” Dave Peverett in 2000, and the passing of... [Read the full story]
Top 10 List
Beyond eBay and Amazon: 5 Great Websites for Rare and Hard-To-Find CDs and Records
June 5, 2009 · 1 Comment
The Internet has opened up a new world market for record and CD collectors, where one can search for any LP by U2, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, or import CDs by Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles or Grateful Dead. If you want it, chances are you can find it. Websites such as eBay, Amazon.com and Craigslist have made it easy for anyone to be a buyer or seller of music. The problem is, most “sellers” don’t really know what they’re peddling. A prime example arose today when I was searching through my local... [Read the full story]
Book
Led Zeppelin – The Concert File
January 2, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Led Zeppelin: The Concert File, by Dave Lewis with Simon Pallett, is a guide to every concert Zeppelin played from 1968-80. I never had the chance to see Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham together as Led Zeppelin, so it’s fun to page through and read about their gigs, particularly in venues I’ve attended otherwise. It’s also an eye-opener to follow the band’s set list through the years. There’s plenty of cool pics, concert flyers, ticket stubs and more. Read More →
Favorite Albums
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![[AllCDCovers]_the_byrds_the_notorious_byrd_brothers_remastered_1997_retail_cd-front](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2635101980_56d3df0da1_s.jpg)
![[AllCDCovers]_santana_caravanserai_2003_retail_cd-front](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/2635101226_40828d99b6_s.jpg)
![[AllCDCovers]_emerson_lake_palmer_emerson_lake_and_palmer_2001_retail_cd-front](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/2634277107_bba8a03e26_s.jpg)
![[AllCDCovers]_bruce_cockburn_dancing_in_the_dragons_jaws_remastered_2005_retail_cd-front](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/2635100802_33712b559c_s.jpg)
![[AllCDCovers]_nick_drake_five_leaves_left_2000_retail_cd-front](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/2634276369_bed3ef657b_s.jpg)
What I‘m Listening To
Saga – “The Human Condition”
How does a band carry on after losing its voice? How could AC/DC continue after the death of Bon Scott? How could Van Halen rock on without David Lee Roth? Journey without Steve... [Read more]
Anthony Phillips – Private Parts & Pieces II “Back To The Pavillion”
Anthony Phillips Private Parts & Pieces II "Back To The Pavillion" Anthony Phillips is well known for his stint as guitarist for Genesis, until he left the band after... [Read more]
Mahogany Rush – “Mahogany Rush IV/World Anthem”
Guitarist Frank Marino’s Mahogany Rush got two long-overdue reissues with BGO Records’ release and remasters of Mahogany Rush IV and World Anthem. This two-CD set doesn’t... [Read more]
Strange – “Souvenir Album”
Shadoks Music has rescued yet another obscure recording for our enjoyment – Souvenir Album by Strange. The disc features eight songs proper and four segments of other tunes... [Read more]
Van Morrison – “The Healing Game”
I blame myself. For more than a decade, I ignored Van Morrison’s The Healing Game, always tuning in instead to other albums such as No Guru, No Method, No Teacher, Veedon... [Read more]
The Flatlanders – “More A Legend Than A Band”
The Flatlanders’ first album, More A Legend Than A Band, is an essential record for anyone interested in great songwriting, as the LP features the dynamic Texas trio of... [Read more]
Robin Trower – “Twice Removed From Yesterday”
Guitarist Robin Trower made a seamless jump from Procol Harum in the early 1970s to a solo career, exciting new audiences with his Jimi Hendrix-tinged sound and stylings. Trower... [Read more]
Chicago II
I can’t think of another rock band whose first two releases were double albums. Talk about ambitious! Chicago were that band, and their sophomore effort, Chicago II, is... [Read more]
Lynyrd Skynyrd – “Street Survivors”
“Whiskey bottles, and brand new cars/Oak tree you’re in my way.” — From Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “That Smell” There’s a tangible eeriness that pervades Skynyrd’s Street... [Read more]
Featured Category
Music News & Notes
All things Allman Brothers
With the Allman Brothers Band celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, it’s been a busy time for the band and band members. When they’re not playing together, the... [Read more]
Dickey Betts – Live at New York City’s Concert Hall, May 11, 2009
Legendary guitarist and songwriter Dickey Betts (of Allman Brothers Band, Great Southern and Dickey Betts Band fame) was captured on film by Arnie Goodman at a recent concert... [Read more]
Procol Harum In Concert with the Danish National Concert Orchestra and Choir
One of Classic Rock’s most beloved bands, Procol Harum, will have its In Concert With The Danish National Concert Orchestra And Choir released on CD (Eagle Records) and DVD... [Read more]
158 photos of Jeff Beck live at the Fillmore, New York, April 9-10
Check out these photos of guitar great Jeff Beck performing live in New York City. Backing Beck is drumming phenom Vinnie Colaiuta and bassist Tal Wilkenfeld. (Photos courtesy... [Read more]
Remembering the Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band – Macon, Georgia’s, favorite musical sons – are remembered warmly by several folks closest to the band members including Linda Oakley... [Read more]
Protecting Your Vinyl Record Collection
If you have a large collection of LPs, 45s or 78s, check out my story on how to organize, protect and store it all at Goldmine Magazine. Read More →
Progressive Rock Music Quiz with Steven Wilson & Mikael Akerfeldt
Think you know your prog rock? Do you remember the details of every Pink Floyd, Genesis, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, Yes, Marillion, ELP album? Well, play along with Steven Wilson... [Read more]
Return To Forever reunite for double album “Returns”
Originally formed in 1972, Return To Forever are a musical powerhouse. Thirty-two years after the release of their last album Romantic Warrior, keyboardist Chick Corea, bassist... [Read more]
Bill Bruford retires from public performance
Yes, King Crimson, and Earthworks drummer and bandleader Bill Bruford has announced that he will no longer perform in public. After an exemplary 41-year career that has moved... [Read more]
Featured Category
Featured Video
Music Reviews
In 2006 Cheap Trick released Rockford, and for me it was the year’s biggest musical surprise. Here was a complete collection of brilliant pop and... [Read more]
Lightdark is the second full studio album from Italian progressive rock quintet Nosound. Progressive? Definitely! But the term “rock” can only... [Read more]
Shadow Border is the second record from Dutch progressive rock band The Aurora Project. Fronted by vocalist Dennis Binnekade, whose vocals at times bear... [Read more]
King Crimson Songbook Volume 2 The Crimson Jazz Trio’s second album, King Crimson Songbook Volume 2, represents a step forward and a terrible setback... [Read more]
The Crickets "The Chirping Crickets" Buddy Holly’s original full-length release with his first recording outfit, The Crickets, simply titled... [Read more]
I’ve always thought the best way to judge a rock music album is to hear the songs played live. Most bands, however, are hesitant to play a new record... [Read more]
Slice O Life is a two-CD set of Bruce Cockburn as solo artist performing material primarily from the 1980s to present, and the set list is the cream of... [Read more]
With recent news that Yorkshire, England’s, unintentionally incognito prog-rock ensemble, Parallel Or Ninety Degrees have reformed for live gigs and... [Read more]
Somewhere shy of the live feedback outbursts of Quicksilver Messenger Service and The Grateful Dead, yet heavier, more demented and sludgier than The... [Read more]
Time Must Have A Stop is the debut CD from Polish prog-rock band Votum released through Progrock/SPV Records. Although the band has received some notice... [Read more]
Pat Mastelotto. Perhaps you aren’t familiar with his name, but trust me you’ve heard him play drums at least 100 times so far in your life. Even... [Read more]
What’s not to love about Sundazed Music? Their re-release of recordings considered essential by collectors, yet out of print for decades, never ceases... [Read more]
Every now and then an artist that’s been lurking around on the fringes of the music scene will step out of the shadows with a record that completely... [Read more]
Eight songs that read more like German folk-tinged, experimental dirges than pop or rock music; such is Nico’s second solo record, 1969’s The Marble... [Read more]
Tightly Unwound is the seventh studio release from England’s The Pineapple Thief and their first release for Kscope/Snapper Records. Led by guitarist/singer/songwriter... [Read more]
Now that Sony and BMG have become a gigantic music conglomerate, we’re hoping that they’ll use those pooled resources to release interesting new products... [Read more]
1931 (Go Out Dancing – Part 1) is the first record in nearly 20 years from keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist, Tony Carey that is credited to his Planet... [Read more]
The Hoople is the third of a trio of spectacular records issued by glam-rock superstars, Mott The Hoople. Discounting a final live album in late 1974,... [Read more]
No-Man’s sixth studio release, Schoolyard Ghosts, is as much a revelation for fans of No-Man’s previous work as it is for fans of the duo’s guitarist,... [Read more]
Vinyl Lovers Records has reissued Joe Jackson’s solo debut, Look Sharp! as a 10-inch double record that includes the bonus cuts “Don’t Ask Me”... [Read more]