Archive for February, 2009

Richard Barbieri – “Stranger Inside” review

Richard Barbieri \

Former Japan/Rain Tree Crow and current Porcupine Tree keyboardist Richard Barbieri steps out with his second proper solo album Stranger Inside on K Scope Records.  Although this is primarily Barbieri’s show, he is joined by Japan cohort, percussionist Steve Jansen with additional programming and arrangements as well as mixing duties.  Porcupine Tree front man Steven Wilson mastered the recording, lending his unique sonic sensibilities to the project.  Barbieri also employs vocal samples courtesy of his wife Suzanne and no-man leader Tim Bowness.

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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 of Porcupine Tree and Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth, as they do battle in this prog trivia shootout, and see how you fare.

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10 Best Deep Purple songs

I remember as a teen, reading in the Guinness Book Of World Records, that Deep Purple set a new record, registering themselves as the loudest band on Earth – Purple’s live show in 1970 reportedly throwing out 110 decibels (thank you Marshall stacks!) of blistering sound at those brave enough to saunter front and center stage. Well, any band capable -and willing – of such auditory excess was one I had to hear. And I did, delving into the band’s back catalog and seeking out any live Deep Purple record I could. From Shades Of Deep Purple to Rapture Of The Deep, it’s been a tremendous hard rock ride. Now, I must share my findings.

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Warhorse – Nick Simper leaves Deep Purple for a new Thoroughbred

Warhorse \

At the height of Deep Purple’s first wave of commercial success – thanks largely due to their remaking of Joe South’s “Hush” – bassist Nick Simper stepped away to play in Marsha Hunt’s band, whose members included keyboardist Rick Wakeman and guitarist Ged Peck. The stint with Hunt would be short-lived, though, and Simper soon was looking to form a new band, which begun with Hunt alumni Wakeman, Peck and drummer Mac Poole. Vocalist Ashley Holt – who had auditioned for the original Purple singing slot – was recruited, and the lineup was set… almost. Wakeman’s heart must not have been in it, as the liners indicate that he failed to show for practice one too many times. A replacement was found in former Rumble keyboardist Frank Wilson, whose Hammond organ stylings would figure largely in Warhorse’s sound.

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10 Best Rush songs

It is my assertion that Rush hit their stride with 1980’s Permanent Waves, and rode that heady curl through the two following flawless albums Moving Pictures and Signals. After waiting and listening for more than 25 years for something akin to these classic albums, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart emerged from the murky post-Signals explorations to again deliver the goods with Snakes & Arrows. Welcome back my friends!

Accordingly, Here are my 10 favorite Rush songs, taken from seven albums – Rush, Fly By Night, 2112, A Farewell To Kings, Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, Signals and Snakes & Arrows.

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Stu Cook – Jackdawg’s lost album finally released

Jackdawg

For nearly 40 years, Stu Cook has been anchoring bands with his bass playing and harmony singing. From his time with the legendary Creedence Clearwater Revival to the country-tinged Southern Pacific to Cook’s current project with former Creedence drummer Doug Clifford titled Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Cook has remained an active and vital member on the music scene.

It was Cook’s affinity for country music that brought him together with Doobie Brothers’ members guitarist John McFee and drummer Keith Knudsen, as the three were part of Southern Pacific in the 1980s. The musical and personal chemistry were strong enough to survive the band’s eventual dissolution, and as the next decade was ushered in, Cook, McFee and Knudsen were writing together again – this time in a decidedly rock and roll context.

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Keaton Simons – You Should Hear Him Now

Keaton Simons

One could forgive Keaton Simons if he chose to be a cynic. Like so many others in the music industry, Simons’ career has been marked by a series of starts and stops that makes many throw up their arms, pawn their guitars and look for a more reliable gig. But Simons has persevered, through a record label dissolution, working as a musical director, and even playing in movies.

In 2008, the singer/songwriter/guitarist finally got his chance, signing on with CBS Records, and releasing his long-overdue, full-length album Can You Hear Me Now, a record of surprising optimism and one that grooves from start to finish. I recently spoke with Simons about musical influences, Can You Hear Me, touring and much more.

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Marillion’s Steve Rothery on “Happiness Is The Road”

Marillion On Stage (photo by Carl Glover)

Do you remember your first math class? After being introduced to the wide world of numbers, you began learning that 1+1 = 2; 2+2 = 4; 2+3 = 5; 6 +3 = 9 and so on. As well, it didn’t matter if you wrote 2+3 or 3+2, the answer is still five. This is known as the commutative property of addition. But for some entities, 1+1+1+1+1 doesn’t equal 5 no matter how it’s written!

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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 Stanley Clarke, guitarist Al Di Meola, and drummer Lenny White decided to give it another go. The result is Returns, a double-disc set to be released March 17 by Eagle Rock Entertainment.

Recorded during their successful 2008 tour, this CD marks their first tour in 25 years.

Track listing:
Disc 1:
1.) Opening Prayer
2.) Hymn Of The Seventh Galaxy
3.) Vulcan Worlds
4.) The Sorceress
5.) Song To The Pharaoh Kings

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Madder Lake – “Stillpoint” – Greatest Australian rock band ever?

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Madder Lake were a five-piece Australian outfit – Mick Fettes (vocals), Brenden Mason (lead guitar), Kerry McKenna (bass, synthesizers, vocals),  John McKinnon (piano, organ, vocals) and Jack Kreemers (drums, congas, gong) – that made a big splash in their home country in the early 1970s. The band’s strengths were mixing progressive rock with the blues and bits of psychedelic. Their debut album, Stillpoint, was recorded in 1973 in just six days and has a wonderful feel of immediacy. Its original seven tracks have been padded here with seven additional tunes, thanks to the superb reissue courtesy of Australian label Aztec Music.

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