Archival Posts 2003 April 13-19

April 18, 2003

Folks...it's so obviously Friday around here. To those who saw the release date for Neil Young's long awaited back catalogue of the following discs, it's the 24th and not the 26th. Sorry. Back to the weekend.

Warner has just informed me that the Neil Young release dates for "American Stars n Bars"; "Re-Ac-Tor"; "Hawks and Doves", and "On the Beach" are now slated for a June 24 date. Additionally, the Flaming Lips DVD-Audio, "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" will be moved to July 22 and Michelle Branch's new one gets slated for June 24.

You know, I went off the air last night and realized later that I had forgotten to tell you folks what it was that made me scared about music. So I'm going to bore you all with a bit of what I was going to ramble about. And it's this. I was fortunate to have grown up during the youth of rock music, listening to every style as I grew older. My ability to listen and appreciate music across the board gave me the ability to grow with the music. But that doesn't mean that it was all good. While I love a lot of today's music, and I do, my fear is that when the great ones die, the ones we grew up with, might the strength of music diminish?

I have many more words to say concerning this but every attempt to connect the dots simply fails me. I can no more convey my fear of musical loss than I can stop it. With that, I finish. I know that those of you who understand what I'm saying feels the same. My desire is to preserve the many styles and present them a stronger and longer period of growth because bands die too fast these days.

I invite everyone to talk with me about what you think and offer up suggestions. I believe that we can make a difference, even if it's a miniscule one. Let's try to do our part to restore musical growth, to bring back awareness and experimentation outside the world of the internet ether where things perish for lack of air and sun.

We have a new week of Duane's Pit Stop Notes. We have a review by Marco Passarelli. We have a bit of news. Best of all, we have the weekend. NFL draft, Baseball, Hockey and Basketball playoffs. And I attempted to tempo down with that stuff about music.

Island is releasing 2 Black Uhuru titles in remastered form, "Tear it Up" and "The Dub Factor". These titles street on July 1 for "Tear it Up" and July 22 for "The Dub Factor".

And for those who favour the NOW series, the next assault begins on July 22 with "NOW 13".

Additions to the EMI schedules are discs from Steve Miller, a King Biscuit Flower title, "KBH Presents Steve Miller Band" that arrives on June 10. Joining that title are discs from Teddy Prendergrass, "From Teddy, With Love", and Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band, "Ringo and His All Star Band". On July 8, EMI dishes out a Peter Tosh disc, "The Best of Peter Tosh". Also on the 8th of July, "Anthology" titles for Teddy Prendergrass and The O'Jays. There is still a Bonnie Raitt "Greatest Hits" disc on the schedule for September 16.

Enjoy Duane's Pit Stop and the review for BMG's "Flying Funk". I did promise an SACD review but it will take the weekend to produce it. Most of all, enjoy the weekend. We'll see you back here on Monday.

April 17, 2003

We have a review for The Grateful Dead's "Europe '72" Expanded and Remastered title reissued by Warner/Rhino. The package is sweet and left me with an ache that I'll explain a bit later in this post. For now, let's look at what's coming out.

The first up is a DVD release from Shout! Factory. Joni Mitchell's "Shadows and Light" will appear on June 24. I've heard release dates being bantered about on the internet but, officially, I haven't heard a thing for Jeff Buckley's "Sine-E" DVD originally reported on this site some months back and nearly got me strung. But, as soon as I know about this title, I'll post it. There is also a Willie Nelson title coming on June 17, "Willie Nelson and Friends - Live n Kickin'". This title also comes out as a full length CD on June 3.

Coming from Universal on May 13, in detail are:

Chimaira - The Impossibility of Reason - Roadrunner Records - Heavy Metal
Cold - Year of the Spider - Geffen Records - Each limited edition disc will feature a DVD that includes live show spots, a behind the scenes spot, the "Stupid Girl" video and a 'making of' spot for the video.
Marilyn Manson - The Golden Age of Grotesque - nothing Records - This album will be issued in several styles. There will be a standard issue with PA (Parental Advisory) attached, an edited issue, and a limited release issue with an accompanying DVD. There is no info as to what the DVD will contain.

Fans of Mest (Cadillac) will get a disc on June 10 in both PA and amended release. The title is still yet to be determined. On June 24, The Spinners will have a 3CD collection called "The Chrome Collection". More info later on that title. Petra pushes an album on July 27, "The Power of Praise". New Tori Amos scheduled for August 26, title to be determined and P.O.D. announced for November 11, title to be announced.

Duane has a "shortview" of an upcoming J Records artist named Silvertide. It's a three song sneak listen. We're going to start doing a shortened review set called 'shortview' and will feature titles in this format when it is deemed necessary. They'll pop up now and again.

Silvertide

American Excess

J Records
Upcoming Release - 2003

Duane Leyva

"American Excess" will be Silvertide’s debut album with a dynamic dual guitars approach and pillaging drum beats. With Walt Lafty on vocals, Silvertide's promo assembly of three songs provides a surreal ambiance of music that has been touched on before by various other Rock bands. But Walt Lafty is always at a peak level throughout all of his songs. And you get a good combo when you mix each song with his highly energetic voice alongside Silvertide's well-polished musicians. You have to appreciate and admire the well-honed and skillful guitar work that both Nick Perri and Mark Melchiorre Jr exhibit on this three song set. Given the fact that the guitar players are both under the age of twenty leaves me astonished.

Due to the explicit lyrics on this album, it would be very doubtful to see how they could get that much needed air time that could surge their popularity. However, Silvertide's debut looks to be very good. Their first track, "Maryjane" is an eccentric piece with vocals and splurges with music tone vibes. You can hear the Les Paul Gibson tone on this track - awesome neck breaker! Their second track, "Beware", another barn burner that never slows or tones down is a high energy rocker. The same goes for the hi-octane power of their third (and last track on the promo disc), "To See Where I Hide". The lyrics on this song are much more accessible. Good job, Walt.

After reviewing this 3 song promo by Silvertide, it would be rather difficult to give this album anything more than three out of five stars due to the fact that there are only three songs to review. But from one guitar player to another, I really respected their guitar licks. I therefore gave it a three and half. As for the near future, with these Philadelphia five, you can expect Silvertide to be shaking a lot of trees.

Watch for this release from BMG/J Records, no release date available.

We'll be back tomorrow with a review by Marco Passarelli of "Flying Funk". I will also have a review of Sony Classical's Bernstein/Holst - Planets Suite for SACD. And maybe extra. So come back for our weekend wrapup. See you then.

April 16, 2003

We have the cover shot for Led Zeppelin's "How The West Was Won" 3CD set arriving from Atlantic Records on May 27. Check this out --

That's the official cover for the CD set that lists at USD $26.95. Enjoy it.

I have the official cover from Projekt Records for Black Tape for a Blue Girl's very limited special edition 2CD retrospective, " with a million tear-stained memories - 1986-2003". Folks, Black Tape is the real deal. they are a grand blend of neo-classical/and other very difficult to define styles but they are excellent. I look forward this release. Watch for a review of this excellent title that highlights the history of this forward moving band. The set is very very limited with only 2 thousand copies being manufactured. Check Projekt out here and listen to the MP3s available.

I have a final thing before signing off for today. Please forgive the abruptness but I did tell you that the post would be meager. But come back tomorrow for a nice post with quite a few reviews that will be spread out over the next few days.

Ready for this? While some of these have been rumoured in the past and well...they have no release date in sight, the fact that they are being discussed again puts a spring in my step, particularly over this title, "American Stars n Bars" by Neil Young. Actually, I can't remember any rumours for this title as I know that Neil refused to let this one get out. Remember that this one has "Like a Hurricane" and "Star of Bethlehem" We'll keep a keen eye out for this and for the other rumoured titles, "On the Beach"; "Hawks and Doves"; and "Re-Ac-Tor" with Crazy Horse. These are CD releases only and rumoured only. But I got a gut feeling that they make it this time. I really do.

UPDATE:

I've just recently received word that these Neil Young titles are now slated for release on June 3. Of course, things change but a date oughta now make a lot of you doubtful Neil Young fans feel a whole lot better.

See you tomorrow. Sorry for the slack but it's been a long day..and night.

April 15, 2003

Well, it seems like everything is in order. No burps, no 'website not found' problems. And that's a good thing.

I want to take the time to say hi to Suzanne, sister to a very dear friend of mine who had 'moved on' . We hooked up via the telephone and talked for hours just like we were old friends. We shared the old times and talked about my friend, her sister. Also a hi to Amy, her daughter. Thanks for the push.

It's amazing how many Crawler fans wrote in to thank me for the reviews of two Crawler discs. It should be made know to you that Wounded Bird Records is preparing to release two original Back Street Crawler titles. I'm very excited about those. Hopefully, we can get a release of the two official Crawler titles, "Crawler" and "Snake Rattle and Roll". I'd snatch those up in a heartbeat.

Sony has a string of new Essential titles in the making. Streeting on June 10 will be "The Essential Babyface"; "The Essential Dan Fogelberg"; "The Essential Doctor Hook"; "The Essential Frank Sinatra - The Columbia Years", "The Essential Bing Crosby - The Columbia Years"; "The Essential Fred Astaire"; "The Essential Jimmie Vaughan"; "The Essential Kansas"; "The Essential Peter Tosh - The Columbia Years"; "The Essential Redbone"; and "The Essential Charlie Daniels Band". But that's not all. You'll remember that there were Essential titles that were expected on April 1 that just sorta never appeared. Those titles are slated for June 10. Those titles are "The Essential Bangles"; "The Essential Cyndi Lauper"; and "The Essential Sophie B Hawkins".

"The Essential Byrds" is still scheduled for April 22.

Sony/Columbia has the new Train album, "My Private Nation" scheduled for release on June 3 while Columbia is also readying John Mellencamp's "Trouble No More" for the same release date.

For June 10, with all those Essential titles, Sony will issue an unusual title by Christopher O'Riley. The title is...ready, folks?..."True Love Waits - Christopher O'Riley Plays Radiohead". That is a fit on Sony's Classical label.

On August 5, the new Alien Ant Farm's title TBA (to be announced) will hit the store shelves. The only thing that we know about this one now is that it will be an enhanced CD.

On September 3 comes a string of 20th Century Master - Millennium Collection titles for Christmas. The four slated for release are by Burl Ives, Brenda Lee, Aaron Neville, Bing Crosby, and The Oak Ridge Boys.

For Antek, Decca Classical will be releasing on June 10, a 2CD collection of Fredric Chopin by Various Artists entitled, "Essential Chopin".

That's it for today. We will be very busy tomorrow thereby making it an iffy post for the 16th. I'll try to put something up but may not be able to. Check back regardless...I may surprise you. Now, where's the next hot band...?

April 14, 2003

News Bit

Well.... I guess it ain't a party until something gets broken. With the changeover to a new server came the expected back n forth movement of the site. I couldn't upload and when I could, all my nice long post and 3 hours worth of work got obliterated in a software crash. So here I am. I promised Duane to get his Pit Stop notes up so that will be the main thing for today as it looks like everything is resolved. Sorry for the long delay but we're back now. I hope...

The first business is Duane's Pit Stop...come back when you're finished.

Despite the fact that we have been out of circulation for a lot of last week, not much news information has surfaced. But that don't mean we came empty handed. We still have some interesting stuff for you including track listings for the Led Zeppelin DVD and CD that is coming out end of next month. We also have an insight to the extras for the Zep DVD.

We've listened to a pair of Crawler discs from Angel Air Records and written our thoughts on them. Check those out. I realize that they are titles that appeal to a few however, if you're a fan of blues rock and funk, Crawler should be on your short list of bands to check out.

EMI have a few titles for release on May 20 that may be of interest. We've discussed them before but as a friendly reminder, we hit 'em again. For the SACD titles, the high run Norah Jones title, "Come Away With Me" along with John Coltrane's "Blue Train"; Bill Charlap's "Stardust"; Bob Belden's "Black Dahlia"; and Dianne Reeves' "The Calling". Additionally, The Hollies' 2CD 'best of'; Jethro Tull's upgrade of "Heavy Horses", "Songs From The Wood", and "A Passion Play". It appears that "A Passion Play" will be an enhanced disc.

EMI continues with a new batch of already released Simple Minds reissues. Those titles are "Empires and Dance", "Life in a Day", "New Gold Dreams 81-82-83-84", "Sparkle in the Rain", "Reel to Real Cacaphony", and "Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings". In a 'Greatest Hits Live' series, there are four bands. Robin Trower, Kansas, April Wine, and Humble Pie make the first batch. These are released by King Biscuit Flower Hour and if you're willing to date yourself, you may remember staying up late to catch these shows on FM radio.

As reminders, June 24 brings a nice run with a David Bowie reissue/remaster, "Aladdin Sane". The new Liz Phair, with an edited version comes out on this date as well. But that's not all. There is Don McLean's "American Pie" with a nice big run as well as Bob Segar and The Silver Bullet Band's "Against The Wind". Slaughter gets workovers for "Stick It To Ya" and "The Wild Life" while Vinnie Vincent and Invasion gets the same treatment with "All Systems Go" and "Vinnie Vincent Invasion".

Al Green's delayed "Anthology" is now rescheduled for October 7. This title has been on hold for a while.

Traffic gets an update with three titles: "Shootout at the Fantasy Factory"; "On the Road"; and "When The Eagle Flies" (actually, 1974's "Eagle" is the first time on CD in US). All the titles get a little something extra. Shootout has one of it's songs,"Roll Right Stones" expanded to its original time. "On The Road" will have extended versions of several of the tracks and "Eagle", as I have said before, is the first time on CD in the US. Please forgive the nasty cover art as they are extracted from a PDF. Island is also releasing a 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection for Traffic.

I'm going over the Led Zeppelin materials before calling this one a day. We have a few SACD titles for review possibly tomorrow so watch for those. And now, Led Zeppelin ---

Led Zeppelin 2 DVD-SET - USD $29.99 Boxed

Disc One --
Royal Albert Hall, January 1970:

1.We're Gonna Groove
2.I Can't Quit You Baby
3.Dazed and Confused
4.White Summer
5.What Is and What Should Never Be
6.How Many More Times
7.Moby Dick
8.Whole Lotta Love
9.Communication Breakdown
10.C'mon Everybody
11.Something Else
12.Bring It on Home

Extras:

DANISH TELEVISION – 1969

Communication Breakdown
Babe I’m Gonna Leave You
How Many More Times

TOUS EN SCENE/FRENCH TV – 1969

Communication Breakdown

SUPER SHOW – 1969

Dazed And Confused

PROMO

Dazed And Confused

PLUS – CREDIT SEQUENCE

Heartbreaker (bits of everything including bootlegs)

Disc Two --

SPLODGE EDIT (LIVE) – 1972

Immigrant Song

Madison Square Garden, July 1973:

1.Black Dog
2.Misty Mountain Hop
3.Since I've Been Loving You
4.The Ocean

Earl's Court, May 1975:

1.Going to California
2.That's the Way
3.Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp
4.In My Time of Dying
5.Trampled Underfoot
6.Stairway to Heaven

Knebworth Festival, August 1979:

1.Rock and Roll
2.Nobody's Fault But Mine
3.Sick Again
4.Achilles Last Stand
5.In the Evening
6.Kashmir
7.Whole Lotta Love

Extras:

AUSTRALIAN TV EXCERPT - 1972

Rock N Roll plus interview with John Bonham, jpj, rp

OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST - 1975

Robert Interview

PROMO – 1990

Over The Hills

PROMO – 1990

Travelling Riverside Blues

NBC INTERVIEW – 1970

Interview

PLUS --

Knebworth intro – knebworth companion piece (cut to Over The Hills)
Transition – Back of Earls Court
Transition: back of MSG – Band Boarding Plane
Cred Seq – Heartbreaker
Publishing Roller

And for Led Zeppelin's 3CD "How The West was Won" (6/25/72 and 6/27/72):

Disc One --

Drone
Immigrant Song
Heartbreaker
Black Dog
Over the Hills and Far Away
Since I've Been Loving You
Stairway to Heaven
Going to California
That's the Way
Bron Yr Aur Stomp

Disc Two --

Dazed and Confused
What Is and What Should Never Be
Dancing Days
Moby Dick

Disc Three --

Whole Lotta Love
Rock and Roll
The Ocean
Bring it on Home

There is a very interesting debate going on concerning James Guthrie of DSotM SACD fame and his remarks concerning DVD-Audio. He's unleased a firestorm of controversy with his statements. This is located on Pink Floyd's official site. Click on album info at the bottom and choose the James Guthrie selection on the right. You can read the defence of the statements at HighFidelityReview. Thanks to reader Patrick Keller for spotting this one.

File this one under Editor Musings: Don't you get a feeling that with all the great material out there that there is going to be a huge influx of hi-res materials shortly? Somehow, I just get a feeling... This doesn't mean that I'm sitting on anything. It just means that there seems to be a pause of sorts that usually precede a 'storm'. Let's hope that I'm right.

We'll start looking at classical releases on labels and try to bring the great ones to your attention, including SACD/DVD-A/XRCD. Addtionally, we're working on a 'one look' stop for SACD/DVD-A releases info.

Have a great day. See you tomorrow.