Thursday, November 25, 2021
'Get Back' Part 1 - TJR and Robert Kinsler give their initial thoughts on the first part of the Peter Jackson-directed docuseries
Monday, November 22, 2021
Tune in to the "Mystery Science Theater 3000" Turkey Day Marathon on Shout! Factory TV!
Plan to tune into the "Mystery Science Theater 3000" Turkey Day Marathon this Thursday! Robert Kinsler
Shout! Factory TV and Joel Hodgson’s
Alternaversal Productions Present the 2021
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Turkey Day Marathon
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Concert review: The Rolling Stones cap 'No Filter' tour with powerful concert in Austin
Where: Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas
When: Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021
Next: The Rolling Stones have one remaining performance, a special show at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida on Tuesday, Nov. 23
Information: https://rollingstones.com/tour/
Review by Robert Kinsler
Watching The Rolling Stones on the final night of their No Filter tour at Circuit of the Americas in Austin on Saturday night, I wondered if I was watching the legendary rockers for the last time.
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| A poignant tribute to the late drummer Charlie Watts kicked off The Rolling Stones' concert in Austin, Texas on Nov. 20, 2021. Photo: Robert Kinsler |
Nearly 60 years into their singularly-spectacular run as one of the greatest and most enduring rock bands of all time, the English troupe performed without beloved drummer Charlie Watts who passed away in August.
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| The Rolling Stones rocking Austin, Texas on Nov. 21, 2021. Photo credit: J. Bouquet |
It was fitting the Stones' set was introduced with an affecting video montage featuring images of Watts while the sound of his signature drumming kept time. After that memorable opening, singer Mick Jagger, guitarists Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood and a top-tier touring band took the stage just after 9 p.m. for "Street Fighting Man," the first cut in an 18-song set that spanned material from the early '60s to their most recent single.
After tearing through a loose rollicking take of "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)" and inspired "Nervous Breakdown," Jagger — who remains an energetic marvel at age 78 — revisited the legacy of Watts, who passed away at the age of 80 on Aug. 24. "In 1962, we met this great drummer Charlie Watts," Jagger said with the massive crowd breaking into cheers and applause. "We'd like to dedicate this show to Charlie Watts."
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| Keith Richards tearing it up in Austin, Texas. Photo credit: J. Bouquet |
Speedy and conventional guitar solos have never been The Rolling Stones' calling card. Wood's distinctive work on "Tumbling Dice" was euphoric evidence that the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have always had a unique approach to crafting many of rock music's most beloved classics. Kudos to drummer Steve Jordan who did a wonderful job filling in for the departed Watts; Jordan is a long-time friend of the Stones and was a member of Richards' late 1980s/early '90s project X-pensive Winos.
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| Ronnie Wood performing at Circuit of the Americas on Nov. 20, 2021. Photo credit: J. Bouquet |
Throughout the No Filter tour the band has let fans vote to hear a favorite song from their expansive songbook. In Austin, Jagger announced that "Let It Bleed" was this night's choice cut. Jagger's warm acoustic guitar work and Wood's stylish slide playing turned the title track from the band's December 1969 release into a bluesy delight.
"Want to sing a little bit Austin?" Jagger asked before the Stones slid into "You Can't Always Get What You Want." A wistful opening of the song picked up power with the audience sing-along; the band's arrangement included a speedy and explosive gospel-tinged finale.
Mick Jagger in action on Nov. 20, 2021.
Photo: Robert Kinsler
One of this writer's favorite selections was "Living in a Ghost Town," released as a single in 2020. The tune's cool reggae vibe and COVID-19 minded lyrics continue to resonate in 2021. The song worked exceptionally well live (Jagger displayed his top tier talents playing blues harp too) and the track stands up well with the band's '60s, '70s and '80s classics played at the concert.
Indeed, the winning mix of hits (such as the stadium ready "Start Me Up" and dance-fueled "Miss You"), new material ("Living in a Ghost Town") and under the radar nuggets (Richards taking lead vocals on the rocker "Connection" and Delta blues mining "You Got The Silver") all worked magically. "Midnight Rambler" was a 13-minute blues sortie; "Paint It Black" brought chills on an already-cool November night with Richards' expressive solo guitar intro.
The Stones seemed to gain power with almost each track leading up to a glorious flurry of favorites that capped the night. The fiery "Sympathy for the Devil" and roaring "Jumpin' Jack Flash" closed out the regular set with festive abandon.
The encore featured a thrilling take on "Gimme Shelter" with Sasha Allen sharing lead and dueling vocals with Jagger (along with some killer fret work from both Wood and Richards. Rounding out the noteworthy ensemble on stage was long-time bassist Daryl Jones (who replaced original band bassist Bill Wyman in 1994), keyboardists Chuck Leavell and Matt Clifford, saxophonists Karl Denson and Tim Ries, and backing vocalist Bernard Fowler. The two-hour set ended with an extended version of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," the entire ensemble locked in while a firestorm of pyrotechnics lit the night.
Opening for The Rolling Stones was the rising Ghost Hounds, a six-man collective out of Pittsburgh, PA. Putting on an entertaining set, the group's sound recalled an original cross between Vintage Trouble and Hootie & the Blowfish. The live performance was enhanced by the additional of three backing singers, all the proceedings bringing life to originals like the breezy "Killing Stone," country track "Someone Just For Me," Chuck Berry-styled "Bad News" and rocking "A Little Calamity."
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| Ronnie Wood's hand-drawn setlist of the Austin concert |
The Rolling Stones' setlist as Circuit of the Americas on Nov. 20, 2021
1. Street Fighting Man
2. It's Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It)
3. 19th Nervous Breakdown
4. Tumbling Dice
5. Let It Bleed
6. You Can't Always Get What You Want
7. Living in a Ghost Town
8. Start Me Up
9. Honky Tonk Woman
10. Connection (featuring Keith Richards on lead vocals)
11. You Got The Silver (featuring Keith Richards on lead vocals)
12. Miss You
13. Midnight Rambler
14. Paint It Black
15. Sympathy for the Devil
16. Jumpin' Jack Flash
Encore:
17. Gimme Shelter
18. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Saturday, November 20, 2021
Out Today: Colin Blunstone’s 'One Year' 50th Anniversary Edition Available Today via Sundazed
A very exciting days for fans of legendary singer-songwriter Colin Blunstone. I'll be reviewing this special release in an upcoming column as well...Robert Kinsler
Colin Blunstone’s One Year 50th Anniversary Edition Out Today
Double LP of 1971 Solo Debut from The Zombies’ Vocalist Features 14 Previously Unreleased Recordings, Nine Unrecorded Compositions, Never-Before-Seen Photos and New Blunstone-penned Liner Notes
Exclusive Los Angeles Show Slated for January 22, 2022 with Composer Joe Wong
and special guests Susanna Hoffs, Weyes Blood, among others
That Same Year, the second LP from the 50th anniversary edition of The Zombies’ frontman Colin Blunstone’s landmark solo album, One Year, is out today at DSPs and on CD from Sundazed Music; listen/buy here. The double LP, which features One Year, already at streaming services, and That Same Year, will follow on December 10.
Originally released in November 1971, One Year is the debut solo album from Colin Blunstone, recorded over the course of “one year” following the band’s break-up and the posthumous success of their single “Time of the Season.” That Same Year is a collection of Colin singing his own compositions, many accompanied solely by his acoustic guitar, and gives a deeper introspective look into that time in his life.
One Year 50th Anniversary Edition is garnering critical acclaim:
“It’s impossible not to become engrossed with Blunstone’s distinctive world weary voice across both albums.” --The Rocking Magpie
“...Blunstone’s first/greatest solo album is so different—a hushed, intimate, chamber-pop stroke of genius.” --Shindig!
“Every song on this collection has its own identity, and they are as relevant and compelling today as when he recorded them over half a century ago.” --Digital Journal
Coinciding with the anniversary release, Colin will join forces with composer Joe Wong (Russian Doll, The Midnight Gospel, Master of None) to recreate One Year live on stage in its entirety for the first time, with an exclusive show at Los Angeles’ Downtown Palace Theatre on January 22nd with special guests Susanna Hoffs, Weyes Blood, and more to be announced. Tickets are now on sale here.
Wong’s solo debut, Nite Creatures, was released by Decca last year. The collection of baroque psychedelia received praise on both sides of the Atlantic from outlets such as MOJO, NPR, and Rolling Stone. Wong, who will open the show and then accompany Colin for One Year, has recruited a 20-piece ensemble of top musicians, featuring drummer Matt Cameron (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog), Mary Timony (Helium, Ex Hex), and a chamber orchestra including members of the Orchid Quartet (leading up to the Anniversary, the LA-based string quartet will also be releasing a series of One Year tribute videos, the first with guest vocals from The Voice finalist India Carney, which debuted September 17).
Included in The Guardian’s “1,000 Albums to Hear Before You Die” list, One Year was primarily recorded in Abbey Road Studios, and co-produced by Colin’s former Zombies bandmates Rod Argent and Chris White. The album chronicles tales of love and heartbreak, split between upbeat rockers, with Colin backed by Rod’s newly-formed outfit Argent (Rod alongside Russ Ballard, Jim Rodford & Bob Henrit), and haunting ballads, accompanied by Chris Gunning’s delicate string arrangements. Highlights include the incredibly gorgeous bossa nova cover of Tim Hardin’s “Misty Roses,” which erupts into a Bartók-inspired string break, Colin’s own lament “Caroline Goodbye” with the Argent personnel accompanied by string arrangements from Rod Argent & Tony Visconti, along with the full string-backed version of Denny Laine’s “Say You Don’t Mind,” which became a chart hit in the UK.
One Year has gone on to touch a diverse array of artists, ranging from Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, who called it “a gorgeous example of classic British pop music…very personal, very sophisticated in its sentiment” (NME), to Neil Tenant of Pet Shop Boys, who cites Colin as “the missing link between Dusty Springfield and Nick Drake” and hails One Year as “an incredibly romantic album, which is why it's been with me such a long time” (The Guardian). According to Steve Berkowitz, the late Jeff Buckley’s Executive Producer at Columbia Records, “Part of the reason that Grace has those beautiful and interesting strings, by Jeff Buckley and Karl Berger, is because Jeff was affected by having heard Colin Blunstone and the way they wrote the strings on that record, particularly on the incredibly beautiful ‘Caroline Goodbye.’”
For the Anniversary edition, Colin penned the liner notes that fill the gatefold jacket along with unseen photos from that year. The notes go track by track through One Year along with background on That Same Year. This period marked the point where Colin came into his own as a songwriter, having previously only contributed two songs to The Zombies. This is evidenced by the tracks on That Same Year, fourteen beautifully sparse demo versions of Colin’s compositions that were being considered for One Year, recently unearthed from co-producer Chris White’s archives. Colin accompanies himself on acoustic guitar, with help on some tracks from Rod Argent on piano and the late English singer-songwriter Duncan Browne on classical guitar.
Only three of these compsitions graced One Year, “Caroline Goodbye,” “Though You Are Far Away” and “Let Me Come Closer To You”, while “Too Much Too Soon Last Night” found life as a B-side, and “I’ve Always Had You” made his second album, Ennismore. Beyond these early versions of familiar songs you will find Colin’s singular voice and wit come through on nine completely unheard compositions that remained lost until now; including “Sing Your Own Song,” a protest after reading about his own death in Rolling Stone.
From the album’s liner notes, Blunstone says of One Year:
“Fifty years on, there’s a dream-like quality to my memories of One Year. Almost seeming like another lifetime, a time of innocence and naivety and a time when anything seemed possible. Chance and circumstance had brought Rod Argent, Chris White and myself together again for the first time since we'd played in The Zombies. This time Rod and Chris would be producing me as a solo artist, a step into the unknown, a moment of truth, a turning point in our lives.
The first tracks were recorded at Sound Technique Studios in Chelsea but we quickly moved on to the more familiar setting of Studio 3 in Abbey Road where we had previously recorded Odessey And Oracle and where we were once again guided through the recording process by the brilliant engineer Peter Vince.
Shortly after we had relocated to Abbey Road we had a moment of epiphany when we were introduced to the stunningly beautiful string arrangements of Chris Gunning as they went on to be the musical backbone of this project taking it to places rarely approached in contemporary music and giving it its own unique appeal. And now all the principal performers are assembled and as the music plays I start to drift and so many of the ghosts who hide inside the secrets of this album suddenly come alive and yesterday becomes today, again!”
One Year Track Listing:
1. She Loves The Way They Love Her
2. Misty Roses
3. Smokey Day
4. Caroline Goodbye
5. Though You Are Far Away
6. Mary Won’t You Warm My Bed
7. Her Song
8. I Can’t Live Without You
9. Let Me Come Closer to You
10. Say You Don’t Mind
That Same Year Track Listing:
1. Are You Ready
2. I’ve Always Had You
3. Sing Your Own Song
4. Caroline Goodbye
5. I'd Like To Get To Know You Better
6. Though You Are Far Away
7. Too Much Too Soon Last Night
8. I Wonder If You Know What You’ve Begun
9. I Won’t Let You Down
10. You Gave Me A Reason
11. I’m Coming Home
12. I Really Do Love You
13. Let Me Come Closer
14. You Really Were A Surprise
About Colin Blunstone
Predominantly known as the frontman for The Zombies, Colin’s solo career began in earnest in 1971 with One Year on Epic Records, from which the hit single “Say You Don’t’ Mind” was taken. Two more albums on Epic followed, Ennismore and Journey, which spawned the hits, “I Don’t Believe In Miracles” and “How Can We Dare To Be Wrong.” This was followed by a spell living in California where he signed for Elton John’s label, Rocket Records and released three critically acclaimed albums, Planes, Never Even Thought and Late Nights in Soho.
Returning to the UK, Colin supplied the vocals for Dave Stewart’s hit version of “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted” followed by further hits with Smokey Robinson’s “Tracks Of My Tears” and The Alan Parsons Project’s “Old And Wise”. These tracks were followed by three further albums, Greatest Hits, Echo Bridge and The Light Inside, before Colin decided the time was right to play live again where he was joined in 1999 by fellow Zombies founding member, Rod Argent. This led to two decades of touring and recording with the new incarnation of The Zombies, including their 2015 Billboard-charting album Still Got That Hunger and 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Colin still found the time to release and tour two solo albums, The Ghost of You and Me and On The Air Tonight, and is now back in the studio with The Zombies recording their planned 2022 release.
About Sundazed Music
Sundazed Music proudly presents original albums, expanded editions, unique compilations and more on vinyl and CD. The catalog is bulging with classic and overlooked blast from the 60s and 70s: a universe filled with the sounds of garage, pop, soul, surf, psych, country, and much more.
Monday, November 15, 2021
New music: Eric Clapton, Susanna Hoffs, NRBQ, The Odd Birds
Rock and roll greats Eric Clapton, Susanna Hoffs and NRBQ along with newcomers The Odd Birds are in top form on their latest releases.
Title: The Lady in the Balcony: Lockdown Sessions (Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Eric Clapton, Nathan East, classic rock, British blues
Tell me more: When Eric Clapton was forced to cancel several Royal Albert Hall concerts because of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2021, the legendary singer-songwriter/guitarist brought his band to the English countryside. Since no audience was able to attend, Clapton along with bassist-vocalist Nathan East, drummer Steve Gadd and keyboardist Chris Stainton performed in front of the cameras at Cowdray House in West Sussex, England. Highlights from those intimate recordings are featured on The Lady in the Balcony: Lockdown Sessions. Not only does the title feature incredible audio and visual quality, but the performances are sure to please fans of one of rock's greatest and most influential artists. There is a rich mix of Clapton originals and other selections including blues and country nuggets across the 17-track collection. In the first few selections, Clapton plays a 12-string guitar, including on the beautiful "Golden Ring" and "Black Magic Woman" (Clapton introduces the latter by saying "This one's for Peter," referencing songwriter Peter Green who sadly died in October 2020). Even in the acoustic-styled setting Clapton and company are able to deliver some pretty dynamic performances; both Clapton and Stainton solo during uptempo runs through "After Midnight" and "Rock Me Baby." The emotion is palpable in riveting performances of "River of Tears," the instrumental "Kerry" and "Tears in Heaven." And the talented troupe has a blast when Clapton switches to an electric instrument to run through the blues classics "Long Distance Call," "Bad Boy," and "Got My Mojo Working." The Lady in the Balcony: Lockdown Sessions is available on DVD+CD, Blu-ray+CD, 4K UHD+Blu-ray, 2 LPs pressed on yellow vinyl, and a Deluxe Edition containing the DVD, Blu-ray and audio CD packaged in a 40-page 12-inch by 12-inch hardback photo book, digital video and digital audio. In addition, a CD-only version is available exclusively at Target stores. Information: EricClapton.com.
Title: Bright Lights (Baroque Folk Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Susanna Hoffs, Aimee Mann, The Bangles
Tell me more: Susanna Hoffs is well recognized for her exceptional talent of interpreting songs penned by other artists and making them her own. Indeed, her trio of essential "Under The Covers" releases with Matthew Sweet as well as masterful reworkings recorded as a member of The Bangles' (including Prince's "Manic Monday" and Simon & Garfunkel's "A Hazy Shade of Winter") are part of a must-hear audio story that now includes her latest album Bright Lights. Hoffs' detailed and mature readings of a range of masterworks shines, her lovely vocals a part of artful arrangements that mine the deeper elements of each selection. She magically blends chamber pop and Americana on a reading of the Monkees' "You Just May Be the One," her soprano perfectly dancing with a soundscape adorned with lush harmonies and pedal steel guitar. The haunting take on the Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale" is striking, starting sparsely and slowly building in beauty and power. A completely-reworked rendition of Prince's "Take Me With U" dazzles, Hoffs' voice positioned amidst a backdrop of acoustic guitar and strings. She joins forces with Aimee Mann on a marvelous version of Badfinger's "Name of the Game," the two singers tackling verses alone before blending their voices to create magical harmonies together. Other winning highlights on the album include her melodic reading of The Merry-Go-Round's "Time Will Show the Wiser," a rollicking and tuneful take on Paul Revere & The Raiders' "Him or Me – What's It Gonna Be?" and lovely acoustic interpretation of Chris Bell's "You and Your Sister." Information: SusannaHoffs.com.
Title: Dragnet (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: NRBQ
Tell me more: NRBQ is back with their first new album since 2014. Dragnet features a characteristically rich mix of diverse styles ranging from rock and pop to jazz and spoken word sure to please and challenge music lovers. The catchy opener "Where's My Pebble?" magically blends surf rock with Texas blues — it's as if the Chantays had teamed up with Billy F Gibbons to record a track. The melodic "I Like Her So Much" features sweet lead and harmony vocals along with a delightfully delicate approach from keyboardist Terry Adams, guitarist Scott Ligon, bassist Casey McDonough and drummer John Perrin. NRBQ's well known bent to include high spirits, intellect, irony and a sense of humor in the wide-ranging proceedings is intact as evidenced by the upbeat "Miss Goody Two Shoes," polished pop song "You Can't Change People," sumptuous "The Moon and Other Things" and "L-o-n-e Lone-ly." Dragnet is available on audio CD and Digital. The album will be released on vinyl in early 2022. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Title: Tremolo Heart (The Odd Birds)
You might like if you enjoy: The Odd Birds, The Jayhawks, The Fallen Stars
Tell me more: The Odd Birds are back with a pleasing disc (Tremolo Heart) featuring 10 wonderful tracks showcasing the duo's affecting songcraft, strong vocals and nuanced arrangements. From the breezy opening folk rock track "Alright Now" and lovely "Another One Like You" to the countrified "Drowning Rain" and the folk ballad "Today I Started Loving You Again," Ron Grigsby and Jennifer Moraca immerse the listener in a soundscape that is sure to please fans of top-tier folk and acoustic Americana. Drummer Matt Froehlich, lead guitarist Bobbo Byrnes (who also produced the album), bassist Tracy Byrnes and fiddler Georgiana Hennessy add their talents to the wonderful LP as well. Information: https://www.facebook.com/theoddbirds.
Robert Kinsler
U2 announced 'Achtung Baby 30th Anniversary Edition'
Today's big music news announcement is below courtesy of U2! Robert Kinsler
U2
ACHTUNG BABY
30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
VINYL OUT NOVEMBER 19
DIGITAL BOXSET OUT DECEMBER 3
U2 X THIERRY NOIR
AN INSTALLATION IN CELEBRATION OF ACHTUNG BABY
HANSA STUDIOS, BERLIN: November 19 – 26
INFORMATION HERE
“[Achtung Baby]… U2's daring descent into darkness” - Robert Hilburn, LA Times
November 15, 2021 - Island Records, Interscope, and UMe today announce the 30th Anniversary Edition release of U2’s seminal album Achtung Baby, which will see a special Standard and Deluxe vinyl release on November 19, ahead of a 50-track digital boxset available December 3, 2021.
Thirty years ago, Bono described Achtung Baby as “the sound of four men chopping down The Joshua Tree” while Jon Pareles of the New York Times wrote that “stripped-down and defying its old formulas, U2 has given itself a fighting chance for the 1990's”. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance and became one of the most significant records of the nineties and of U2’s career.
Recorded over six months at Hansa Studio in Berlin and Windmill Lane in Dublin, Achtung Baby is U2’s seventh studio album. Produced by long-time U2 collaborators Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno with Steve Lillywhite, Achtung Baby was engineered by Flood and released on November 18, 1991. Lead by The Fly, four other singles followed: Mysterious Ways, One, Even Better Than The Real Thing, and Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses. Watch here:
In celebration of Achtung Baby’s anniversary, the band have collaborated with Berlin-based French artist Thierry Noir (the first artist to paint on the Berlin Wall) for a special one-off installation at the legendary Hansa Studios in Kreuzberg. Thirty years ago, the band commissioned Noir to paint a series of now iconic Trabant cars, which featured on the album artwork, as well 1991’s Zoo TV Tour. U2 x THIERRY NOIR sees Noir return with a newly painted Trabant for 2021, as well as an exclusive mural painted on a section of the Berlin wall. For free access and information, visit:
The bonnet of the Trabant will be auctioned at Phillips, London, on December 9, as part of their New Now sale, with proceeds going to the Berlin Institute for Sound and Music. For more information, visit:
Achtung Baby (30th Anniversary Edition) is available on Standard black vinyl and Deluxe color vinyl on November 19, with Achtung Baby (2018 Remaster) and Achtung Baby (Unter Remixes) also available digitally that day. A 50-track digital boxset – to include Uber Remixes, Unter Remixes, B-Sides with 22 tracks never-before available digitally – will be released on December 3, 2021.
U2 X-Radio, the band’s SiriusXM channel, will this month present an Achtung Baby special to include interviews with band members and album collaboration Daniel Lanois, Flood, and Anton Corbijn. More information here:
Pre-order Achtung Baby (30th Anniversary Edition) here:
For track listing and details of content and formats, visit U2.com
www.U2.com
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