New music roundup: Peter Gabriel, Metal Marty, The Vogues, PiL

Photo courtesy of the artist

With the arrival of 2023 have come announcements about a number of just-released advance singles as well as forthcoming new full-length titles set for the early part of the year. Here is a roundup of notable new music releases.

Legendary singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel is back with a new song "Panopticom (Bright Side Mix)," the first track from a forthcoming album titled i/o — the LP will mark the artist's first set of wholly new material since his September 2002 album Up. 

The song recalls Gabriel's groundbreaking and luxurious recordings of the 1980s as well as material from Danny Elfman's most recent album Big Mess. It is a bewitching and impressive listen.

As noted in a news release, Gabriel worked with longtime collaborators bassist Tony Levin, guitarist David Rhodes and drummer Manu Katché, as well as producer-musician Brian Eno. Gabriel noted that he will release a new selection with each full moon.

"Some of what I'm writing about this time is the idea that we seem incredibly capable of destroying the planet that gave us birth and that unless we find ways to reconnect ourselves to nature and to te natural world we are going to lose a lot," Gabriel explained in the release. "A simple way of thinking about where we fit in to all of this is looking up at the sky...and the moon has always drawn me to it."

Information: PeterGabriel.com.

Supersuckers guitarist Metal Marty is set to release the tongue-in-cheek titled Metal Marty's Greatest Hits on Feb. 3, 2023 via Acetate Records. 

The album will feature 10 songs, and the 35-minute disc will provide listeners with a sonic tour of Magic City, Idaho, an "unusual lakeside resort town with a penchant for partying and no shortage of odd characters."

"It's quite a place if ya got grit, which we have in spades," notes Marty "Metal Marty" Chandler. Indeed, the artist is a resident of Magic City, a small Idaho community. "I think it sounds like a greatest hits record. There's every kind of song on it, yet it still flows. And it's a ridiculous title for a first record."

Information: Supersuckers.com.

Omnivore Recordings has just announced the forthcoming release of The Vogues At Co & Ce — The Complete Singles and More. The collection — set for release on Feb. 24 — will mark the first ever collection of the vocal group's A and B sides from Co & Ce Records.

Formed while they were in high school as The Val-Aires in 1958, Bill Burkette, Don Miller, Hugh Geyer and Chuck Blasko recorded their first single on a local label. After high school, the members joined the military service or went to college, eventually joining forces again to record, this time as The Vogues.

Now here for the first time, the A- and B-sides to all eight original Vogues singles from 1965–1967 have been collected on The Vogues At Co & Ce – The Complete Singles And More. This compilation marks the CD and Digital debut of material that has been unavailable for nearly 60 years. In addition to those singles, the set also includes seven tracks from 1996’s out-of- print You’re The One: The Best Of The Vogues (The Co & Ce Sessions), featuring songs written by P.F. Sloan/Steve Barri, Roger Christian/Barry Mann/Cynthia Weill, and Don & Dick Addrisi. Produced for Release by Grammy® winner Lee Lodyga and Cary E. Mansfield, with restoration and mastering from Grammy® winning engineer Michael Graves, the set also contains new liner notes from Scott Schinder, which have been approved by both remaining original members of the band, Hugh Geyer and Chuck Blasko. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Public Image Ltd. (PiL) is back with a wonderful new track, "Hawaii," which is truly legendary band leader John Lydon's most affecting original. According to a new media release, the song "is a love letter to John's wife of nearly five decades, Nora, who is living with Alzheimer's. A pensive, personal yet universal love song that will resonate with many, the song sees John reflecting on their lifetime well spent, and in particular, one of their  happiest moments together in Hawaii."

Indeed, known for his groundbreaking hard-edged approach with the Sex Pistols, along with PiL, the emotional ballad is a strong departure for Lydon.

“It is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most,” says Lydon via the media release. “It’s also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.”

PiL are confirmed to take part in the competition to represent Ireland at the 67th annual Eurovision Song Contest with "Hawaii." . The competition will take place at 9:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. Pacific Time) on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 on Ireland's "The Late Late Show" and can be live streamed HERE. PiL plans to release a new full-length album later this year. Information: PILOFFICIAL.COM.

Posted by Robert Kinsler

Americana, British Blues, Modern Rock Efforts Equal Excellence

As 2018 enters its final stretch, a number of fantastic albums and multi-format collections are making their mark.

Artist: Joe Bonamassa
Title: British Blues Explosion Live (J&R Adventures)
You might like if you enjoy: Traffic, the Yardbirds, Ten Years After, early Led Zeppelin
Tell me more: Filmed in front of a capacity crowd at the Greenwich Music Time event at the Old Royal Naval College in England on July 7, 2016, Joe Bonamassa's aptly-titled British Blues Explosion is a true celebration of the English discovery and masterful reworking of American blues into a new rock 'n' roll movement personified by the Yardbirds, Rolling Stones, Ten Years After and Led Zeppelin. Backed by a phenomenal four-man band, Bonamassa revisits many of the era's works with jaw-dropping live renditions. Bonamassa and company tear up the Willie Dixon-penned Chicago blues classic "Let Me Love You Baby," with Bonamassa's dazzling lead guitar work celebrating the genre while infusing a modern-day power to the song. He delves into the shades of the movement with a Southern-fried "Mainline Florida," the heavy blues rocker "Spanish Boots," and a mostly-faithful take on the Eric Clapton original "Motherless Children." Led Zeppelin fans will thrill at his fusing of that band's "Tea For One" with Dixon's "I Can't Quit You Baby" and a potent version of "How Many More Times." Bonamassa is one of the world's greatest-ever blues-rock guitarists and his playing and singing across the concert recording is both inspired and flawless. "British Blues Explosion Live" is available on a number of formats, including Blu-ray, DVD and audio CD. The blu-ray reviewed here includes a slew of awesome extras including a rousing Chicago blues reworking of George Harrison's "Taxman" performed live at the historic Cavern Club. Information: JBonamassa.com.

Artist: Evanescence
Title: Synthesis Live (Eagle Vision)
You might like if you enjoy: Heart, Evanescence
Tell me more: In recent years the celebrated likes of Deep Purple, Tommy Shaw of Styx, Jeff Lynne's ELO and Cheap Trick (performing the music of the Beatles) have all performed live with orchestras and released the ambitious undertakings on audio CD or DVD. Evanescence is the latest rock ensemble to perform with an orchestra and that November 2017 performance is now available to own via Synthesis Live (available on DVD+CD, Blu-ray+CD and via digital formats). Singer-keyboardist Amy Lee's far-reaching soprano and talents at the grand piano are showcased fully across the new release. Performing 19 songs spanning Evanescence's history, highlights include the soaring "Never Go Back," "Bring Me to Life" and "My Immortal." On the Blu-ray reviewed here, a concept video for the original track "Hi-Lo" featuring Lee joined by famed violinist Lindsey Stirling appears as a bonus feature. Information: eagle-rock.com.

Artist: Phosphorescent
Title: C'est La Vie (Dead Oceans)
You might like if you enjoy: Dr. Dog, Dawes
Tell me more: Since discovering Phosphorescent at the Stagecoach Festival in 2011, I've been a fan of the genre-blending troupe headed by singer-songwriter Matthew Houck. Now after an extended wait of more than five years (the group's previous album Muchacho was released in March 2013), Phosphorescent is back with their seventh studio album, C'est La Vie. The good news is the long wait was worth it; Phosphorescent's unique approach of crafting luxurious songs that occupy a dreamlike soundscape is fully intact. There are the wistful quiet nuggets ("Christmas Down Under," "These Rocks"), a driving Americana-tinged indie rocker ("Around the Horn") and even a meditative synth pop foray (the title track "C'est La Vie"). Information: PhosphorescentMusic.com.

Artist: Rosanne Cash
Title: She Remembers Everything (Blue Note)
You might like if you enjoy: Roseanne Cash, Emmylou Harris
Tell me more: Just because 2018 is rapidly drawing to a close doesn't mean all the significant albums of the year have been released. Songstress Rosanne Cash is set to release the deeply-affecting She Remembers Everything on Nov. 2. The album – the artist's first new LP in nearly five years – allows one of today's most gifted female singer-songwriters to probe the continuing challenges women have in the 21st century. Indeed, Cash's 10-track disc is a powerful and revealing exploration of the experience of women highlighted in a number of roles vividly described in songs that are both lyrically literate and musically beautiful. As if Cash's talents and insight weren't formidable enough, she is joined by the illustrious likes of Kris Kristofferson and Elvis Presley (the two share lead vocals with Cash on the wonderful "Gods of Harlem"), Colin Meloy (of the Decemberists) and Sam Phillips on the essential album. Information: RoseanneCash.com.

Artist: NRBQ
Title: All Hopped Up (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: NRBQ, Dr. John, Terry Adams
Tell me more: Listening to the newly-issued expanded edition of NRBQ's fifth album All Hopped Up is to be astounded that the original was released in April 1977. The timeless material shines across the disc with a number of styles explored with an expert touch. The lovely "Ridin' In My Car" is a perfect blend of folk rock and power pop, propelled by stellar vocals and a driving rhythm. The soulful "Cecilia" – anchored by the work of Donn Adams (trombone) and Keith Spring (tenor saxophone) – is an early highlight. "I Got A Rocket In My Pocket" revisits the dynamic sound of '50s rock 'n' roll. "Call Him Off, Rogers" and "Queen Talk" provide pure shots of New Orleans R&B. The inviting "Things To You" defies easy categorization but it casts its spell with a single listen. The blues are celebrated with aplomb on "Honey Hush." The collection includes four winning bonus tracks, including the Louisiana-flavored "Chicken Hearted" and "Do The Bump," and alluring roots rocker "Start It Over." NRBQ continues to thrive in 2018; the band is set to perform a string of dates in California in early November. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Supersuckers
Title: Suck It. (Acetate Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Old 97's, the Junkyard Dogs, Eagles of Death Metal
Tell me more: Straightforward and blasting away with an infectious mix of punk rock, alt country, garage rock and old school hard rock, Supersuckers' have returned with their latest hard-hitting album Suck It. The 10-song disc tackles well-worn territory and that's a good thing; like AC/DC, the Ramones and Devo, some band's thrive by unleashing a signature sound that is uniformly familiar. Lead singer-bassist Eddie Spaghetti's raspy baritone opines on "The History of Rock N Roll" while guitar great Metal Marty Chandler offers up blistering fretwork amidst the track. Even probing tracks like "Dead Inside" are glorious in the hands of the band (rounded out by drummer Capt. All Nighter Von Streicher). The pedal to the metal musical approach works great across the collection, with the fiery "Breaking My Balls," contemplative "The Worst Thing Ever" (which covers loneliness with surprising candor), the country-western gem "Cold Wet Wind" and irreverent "Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers." Information: SuperSuckers.com.


Robert Kinsler

So-Cal Hoedown brings alt-country, roots rock and rockabilly legends together

The Blasters performing in the Yost Theater /
Photo courtesy of Bob Steshetz

The So-Cal Hoedown
With: Wanda Jackson, Shooter Jennings & Waymore's Outlaws, Nekromantix, the Blasters, Slim Jim Phantom Trio, more
Where: Downtown Santa Ana
When: August 13, 2016

When the much-anticipated 20th anniversary of Hootenanny was suddenly cancelled two years ago, lovers of the annual event that drew lovers of rockabilly, alt-country and old school punk music as well as restored classic hot rods and pin-up fashion wondered where a similarly-styled festival might emerge as a worthy replacement.

Pope Paul / Photo: Bob Steshetz

On Saturday (August 13, 2016), the first-ever So-Cal Hoedown mostly delivered on the vibe and style that made Hootenanny a truly unique OC fest. With the obvious exception of the location (the rural setting of Hootenanny's Irvine Lake vs. a four-block spread in downtown Santa Ana), the faithful gathered on a blistering Saturday to celebrate with some of the best-known musical heroes across the roots spectrum providing the soundtrack.

The performances this writer caught across an eight-hour span were mostly inspired, beginning with Pope Paul & the Illegals, the first act to play the Main Stage. The Santa Ana-based singer-guitarist Pope Paul and a rotating set of other players blended rockabilly with a good dose of country swing, blues and honky tonk including on several sterling originals ("Home Just Ain't No Place For Me," "Stars Don't Shine in Santa Ana"). 

While the Slim Jim Phantom Trio's claim to fame is the namesake of Stray Cats fame, the threesome's secret weapon is singer-guitarist Jamie James (formerly of the Kingbees), who provided some rousing vocals and easy-going cheer throughout a set ripe with covers of notable rockabilly-era staples. Slim Jim also delivered a strong vocal performance of the Stray Cats' "Rumble in Brighton" and an inspired take on "Rock This Town."

Sean Wheeler of Throw Rag

Fans of hardcore punk soon found their reason to brave the hot sun and come out to the Main Stage. Orange County's Cadillac Tramps turned in a blistering 45-minute performance. Lead vocalist Mike "Gabby" Gaborno's wit offered a perfect counterbalance to flat-out rocking material, with the two-guitar attack of Brian Coakley and Jonny Two Bags hitting home on the hard-edged "Cadillac Hearse" and the rocking "Train to Fame."

Throw Rag followed up with an entertaining showcase where singer-showman Sean Wheeler led his troupe through songs that somehow blended rockabilly, punk and psychobilly while he used articles of colorful clothing, body movements and the tattoos on his body to enhance the show. Of course, being armed with killer tracks like the infectious punk rock gem "Rule Maker" and catchy "Bobby Wayne" didn't hurt either.

"Metal" Marty Chandler

The standout of the day was Supersuckers, a band that took advantage of every second of its 45-minute set to unleash its brew of alt-country and Southern rock courtesy of material awash in solid songcraft and delivered with powerful performances. The set was launched with "Holdin' the Bag" (the title track off Supersuckers' latest album), which used textures from a banjo to add depth; singer-guitarist Eddie Spaghetti sang powerfully and lead guitarist Marty Chandler was a wonder on the fretboard, particularly on the fun "Jibber-Jabber" and country-styled rocker "Good Livin'." 

While the hard-hitting Nekromantix provided enough sonic firepower to fuel a growling mosh pit, the trio's music was a mostly one dimensional take on psychobilly. The lone exception was the original "Nekrofelia" that was bolstered by a bit of melody.

Phil Alvin of The Blasters / Photo: Bob Steshetz

The day's high-profile closing acts veered the music back to rockabilly and country sounds. The Blasters thrilled an audience packed into the Yost Theater, with singer-rhythm guitarist Phil Alvin leading the quartet through a mix of early rock 'n' roll, roots, rockabilly and blues rock. Early highlights included "Dark Night" and "Trouble Bound."

Shooter Jennings played two sets in one: he launched his outing with an acoustic set, accompanied by his own guitar or keyboards. His second set teamed him with Waymore's Outlaws. Like his late father Waylon Jennings, Shooter is a true country outlaw and his material often highlighted the rift between authentic country and fabricated mainstream artists who have few real life ties with the themes they sing about. "The Gunslinger," "Nashville From Afar" and "4th of July" were among the many nuggets.

Wanda Jackson /
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Closing out the set was legendary singer Wanda Jackson, who acknowledged early on that a recent series of surgeries and knee replacement left her having to perform while sitting down. "By golly, I'm here," she said with the audience cheering. Jackson, 78, has a career stretching back to rock's infancy (she toured with Elvis Presley and briefly dated him in the mid 1950s). Although her voice at times lacks the authority of her youth, she offered up faithful version of her early rockabilly and country hits, the best being the early rock hits "Rock Your Baby" and "Riot in Cell Block #9" as well as her rockabilly ballad "Funnel of Love."

Robert Kinsler
Editor's note: This review was originally posted on The Orange County Register Web site on August 14, 2016. A special "Thank You" to Bob Steshetz for the use of his photos taken at the event.

Album reviews: Supersuckers, Peter Case, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Danielle Nicole, Ted Hawkins tribute

American music is front and center on the latest albums from indie alt-country rockers Supersuckers, singer-songwriter Peter Case, Southern rock giants Lynyrd Skynyrd and songstress Danielle Nicole. There is also an outstanding tribute titled Cold and Bitter Tears: The Songs of Ted Hawkins that features a number of great Americana artists.


Artist: Supersuckers
Title: Holdin' The Bag (Acetate Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Old 97's, Steve Earle, Johnny Cash
Tell me more: Irreverent and honest, Supersuckers are an American treasure. Having released more than 20 albums over the past 25 years, singer Eddie Spaghetti and company are on the top of their game on the newly-released "Holdin' The Bag." The band's characteristic freewheeling approach works wonder on a batch of songs that are as melodic as they are lyrically sharp. The delightful country-styled "High and Outside," cow punk "Man On A Mission" and a lovely reworked sing-along cover of Hank Williams Jr. cover "All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)"  are among the standouts here. Information: Acetate.com.

Buy 'Holdin' The Bag' today



Artist: Peter Case
Title: Hwy 62 (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Bob Dylan, Peter Case's previous albums
Tell me more: Acclaimed singer-songwriter Peter Case has long been a leading voice on the music scene, dating back to the mid 1970s when he was a member of indie melodic rockers the Nerves before finding more acclaim as the leader of the Plimsouls and his subsequent solo career. His new album, Hwy 62, marks his first album release since 2010's "Wig!" and this disc finds Case seemingly building on a wide range of themes inspired by the highway that runs from Juarez, Mexico to Niagara Falls on the Canada-U.S. border. Having grown up one block away from U.S. Route 62 in Hamburg, New York, highlights include the tenderhearted "Water From A Stone," textured folk tale "If I Go Crazy," the sparse acoustic title track and a stellar acoustic cover of Bob Dylan's "Long Time Gone." Guitarist Ben Harper and drummer D.J. Bonebrake are among the notables who lend their talents to the tracking on "Hwy 62." Information: petercase.com.

Buy 'HWY 62' here



Artist: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Title: Pronounced 'L h-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd and Second Helping - Live From Jacksonville at the Florida Theatre (Eagle Vision)
You might like if you enjoy: Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Outlaws
Tell me more: Few bands have persevered through challenge as strongly as Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd. From the 1977 plane crash that took the lives of three of its members to the death of original drummer Bob Burns earlier this year and original guitarist Gary Rossington's heart attack on Oct. 8, 2015, the Florida-spawned band brings that undercurrent of survival to the stage whenever they perform. The aptly-titled "'L h-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd and Second Helping" features the rockers covering their first two studio albums in their entirety; recorded at the Florida Theatre in the band's hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, the performance is powerful and ultimately as triumphant as Lynyrd Skynyrd itself. "'L h-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd and Second Helping" is available as a DVD + 2 CD physical set exclusively at Walmart. The collection is also available on standard DVD, Blu-ray and digital formats. Information: eagle-rock.com.

Get 'Pronouced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd & Second Helping Live [Blu-ray]' here 


Artist: Danielle Nicole
Title: Wolf Den (Concord Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Trampled Under Foot, Marcia Ball, Shemekia Copeland
Tell me more: New Orleans R&B, gospel and Memphis soul inform the sound of singer-bassist Danielle Nicole (formerly of Trampled Under Foot) on her winning new solo debut "Wolf Den." A young singer of remarkable power and artistry, Nicole's vocals immerse the listener in the slow-burning Louisiana blues of "How You Gonna Do Me Like That," the solid kiss-off blues rocker "You Only Need Me When You're Down" and a smooth cover of the R&B favorite "Breaking Up Somebody's Home," the latter featuring guest guitarist Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars fame. Information: ConcordMusicGroup.com.

Get 'Wolf Den' here 

 
Artists: James McMurtry, Kasey Chambers & Bill Chambers, Tim Easton, more
Title: Cold and Bitter Tears: The Songs of Ted Hawkins (Eight 30 Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Ted Hawkins, James McMurtry, Kasey Chambers, Michael Ubaldini
Tell me more: Time has a way of celebrating the greats, even if it takes awhile. The Mississippi native who became a Venice Beach, California street performer, Ted Hawkins suffered a stroke and died Jan. 1, 1995 just as he was gaining widespread acclaim for his masterful songs and big voice. Hawkins was only 58. Now more than a dozen contemporary Americana and roots music champions have banded together to contribute versions of Hawkins' material on Cold and Bitter Tears: The Songs of Ted Hawkins. Hawkins' style was rooted in blues, but the material here clearly spans from that style to authentic country folk and rootsy storytelling. Highlights on "Cold and Bitter Tears" include the Appalachia-soaked ballad "Big Things" courtesy of James McMurtry, the beautiful traditional country "Cold and Bitter Tears" from Aussie songstress Kasey Chambers (with her father Bill Chambers), and the lovely "Happy Hour" from singer Sunny Sweeney. Information: eight30records.com.

Buy 'Cold & Bitter Tears: Songs of Ted Hawkins' here 

Robert Kinsler