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Rock 'n' Roll Truth
You've reached the home of The MUSIC WORTH BUYING Channel and Robert Kinsler's Rock 'n' Roll Truth Blog
Wednesday, February 01, 2023
New Music: NRBQ, The Stayawakes, Panthervision, The Arcs
Monday, January 30, 2023
Watch the trailer for the upcoming YouTube series 'Music Is Still Good'
Watch the trailer for the forthcoming album review series coming in early February! On each episode, TJR and Robert Kinsler each feature a recent album release where they prove "Music Is Still Good." Watch the trailer HERE
Friday, January 27, 2023
Orianthi delivers signature guitar mastery and hard-hitting rock at The Coach House
Who: Orianthi, Mori's Memento
Where: The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA
When: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023
Next: Orianthi performs at The Canyon in Agoura Hills, CA on Saturday, Jan. 28
Information: https://www.orianthi.me/
Review by Robert Kinsler
Photography by Bob Steshetz
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Orianthi is one of the world's most talented and exciting guitar players. |
Performing before a capacity crowd at the legendary Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA on Thursday night, singer-songwriter/guitar virtuoso Orianthi brought her signature command of the guitar and solid talents as singer and songwriter together for a winning concert. Backed by an impressive three-man outfit, Orianthi performed a mix of winning originals and select covers over the course of 100 minutes.
She opened with the heavy riff rocker "Light It Up," a cut that recalls some of the best melodic hard rock stylings of the 1970s. Orianthi was able to cut loose with the first of what would be a night full of flashy and impressive lead guitar solos. Beyond her incredible talents as a guitarist, Orianthi displayed how she has carved out her own sound that falls somewhere at the rewarding intersection where British and American blues meet alternative rock and pop rock.
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From left, guitarist Neil Swanson, drummer Elias Mallin, Orianthi and bassist Justin Andres performing at The Coach House on Jan. 26, 2023. |
Another early highlight of the set was the super speedy "What's It Gonna Be," where the artist delivered precision guitar technique as well as impressive high reaching vocal notes in the dramatic choruses.
The crowd that filled the Coach House was rewarded with the first-time ever performance of a song titled "First Time Blues" (or perhaps the title is "First Time I Got The Blues"), that the Adelaide, Australia native noted she had just written. Based on the strength of the thunderous blues rocker and its strong reception from the audience, there is a good chance we may hear the song on a forthcoming Orianthi studio LP.
She also showcased her incredible talents as a rhythm guitarist on an enticing cover of Michael Jackson's "Black or White."
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Guitarist Neil Swanson with Orianthi at The Coach House. |
Orianthi artfully performed a short acoustic set with her band guitarist; a lovely version of "Where Did Your Heart Go" found her adorning the song with beautiful flamenco-flavored guitar sonics.
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From left, Orianthi and Tracii Guns during a performance of "Sinners Hymn." |
For her fiery performance of her original "Sinners Hymn," Orianthi brought out guest guitarist Tracii Guns (of L.A. Guns fame). During the song's last half, Orianthi unleashed a dazzling solo before Tracii Guns answered with his own fiery guitar foray.
From left, guitarist Neil Swanson, singer-guitarist Orianthi, guitarist Tracii Guns and
drummer Elias Mallin at The Coach House.
After ending her regular set with an energetic take on her 2009 hit "According to You," she thrilled the crowd with a powerful version of the Jimi Hendrix classic "Voodoo Chile." Orianthi is that rare modern day guitar great capable of conjuring up the flawless technique, power and wizardry of the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
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Mori's Memento performing at The Coach House on Jan. 26, 2023. |
Opening for Orianthi was Los Angeles-based Mori's Memento, a rising young troupe whose sound conjured up the hard rock Sunset Strip sounds of the 1980s. In addition to performing some solid original cuts, the group performed reworkings of Ratt's "Round and Round" and Dokken's "Into The Fire."
Thursday, January 26, 2023
'A GRAMMY® Salute to the Beach Boys' is coming on Feb. 8, 2023; purchase tickets now
One of the world's great artists is set to be honored by a slew of other music notables via a GRAMMY Salute to the Beach Boys on Feb. 8, 2023. (You can read my review of the Beach Boys' August 2022 concert event HERE)...Robert Kinsler
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The Beach Boys performing at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on Aug. 8, 2022. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
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Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Marshall Crenshaw 40th Anniversary Expanded Edition out February 17 on Yep Roc Records
Marshall Crenshaw's wonderful self-titled album is being reissued next month, and the audio CD version includes bonus material too!...Robert Kinsler
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Beck and Phoenix bringing 2023 co-headline 'Summer Odyssey' Tour to North America
What a great tour! This has to be one of the mostly highly-anticipated summer tours of 2023! I've seen Beck (many times), Phoenix, Japanese Breakfast and Jenny Lewis — all are terrific in concert. Robert Kinsler
BECK AND PHOENIX ANNOUNCE 2023
CO-HEADLINE SUMMER ODYSSEY TOUR
JAPANESE BREAKFAST, JENNY LEWIS AND WEYES BLOOD TO JOIN ON SELECT DATES WITH SIR CHLOE
Tickets On Sale Starting Friday, January 27 at 10 a.m. Local on Ticketmaster.com
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Beck (in center) with Phoenix. The two artists will co-headline on their 'Summer Odyssey' Tour beginning on Aug. 1, 2023. |
Eight-time Grammy-winning artist Beck and Grammy-winning French band Phoenix announced their upcoming co-headline Summer Odyssey tour. Produced by Live Nation, the 19-city run kicks off on Tuesday, Aug. 1 in Seattle at Climate Pledge Arena, with stops in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Houston, Boston, New York, and more before wrapping up on Sunday, Sept. 10 in Columbia at Merriweather Post Pavilion. The tour will feature Japanese Breakfast, Jenny Lewis and Weyes Blood on select dates with Sir Chloe.
The tour will make a Los Angeles stop at Kia Forum on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023.
TICKETS: Tickets go on sale starting Friday, January 27 at 10 a.m. local time on Ticketmaster.com.
SUMMER ODYSSEY 2023 TOUR DATES:
Tue Aug 01 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena ^#
Thu Aug 03 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater ^#
Sat Aug 05 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion ^#
Mon Aug 07 - Los Angeles, CA - Kia Forum ^#
Tue Aug 08 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena +#
Wed Aug 09 – Orange County, CA – OC Fair*
Fri Aug 11 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center +#
Sat Aug 12 – Las Vegas, NV – Michelob ULTRA Arena +#
Tue Aug 15 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre +#
Fri Aug 18 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP ~#
Sun Aug 20 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ~#
Mon Aug 21 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion ~#
Tue Aug 22 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ~#
Thu Aug 31 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion #
Sat Sep 02 – Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre ~#
Sun Sep 03 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage ~#
Tue Sep 05 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway ~#
Fri Sep 08 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at the Mann ~#
Sat Sep 09 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden ~
Sun Sep 10 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion ~#
Support Key
^ Jenny Lewis
+ Japanese Breakfast
~ Weyes Blood
# Sir Chloe
* Fair Date
ABOUT BECK:
2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee and eight-time Grammy-winner Beck has traveled light years from his emergence as a reluctant generational spokesperson when “Loser” exploded into a ubiquitous 1994 smash. Beck's singular vision has since seen him utilize all manners and eras of music, blazing a path into the future while foraging through the past.
Surfacing just as mainstream and alternative intersected, no small thanks to his 1994 debut Mellow Gold, Beck quickly confounded expectations with subsequent releases including the lo-fi folk of One Foot in the Grave and 1996’s multi-platinum Odelay—which has remained a cultural touchstone for generations.
Beck’s creative evolution has always progressed at an exponential rate. From the atmospherics of 1998's Mutations and the fluorescent funk of 1999's Midnite Vultures, the somber reflections of 2002's Sea Change, 2005's tour de force Guero and 2006's sprawling The Information, 2008's acclaimed Modern Guilt, 2014’s Album of the Year Grammy-winning Morning Phase, the “euphoric blast of experimental pop” (Rolling Stone) that was 2017’s Colors and his 2019 "best in a decade” (People) Hyperspace… No Beck record has ever sounded like its predecessor — though The New York Times notes a consistent thread: “Though Beck’s records through the years have tended toward maximalism, a kind of meticulous sonic gorgeousness, melody remains central to his art.``
Follow Beck:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
ABOUT PHOENIX:
Phoenix is a critically-acclaimed band from France. Born out of high school friendships in Versailles, Phoenix have been nominated twice for Grammy awards, winning “Best Alternative Album” in 2010 for their record Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix which included hit singles "1901" and "Lisztomania." They also won “Best Rock Album” in 2014 for
Bankrupt! at the French Victoires de La Musique.
Known for their sleek, highly stylized sonics and incredible, infectious melodies, Phoenix recently released their critically lauded new album Alpha Zulu featuring current single Tonight with Ezra Koenig. The band has headlined festivals including Coachella, Rock en Seine and Governors Ball. They have sold out New York City’s prestigious Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl, and played festivals from Glastonbury (UK) to Vieilles Charrues (FR) to Summer Sonic (JPN) and more around the globe.
Follow Phoenix:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.
New Music: Dave Rowntree, The Heavy Hours, MÃ¥neskin
Three terrific albums released on Jan. 20, 2023 are featured in my column this week.
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Dave Rowntree has just released his debut solo album "Radio Songs." Photo credit: Paul Postle |
Robert Kinsler