Concert Review: The Delgado Brothers bring cool sounds to The Coach House

On May 6, 2021, I ventured back out into the world and caught my first concert in more than a year, making the trip to The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano to review a memorable show featuring Donavon Frankenreiter and Matt Costa.

The Delgado Brothers headlining at The Coach House
on Friday, June 11, 2021.

Last night (Friday, June 11, 2021), I found myself back at The Coach House to see enduring East L.A.-spawned troupe The Delgado Brothers; the talented quartet features brothers Bobby Delgado (bass), Steve Delgado (lead vocals, drums) and Joey Delgado (lead vocals, guitar) and David Kelley (keyboards). 

Joey Delgado enjoying every minute
of the band's return.

Throughout their winning 90-minute set the band showed no sign of rust as they revisited terrific original material from their rich discography and even premiered new material.

Guitarist Joey Delgado and Steve
Delgado at The Coach House.

Blending blues, Latin soul, roots rock and and Americana, the band is gifted with two great lead vocalists who also happen to be masters in singing harmonies that essentially add another voice to their arsenal. One of my favorite selections of the night, "If Only I Could Sing," blended many of The Delgado Brothers' strengths; Steve's soulful vocals  may have been front and center but the outstanding work of Kelley's keyboards and sweet harmonies collectively elevated the song. 

Keyboardist David Kelley of the Delgado Brothers.

Some of the other standouts in their set also came off the group's most recent album, 2018's "Two Trains." The jazz-tinged "The River" and more acoustic mining "Ohana Tennessee" impressed with their song craft and musical chemistry of the players.

Bassist Bobby Delgado.

Bobby Delgado.

Joey Delgado is an amazing guitar player, and his skills were not wasted on the classic rock-flavored "Man Without a Plan," where his fretwork dazzled as the song built to its roaring close. The song's environmental message was especially poignant for our times (hey folks, can you please throw the masks in the trash, and not on the ground where many will end up in the ocean?!).

Steve Delgado behind the kit.

Other highlights of the set included the guitar-anchored blues gem "Fair Warning," the debut of the jazz-blues original "All Alone" and the night-ending dance rocker "Live For Today."

Family Style performing at The Coach House on June 11, 2021.

Opening the night was area favorites Family Style, a five-man band that delivered energetic covers of class rock, blues and funk favorites. Displaying a clear ability to perform a diverse number of styles, standouts included a take on Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Pride and Joy," a mostly-faithful version of the Jimi Hendrix Experience recording of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" and the David Bowie classic "Let's Dance."

Review by Robert Kinsler

Photography by Bob Steshetz   

George Harrison 'All Things Must Pass' 50th Anniversary Edition coming Aug. 6, 2021

Today (Thursday, June 10, 2021) comes word that George Harrison's ambitious All Things Must Pass will receive a well-deserved 50th Anniversary Edition this summer.

All Things Must Pass — Harrison's third studio album — was released as a triple album in November 1970.  Produced by Harrison and Phil Spector, the masterwork includes a slew of classics including the hit singles "My Sweet Lord" and "What Is Life," as well as favorites such as "Isn't It a Pity" and the stirring title track.

The Super Deluxe Edition of 'All Things Must Pass' includes five audio CDs
collecting 70 tracks including 42 previously unreleased. A Blu-ray presents
the main album in hi-res stereo, 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos. The collection
also contains a 56-page scrapbook by Olivia Harrison. 

It's remarkable to reflect on all the great artists who joined Harrison for the sessions that began at London's EMI Studios in May 1970. Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Gary Wright, Billy Preston, Klaus Voorman and Badfinger all contributed their talents to the album. 

This news was expected, and now it's official. Check out the full media release below...Robert Kinsler

GEORGE HARRISON’S MASTERPIECE, ALL THINGS MUST PASS, 
CELEBRATED WITH SUITE OF NEW 50^TH ANNIVERSARY EDITIONS
 

SUPER DELUXE EDITION OF LANDMARK 1970 SOLO ALBUM COLLECTS 70 TRACKS OVER 5 CDS OR 8LPS INCLUDING 42 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED DEMO RECORDINGS, SESSION OUTTAKES, AND STUDIO JAMS

 

EXCLUSIVE ALL THINGS MUST PASS SCRAPBOOK FEATURES ARCHIVAL NOTES, TRACK-BY-TRACK ANNOTATION, RARE PHOTOS, MEMORABILIA AND MORE

 

VERY LIMITED EDITION UBER DELUXE INCLUDES 8LPS AND 5CDS IN SPECIALLY DESIGNED WOODEN CRATE ALONG WITH ELABORATE EXPANDED SCRAPBOOK, LASER CUT WOOD DETAILING FROM OAK TREE IN GEORGE’S GARDEN, 1/6 SCALE REPLICAS OF GNOMES FEATURED ON ICONIC COVER, LITHOGRAPHS, AND MORE

 

TODAY’S LAUNCH HERALDED WITH PREMIERE OF PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED AND REMIXED “RUN OF THE MILL” (TAKE 36), AVAILABLE NOW TO STREAM AND DOWNLOAD AND WITH AN OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

 

THE GEORGE HARRISON ESTATE FIRST MARKED ALBUM’S 50^TH ANNIVERSARY IN NOVEMBER 2020 WITH RELEASE OF NEW STEREO MIX OF THE TRANSCENDENT TITLE SONG

 

AVAILABLE AUGUST 6 VIA CAPITOL/UMe

 

Pre-Order All Things Must Pass 50^th Anniversary Edition
Watch/Share Album Trailer
Watch/Share “Run Of The Mill” (Take 36) Video
Listen/Share “All Things Must Pass” (2020 Mix)

 

“Even before I started, I knew I was gonna make a good album because I had so many songs and I had so much energy.
For me to do my own album after all that –  it was joyous. Dream of dreams.”

– George Harrison

 

Los Angeles – June 10, 2021 – Recorded and released in the wake of The Beatles’ April 1970 dissolution, George Harrison’s landmark solo album, All Things Must Pass, is a fully realized statement by a bold and audacious artist. Produced by Harrison and Phil Spector, the 23-track All Things Must Pass stands tall a half century later as an epic, ambitious expression of Harrison’s remarkable gift for sheer songcraft, powerful spirituality and a celebration of both his inimitable individuality and unique camaraderie with his fellow musicians.

 

All Things Must Pass was an overdue artistic release for George as a songwriter and musician. The first-ever triple studio album, All Things Must Pass overflows with a voluminous range of ideas, musical styles and influences, spanning rock ‘n’ roll, country, gospel, blues, pop, folk, R&B, Indian classical music, and devotional songs. Despite the album being wildly successful and Harrison’s affection for it, he would write in the liner notes for the 30^th anniversary remaster, released in 2001, “I still like the songs on the album and believe they can continue to outlive the style in which they were recorded,” adding however, “it was difficult to resist re-mixing every track. All these years later I would like to liberate some of the songs from the big production that seemed appropriate at the time”.

 

Decades in the making and lovingly crafted by the Harrison family, All Things Must Pass has now been completely remixed from the original tapes for a stunning suite of 50^th anniversary releases that fulfills Harrison’s longtime desire. Executive produced by Dhani Harrison, product produced by David Zonshine and mixed by triple GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer Paul Hicks (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon), the new mix transforms the album by sonically upgrading it - making it sound brighter, fuller and better than ever before.

 

Releasing August 6 via Capitol/UMe, All Things Must Pass 50^th Anniversary Edition will be available in a variety of formats:

 

 

UBER DELUXE EDITION

Exclusive to GeorgeHarrison.com, uDiscover, and Sound of Vinyl, All Things Must Pass 50^th Anniversary Edition will be available as a very limited Uber Deluxe Edition box set, which includes the album on 8LP (180g) and 5CD + 1 Blu-ray audio disc housed in an artisan designed wooden crate (approx. 12.4” X 12.4” X 17.5”). The collection explores the 1970 album sessions through 47 (42 previously unreleased) demos and outtakes, offering an inside look into the creative process. The Blu-ray allows fans to experience the main album in high-res stereo, enveloping 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos mixes.

 

The crate contains two books, an elaborate and expanded 96-page scrapbook curated by Olivia Harrison, with unseen imagery and memorabilia from the era, handwritten lyrics, diary entries, studio notes, tape box images, a comprehensive track-by-track and more; while a second 44-page book chronicling the making of All Things Must Pass through extensive archival interviews with notes is also contained herein. The elegantly designed book pays homage to Harrison’s love of gardening and nature. The book also contains a wooden bookmark made from a felled Oak tree (Quercus Robur) in George’s Friar Park. This truly unique box will also contain 1/6 scale replica figurines of Harrison and the gnomes featured on the iconic album cover, a limited edition illustration by musician and artist Klaus Voormann, as well as a copy of Paramahansa Yogananda’s “Light from the Great Ones” and Rudraksha beads, contained in individual custom-made boxes. 

 

 

 

SUPER DELUXE EDITION

The Super Deluxe Edition box set, presented on 8LP (180g) or 5CD + 1 Blu-ray audio disc, explores the 1970 album sessions through 47 (42 previously unreleased) demos and outtakes. The Blu-ray allows fans to experience the main album in high-res stereo, enveloping 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos mixes. The collection contains a beautiful 60-page scrapbook curated by Olivia Harrison, with unseen imagery and memorabilia from the era, handwritten lyrics, diary entries, studio notes, tape box images, a comprehensive track-by-track and more. It also includes a replica of the original album poster.

 

All Things Must Pass will be released in multiple physical and digital configurations, including as a 5LP or 3CD Deluxe Edition that pairs the main album with the sessions outtakes and jams. The main album will be available on its own as 2CD, 3LP or limited edition 3LP color vinyl. All versions are available for pre-order now.

 

"Since the 50^th anniversary stereo mix release of the title track to my father’s legendary All Things Must Pass album in 2020, my dear pal Paul Hicks and I have continued to dig through mountains of tapes to restore and present the rest of this newly remixed and expanded edition of the album you now see and hear before you,” says Dhani Harrison. “Bringing greater sonic clarity to this record was always one of my father’s wishes and it was something we were working on together right up until he passed in 2001. Now, 20 years later, with the help of new technology and the extensive work of Paul Hicks we have realized this wish and present to you this very special 50th Anniversary release of perhaps his greatest work of art. Every wish will be fulfilled."

 

The All Things Must Pass sessions began just six weeks after the April 1970 announcement of The Beatles’ break-up. Two days were spent recording thirty demos in Studio Three at EMI Studios, Abbey Road in St. John’s Wood, London. The first day, May 26, saw Harrison record fifteen songs backed by Ringo Starr and his longtime friend, bassist Klaus Voormann, beginning with “All Things Must Pass.” The next day, May 27, George played an additional fifteen songs for co-producer Phil Spector. The All Things Must Pass Uber and Super Deluxe Editions collects all 30 of these remarkable demo recordings, including 26 tracks never before officially released and several songs that didn’t make the album like “Cosmic Empire,” “Going Down To Golders Green,” “Dehra Dun,” “Sour Milk Sea,” and “Mother Divine.”

 

The scope of Harrison’s songwriting remains breathtaking – his deeply personal introspection and striking wit is matched by the album’s boldly extravagant production. With its densely orchestrated textures and eclectic embrace of myriad genres, Harrison and Phil Spector’s groundbreaking sonic approach set a grand blueprint for countless artists to follow.

 

George had been stockpiling material for nearly half a decade, with a number of songs – including “Isn’t It A Pity” and the title track – rehearsed with, but not recorded by, The Beatles. Further songs evinced Harrison’s growing frustration over those preceding years, including “Wah-Wah,” the dramatic “Beware of Darkness,” and “Run Of The Mill,” the latter named by both George and Olivia Harrison as one of their all-time favorites.

 

Written by George while producing Billy Preston’s 1969 Apple Records solo debut but saved for his own album a year later, the glorious “What Is Life” highlights the artist at his most exultant. At the album’s heart were songs like “My Sweet Lord,” “Awaiting On You All” and the impassioned “Hear Me Lord,” each of which epitomized Harrison’s lifelong inner journey.

 

An anthem weaving a chant of the Hare Krishna mantra and “hallelujah,” “My Sweet Lord” proved a worldwide smash upon its November 1970 single release, making history as the first solo single by a former Beatle to reach #1 in the UK or the US. Inducted into the GRAMMY® Hall of Fame in 2014, the indelible anthem of spiritual and religious unity has remained one of the world’s most beloved songs, named among the “Greatest Songs of All Time” by both Rolling Stone and NME. Last year saw a limited edition clear vinyl 7″ of “My Sweet Lord” released by the George Harrison Estate in partnership with Record Store Day‘s Black Friday event on November 27, 2020 – the official 50^th anniversary of All Things Must Pass’ original release.

 

Harrison's close friendship with Bob Dylan begat two songs: the album-opening “I’d Have You Anytime” was co-written with Dylan, while the classic “If Not For You” was at the time an unreleased Dylan composition. The All Things Must Pass Super Deluxe Edition includes previously unreleased demo recordings of both songs as well as “Nowhere To Go” and “I Don’t Want To Do It,” another original Dylan song later recorded by George for a 1985 soundtrack but remains unrecorded by Dylan himself.

 

George brought together a stunning roster of friends and fellow musicians to record All Things Must Pass, including Ringo Starr, Klaus Voormann, and Billy Preston, along with Eric Clapton and his new American bandmates, Carl Radle, Bobby Whitlock, and Jim Gordon (soon to be known collectively as Derek and the Dominoes). Badfinger’s Pete Ham, Tom Evans, Joey Molland, and Mike Gibbons contributed additional acoustics and percussion. Phil Spector’s desire for multiple pianos, layers of acoustic guitars, and more drums saw the addition of Peter Frampton and Jerry Shirley from Humble Pie, Spooky Tooth’s Gary Wright, Plastic Ono Band veteran and future Yes drummer Alan White, Traffic’s Dave Mason, Procol Harum’s Gary Brooker, and the in-demand horn section of Bobby Keys and Jim Price. Pete Drake, legendary Nashville session musician provided pedal steel guitar on several tracks. Arrangements for strings and horns came from longtime collaborator John Barham.

 

The original release of All Things Must Pass collected 18 songs over two LPs alongside a third LP – dubbed “Apple Jam” – showcasing four improvised instrumentals including a pair recorded as part of Derek and the Dominoes’ first ever official recording session in June 1970. In addition, the “Apple Jam” disc includes “It’s Johnny’s Birthday,” sung to the tune of Cliff Richard’s 1968 hit “Congratulations” and recorded as a gift from Harrison to mark John Lennon’s 30^th birthday.

 

The All Things Must Pass session tapes created in 1970 include over twenty-five hours of music on forty-nine 1” eight-track tapes, four 2” sixteen-track tapes, and forty-four ¼” stereo tapes. Richard Radford, Archivist for the George Harrison Estate oversaw the preservation of the tape collection, with the original analog multi-track and stereo tapes transferred to 192 KHz/24bit digital preservation copies.

 

Hailed by Rolling Stone as “the War and Peace of rock and roll” and “an intensely personal statement and a grandiose gesture,” All Things Must Pass was met by unanimous critical acclaim and spectacular commercial success, spending seven weeks at #1 on Billboard’s “Top LPs” chart and eight weeks atop the UK’s official albums chart (though chart records until 2006 mistakenly stated that it had peaked at #4). Currently certified 6x platinum by the RIAA, All Things Must Pass later received a 1972 GRAMMY® Award nomination for “Album of the Year,” while “My Sweet Lord” earned a GRAMMY® nod for “Record of the Year.” “What Is Life,” the album’s second single, also became an international hit, reaching the top 10 in the US and Canada as well as #1 in Australia and Switzerland.

 

All Things Must Pass has only grown in influence and stature in the half-century since its initial release, including induction in the GRAMMY® Hall of Fame and inclusion on The Times of London’s “The 100 Best Albums of All Time” and Rolling Stone’s 2020 listing of “The Top 500 Albums of All Time.” Pitchfork declared it to have “changed the terms of what an album could be.”

 

GEORGE HARRISON

ALL THINGS MUST PASS
SUPER DELUXE EDITION

(Capitol/UMe)

RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 6, 2021

 

TRACKLISTING

(5CD/BR)

Disc One (Main Album)

1. I’d Have You Anytime           
2. My Sweet Lord        
3. Wah-Wah  
4. Isn’t It A Pity (Version One) 
5. What Is Life
6. If Not For You          
7. Behind That Locked Door    
8. Let It Down
9. Run Of The Mill

 

Disc Two (Main Album Cont.)

1. Beware Of Darkness             
2. Apple Scruffs           
3. Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)            
4. Awaiting On You All
5. All Things Must Pass             
6. I Dig Love   
7. Art Of Dying             
8. Isn’t It A Pity (Version Two)
9. Hear Me Lord          
10. Out Of The Blue *     
11. It’s Johnny’s Birthday *        
12. Plug Me In *
13. I Remember Jeep *   
14. Thanks For The Pepperoni *

* Newly Remastered/Original Mix

 

Disc Three (Day 1 Demos – Tuesday 26 May 1970) 

1. All Things Must Pass (Take 1) †
2. Behind That Locked Door (Take 2)
3. I Live For You (Take 1)
4. Apple Scruffs (Take 1)
5. What Is Life (Take 3)
6. Awaiting On You All (Take 1) †
7. Isn’t It A Pity (Take 2)
8. I’d Have You Anytime (Take 1)
9. I Dig Love (Take 1)
10. Going Down To Golders Green (Take 1)
11. Dehra Dun (Take 2)
12. Om Hare Om (Gopala Krishna) (Take 1)
13. Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll) (Take 2)
14. My Sweet Lord (Take 1) †
15. Sour Milk Sea (Take 1)

 

Disc Four (Day 2 Demos – Wednesday 27 May 1970)

1. Run Of The Mill (Take 1) †
2. Art Of Dying (Take 1)
3. Everybody/Nobody (Take 1)
4. Wah-Wah (Take 1)
5. Window Window (Take 1)
6. Beautiful Girl (Take 1)
7. Beware Of Darkness (Take 1)
8. Let It Down (Take 1)
9. Tell Me What Has Happened To You (Take 1)
10. Hear Me Lord (Take 1)
11. Nowhere To Go (Take 1)
12. Cosmic Empire (Take 1)
13. Mother Divine (Take 1)
14. I Don’t Want To Do It (Take 1)
15. If Not For You (Take 1)

† Previously Released

 

Disc Five (Session Outtakes and Jams)

1. Isn’t It A Pity (Take 14)
2. Wah-Wah (Take 1)
3. I’d Have You Anytime (Take 5)
4. Art Of Dying (Take 1)
5. Isn’t It A Pity (Take 27)
6. If Not For You (Take 2)
7. Wedding Bells (Are Breaking Up That Old Gang Of Mine) (Take 1)
8. What Is Life (Take 1)
9. Beware Of Darkness (Take 8)
10. Hear Me Lord (Take 5)
11. Let It Down (Take 1)
12. Run Of The Mill (Take 36)
13. Down To the River (Rocking Chair Jam) (Take 1)
14. Get Back (Take 1)
15. Almost 12 Bar Honky Tonk (Take 1)
16. It’s Johnny’s Birthday (Take 1)
17. Woman Don’t You Cry For Me (Take 5) 

 

Blu-ray Audio Disc (Main Album Only; Surround, Atmos, Hi-Res)

1. I’d Have You Anytime
2. My Sweet Lord
3. Wah-Wah
4. Isn’t It A Pity (Version One)
5. What Is Life
6. If Not For You
7. Behind That Locked Door
8. Let It Down
9. Run Of The Mill
10. Beware Of Darkness
11. Apple Scruffs
12. Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)
13. Awaiting On You All
14. All Things Must Pass
15. I Dig Love
16. Art Of Dying
17. Isn’t It A Pity (Version Two)
18. Hear Me Lord
19. Out Of The Blue
20. It’s Johnny’s Birthday
21. Plug Me In
22. I Remember Jeep
23. Thanks For The Pepperoni

 

For more information and other configurations go to GeorgeHarrison.com

 

50th ANNIVERSARY CREDITS
Executive Producer: Dhani Harrison
Product Producer: David Zonshine
2020 Re-Mixed & Produced in Stereo & Atmos by: Paul Hicks 
Creative Director: Dhani Harrison
Book curated by: Olivia Harrison and Rachel Cooper
Art Direction: Darren Evans
Archive Research: Don Fleming, Richard Radford and Ryan Williams

'Eric Clapton' - Anniversary Deluxe Edition available August 20, 2021

Eric Clapton's self-titled 1970 solo debut is set to be re-issued via a deluxe edition on Aug. 20, 2021. You can learn more and also hear new mixes of "Blues Power" and "After Midnight"...Robert Kinsler

ERIC CLAPTON

ERIC CLAPTON – ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION

AVAILABLE AUGUST 20, 2021 

 UMe / Polydor

 AUGUST 20, 2021

This summer sees the Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Eric Clapton’s eponymous first solo album, originally released in August 1970. It is being issued on 4CD and 1LP (standard black) formats and will also be released digitally. The front cover artwork for the LP differs from the 4CD artwork illustrated above.

The album launches today, June 9, with the release of two tracks: After Midnight (Delaney Bramlett Mix) & Blues Power (Eric Clapton Mix)

The album represents one of rock history’s most successful reinventions. After emerging as one of the seminal guitar heroes of the ’60s, the English superstar decisively re-established his musical priorities with Eric Clapton. It marked Clapton’s transition from flamboyant instrumental icon to well-rounded recording artist, downplaying sonic pyrotechnics in favour of a song-focused ensemble approach that would lay the groundwork for his massively successful solo career. For the occasion, he surrounded himself with a new cast of American musicians, tapping into a rootsy musical foundation that provided an inspired framework for his talents. This Anniversary Deluxe Edition presents Eric Clapton – Eric Clapton in three separate mixes:

The Eric Clapton Mix, The Delaney Bramlett Mix and The Tom Dowd Mix (The UK Version). The Eric Clapton mix is being released in full for the first time. This anniversary collection also includes some singles, alternate versions and session outtakes.

Pre-order link:  https://EricClapton.lnk.to/4CD

 

 

ERIC CLAPTON

ERIC CLAPTON – ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION

 UMe / Polydor

 

 

TRACKLISTINGS:

4CD

CD1 (The Tom Dowd Mix - The UK Version) 

         all mixes released on CD and vinyl

1. Slunky   3.40
2. Bad Boy   3.59
3. Lonesome And A Long Way From Home   3.50 
4. After Midnight   3.14
5. Easy Now   3.03
6. Blues Power   3.15
7. Bottle Of Red Wine   3.12
8. Lovin' You Lovin' Me   3.39
9. I've Told You For The Last Time   2.36
10. I Don't Know Why   3.23
11. Let It Rain   5.06

CD2 (The Eric Clapton Mix)

1. Slunky   3.34  unreleased mix
2. Bad Boy   4.20  unreleased mix
3. Lonesome And A Long Way From Home   3.58  unreleased mix
4. After Midnight   3.19  released on Life in 12 Bars Soundtrack
5. Easy Now   2.57  released – this was the only EC mix inserted into the original 1970 Tom Dowd mix LP
6. Blues Power   3.53  unreleased mix
7. Bottle Of Red Wine   2.58  unreleased mix
8. Lovin' You Lovin' Me   3.44  unreleased mix
9. I've Told You For The Last Time   2.32  unreleased mix
10. I Don't Know Why   3.35  unreleased mix
11. Let It Rain   5.18  released on Life in 12 Bars Soundtrack

 

CD3 (The Delaney Bramlett Mix) all mixes released on 2005 Deluxe Edition      CD 

1. Slunky   3.35
2. Bad Boy   3.44
3. Easy Now   3.00
4. After Midnight   3.19
5. Blues Power   3.20
6. Bottle Of Red Wine   3.09
7. Lovin' You Lovin' Me   4.07
8. Lonesome And A Long Way From Home   3.52
9. I Don't Know Why   3.45
10. Let It Rain   5.02

CD4 (Singles, Alternate Versions & Session Outtakes) all titles released on 2005 Deluxe Edition CD except COMIN’ HOME (Alternate Mix) which is a previously unreleased mix

1. Teasin'   2.17  Performed by King Curtis with Delaney Bramlett, Eric Clapton & Friends
2. Comin' Home (Alternate Mix)  3.44  Performed by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends featuring Eric Clapton  unreleased mix
3. Blues In "A"  (Session Outtake)  10.28
4. She Rides (Let It Rain alternate version)  5.08  
5. I've Told You For The Last Time (Olympic Studios version)  6.49  
6. I Don't Know Why (Olympic Studios version)  5.14
7. Comin' Home (single a-side)  3.15  Performed by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends featuring Eric Clapton
8. Groupie (Superstar) (single b-side)  2.50  Performed by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends featuring Eric Clapton

1LP

Side A

1. Slunky
2. Bad Boy
3. Lonesome And A Long Way From Home
4. After Midnight
5. Easy Now
6. Blues Power

Side B

1. Bottle Of Red Wine
2. Lovin' You Lovin' Me
3. I've Told You For The Last Time
4. I Don't Know Why
5. Let It Rain

Metal Titan THOR forges the ultimate ALLIANCE with W.A.S.P.’s CHRIS HOLMES & ROSS THE BOSS In A New Video/Single From His Forthcoming Album!

Media release

For Immediate Release

Metal Titan THOR Forges The Ultimate ALLIANCE With W.A.S.P.’s CHRIS HOLMES & ROSS THE BOSS In A New Video/Single From His Forthcoming Album!

Los Angeles, CA - Like the Heavy Metal Avengers, heroes and icons from all over the metal world have united behind the legendary god of metal thunder, THOR, on an epic new studio album, entitled Alliance! Only a figure of such mythic strength and power as the mighty THOR could unite such an astounding armada of artists including W.A.S.P.'s Chris Holmes, Raven vocalist John Gallagher, Soilwork singer Björn Strid, Danko Jones, Anthrax's Neil Turbin, Ross “The Boss” Friedman and many more. Together, this battalion of champions fuse their talents to create one of the heaviest, most melodic THOR albums of all time! Just check out the album’s first single, “The Ultimate Alliance,” a heart-pounding, metal riffing powerhouse of a track that features some stellar guitar solos from Chris Holmes & Ross The Boss as well as the vocal talents of A Sound Of Thunder singer Nina Osegueda and Lords Of The Trident frontman Fang VonWrathstein! The track is debuted here alongside a superbly fun, special-effects heavy video.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/eZASqUhTCcc

Stream/download the single: https://orcd.co/thor_the_ultimate_alliance_single

Alliance features stunning artwork from Timo Wuerz and will be available July 16 on both digital as well as on CD in a digipak and limited edition silver vinyl in a gatefold jacket! Watch for Thor to launch several shows and festivities in this year as he celebrates his 39th studio album and an astounding 50 years of metal mayhem as well as co-starring in a feature-length action movie “Pact Of Vengeance,” which will feature music from the new album!

Pre-order the CD & Vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/?s=thor+alliance&post_type=product

Pre-order/pre-save the digital: https://orcd.co/thor_alliance_album

Track List:
1. We Need Musclerock feat. John Gallagher (Raven)
2. Niflhel (Realm Of The Dead) feat. Björn Strid (Soilwork)
3. The Ultimate Alliance feat. Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.), Ross “The Boss” Friedman (Manowar), Nina Osegueda (A Sound Of Thunder) & Fang VonWrathenstein (Lords Of The Trident)
4. Ode To Odin feat. Dan Cleary (Striker)
5. We Will Fight Forever feat. Neil Turbin (Anthrax)
6. Because We Are Strong
7. Rock Around The World feat. Danko Jones
8. Queen Of The Spiders feat. Frank Soda (The Imps)
9. Power Hungry
10. Bounty Hunter feat. Frank Meyer (The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs) & Dennis Post (Warrior Soul)
11. Battlements feat. Trevor William Church (Haunt)
12. Thor vs. The Juggernaut (War Of The Gods) feat. Sean Peck (Death Dealer)
13. Generation Now feat. Joey Killingsworth (Joecephus & The George Jonestown Massacre)
14. After The Laughter feat. Martin Gummesson (Thundermaker)
15. Good Stuff feat. Al Harlow (Prism)
16. Congregate feat. Joey Roads & Sheldon Byer (Roadrash)
17. We Will Fight Forever (Reprise)

“The Ultimate Alliance” video credits:

Written by: Jon Mikl Thor / John Leibel

Lead Vocals: Jon Mikl Thor

Special Guests
Lead Guitar: Chris Holmes
Lead Guitar: Ross “The Boss” Friedman
Lead Vocals: Nina Osegueda
Lead Vocals: Fang VonWrathenstein

Lead Guitar: John Leibel
Rhythm Guitar: Matt Hamilton
Bass: Ted Jedlicki
Drums: Tom Croxton

Video Directed by: Josh Grambo

Special Effects and Editing: Josh Grambo and John Magz
Videography: Josh Grambo, Javier Cedillo, Kevin Stuart Swain, and Lisa Freakrock
Additional Videography: Don Watson, Matthew Szablewicz, Ty Christian, Josh Schwartz, and Catherine Holmes

Recommended Releases: Crowded House, Mumps, Wolf Alice, Richard Blade's 'Imposters'

Three fantastic new audio titles and a must-read music-minded tale from famed DJ/author Richard Blade are featured in my column this week. 

Artist: Crowded House

Title: Dreamers Are Waiting (BMG)

You might like if you enjoy: Crowded House, Del Amitri, Paul McCartney, Neil Finn

Tell me more: One of rock's great genuine treasures, Crowded House is back with Dreamers Are Waiting. The Australian outfit's first new album since 2010's Intriguer, the new 12-track collection equals the strength of their previous recordings stretching back to their 1986 eponymous-titled debut. Singer-songwriter Neil Finn and company have crafted a collection that is as tuneful as it is impactful. The driving electronica-tinged "Whatever You Want" tackles human nature with the precision of a surgeon's knife; the melodic bounce comes in the service of Finn's wit: "The people will tell you whatever you want...Every night and every day / Some will fall upon their swords in order that / They might serve the greater good / But don't believe a word of it." The yearning melodic rocker "Playing With Fire" is infectious to be sure, but it is Finn's soulful lead vocals, the surrounding Burt Bacharach-mining harmony touches and bold horn section-bolstered arrangement that collectively make for something extra special. The dreamy expanse of "Bad Times Good," "Show Me The Way" and "Goodnight Everyone" reveal the rich diversity of Crowded House's approach. The lovely "Start of Something" – with its rich harmonies – recalls the magic of the Beach Boys' late-60s discography but laced with a modern touch. The soulful "Real Life Woman," animated "Love Isn't Hard At All" and mischievous "To The Island" are among the other gems on the essential set. Information: CrowdedHouse.com.

Artist: Mumps

Title: Rock & Roll This, Rock & Roll That: Best Case Scenario, You've Got Mumps (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: '70s punk and glam rock, Sparks, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" soundtrack

Tell me more: Led by front man Lance Loud, Mumps were a cutting edge 1970s punk rock band that was among the first to play at the legendary CBGB in New York City. Also regulars at Max's Kansas City, Mumps shared the bill with Talking Heads, the Ramones, Television, Cheap Trick, The Cramps, Blondie and even Van Halen (the latter at the Whisky-a-Go-Go in West Hollywood) during the band's seven-year run. Sadly, Mumps only released two singles before disbanding (1977's "I Like To Be Clean" on Bomp! Records and "Rock & Roll This, Rock & Roll That" on Perfect Records in 1978). The legacy of Mumps gets a well-deserved boost courtesy of Omnivore Recordings on the excellent Rock & Roll This, Rock & Roll That: Best Case Scenario, You've Got Mumps; the 23-track collection includes two previously unissued tracks and a number of bonus tracks (notably two previously-unissued songs from the pre-Mumps band Loud). Mumps' infectious sound and spirited approach shines brightly on the set; the ska-tinged "Just Look, Don't Touch," crunchy "Crocodile Tears," punk rocker "We Ended Up" and lively "Rock & Roll This, Rock & Roll That" are among my faves. The package includes a 16-page illustrated booklet featuring liner notes from Mumps members Kristian Hoffman (keyboards), Joe Katz (bass) and Paul Rutner (drums) as well as Lance Loud's mother Pat Loud. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Wolf Alice

Title: Blue Weekend (Dirty Hit/RCA Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Chvrches, Billie Eilish, Florence + The Machine

Tell me more: London quartet Wolf Alice are back with Blue Weekend, their third full-length LP and a strong follow-up to their acclaimed 2017 disc Visions of a Life (which won the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2018). The vast soundscape includes the arresting opener "The Beach," expansive dream pop of Delicious Things," luxurious "Lipstick On The Glass" driving modern rocker "Smile," lovely "Safe From Heartbreak (if you never fall in love)" and punk rocker "Play The Greatest Hits." Ellie Rowsell's affecting vocals are particularly dynamic on the genre-blending "The Last Man On Earth," unguarded "How Can I Make It Ok?" and electronic foray "Feeling Myself." In addition to Rowsell (vocals, guitar), Wolf Alice includes Joff Oddie (guitar, vocals), Theo Ellis (bass) and Joel Amey (drums, vocals). Wolf Alice will be headlining a U.S. tour in fall of 2021, including several dates in Los Angeles in late October. Information: wolfalice.co.uk.

Title: Imposters: Two Boys Who Fooled America

Author: Richard Blade

Publisher: BladeRocker Books

Details: 298 pages

Tell me more: Audiences know him best for his work on radio, television and in movies, but Richard Blade is also a talented author who has penned an acclaimed best-selling autobiography (2017's "World In My Eyes") and several successful novels (2019's "SPQR" and 2020's "Birthright"). Now comes "Imposters: Two Boys Who Fooled America," a fast-paced real life yarn that fuses the excitement of '60s rock and roll with the political turmoil of that decade into a captivating story this reader couldn't put down. In 1966, two teenage boys from Southern California suddenly became the target of an unwarranted manhunt by the FBI. They successfully eluded the law by assuming the identity of a best-selling duo from the 1950s and embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. Although the story is true, Blade embellishes the saga and characters in ways that appear fully authentic while fully immersing the reader in a myriad of unlikely situations where the protagonists find themselves across their three-year adventure. Blade's lively writing style coupled with a truly incredible story of teens forced to grow into men while on the run plays out amidst the backdrop of the Vietnam War, political assassinations, protests and some of the greatest rock music of all time. Information: amazon.com.

Robert Kinsler