Wednesday, October 08, 2014

Sights and Sounds: The Waterboys, Colt Ford, Noel Gallagher, Eric Gales

Good morning music friends! Plenty of news to share about upcoming releases...



The Waterboys return with 'Modern Blues'

The Waterboys will release a brand new album early next year entitled Modern Blues via Kobalt on January 20, 2015.  The album is a first for the band, as it’s the first release fully recorded in Nashville, Tennessee by the group.  Produced by Waterboys leader Mike Scott and mixed by Bob Clearmountain, Modern Blues, the band’s eleventh studio album, contains nine passionate songs, evoking the very best of The Waterboys past work while forging forth to explore new ground. 
 
Mike Scott entered the studio intent on harnessing the rolling, spontaneous energy that fuelled some of The Waterboys greatest albums. “I set out to make a record with an ensemble playing live, to get that performance spirit. It’s how I recorded Fisherman’s Blues.”  To that end, he corralled old hands and new friends. Ralph Salmins, a mainstay on drums for the past four years, appears alongside Scott and talismanic Waterboy Steve Wickham, who weaves a dizzying fuzz fiddle spell on several tracks of Modern Blues.
 
Fresh to the ranks of the group are Memphis keyboard player “Brother” Paul Brown, and David Hood, legendary bassist from the heyday of FAME studios and Muscle Shoals. “I’ve got the man who played on “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” on bass!” Scott laughs. “He and Paul had a huge impact on the sound.”
 
Asked why he chose to record in Nashville, Scott (who lives mostly in Dublin) explained, “Nashville has a reputation as Music City, USA and I fancied some of that. It’s one of the few cities that still has a recording studio industry intact, which brings the spur of competition. I know that across town Jack White's making a record, The Black Keys are making theirs.  I like that competitive feeling, it’s exciting. It's a spur.”
 
In true Waterboys’ style, a spirit of exploration defines the album. Few bands have changed as much as this one. Formed in 1983, on their first three albums The Waterboyssculpted a layered post-punk sound, culminating in 1985’s sky-scraping This is the Sea. Since then the music has never ceased to evolve, from the hugely influential mix of Celtic folk, gospel, country and rock on the classic Fisherman’s Blues, to the New York guitar sounds of Dream Harder, the agitated millennial sonic exploration of A Rock in the Weary Land, and the fired-up poetic passion of 2011’s An Appointment with Mr. Yates.  In 2013 the band embarked an extensive North American tour with over 40 dates.
 
Modern Blues is an electric, eclectic, soulful, bold and gloriously freewheeling rock'n'roll record, arriving at a time when the relevance and popular reach of The Waterboys has never been greater. In 2013 Ellie Goulding scored a top 3 UK hit with their “How Long Will I Love You” and earlier this year Prince performed “The Whole of the Moon” solo at the piano during his Hit + Run show at Ronnie Scott’s in London.  “A Pagan Place” has also recently become a live staple for The War on Drugs.
 
The Waterboys have just announced two UK shows for February and a North American tour is in the works with details to be announced at a later date.
 
Modern Blues Track Listing
Destinies Entwined
November Tale
Still A Freak
I Can See Elvis
The Girl Who Slept For Scotland
Rosalind You Married The Wrong Girl
Beautiful Now
Nearest Thing To Hip
Long Strange Golden Road
 
To Pre Order The Album Visit:
 
UK Tour Dates
Feb 2, 2015 - Coventry, UK              Warwick Arts Centre

Feb 3, 2015 - London, UK                 Roundhouse


Colt Ford Releases First Live Concert DVD

Crank It Up! Colt Ford Live At Wild Adventures

Country Star Colt Ford will release his first live concert DVD on November 11, 2014: Crank It Up! Colt Ford Live at Wild Adventures. Produced and released by Eagle Rock Entertainment for Eagle Vision, and Average Joes Entertainment, the 129-minute DVD+ bonus features was filmed in HD on August 2, 2014, at Wild Adventures Park in Valdosta, Georgia. Directed by Hideout Pictures’ Potsy Ponciroli, Ford and band performed an electrifying high-energy set spotlighting 20 hit tracks from over the course of his entire career. The $14.98 collectible DVD is available online and at retail outlets nationwide. An abbreviated version of the concert will also be broadcast on this winter.

Ford returned to his Georgia roots to deliver a kick-ass entertainment experience from start to finish.  Exclusive behind the scenes footage of the concert, as well as ten episodes of Ford’s “Mr. Goodtime TV,” is also included as a special bonus accompanying the 129-minute DVD. For a sneak peek of Crank It Up! Colt Ford Live at Wild Adventures, check out this link: http://smarturl.it/CrankItUpDVDTrailer

“Returning to Valdosta to film this live concert DVD was nostalgic for me,” said Colt. “This area was the first to embrace my music, and come out to my shows. These fans have been there from the beginning.”

Featured on the DVD are many of the songs culled from Ford’s new album, Thanks For Listening released this past summer. The album debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, #1 on Billboard’s Independent Chart, and #1 on Billboard’s Rap Albums Chart.

Track List:
1.   Answer to No One
2.   The High Life
3.   Crank It Up!
4.   Back
5.   Crickets
6.   Country Thang
7.   Drivin’ Around Song
8.   Mr. Goodtime
9.   Medley: Waste Some Time/Cricket On A Line/Huntin’ The World
10. Workin’ On
11. Ride Through The Country
12.  She’s Like
13. Chicken And Biscuits
14.  Dirty Side
15. Hip Hop In A Honky Tonk
16. Washed In The Mud
17.  No Trash In My Trailer
18.  Thanks For Listening
19.  Waffle House
20.  Dirt Road Anthem

About Colt Ford: 
In 2012, Colt penned two #1 hits; Jason Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem,” and Brantley Gilbert’s, “Country Must Be Country Wide.” His album, Declaration of Independence, topped the Billboard Top Country Album Chart at #1, and was followed by his new release Thanks For Listening, in July 2014. To date, Colt has sold over 1 million albums, millions more song downloads, has 1.5 million Facebook Likes and over 100 million YouTube views. Colt was also featured in a two-page cover story in the "Arena" section of the Wall Street Journal (July 2013). In October, 2013, Colt hit the road on a 34-city tour with Florida Georgia Line, and is touring with Toby Keith this Fall. In addition to being a gifted songwriter and artist, Colt is also a former professional golfer, and resides with his family in Athens, GA. Follow at www.coltford.com; twitter.com/coltford; facebook.com/coltford.


Follow Eagle Rock Entertainment at:

 
On Monday October 13, Noel Gallagher Will Discuss
The Forthcoming Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds' Album With a Fan Q&A Event Live on Facebook

On Monday Oct. 13, 2014, Noel Gallagher will appear at a live Q&A event at Facebook headquarters in London. Noel made the special announcement today via Facebook to his 646,000 fans. The message can be seen on Noel's Facebook page.

During the event, hosted by BBC 6 Music's Matt Everitt, Noel will discuss the forthcoming second album by Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.  It's also an opportunity for fans to ask Noel any questions they like. Fans can submit questions on Noel's Facebook Page using the hashtag #NoelGallagherFBLive, or in the comment box beneath the live feed whilst the event is taking place.

If you would like the chance to attend this exclusive event, simply apply on Noel's Facebook page:

 

 
There are limited spaces so be quick! For those who aren't lucky enough to attend, you can watch Noel and Matt in action live on Noel's Facebook.

GUITAR PHENOM ERIC GALES' "GOOD FOR SUMTHIN'" CD SET
FOR RELEASE ON OCTOBER 28 FROM CLEOPATRA RECORDS
Acclaimed musician Eric Gales' newest CD release, GOOD FOR SUMTHIN', is an autobiographical journey from his Memphis upbringing to his current status as one of the most influential guitarists on the blues rock scene. The new CD, his 14threlease, is scheduled to arrive on October 28 from independent Cleopatra Records.

GOOD FOR SUMTHIN' features the searing guitar work that has often brought Gales comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, but actually combines his own early influences -- musicians who themselves were Hendrix devotees such as Robin Trower, Frank Marino, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Johnson. Says Gales, "Each of them has a different style, so I'm inspired by a lot of different music. All play a big part for me being who I am."   

As Gales says, "Growing up and developing my music, I wanted to be able to emulate Eric Johnson... so to wind up touring with this him and having him on my record is like a dream come true!" The feeling is apparently mutual as Johnson, who appears on the album's closing song, "E2 (Note For Note)," reported: "Eric has created a new record filled with incendiary guitar licks that are inspired and inspiring to listen to. He has also added to this a bundle of cool vocal harmonies and excellent lead vocals.I'm happy to be a part of it, and may it shoot high towards the bright stars above."
 
This 1991 Guitar World Best New Talent Winner has never been one to rest on his laurels, and the past year has seen him on the road touring with the Experience Hendrix Tour-joining a line-up that includes a true who's who of guitar masters. Headliners include Eric Johnson and Black Label Society's Zakk Wylde, both of whom make guest appearances on GOOD FOR SUMTHIN'.

Produced by Grammy™ winning producer and recording artist Raphael Saddiq and using lush harmonies and intricate guitar work, the songs on GOOD FOR SUMTHIN' tell Gales' life story in a potent mix of musical genres... alternately bluesy, psychedelic, funky and rock. "Raphael is one of my best friends, and when I asked him if he minded producing, he said, 'I want to do this...you're one of the baddest cats I know!' So just having the opportunity to work with him was amazing. And to do it with one of my best friends-who just happens to be one of the baddest producers, musicians, arrangers and composers in the business- just gives me goosebumps!"

The blues-rock track "Going Back to Memphis" is a collaborative effort, with rock industry pioneer Mike Varney contributing the lyrics. The song features strong vocal harmonies and intense soloing, and summarizes Gales' career journey, which will culminate at a CD release party to celebrate the new album in his hometown of Memphis. Making the event at Minglewood Hall even more special is its occurrence on the eve of his 40th birthday. "I don't know how I feel about turning 40," he says, "but with this CD release, it ain't so bad!"

 
Gales' well-crafted CD features smartly written songs with a message and his exuberant musicianship, which range from the toneful solos on "You Give Me Life" that double his smooth vocals to the intense guitar interplay with guest Zakk Wylde on "Steep Climb." "Show Me How" combines a contemporary modern sound with influences of the 60's and 70's, while the collaborations continue on "Six Deep" as Gales' wife LaDonna joins the band on back-up vocals.

In Gales' own words, this record was a long time coming.  And as he sings on the CD's title track, "We all need music to bring about some change. All you gotta' do is listen, and I think you'll feel the same."

Look for Gales on the upcoming Lauryn Hill release, as the Grammy winning singer has requested him to play on several tracks of her new CD. A big fan of Hill's, Gales could not be more thrilled about the collaboration.

Eric Gales' excitement about his craft is contagious.  "I am so proud of this new album," he says.  "I really put everything that I have into this one.  I wanted it to have an impact and be powerful, and the end result is just that!
* * * * *

GOOD FOR SUMTHIN'
Track List:
1. Come A Long Way
2. 1019
3. Going Back To Memphis
4. Good For Sumthin' 
5. Six Deep
6. You Give Me Life
7. Heaven's Gate
8. Tonight (I'm Leaving)
9. Show Me How
10. Miss You
11. Steep Climb featuring Zakk Wylde
12. E2 (Note For Note) featuring Eric Johnson

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