Sunday, September 30, 2018

Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band thrill at the Greek Theatre

From left, Steve Lukather, Ringo Starr, Warren Ham, Graham
Gouldman, Colin Hay and Gregg Bissonette.
Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band
Who: Ringo Starr, Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Gregg Rolie, Graham Goldman, more
Where: The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles
When: Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018

Review and photographs by Robert Kinsler


Every time I catch Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band in concert I'm reminded how much much fun rock 'n' roll can be.

Such was the case on Saturday night (Sept. 29, 2018), where the world's most famous drummer and a batch of his super-talented musical pals thrilled a capacity crowd at the legendary Greek Theatre in Los Angeles; this was the final date on his month-long U.S. tour that began back on Sept. 1 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Ringo Starr behind the kit of his Ludwig at the Greek Theatre.

For two magical hours, there was plenty of peace, love and classic rock offered up by Ringo Starr along with guitarist-singer Steve Lukather (Toto), keyboardist-singer Gregg Rolie (Santana, Journey), guitarist-singer Colin Hay (Men At Work) and bassist-singer Graham Gouldman (10cc). Top-notch players Warren Ham (on percussion, sax, and backing vocals) and Gregg Bissonette (drums) added deft firepower everywhere.

To thunderous cheers, Starr came on stage at 8:15 p.m. and positioned himself at the front of the stage where the band launched into "Matchbox," a 1964 hit for the Beatles. The infectious spirit of the rockabilly-styled favorite (recorded by Carl Perkins in 1956) set the tone for what would ultimately prove to be a fun night. "I love the Greek," Starr noted after the song was finished. "And it's always better when it's full." 
Colin Hay and Ringo Starr on Sept. 29.

Starr then performed one of his best-known and enduring cuts, "It Don't Come Easy," a shimmering track he co-wrote with George Harrison and his first post-Fab Four hit (released in 1971). The vocal harmonies provided by his All Star Band mates were marvelous.

Starr's comical asides and light-hearted personality have been a constant since his Beatles days and it was fully on display this night via an introduction to a musical reading of the Beatles' country-flavored track "What Goes On," first recorded in late 1965. "There is one song credited to Lennon, McCartney and Starkey; I know it's in the wrong order, what can you do?" The performance of that classic benefitted from Starr's strong vocals and a sweet guitar solo from Lukather.  

The great thing about this night was the opportunity to not only hear Starr performing many of his most beloved Beatles-era tracks and subsequent solo hits, but to hear iconic numbers from the members of his winning band. Highlights came often, and the line-up of players were able to effortlessly move about a number of genres including reggae (1978's 10cc track "Dreadlock Holiday" sung by Gouldman), Latin rock (Santana's hits "Evil Ways," "Black Magic Woman," "One Como Va", all sung by Rolie), classic rock (Toto's "Hold the Line," "Africa" and "Rosanna" courtesy of guitar great Lukather) and artful modern rock (a trio of wonderful Men At Work hits sung by Hay).

There was a palpable admiration by the musicians for not only Starr but for each other that enhanced the performance across the fast-moving concert. 

"It's such a great honor to be in this band," Lukather said early in the night before a performance of "Rosanna." That performance featured Lukather's solid vocals and signature guitar work, as well as soaring saxophone playing from Ham and wonderful work on the Hammond B-3 from Rolie. That infectious jam ended with Lukather's guitar playing again featured.
Colin Hay playing harmonica during
"Don't Pass Me By" at the Greek.

Hay proved to be a fantastic addition to the 2018 line-up of the All Star Band, as evidenced by his lead role in the performance of "Down Under," "Overkill" and "Who Can It Be Now?" as well as the nuanced backing vocals, sublime guitar work (notably on the Beatles classics "Boys" and "I Wanna Be Your Man") and harmonica playing (on the Beatles' "Don't Pass Me By") during the show.

Starr's well-known campaign to bring a heavy dose of peace and love to the planet was celebrated with his infectious and aptly-titled "Anthem," whose positive message received a musical boost from the band's in-the-pocket chops.

Other highlights from the show (an argument can be made the entire event was a highlight!) included a sweeping and inspired take on the 1983 classic "Africa," a gorgeous "The Things We Do for Love" (a hit for 10cc in 1976), a rollicking run through the countrified Buck Owens hit "Act Naturally" and wistful take on Starr's 1973 hit "Photograph" (the latter bolstered by Lukather's playing on a 12-string acoustic guitar).

Starr's already-illustrious band took on additional star power for the final song, a rousing version of "With a Little Help From My Friends" where ace studio drummer Jim Keltner (who has recorded drums on classic John Lennon, Harrison and Starr albums) got behind the kit while Joe Walsh, Gary Wright and Edgar Winter came on stage to add group vocals. As Starr exited the stage, the band segued into Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance" capping a truly remarkable concert.


Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band Setlist at the Greek Theatre

1. Matchbox (Carl Perkins / The Beatles)

2. It's Don't Come Easy (Ringo Starr original)

3. What Goes On (The Beatles)

4. Dreadlock Holiday (10cc)

5. Evil Ways (Santana)

6. Rosanna (Toto)

7. Down Under (Men At Work)

8. Boys (The Beatles)

9. Don't Pass Me By (The Beatles)

10. Yellow Submarine (The Beatles)

11. I'm Not In Love (10cc)

Guitarist Steve Lukather with keyboardist
Gregg Rolie at the Greek Theatre on Sept. 29, 2018.
12. Black Magic Woman (Santana)

13. You're Sixteen (Johnny Burnette cover)

14. Anthem (Ringo Starr original)

15. Overkill (Men At Work)

16. Africa (Toto)

17. Oye como va (Santana)

18. I Wanna Be Your Man (The Beatles)

19. The Things We Do For Love (10cc)

20. Who Can It Be Now? (Men At Work)

21. Hold the Line (Toto)

22. Photograph (Ringo Starr original)

23. Act Naturally (Buck Owens cover)

24. With a Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles)

25. Give Peace a Chance (John Lennon)

Friday, September 28, 2018

Tom Petty box set 'An American Treasure' out now on Reprise Records

Tom Petty at the Hollywood Bowl
on Sept. 21, 2017.
Photo: Drew A. Kelley
It's hard to believe, but October 2, 2018 will mark the one-year anniversary since the passing of the great singer-songwriter Tom Petty

I was privileged to see and review one of his final performances (on Sept. 21, 2017) for The Orange County Register; you can read a review of that show re-posted on the Rock 'n' Roll Truth site here.  Today, the highly-anticipated 'An American Treasure' is available via Reprise Records. You can see the official media release below.



TOM PETTY BOX SET
AN AMERICAN TREASURE OUT NOW
ON REPRISE RECORDS


An American Treasure—the career-spanning Tom Petty box set—is out today via Reprise Records. The 60-track set unveils previously unreleased recordings, alternate versions of classic songs, rarities, historic live performances and deep tracks that spotlight Tom’s remarkable depth and evolution as a revered and tremendously influential songwriter, recording artist and performer. An American Treasure is available for purchase HERE
The highly-anticipated collection—the first release of Tom Petty music since the artist’s untimely passing last year—is already receiving critical acclaim:
“…a sweet way to begin revisiting a career
that could hardly be contained on a single box set.”—NPR Music  
“Petty was as prolific as he was talented.”—Rolling Stone
“…selections from a songwriter who consistently pared down his music
to what was terse and telling.”—The New York Times
“…a memorial to the rock ’n’ roll giant, carefully and lovingly compiled by those who knew him best.”—Boston Globe
“Whatever your level of Petty investment—and whatever your preferred era—something here is bound to floor you. The album tracks are expertly chosen, just undersung enough to magnify their greatness…”—The Ringer
“You already know ‘American Girl’ by heart. Now it’s time to meet the flawed, achingly vulnerable man who built all of those national monuments.”—Uproxx
Listen to NPR’s “Morning Edition” piece on An American Treasure HERE.
Furthermore, the lead single “Keep A Little Soul” has not only been the biggest and fastest #1 for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, but it also took the biggest jump to #1 in his career (from #5-#1). Although, Tom and the band have topped the airplay charts many times over the years, this is their first Triple A radio #1 in over 12 years and the most spins ever in a single week at the format. Tom is also the first artist in the history of the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart to reach the top 10 posthumously.
Tom’s daughter Adria Petty, and his wife, Dana Petty, were the primary catalysts for the commission, creation and release of An American Treasure­—a tribute and love letter pointing to the music in between the hits, and a strong musical portrait of the person they know in their hearts. Adria and Dana both serve as the project’s Executive Producers, and, together with Tom’s bandmates of 45 years, Heartbreakers Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench, and his studio collaborator, Ryan Ulyate, curated the box set’s track list from Petty’s rich song catalog. Campbell, Tench and Ulyate also produced An American Treasure.
The creation of An American Treasure was a true labor of love, as Adria Petty and Dana Petty explain, “Everyone involved in this project chose each track with tremendous care and deep respect for the body of work Tom Petty created over the course of 40 years.  He also accumulated a wealth of unreleased music in his vaults, and we have collectively uncovered one gem after another that will keep us all listening and discovering new facets of Tom’s talent for many years to come. We can’t wait to share with Tom’s fans this musical portrait of an artist who deeply affected our culture and indelibly touched the lives of fans the world over.”
The custom cover artwork for An American Treasure was created by prominent American artist
Shepard Fairey from an image of Petty by renowned photographer Mark Seliger.
An American Treasure is available now on multiple formats: 
An American Treasure: Deluxe Edition—A 4-CD set that features all 60 tracks, plus a 52-page booklet with rare and previously unseen photographs of Tom, his bandmates, family and friends. The booklet also features detailed track-by-track liner notes by noted journalist and Tom Petty aficionado Bud Scoppa, who drew upon his previous interviews with Tom and new conversations with Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and Ryan Ulyate, as well as Adria and Dana Petty. 
An American Treasure: Super Deluxe Limited Edition—A 4-CD set that features all 60 tracks and an 84-page hardbound book expanded from the Deluxe Edition to include many additional photographs and an essay by renowned author Nicholas Dawidoff – written especially for An American Treasure – that speaks to Tom Petty’s presence in our lives and influence on our culture for more than 40 years.  This special package also includes a newly-created lithograph of Shepard Fairey’s cover artwork, as well as custom reproductions of Tom Petty’s handwritten lyrics to four songs featured in this collection and a numbered certificate of authenticity.
An American Treasure: Standard Edition—A 2-CD set that features 26 career spanning tracks chosen from the Deluxe editions, as well as Bud Scoppa’s detailed track-by-track.
The Vinyl Edition will be released on Friday, November 23 and is available for pre-order nowHERE.
An American TreasureVinyl Edition—A 6-LP set that features all 60 tracks and a 48-page booklet containing all of the photographic and editorial elements found in the CD Deluxe Edition. This set also includes the Nicholas Dawidoff essay.  
                 
Tom Petty rocking at the Hollywood Bowl on Sept. 21, 2017.
Photo: Drew A. Kelley
All newly released recordings on An American Treasure have been mixed by Ryan Ulyate from pristine transfers of the original studio multitrack masters. All 60 recordings have been re-mastered for this collection by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering.
 
AN AMERICAN TREASURE TRACK LISTING (4-CD Editions):
CD 1
1
Surrender
Previously unreleased track from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers sessions—1976
2
Listen To Her Heart
Live at The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA—April 23, 1977
3
Anything That’s Rock ‘N’ Roll
Live at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA—November 11, 1977
4
When The Time Comes
Album track from You’re Gonna Get It!—May 2, 1978
5
You’re Gonna Get It
Alternate version featuring strings from You’re Gonna Get It! sessions—1978
6
Radio Promotion Spot
1977
7
Rockin’ Around (With You)
Album track from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers —November 9, 1976
8
Fooled Again (I Don’t Like It)
Alternate version from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers—1976
9
Breakdown
Live at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA—November 11, 1977
10
The Wild One, Forever
Album track from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers—November 9, 1976
11
No Second Thoughts
Album track from You’re Gonna Get It!—May 2, 1978
12
Here Comes My Girl
Alternate version from Damn The Torpedoes sessions—1979
13
What Are You Doing In My Life
Alternate version from Damn The Torpedoes sessions—1979
14
Louisiana Rain
Alternate version from Damn The Torpedoes sessions—1979
15
Lost In Your Eyes
Previously unreleased single from Mudcrutch sessions—1974
 
CD 2
1
Keep A Little Soul
Previously unreleased track from Long After Dark sessions—1982
2
Even The Losers
Live at Rochester Community War Memorial, Rochester, NY—1989
3
Keeping Me Alive
Previously unreleased track from Long After Dark sessions—1982
4
Don’t Treat Me Like A Stranger
B-side to UK single of “I Won’t Back Down”—April, 1989
5
The Apartment Song
Demo recording (with Stevie Nicks)—1984
6
Concert Intro
Live introduction by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, The Forum, Inglewood, CA—June 28, 1981
7
King’s Road
Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA—June 28, 1981
8
Clear The Aisles
Live concert announcement by Tom Petty, The Forum, Inglewood, CA—June 28, 1981
9
A Woman In Love (It’s Not Me)
Live at The Forum, Inglewood, CA—June 28, 1981
10
Straight Into Darkness
Alternate version from The Record Plant, Hollywood, CA—May 5, 1982
11
You Can Still Change Your Mind
Album track from Hard Promises—May 5, 1981
12
Rebels
Alternate version from Southern Accents sessions—1985
13
Deliver Me
Alternate version from Long After Dark sessions—1982
14
Alright For Now
Album track from Full Moon Fever—April 24, 1989
15
The Damage You’ve Done
Alternate version from Let Me Up (I’ve Had Enough) sessions—1987
16
The Best Of Everything
Alternate version from Southern Accents sessions—March 26, 1985
17
Walkin’ From The Fire
Previously unreleased track from Southern Accents sessions—March 1, 1984
18
King Of The Hill
Early take (with Roger McGuinn)—November 23, 1987

CD 3
1
I Won’t Back Down
Live at The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA—February 4, 1997
2
Gainesville
Previously unreleased track from Echo sessions—February 12, 1998
3
You And I Will Meet Again
Album track from Into The Great Wide Open—July 2, 1991
4
Into The Great Wide Open
Live at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena—November 24, 1991
5
Two Gunslingers
Live at The Beacon Theatre, New York, NY—May 25, 2013
6
Lonesome Dave
Previously unreleased track from Greatest Hits sessions—July 23, 1993
7
To Find A Friend
Album track from Wildflowers—November 1, 1994
8
Crawling Back To You
Album track from Wildflowers—November 1, 1994
9
Wake Up Time
Alternate version from early Wildflowers sessions—August 12, 1992
10
Grew Up Fast
Album track from Songs and Music from “She’s the One”—August 6, 1996
11
I Don’t Belong
Previously unreleased track from Echo sessions—December 3, 1998
12
Accused Of Love
Album track from Echo—April 13, 1999
13
Lonesome Sundown
Album track from Echo—April 13, 1999
14
Don’t Fade On Me
Alternate take from Wildflowers—sessions—April 20, 1994

CD 4
1
You And Me
Clubhouse version—November 9, 2007
2
Have Love Will Travel
Album track from The Last DJ—October 8, 2002
3
Money Becomes King
Album track from The Last DJ—October 8, 2002
4
Bus To Tampa Bay
Previously unreleased track from Hypnotic Eye sessions—August 11, 2011
5
Saving Grace
Live at Malibu Performing Arts Center, Malibu, CA—July 26, 2006
6
Down South
Album track from Highway Companion—July 25, 2006
7
Southern Accents
Live at Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Gainesville, FL—September 21, 2006
8
Insider
Live (with Stevie Nicks) at O’Connell Center, Gainesville, FL—September 21, 2006
9
Two Men Talking
Previously unreleased track from Hypnotic Eye sessions—November 16, 2012
10
Fault Lines
Album track from Hypnotic Eye—July 29, 2014
11
Sins Of My Youth
Early take from Hypnotic Eye sessions—November 12, 2012
12
Good Enough
Alternate version from Mojo sessions—2012
13
Something Good Coming
Album track from Mojo—July 15, 2010
14
Save Your Water
Album track from Mudcrutch 2—May 20, 2016
15
Like A Diamond
Alternate version from The Last DJ sessions—2002
16
Hungry No More
Live at House of Blues, Boston, MA—June 15, 2016
 
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7Horse Cover Johnny Cash 'Man in Black' Single Out Today - New Tour Dates Added

Great news from alternative-blues rockers 7Horse going into the weekend...



7Horse cover Johnny Cash 'Man in Black' 
Single out today

More dates added to the 'Superfecta Tour' for Fall/Winter
fourth studio album Superfecta out December 7, 2018


September 28, 2018, New York, NY/Los Angeles, CA:  7Horse have released their new single, a cover of the Johnny Cash tune 'Man In Black.' The idea to record the song was born after the band's latest stint on the road, trekking through the desert. On their way back from a Vegas gig, they went into a studio on a Sunday afternoon with producer Dave Way and the end result is a re-imagined, dark tinged rock and roll cover of a classic.  "When it comes to his catalog, this song is not on most people’s radar. But it has a timeless message that we agree with wholeheartedly." The track is a prelude to their new studio album Superfecta out on December 7th. This is the band's fourth studio album and the follow up to 2016's Livin in a Bitch of a World.

Check out 'Man In Black' via YouTube here:



7Horse, from left, Joie Calio and Phil Leavitt / Photo creditMark Maryanovich


7Horse has also announced the first batch of dates for their upcoming 'Superfecta Tour.'  Dates below with more to be announced.

7Horse formed in 2011 and is comprised of longtime friends and musical partners Phil Leavitt and Joie Calio who first played together in the platinum alternative rock band dadaLeavitt talks about the experience: “We made some great music in dada and it took us all over the world (notching a hit song like 'Dizz Knee Land' will do that for you). But we knew it was time for something new. A new approach, more raw, more primal. It can be hard to start over and leave the past behind. But there's something deeply satisfying about breaking free from expectations and really testing yourself. It makes you feel alive.” 

Across their four full length LP's, 7Horse has amassed over 13.5+ million streams on Spotify and has been featured across TV shows (Amazon’s The Grand Tour, the NFL Playoffs on Fox), video games including Far Cry 5 and most notably, Martin Scorcese's Oscar winning film, The Wolf of Wall Streetwhich showcases the band’s left-of-center hit 'Meth Lab Zoso Sticker' which has garnered nearly 1.7 million YouTube plays. 

7Horse has blazed their own trail across three well-reviewed albums: Let the 7Horse Run (2011), Songs for a Voodoo Wedding (2014)  and Livin in a Bitch of a World (2016). For previous albums, the band traded ideas and riffs online, but decided to shake it up for Superfecta with several months of pre-production and writing together in person. The result is an expansive, daring take on 7Horse’s blues-rock sound. 

For Leavitt and Calio, 7Horse marks the incredible evolution of a strong musical partnership. “We’ve always been unified in thought,” says Calio. “We agree on almost everything. And we know that even as we expand our band, the two of us will always be the foundation.”

'The Superfecta Tour' Dates: (More TBA)
Tickets and Info: http://www.7horsemusic.com/live
November 9  - Denver, CO - 3 Kings
November 12 - Milwaukee, WI - Shank Hall
November 13 - St Paul, MN - Turf Club
November 15 - Chicago, IL - Chop Shop
November 16 - Columbis, OH - Tree Bar
November 29 - Washington, DC - Pearl Street Warehouse 
November 30 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle
December 1 - New York, NY - Rockwood Music Hall 
December 2 - Boston, MA - City Winery Haymarket
December  4  - Los Angeles, CA - Hotel Cafe
December  5 - San Francisco, CA - Hotel Utah
December  7 - Portland, OR - Twilight Café and Bar 
December 8 - Seattle, WA - Timbre Room
April 12, 2019 - Bee Cave, TX - Starhill Ranch