Dolly Parton set to release legends-packed 'Rockstar'

I can't think of another single new studio album that boasts the diverse and number of rock 'n' roll notables as Dolly Parton's forthcoming 'Rockstar' LP...Robert Kinsler

What do John Fogerty, Ann Wilson (Heart), Sting (The Police), Debbie Harry (Blondie), Elton John, Peter Frampton, Steve Perry (Journey) and Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney have in common? 

Those legendary notables are among the parade of guests on country music icon Dolly Parton's forthcoming album Rockstar (set for release on Nov. 17, 2023).

Of particular interest to classic rock fans is cover of “Freebird,” meanwhile, features posthumous vocals from Ronnie Van Zant and guitar work from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Gary Rossington, who passed away in March 2023.

Said Parton in an official statement about this record, her first so-called “rock” album:

“I’m so excited to finally present my first rock and roll album Rockstar! I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together!”

The first single, “World On Fire,” arrives on May 11, 2023.

The album’s track listing is truly impressive:

1. ‘Rockstar’ (special guest Richie Sambora)
2. ‘World on Fire’
3. ‘Every Breath You Take’ (feat. Sting)
4. ‘Open Arms’ (feat. Steve Perry)
5. ‘Magic Man’ (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese)
6. ‘Long As I Can See The Light’ (feat. John Fogerty)
7. ‘Either Or’ (feat. Kid Rock)
8. ‘I Want You Back’ (feat. Steven Tyler with special guest Warren Haynes)
9. ‘What Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You’ (feat. Stevie Nicks with special guest Waddy Wachtel)
10. ‘Purple Rain’
11. ‘Baby, I Love Your Way’ (feat. Peter Frampton)
12. ‘I Hate Myself For Loving You’ (feat. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)
13. ‘Night Moves’ (feat. Chris Stapleton)
14. ‘Wrecking Ball’ (feat. Miley Cyrus)
15. ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ (feat. P!nk & Brandi Carlile)
16. ‘Keep On Loving You’ (feat. Kevin Cronin)
17. ‘Heart Of Glass’ (feat. Debbie Harry)
18. ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’ (feat. Elton John)
19. ‘Tried To Rock And Roll Me’ (feat. Melissa Etheridge)
20. ‘Stairway To Heaven’ (feat. Lizzo & Sasha Flute)
21. ‘We Are The Champions’
22. ‘Bygones’ (feat. Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx & John 5)
23. ‘My Blue Tears’ (feat. Simon Le Bon)
24. ‘What’s Up?’ (feat. Linda Perry)
25. ‘You’re No Good’ (feat. Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow)
26. ‘Heartbreaker’ (feat. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo)
27. ‘Bittersweet’ (feat. Michael McDonald)
28. ‘I Dreamed’ About Elvis (feat. Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)
29. ‘Let It Be’ (feat. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton & Mick Fleetwood)
30. ‘Free Bird’ (feat. Ronnie Van Zant with special guests Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band)

2015 Doheny Blues Festival delivers on all fronts

The death of blues music great B.B. King just days before the arrival of the 18th edition of the Doheny Blues Festival meant that the annual celebration in Dana Point, CA would likely find a number of performers offering fitting tributes to the King of the Blues.

That proved to be the case throughout the two-day festival (May 16-17, 2015) with just about every performer either acknowledging Riley B. King or even covering (or dedicating) a song in his honor. Not only was King rightfully considered "The King of the Blues," he had performed at the Doheny Blues Festival three times in the past - most recently in May 2009 (You can read my Orange County Register review of King's set at the 12th edition of Doheny Blues Fest here).

Bonnie Raitt at Doheny Blues
Festival in Dana Point.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Headliner Bonnie Raitt and her long-time band offered one of the event’s most heartfelt tributes during their outstanding headlining set on the main Doheny Stage on Sunday night. Playing a two-song tribute, keyboardist Mike Finnigan recalled his participation in a King recording session two decades ago and how special that was before leading the ensemble through a high-powered “I've Got News For You.”

Then Raitt took over lead vocals on a song that both she and King have each featured in their live shows, the spirited Chicago blues rocker “Never Make Your Move Too Soon.” Raitt’s spicy lead vocals and slide work anchored the performance, but there was a swelling point where Finnigan and guitarist George Marinelli did a tandem solo section capturing the unspoken sentiment of the sadness of King’s departure mixed with the joy that he gave so much in his amazing career.

Raitt’s full 90-minute performance was a triumph, in part because of her enduring talents as a singer and slide guitarist, but also for her unique gifts as an artist able to interpret great songs. I caught all or part of 19 sets over the two-day fest and few moments were as powerful as her tender renditions of John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery,” “I Can't Make You Love Me” (penned by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin) and “Dimming of the Day” (a Richard Thompson song she dedicated to her late brother Steve).

Although Raitt's set was the final one to play out over the 18th edition of the Doheny Blues Festival, it proved to be just one of many memorable appearances to play out on the three stages along the shores of the Pacific Ocean at beautiful Doheny State Beach.

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Paul Rodgers headlines day 1.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

The legendary rocker Paul Rodgers headlined on the Doheny Stage on the first day of the event, performing a 90-minute set that covered his 45-year career in spades. Armed with loads of hits, a life-long appreciation of the blues that gave birth to Free, Bad Company and The Firm, Rodgers brought all those elements together during his set. With Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Howard Leese (of Heart fame) by his side and a solid rhythm section in tow, the set couldn't have been stronger. Rodgers has long since recognized that the enduring power of his songs is rooted in their connection with the audience, so his live performances thrive on sing-along crowds like the great one on hand in Dana Point. While it's no surprise fans were screaming along with Bad Company rockers like "Can't Get Enough," "Shooting Star" and "Feel Like Makin' Love," what was more impressive were the moments when the audience dove head first in singing along with little or not prompting during "Run With the Pack" and "Burnin' Sky."

Rodgers also celebrated the release of his most recent album (2014's "The Royal Sessions") with a potent performance of "Born Under a Bad Sign," a Memphis blues song that allowed the 65-years-young singer to showcase his amazing pipes. Rodgers' fast-moving set closed with a rousing version of the Free classic "All Right Now" and a British blues-drenched take on the T-Bone Walker classic "Stormy Monday."

Rodgers' impressive first-time appearance at Doheny was icing on the cake for Saturday concertgoers; the day had featured a number of fine performances on all three stages. Shari Puorto had kicked things off before noon on the Backporch, blending blues and funk while backed by a solid four-man band. An early highlight was "Out Of My Mind," a Texas-styled uptempo number where she got out onto the tables to get the party started on a high note.

The early afternoon was bolstered by strong outings from Swedish outfit Trickbag (experts on extolling Chicago blues) on the Sailor Jerry Stage, and then Eric Lindell teaming with Texas guitar great Anson Funderburgh offering up more than an hour of great blues on the Backporch. I only caught a bit of the North Mississippi Allstars, but was fully impressed with the group's high-octane slide-guitar blues. 

Those artists set the stage for some of the heavy hitters, including Los Lobos, whose understated approach doesn't always provide a great display at a big outdoor concert setting. The group's decision not to play their biggest hits – namely "Will the Wolf Survive?" and their cover of "La Bamba" - was also puzzling. Still, music lovers had to be pleased with the East Los Angeles-spawned troupe's '50s styled rocker "Evangeline" and the Southern-fried blues gem "Kiko and the Lavender Moon."

Guitarist Eddie Perez of The Mavericks.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

In addition to Rodgers' night-ending set, my favorite appearance on day one was The Mavericks. Although the band's sound touches on the blues, the Mavericks' sound is rich in an eclectic brew that includes Americana, Latin, folk, Tex-Mex and rockabilly. No matter how one might describe the band, the Mavericks delivered an incredible 75-minute performance on the Jerry Sailor stage. 

Featuring material off their two most recent LPs (2013's "In Time" and 2015's "Mono"), singer-rhythm guitarist Raul Malo, lead guitarist Eddie Perez and keyboardist Jerry Dale McFadden led the band through standouts such as the instantly-infectious "What You Do To Me" and "Back in Your Arms Again" early on, with latter-half classics such as an amazing cover of Roy Orbison's "Blue Bayou" and rousing "Dance in the Moonlight" thrilling new and long-time fans - many of whom (like yours truly) who were on their feet for the entire set. 

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Brandon "Taz" Niederauer proved he is already among the blues
brightest young stars. Photo: Bob Steshetz

In addition to the aforementioned Raitt, there were two other Sunday sets that were as powerful, both playing out on the Sailor Jerry Stage. An early afternoon set by Otis Taylor was powerful from start to finish, highlighted by the explosive power of Taylor's four-member band (featuring outstanding fiddler Anne Harris) and 12-year-old guest Brandon “Taz” Niederauer (who simply amazed everyone in the crowd). The young New York guitarist delivered artful, speedy and powerful rhythm and lead guitar work throughout the 65-minute set. Hypnotic versions of “Hey Joe,” “Red Meat” and the explosive “Rain So Hard” were among the songs where Taylor, “Taz” and the musicians thrilled a crowd packed in front of the stage.

Equally powerful was the return of brothers Dave and Phil Alvin (who last performed here with the Blasters’ original lineup in 2011), this time able to feature a batch of new songs thanks to the release of their 2014 collection “Common Ground: Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy.” Sure enough, the brothers performed a number of gems from that collection as well as the playful “What's Up With Your Brother” (off Dave’s 2011 solo album “Eleven Eleven”) and the Blasters’ staple “Marie, Marie.”

Boz Scaggs at Doheny.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Delivering solid sets that nevertheless didn’t rise to the level of the day's best were blue-eyed soul soft-rocker Boz Scaggs (making his best showing with an energetic “Lido Shuffle”) and blues-rocker Beth Hart (displaying her strong soprano on “Might As Well Smile”).

Doheny Blues Festival is always a place where fans can catch a wide-ranging field of artists who cover the genre’s far corners. On Sunday, Chicago blues lovers got excellent turns from Big Jon Atkinson and the Nationals, and Lurrie Bell. Austin singer-guitarist Carolyn Wonderland performed her affecting Texas blues-rock brew on the Backporch Stage, while a little later the Rebirth Brass Band brought a New Orleans-styled party to the main Doheny Stage.

You can more details about the 2015 Doheny Blues Festival via writer George A. Paul's review posted on his Music Minded blog here.

Sights and Sounds: Neil Cowley Trio, Bad Company, Dailey & Vincent

Happy Monday everybody! I hope all of you bound for SXSW this week have a great time!

Eagle Rock Entertainment to release Neil Cowley Trio 'Live At Montreux 2012' on DVD, CD, Blu-ray, Digital Video, and Digital Audio on April 30, 2013

Eagle Rock Entertainment is proud to announce the release of Neil Cowley Trio Live At Montreux 2012 on CD, DVD, Blu-ray, Digital Audio, and Digital Video on April 20, 2013.


Making their debut appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival on July 11, The Neil Cowley Trio are virtuoso musicians. Cowley is a consummate live performer with a distinctively English wit and the ability to create a marvelous rapport with his audience, as ably demonstrated on Live At Montreux 2012. The show focuses primarily on their latest album The Face Of Mount Molehill (recorded & later toured with a string ensemble), with a scattering of tracks from their previous releases.

Neil Cowley is a much in demand pianist who cut his teeth on albums by the likes of Brand New Heavies and Zero 7, and more recently played piano on both of Adele’s global bestselling albums 19 and 21, making him quite literally, the most listened to pianist on the planet!

Defined by powerful riffs countered by poignant, delicate passages and witty, whimsical romps, Cowley’s jazz-meets-rock ethic has earned his trio worldwide acclaim, and plaudits from across the musical spectrum. Their debut album Displaced won the 2007 BBC Jazz Award for Best Album and the trio undertook their first UK tour in the same year, going on to perform extensively around the globe, appearing at some of the worlds most prestigious jazz festivals alongside a string of triumphant shows in the US in 2012. Heralded as “strong stirring stuff” by Time Out New York, their most recent recording, The Face of Mount Molehill earned the trio Best UK Jazz Act at the inaugural Jazz Fm Awards.

The line-up on Live At Montreux includes The Trio: Neil Cowley (piano); Rex Horan (bass); Evan Jenkins (drums), with Julian Ferraretto (violin); Helen Sanders-Hewett (viola); Alex Eichenberger (cello); Miles Brett (violin)

Click here to view a video of “Hug The Greyhound” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szj5_JP1NF0

TRACK LISTING

1) Lament

2) Rooster Was A Witness

3) Distance By Clockwork

4) Slims

5) Hug The Greyhound

6) Kenny Two Steps*

7) Box Lily

8) How Do We Catch Up

9) Hope Machine

10) Meyer

11) Skies Are Rare*

12) La Porte*

13) Fable

14) The Face Of Mount Molehill

15) She Eats Flies

* Not on CD format
   

BAD COMPANY RELEASES FULL SUMMER 2013 ROUTING THAT KICKS OFF

ON JUNE 15 IN RANCHO MIRAGE, CA

40th Anniversary Celebration Includes 13 Co-Headline Dates with Lynyrd Skynyrd



Bad Company has announced the complete itinerary for the band's Summer tour of the U.S. Celebrating their 40th anniversary since forming, the excursion begins on June 15 in Rancho Mirage, CA and will stage 22 dates, ending on August 3 in Orilla, Ontario. The band appeared in June, 2012 at the Sweden Rock Festival, which followed a tour of the Japan and North America in 2010 that staged 21 appearances. Prior, Bad Company toured the U.K. for an eight-date run, which concluded at Wembley in London, followed by ten shows in the U.S. in 2009. In front of the tour, Paul Rodgers shares, "When Mick and I formed the band we were amazed at the instant success. It didn't hurt to have Led Zeppelin behind us, and we wrote some decent songs that still resonate. This one is for the fans."

Bad Company were dubbed a super-group upon the band's formation due to the union of Free's Paul Rodgers (Vocals / Multi-Instrumentalist) with Mott The Hoople's Mick Ralphs (Guitar) plus Free's Simon Kirke (Drums) and King Crimson's Boz Burrell (Bass), who passed away in 2006. Over the next nine years, the band released a string of six albums that sold tens of millions of copies, yielding international hits "Can't Get Enough," "Bad Company," "Feel Like Makin' Love," and many others penned by the main songwriters Paul Rodgers and Mick Ralphs. Original members Rodgers, Ralphs, and Kirke will be joined by guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Todd Ronning (from Paul Rodgers solo band).

Bad Company has inspired many of today's musicians. Most notably, Metal band Five Finger Death Punch who scored a #1 Active Rock hit with a cover of the song "Bad Company". Since 2001, the band has only played 11 isolated performances, and has not staged a tour of The United States and Canada until now.

On 13 of the dates, Bad Company will co-headline with Lynyrd Skynyrd. Paul Rodgers recently shared, "The Skynyrds and I go back to the 70's and the days and nights at the Hyatt House on Sunset in LA aka the Riot House. In the 90's the band introduced me to my wife Cynthia, and that's why I am so damned happy and healthy these years." Lynyrd Skynyrd's Johnny Van Zant offered, "Every member of Skynyrd has been fans of Bad Company from the get go. Personally, Paul is one of my favorite rock singers. We have a deep appreciation for Bad Company’s music and look forward to being on the road with them and sharing the stage.”

DiscLive Network (www.disclivenetwork.com) has partnered with Bad Company. Recordings of all appearances where available will be released to fans the evening of the appearance so that they have the opportunity to walk out of the show with the concert they just attended. These double CD sets, which will be individually numbered and packaged in super high quality DigiPaks commemorating the 40th Anniversary Tour, will also contain an extra "bonus" CD with an exclusive "rockumentary" style interview with Bad Company. Fans may go to www.disclivenetwork.com to reserve their copy today.

The complete itinerary follows, with co-headline dates cited via the notation W/LS:

6/15 Rancho Mirage, CA Aqua Caliente Casino Resort Spa

6/20 Auburn, WA White River Amphitheater W/LS

6/21 Ridgefield, WA Sleep Country Amphitheater W/LS

6/23 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheater W/LS

6/25 Del Mar, CA San Diego County Fair

6/28 Hammond, IN The Venue at Horseshoe Casino

6/29 New Lenox, IL Community Center

7/05 Hinckley, MN Grand Casino - Outdoor Amph.

7/07 Airway Heights, WA Northern Quest Resort & Casino

7/11 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion W/LS

7/13 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheater W/LS

7/14 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live W/LS

7/16 Buffalo, NY Artpark Amphitheater

7/17 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center W/LS

7/19 Burgettstown, PA First Niagara Pavilion W/LS

7/20 Noblesville, IN Klipsch Music Center W/LS

7/23 Clarkston, MI DTE Energy Music Theater W/LS

7/24 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center W/LS

7/26 Gilford, NH Meadowbrook Music Pavillion W/LS

7/27 Bethel, NY Bethel Woods Center for the Arts W/LS

8/02 Solomons, MD PNC Waterside Pavillion

8/03 Orilla, Ontario CAN Casino Rama

 

Dailey & Vincent Get Back To Their Roots on 'Brothers Of The Highway';

Award-Winning Bluegrass Band’s New Set To Bow On Rounder May 7


Acclaimed bluegrass group Dailey & Vincent will release their sixth studio album, Brothers Of The Highway, on May 7, 2013. The eagerly anticipated follow-up to 2012’s Grammy-nominated The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent features a pair of original Jamie Dailey compositions as well as ten stirring and evocative new interpretations of songs made famous by the likes of Vince Gill, the Louvin Brothers, Kathy Mattea, Bill Monroe, Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad, George Strait, and Porter Wagoner.


While choosing material for this album, the duo, comprised of Jamie Dailey (voice and guitar) and Darrin Vincent (voice and bass), found inspiration in the words of their friend and mentor Ricky Skaggs, who advised them “You can’t know where you’re going unless you know where you’ve been.”

“I am extremely passionate about this album. It is a reflection of my heart, my soul, and my love for great music,” said Dailey. “When it was time to record this album, Darrin and I knew exactly what we wanted it to be. We both agreed that it was time to record a straight-ahead Bluegrass record consisting of a blend of original songs and songs from the past that we absolutely love. We know where we came from, and we know where we want to go. We feel this record is in step with our musical dreams, and we are excited for people to hear it!"

"Brothers Of The Highway" has been a labor of love for us,” adds Vincent. “We wanted to make an album about the joys of a simple way of life and tell stories through descriptive lyrics about friends, family, and love. I am so proud of this album. From the bottom of my heart, I hope you enjoy these songs as much as we enjoyed performing them for you."

Since they burst onto the scene in 2007, Dailey & Vincent have amassed an impressive array of honors including three consecutive IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Awards for Entertainer of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year, respectively; two Grammy nominations, and the 2011 Dove Award for Bluegrass Album of the Year. The band, dubbed the “rock stars of bluegrass” by CMT.com, has also become a perennial favorite on the touring and festival circuit: they play over 115 shows per year to sold out crowds in the United States and have developed a strong international following.

Dailey & Vincent’s peerless lineup includes the outstanding mandolin playing and lead and harmony vocals of Jeff Parker, the remarkable talents of banjo player Jessie Baker, fiddler B.J. Cherryholmes, and bass singer extraordinaire Christian Davis, as well as the unmatched vocals of Jamie and Darrin themselves.

A number of stellar guests lent their talents to this album, including Johnny Beller (dobro), Molly Cherryholmes (fiddle), Mike Compton (mandolin), Joe Dean (banjo), Jimmy Fortune (voice), Andy Leftwich (fiddle, mandolin, mandocello), and Bryan Sutton (guitar).

“Masters of harmony singing” (No Depression) Dailey & Vincent will be on tour throughout 2013 and beyond.

Dailey & Vincent: Brothers of the Highway
Track Listing:


1. Steel Drivin’ Man (Jamie Dailey)

2. Close By (Bill Monroe/Van Winkle)

3. When I Stop Dreaming (Charlie Louvin/Ira Louvin)

4. Back To Jackson County (Jamie Dailey)

5. Brothers Of The Highway (Doug Johnson/Nicole Witt/Kim Williams)

6. Tomorrow I’ll Be Gone (Wilma Lee Cooper)

7. Hills Of Caroline (Vince Gill)

8. Big River (James Cody Shuler)

9. Howdy Neighbor Howdy (James C. Morris)

10. Won’t It Be Wonderful There (Mildred Styles Johnson)

11. Back To Hancock County (Pete Goble/Leroy Drumm)

12. Where’ve You Been (Don Henry/Jon Vezner)